The Won Way

Do you like to yell out loud? I know I do. Well, Thursday night was "Holiday Outburst" night where everyone yells out things that belong to specific categories. Jeff and I M.C. the evening while Randy runs around with a cordless mike to each group like a chicken with his head cut-off, and Dave keeps time with a cymbal to let us know when to move on. It's kind of like a chaotic Family Feud on major caffeine. The Shakers won the game, but if you were there for the whole night, you'd know everyone did. If they chose to...

Earlier in the evening, Titus joined the band for the first time playing his harmonica to the tune of "Early On One Christmas Morn." Well..., they brought the house down, and it was the first time I recollect a standing ovation at Circle of Friends. The joy on faces seen was memorable. It wasn't the first time that one of our friends joined the band for a number. They happen occasionally and I really like it when they do! I just seems right for everyone to be part of everything at COF... within reason of course.

As I mentioned in an earlier note our ministry is geared towards folks with disabilities, (a.k.a. everyone - whether you want to admit you have a disability not - seen or unseen). And..., I don't like to sell our folks short (insert your own height joke here) when it comes to sharing ALL of God's word. But it's a delicate thing to share all of God's love and word with folks who might not always understand what I say, and I surely do not want to take advantage of someone to wear some Christian badge of honor for sharing the faith on my chest (...now serving number...). So, I trust God!

I don't have a special needs child but, I teach them (and others) for 180 days a year, so I have an idea as to "special things." I also have a physical disability that is easily seen, and whether I want to always admit it or not affects why and how I do things. So..., I trust God! I speak to everyone the same way, and let God handle the fallout, always. Just like the devotion from Thursday, I trust that because he already won our salvation which we can all claim through the STP prayer (Sorry I've sinned, Thank you for dying for me Jesus, Please have your Holy Spirit come into my heart forever,) it is really all about how God will share Himself with everyone. So I don't like to hold back anything from anyone. God hasn't. He gave us this wonderful place to live, (and we screw it up), He gave us a plan to fix our mistakes through Jesus, (and some choose to screw that up), He gave us the best selling book every year for all time to help us when we need help and answer our prayers, (and we don't always go to it, and screw that up too). To me, life is really not that difficult, (but we often screw that up)..., trust God.

Whatever your situation, stop and think about why God would have you there. If it's a great place to be, thank God. If it's not, thank God, and learn from it. Through it all; read alittle of His word daily, and trust God. He already won the way for us to be with Him for eternity if you choose the won way which is Jesus. We learned in our devotion that the bible says, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). Jesus is not the "best" way, (as said in a very popular book out recently; about a shed where this man comes to grips with the loss of his daughter - page 109 or 110). He is the only way for everyone. We are all included because God doesn't hold back. Doesn't that make you want to shout and yell out loud for joy?!?! I know I do.

Circle of Friends...A Look Back

A year or three ago, Circle of Friends took a look back..., here is a link to the video. Sorry Mac users. You need to be a 'BM'er to download the video for now. Enjoy COF's "A Look Back."

www.movielocker.com/2546

Thankfully Respect the Unexpected

I had a weird dream. It is always hard to describe everything in a dream but here are the highlights: My older brother and I were in a dark Navy-gray parking garage trying to find our car, and we just got in a cage-like elevator when my brother knelt down to tie his shoe. As he was tying, the cage door started to close and a man arrived trying to get on the elevator too. We stuck our arms out to hold the doors open and he climbed aboard. He was yammering on about us being in his way, and he was obviously a bit wrinkled by it. He said something about Jesus and him being Christian, and as he stepped on the elevator I could see some form of a soldier/crewman's uniform which he was wearing. In my dream it looked more like a dark jump-suit with Boy Scout badges all over it, and a shiny compass was pinned to his chest. He had done a lot based on all the badges, but the compass told me something about him knowing where he was going, or not. He was still spouting off about expecting but not getting any respect, and based on his tone, it sounded like he believed he never did..., from anyone. When he finished I spoke to him. Which is strange because I usually ignore folks that don't respect the unexpected like this..., it makes life easier.

I asked him if he knew what it was like to have a child who didn't have the memory to know and recognize that he was his father. He said, "no." I went on to ask him if he knew anything about hanging out with people with special needs, and what life like that could be like, in any way shape or form. He said, "no." I went on about other things of which he had no clue because it was not part of his expected lifestyle. I mentioned that just because his life isn't what he expected and that someone might be an obstacle in his way, tying their shoe while he was trying to get on an elevator is not a testament or judgement against him or all he has ever done, or where he was headed. Some things just happen. This levelled the playing field. Quickly we both began to get waterfalls around our eyes. He because someone took the time to address him and his venting; me because I actually had the guts to speak up to someone who was reacting unreasonably to something that just happened exactly like the bumper sticker from the 70's said. I asked him if we could pray and we began to studder through together, weeping...then I woke up.

Thursday night at Circle of Friends was a bit like my dream. Jeff called early in the day and told me he was sick and couldn't make it. Jeff and I are beginning to "do" the devotions together again. I prayed he would join me in presenting God's word to our group, and I was thrilled when he and I were together again a few weeks ago for the first time in years. We have a balance of silly and serious, one of us is Dean and the other Jerry, one Abbott, the other Costello, one Spongebob, the other Patrick. It has worked in Hollywood for years, and it does at Circle of Friends too. I was sad that Dean/Bud/Spongebob was ill and couldn't make it. I reassured him that it'd be O.K., and that he would be missed, but everyone needs their rest from time-to-time.

Rick called earlier in the week to let me know I needed to drive the van, and after I picked up the group and got to Forest Hill, our night of "Thanksgiving Worship" and "Joyful Noise" began. I was ready for the devotion of the evening. It was, I thought, perfectly timed. We had had the "Fire and Brimstone," devotion, and we were leading up to tonight's "Jesus Died and Rose Again, So What?" devotion. It was perfectly set-up with our Thanksgiving time. Dave even mentioned in the opening prayer how the saving message of Christ's death and resurrection was what we should be most thankful for...eternal life. PERFECT TIMING! Thank you God! With or without Jeff, I was excited to present the word that explains this to our group. I should have seen with Rick and Jeff's calls that my expected evening would not go as I planned.

Unexpected #1 - I don't care to drive the bus. I mentioned that to Phil before. I'm a small guy and have a tough time seeing over the dashboard of that monster (I almost need to stand to drive,) let alone steer this leviathon around south Charlotte. I will drive it, but I am still working on doing it with a joyful heart. Unexpected #2 - Jeff's sick, I go it alone..., come-on man, just when I thought things were developing wonderfully well! Well, O.K.

Unexpected #3 - The evening starts as planned and everyone is singing and worshipping together. I know that the schedule is going to be a bit off as we have our friends come up to sing with the band during a "Joyful Noise" night. This takes time. Kathy also planned to read notes that our group wrote about things that they were/are thankful for. This takes time too. "Thanksgiving Worship" and "Joyful Noise" night together, as stated before. It began as a lovely blend of singing and thanks. I was sitting with Jim who was operating the Powerpoint stuff, as I was monitoring the various microphone volumes for a smooth more joyful sound for everyone not singing.

I felt that the time was nearing for the devotion so I took off my shoes and socks, and said a short prayer to get ready. (Remember..."holy ground." I know, I know..., crazy.) Everyone kept singing, and Kathy read more notes of thanks. So I put my socks and shoes back on, and waited. Some time went by and I felt that I should be ready again, so I took off my shoes and socks, and said a short prayer again. Songs and thanks kept coming, endlessly. Needless to say, I picked up my socks and shoes, and put them back on, again. This happened a few times that night until Kathy stopped and looked over to me as if to ask "What's next?" I was geeked-up to jump right up there and rattle off that devotion, I could nearly burst, from my excitment. God's perfect message perfectly timed, how thankful we'd all be I thought. But, it was time for refreshments. Dave just mentioned to me what I already knew; our crowd had been sitting for a long time, and it was time for refreshments. I half-heartedly said/yelled to Kathy (who was standing at the microphone with 325+ folks waiting), "time for a management decision!" She didn't answer. I called back, "Let's do refreshments and snack!"

At that moment, I respected the unexpected - joyfully. I put myself in any place but first. That doesn't always happen. At least not if I have anything to say or do about it. But, when you are standing with your shoes off on holy ground to say His words to a few hundred people every week, I believe you better act like your shoes are off always. I was following my compass the right way, and was not in a dark gray place, like the dream. Maybe the night and the devotion I was so juiced up to deliver was not perfectly timed, according to me?!?! Maybe (as always) it will be timed perfectly according to the One who wrote it. When Kathy and Dave were kindly apologizing for the mixed-up timing regarding the devotion, I was already past it. That was one great gift I was given that night. Another was a quote from J.C. on this sheet he gave me with a boat-load of Thanksgiving poems, quotes, and jokes. Someone once said something like, "It is not the words we use to say thanks for the gifts we've been given, but the way we use our gifts that shows our thanks." (Forgive me for not remembering the person, or the exact quote.) Thanks be to God for giving me the gift of respecting the unexpected this week. It is His expectations I truly want to fulfill anyhow. I pray we all have this to be thankful for.

I Will Change Your Name

This has been on my mind all week. I haven't slept well, work has been rough, the snacks in my kitchen don't do it for me, bills keep coming, I need a shower, I really need to redo some of the things I just finished 'cause they're not exactly right, too many things still need to be done. On top of all this, I'm dealing with a short deck. (Insert your own height joke here.) We all have "special needs" and only you know yours, like I know mine. Life is wonderful in Christ, yet hard and hurtful at the same time. Some days I wish my name wasn't my name so someone else would have to do the things I have to do. They're not bad things, I don't mind doing them...I'd just like a breather, and a full deck. Don't get me wrong...I truly am living a blessed fulfilling life (at times), but I am so looking forward to this promise from Him! (At least I have Circle of Friends tonight!) Do YOU ever want to change your name?

Dust Part 1

These pictures began the chalk talk...

To Dust You Shall Return

A Chalk Talk happened Thursday... I am always amazed by the wonder of watching an artist work. In a chalk talk evening an artist expresses how God has touched our lives with a canvas, and some dust in a tube. In Ephesians it says that our battles are not of the flesh, but of the spirit, and that we should be aware of this. In a chalk talk, the wonder of Adonai is demonstrated as the light/spirit changes and the beauty of our Creator is shown. Chris and Kathy have been coming and sharing this with their Chalk Talk for years. They always bring something "home" for everyone at COF. Wednesday was Veteran's Day and on Thursday Chris and Kathy came drawing the agape gift that our soldiers have given us here in the United States of America; unconditional love and sacrifice,...words can never express. ( I pray the pictures do.)

Whether you agree with war or not (it happens,) it is hard to argue that our soldiers have always given all for us. Jesus did likewise. He was either right, wrong, or crazy, but he gave everything for us. You have to read and decide. Read the Bible and what He said and think for yourself. The Bible has never been proven wrong. As time moves on it is proven more and more right. (I don't know how or why anyone would care about proving a faith though; either you believe or you don't.) As you read you will be moved either way, like grasping what our veterans have done for us. They have given their lives as Jesus gave his. Read the Bible. When you're finished I can guarantee one thing: you will understand that you are no more than dust. One day you will return to that same state. How are you living with the dust you have been given?

Flashback?!?! - Hot Dogs, Loaves & Fishes!

This story lingers in my mind like the taste of hot french fries, lightly salted and seasoned, with ketchup and vinegar, and a splash of Franks hot sauce. Mmmmmm..., yeah! Remember May 2000? We had a picnic outside on the lawn of the church. It was warm like a hug from your mom. It was the Thursday before Memorial Day.

"Circle of Friends" had only been meeting for maybe a year, and we weren't even called "Circle of Friends" at the time. We decided to finish our season with a picnic outside. I brought my yard-sale $5.00 red Weber grill, and everyone brought side items. It was like an old time church pot luck supper.

Len played delightful music streaming out through the yard and into the parking lot. Everyone sang along and worshipped. Tables covered in brightly colored cloths rainbowed around us with balloons gently being tugged by the warm presummer breeze. We only planned for 75 people. Well, we only had 14-20 coming to the group that would be "Circle of Friends." Surely there wouldn't be 75?!?!

Inside the mansion near us was a meeting/training about leadership. That seems to be a favorite topic to attend for church goers these last ten years. Everyone wants to be a leader. I was missing it, and admitedly I was a bit saddened by this. I was a deacon for heaven's sake! I should be in that room! Shouldn't I? I saw our pastor walking in as we were welcoming our first year's group to the first of many end of season picnics. Even though I was missing the leadership stuff I was having the time of my life hanging out with tremendous folks, starting what would become the beginning of great memories for us all. The Circle of Friends picnics have become legendary, at least with us.

I remember Jim taking over the grill as the expected crowd began to swell. Jim helped in one of the group homes, and he always lends a hand without being asked, especially when he sees it is particularly busy. Folks were everywhere and the music and the cackling of people calling my name was a bit dizzying. I recall counting up to about 125 people that were actually there, milling about like my dog(s) when we have meat out in the kitchen. I thought to myself, "How is a small 22 inch Weber going to cook for that many people." I also briefly considered that we only bought and brought food for 75. Oh well. We're not really in control of this anyhow...who needs leadership training when God truly runs His worship, and we're just graced to attend.

The evening ended as it always has with our group. Everyone had a heavenly time, and ate until they had enough. It's been that way for over 10 years. We've met at times with no band, no refreshments, not much help, no idea what was going on - pretty much S.O.P. for me - but, the Spirit is always at COF, and HE always gives us what we need. Our first big picnic surely wasn't "loaves and fishes" but, we had enough hot dogs and such to feed everyone.

I am always amazed that God shows up for this rag-tag group of socially considered misfits, and blesses us with His presence (and/or presents) every week. I also remember thinking that I've never read anywhere in the Bible that God had Moses, or anyone else for that matter train to lead for Him. He called them and by faith they went. I was honored later when our pastor told me that I didn't really need to be in the training anyway. We were already doing it, and we had a hug from God on the lawn of the church, with a side of fries! Why miss that for a meeting?

True Taters

We played "Bible Game" Thursday evening! It's kind of like "Wheel of Fortune" without the wheel. We run throughout the room, from team-to-team, Moooovers, Shakers, and Couch Potatoes, with a bag of letters. As teams draw letters from the bag they appear on the screen to reveal a Bible verse. It's another crazy mixed up way to reveal God's word to our group in a (sometimes) wildly fun game. The first team to correctly say the verse out loud wins! My favorite team won...the Couch Taters. I don't really have a favorite, I just like the name and the concept behind it. I'm a bit lazy at heart.

You wouldn't know my wife and I are lazy 'cause we're almost always wildly on the move, doin' stuff..., but we are true "couch potatoes." Maybe we're just tired of "doin'" and that's why we feel lazy. Maybe it's the fact that we are "true" sinners at heart and we know Jesus has done it all so we can afford to be lazy. I don't know. I am thankful for this week's devotion that highlighted that Jesus came for sinners, not the righteous, and that He wants obedience, not sacrifice.

Most days...we want to obey God's word, but have a hard time figuring out what that looks like in our daily life. That could be why we're constantly doin' something for someone else. Maybe us sinners just won't ever get it; so we mix up righteous works, sacrifice, and what we think is obedience at the time into this mishmash of godly-goop we call our faith. Most days we question what the heck we're doing, and is it truly God's will. I don't know. Either-way, we know Jesus has done it all, so we can afford to be wrong in how we organize our lives as long as we trust that He saved us by taking the penalty of death for our sin. Everything we do has consequences. Every action has a reaction. As wild as our days can be sometimes, it is the couch potato in me that is joyful in trusting God's consequences, and His reaction to my sins. This trust comes from reading His words everyday. Did you play the "Bible Game" today? If so, you've revealed something to give you rest...something every sinning spud desires.

Helloween Hoedown

The Halloween Hoedown was a Hit! Although... me thinks the band does the "Monster Mash" a little too well. A frightening good night was had by all, and I think everyone could have danced until the cow went home. Well..., it ain't a "hoedown" unless there's some livestock!

It was a bit mooooving (sorry) how the devotion covered where we go if we do not repent and turn from our sin. It was actually quite weird how the timing worked out to place it right before Halloween as we covered Hades, and death due to sin. (God did that, I have no plan.)

As I was with Jolly-Rancher Jeff presenting the information from God's Word, in my best bovine camouflage I might add, and answering our questions about the price of sin; I realized some fascinating info that we then discussed at that moment on stage. Death and Hades get thrown into the lake of fire near the end of everything! Man-o-man... how bad must the lake of fire be if death and hell get put there? I didn't recognize this before the devotion, and was surprised that God chose to reveal this at that time, and then said to tell everyone while we were in the middle of our pretty serious "Fire-and-Brimstone" teaching.

Oh well..., that's why the shoes are off. When we read God's word to our group we are on "holy ground." We must trust Him always and treat our position as such. I trust Him to plan and time and tell more than I trust myself. His timing is often-times perfect..., always perfect!

Speaking of timing, I hope He danced with us while He was there...I'm sure He did. How could He not when the Band was so kickin'!?!? Other than seeing God smile at somethings we do, I'd love to see Him dance. I bet He moves like smoke and His band is probably kickin' too! That is one Hoedown I'm looking forward too.

The Truth About Our Jeopardy

Whew! Jeopardy is an exciting new and wild evening at Circle Of Friends (COF). We played "Sing-A-Song" Jeopardy with the Moooovers, Shakers, and Couch-Potaters jumping up out of their seats to play the game before we were done. Each team had to identify lyric-parts from our worship and fun songs in the game. Man-o-man, a BIG-TIME was had by all! Thankfully God splashed us with His grace during the game as the devotion was all about the truth of our hearts, which is never good.

Before going up to present our devotion, I was praying about how to tell our group what the Bible says about our hearts, they're deceitful, sick, we are not "good people." Only God knows what's there, and what we value is detestable to Him...OUCH! Knowing our group and with respect to the vast spectrum of comprehension in it God told me to just "...give it to 'em straight Jim, they can take it!" So whenever we were about to cover a question about our hearts, and compare it with the truth of the Bible God told me to ask the crowd, "Can you handle the truth?"

A beloved friend of the Lord once said that he didn't care how the truth came to him - from the hip - from another friend - from someone in jest - from the person driving the car next to him - as long as it was truth. God's Word is Truth, and every time I asked that question, all 300+ in our group shouted to the Lord, "WE CAN TAKE IT!" If you'd see our group you'd know they can. Everyone of us is a product of sin in some way-shape-or-form. That is the truth about our jeopardy. Thank God for the splash!

Stump The Chumps

Well...we had another night of "Stump The Chumps" (last week)where our volunteers answer questions from our group about the Bible. I wish our resident theologian (Art) was there with us. We did fairly and answered at least one question, with a lot of "we'll have to get back to y'all on that one." I like that though. We're all a little messy. We don't (or shouldn't even pretend to) know God, and all the wonderous things He has going on. Hence the activity name, "Stump the Chumps."

I was particularly tickled when Phil answered the question regarding "Is it O.K. to kiss my boyfriend?" that was sent in. I think he was confused because a boy read the question about a boyfriend being kissed. I don't think he realized maybe a girl wrote the question. Thank God He's there with us each week. I'm sure He smiles at some of the high-jinx going on. I'm glad to be a chump for Jesus! Who's chump are you?

Welcome to our Circle of Friends!

Welcome to Circle of Friends Ministry. We simply worship, pray and study the ONE TRUE GOD in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We do this every Thursday evening from 7:00pm until 8:30pm, at Forest Hill Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, (from Labor Day until Memorial Day). Our ministry is devoted to God's perfectly made people with disabilities - which basically includes everyone. Our evening (usually) begins with musical worship, followed by a devotion, refreshments, then closes with a selection of more lively songs praising the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, through His Son, Jesus Christ. If you'd like to see pictures of our group go to http://www.flickr.com/ and search "thursdaycircleoffriends" - you can contact us at OofFriends@gmail.com - "...a friend loves at ALL times." That's in the Bible someplace...