Imagine loaning your car to a friend only to open Pandora’s Box…

Read more you may want to help!!!

The following story is true, it’s re-printed in support of the young man it concerns.

Why Paul is in Prison

When Paul was 18 years old, he went to live for a while with a slightly older man and his wife — people that he did not know well. Paul was convicted of murder on an accountability theory for supposedly lending his car to the man, who supposedly went and killed another young man they knew.

The supposed killer was tried for murder, but acquitted by a jury. At Paul’s trial, the judge said Paul was never at the scene of the crime. Paul’s car was thoroughly searched by the FBI and there was not a trace of evidence in it.

The evidence? A police officer testified that Paul confessed to lending his car — although there was no written or signed or videotaped confession and no signed waiver of Paul’s right to an attorney.

Paul, who is autistic, was just 18 years old at the time. He was kept incommunicado by the police for several days, while his family searched frantically for him. Paul said he was taken to a building that looked like a schoolhouse. He was not given an attorney, although he asked for one.

During these several days, Paul was kicked and slapped by the task force members. John Robertson, a Deputy Investigator for the Cook County State’s Attorney, assigned to the Palatine Brown’s Chicken massacre Task Force, punched Paul hard many times in the jaw, so much so that Paul thought some of his molar teeth had come loose. The officers brought Paul fast food, which he refused to eat, saying all he wanted was a lawyer. They did not get him a lawyer. Paul was not allowed to make any phone calls. Out of this came the supposed confession that Paul lent his car — although Paul never signed anything and there was no video.

The prosecutor, James McKay, a Cook County (Illinois) Assistant State’s Attorney with a documented history of outrageous and inappropriate conduct in court, misstated the law of accountability to the jury, which then convicted Paul after three days of deliberations. The judge sentenced Paul to life in prison without possibility of parole. The judge was obviously gunning for public approval by destroying a young man’s life. He then ran for a higher judicial office — and lost.

Paul’s lawyer at trial was not experienced in death penalty cases. Since that time, the rules have changed and lawyers in such cases must meet requirements and appear on a list. The lawyer Paul had at trial is not on the list.

Paul’s appeals were handled improperly by lawyers having severe personal and substance abuse problems. One lawyer failed to attach mandatory affidavits. Another lawyer filed one day late, causing that appeal to be dismissed.

Over the years, Paul has written four Clemency Petitions to the governor. So far, no Illinois governor has had the integrity to do the right thing and release this man. That is not surprising when you know that the past two governors — Gov. Ryan and Gov. Blagojevich, have been charged with corruption. Perhaps there will be one man or woman with integrity who says, “We have done wrong. Let us undo it.”

Why was there such an all-out push to convict Paul and keep him in prison? Because there was a mistaken notion that Paul might have been involved in the notorious Brown’s Chicken Massacre in which 7 people were killed in 1993. Paul had nothing to do with that crime (or with any crime!). Two suspects were arrested in 2002. Juan Luna was convicted in 2007 and sentenced to life in prison. James Degorski was just convicted in 2009 and also sentenced to life in prison. Now that it has been certain — for years — that Paul had nothing to do with that crime, it seems well past time to undo that wrong and let him go.

Even if Paul was guilty of what he was convicted of — lending his car to a man who was acquitted of any crime — it is incomprehensible how that could be a basis for keeping him in prison for his entire life. This is a major flaw in the Illinois justice system. So far, no one has the guts to undo this injustice.

Although Paul maintains his patience, dignity and composure, do not be mistaken: He has been subjected to physical cruelty and shocking indignities many times while in prison.

If you agree that this is an injustice and feel as I do…

USE YOUR VOICE 

“PETITION”

This link leads to a petition that will appeal to the Governor of Illinois on Paul’s behalf. It’s a chance for “Ministry in Action” as well as a chance for you to…  

Become A

Hand Of God

With Prayer and Blessings,

Matthew Milam II,

Hands Of God Ministries

Sermon – Sunday, September 13, 2009

The summer’s winding down and baseball season is getting to the crucial stages.  There’s nothing like a big game to get the fans all good to go.  I live close to U.S. Cellular Field and I took in a few games this summer.  Every game has its fans.  The fans are an interesting bunch.  It doesn’t matter what type of game it is; baseball, hockey, whatever… they all come with their fans.  Some carry signs, some dress up… or dress down if you’re counting clothes, and some even put war paint on.  Their crazy and wild, they do all sorts of things and you can never quite tell what to expect. 

Every fan is different and every fan has his favorite player.  Now somewhere back in the course of all their lives they used to be “regular people”, they were boring, non attention getting, you don’t know their there types; until they discovered their star player.  Then suddenly they were transformed into the mad crazy individuals we call fans.  Because of some special player down on the field, and a game; their life is forever changed.  For some reason they believe the game can be won, and they believe in the ability of their star player to make that happen.  They feel it so strongly that they make noise, draw attention to it, and tell the world about it.  In all their different ways they all do the same thing. 

They bring glory to the game and they glorify their favorite player.

They didn’t change into different people with different lives.  They are the same people doing different things with their lives.   

God loves you just as you are. He knows that you fall short of His glory and that’s why He accepts you as you are… to prove His point.  Its Christ and His Holy Spirit that changes us… we do not and can not do it ourselves. 

We didn’t make ourselves… God made us.  He made us a certain way for a certain reason.  He wants us to do a very certain thing for Him… and do it willingly.  He gives us all the help we need, but it has to be our choice.  Without the choice there would be no relationship.  Without the choice there would be nothing to gain and… with no gain there can be no glory.  God simply requires one small thing from all of us.   

GOD WANTS US TO BELIEVE IN HIM

AND

TO BELIEVE IN THE ONE HE HAS SENT

It’s kind of hard to say you believe in someone and not put your faith in them as well.  When you believe in your teachers you study hard.  When you believe in your company you work hard.  If you believe in a product you support it by using it and recommending it to others.  Belief in Jesus should include all of the same.  All of these things serve as a gage to show us where we are spiritually and measure the glory we give to God. 

There are some who click the remote from their lazy boy in front of the big screen.  They have beer and chips on the snack table, and might even get their neck rubbed from a special friend as they watch the game.  Every now and then a few friends come over and they all watch together but without the creature comforts of home they wouldn’t even bother.  They call themselves fans but what do they bring to the game?  Are they really sharing their excitement? 

I’ve also noticed many outside the stadium who ask if anyone has a spare ticket.  They take the time to get close to the game but never really get in the game.  They too call themselves fans, but what glory do they bring to the game or any player on the field? 

Now you may say that these crazy fans are extreme, that they are over the top, and you don’t really have to be like that.  When you think about it, which ones show up on camera… the ones you see on the news and sports shows?  When you hear the players tell the reporters that they’re the greatest fans in the world and they love them… who do you think their referring to? 

The truth is, these crazy, extreme, and over the top people add life and excitement to the game for everybody.  They all do something with their belief. The players like them as much or more as they like the players.  They are the ones who have done something to show how much they believe in the game and their favorite player.  They have been moved to action and become of use simply by believing in their team and the players.  That kind of belief causes an action that exerts influence on others and adds glory. 

1 Corinthians 1:26-27

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 

GOD DOESN’T WANT YOU TO CHANGE WHO YOU ARE

BUT

HE DOES LIKE IT WHEN YOU CHANGE WHAT YOU DO

DO GOOD WORKS

We are sinners saved by grace and none of us are perfect.  Still we don’t have to be good to make an effort to do some good.  At the same time it is possible for someone who is just as bad as us, or worse, to also do some good things.  We will not always get it right, and we shouldn’t expect it to always come our way from others; even when it should.  However that should never stop us from trying to do good works. 

God calls us all to do some good in the world and this is how we do it. 

BY LISTENING TO JESUS AND FOLLOWING HIS DIRECTION

The Word of God generally comes to us by three methods.  We hear it when it’s preached or shared with us by someone else.  We read it and study it directly from the Bible ourselves, and there is the revelation from the Holy Spirit that we receive as a result of these two methods.  The depth of our relationship with God and Christ will be directly related to the time we spend in and with “His Word.”  This is how we develop our spiritual relationship. 

THE SCRIPTURE LESSON

Matthew 25:14-27 

Parable of the Three Servants

When you get a job, you should be qualified.  You generally come in the door with some skills and abilities.  In our scripture story we got three guys already working for the boss.

Because he’s leaving for a good while he calls in his best people, the top guns.  These guys have been around for a while, they know the operation. 

The boss knows that they have skills.  He picked them based on their ability after seeing what they can do.  Three guys; Tom, Dick, and Harry are given money to run the boss’s business. 

Tom takes his five bags and doubles it, and so does Dick with his two bags of money.  They use their ability… believing the boss’s confidence in them.  They make the boss look good. 

When the boss gets back he’s happy.  The boss is proud of them.  He can point his finger at them say stuff like this… “Look at my guys; I knew they could do it.  Good job fellows, well done.  Let’s celebrate.”  In fact he can even give them more stuff to do, more responsibility. 

But there’s the case of Harry, the other guy.  Just like the other two, Harry had skills; he had been around the boss and knew what to do… but Harry got spooked.  He remembered the times before he came to work for the boss; all the times he fell on his face and dropped the ball.  Harry froze up… waited until nobody was looking and buried the money.  When the boss got back all he had to show was what the boss had given him… he didn’t do anything with it.  When asked about it he makes excuses. 

The boss calls Harry lazy and his excuses don’t hold up.  The thing is Harry worked and did a good job… when the boss was around.  When the boss was gone he didn’t do nothing… not even the stuff everybody including Harry knew he could do. 

The boss tells him that he didn’t have to do his best.  If only he had done a little something it would have been better than doing nothing at all. 

In this lesson it’s not the money that’s the issue.  It’s what they do with their ability that counts.  The money doesn’t make the boss look good. Qualified people who do something make the boss look good.  When his people don’t do anything the boss gets no glory.  There’s nothing to celebrate and you can’t expect the boss to share any joy or praise if you’re not giving him any glory.  

“WHEN YOU WORK FOR GOD… YOU NEED TO DO YOUR JOB.”    

God created us with talent and abilities and when we pay attention to His direction, we learn to use them for good.  It doesn’t matter how much ability or talent we have.  It doesn’t matter where we come from or what it was we use to do.  What matters is what we do and how we show our faith.  We can say we have faith and do nothing with it, or we can allow His Spirit to move us to do some good; bringing glory to God.  When we act through the Spirit of Christ, God is pleased and we share in His praise.

GIVE GOD THE GLORY

Scripture is very clear as to why we were made and to what our purpose is.  It leaves room for us to supply the details, but the structure is unchanging. 

We were created to make God’s praise glorious.

Isaiah 42:8

“I am Yahweh; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.

Isaiah 43:7

everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” 

1 Peter 4:10-11

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Were back at the ball game but this time it’s a very different picture.  Jesus our star player is up to bat.  The game is tied and it’s the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded.  There’s one problem… one very big problem.  The stands are completely empty; not one fan, not a single one bothered to show for the game. 

Jesus belonged to the Heavenly franchise; He was the captain of the team and the “Most Valuable Player.” He had the greatest fans in all creation… they all praised His name.  Being a free agent He exercised His option.  He left where He was and came to where we are.  Now when He got here we didn’t know a thing about the game… in fact we didn’t even have a team.  He had to do a lot of work, recruiting and training players just to start a team.  In addition, He had to show us what the game was.  He went around teaching and explaining how the game works, and what we needed to know to understand it.  Jesus went through a lot of hard work; some might say it was miraculous how He put together a team, and what He did to prepare us for the game.  Now, after all that work He’s down on the field playing His heart out.  Jesus is giving up His blood; literally putting His life on the line.  You really got to love Him.  Everybody should be His biggest fan… but instead even the cheap seats are empty, and that’s even after He paid the price and gave away free passes. 

I don’t have to wonder how He feels.  I can only ask how you would feel if nobody showed up to cheer you on.  How would you like it if nobody showed appreciation or came to make you look good?  Does it feel any better when they say they believe in you but don’t do anything with their belief? 

GIVE GOD THE GLORY.

Heaven is the stadium.

It’s the place we all should make an effort to get to.  It’s where we shout and give our praise for all eternity. 

Remember we have to take the steps necessary to get to the stadium.

The game is the gospel. 

It’s where Jesus performed the work; the sacrifice fly that led to the victory.  It’s where He poured His heart and His love out for us… when He shed His blood, and laid down His life. 

Accept His sacrifice; don’t let the game He played be for nothing.

Jesus is the star player. 

Let Him be a star player in your spiritual eyes, and become His biggest fan.  Open His play book, and learn His strategy.  Listen and follow the accounts of His life, and don’t let others put Him down.  Like any good fan, share Him with your friends, in the clubs, and on the street. 

Where ever you go give Him the glory

In all you do

MAKE HIS PRAISE GLORIOUS 

Blessings, 

Matt.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

There is an old saying that I’m sure everybody is familiar with…

“Seeing is believing.”

Today at the “Blue Sky Cathedral”, I asked the group this question concerning that familiar saying.    

Are you really so sure it’s the truth?

There has been more than one instance where our eyes have gotten us into trouble and we’re still trying to put trust in them alone.  Magicians pull rabbits out of the hat, make people float in mid air, and one guy made the Empire State Building go poof, live in front of a crowed of people… they all saw it… and their eyes tricked them. 

It might be better to say that seeing is believing… some of the time.

It’s time we all understand what we should already know… our eyes are unreliable.  We really don’t use them to see.  They don’t make us see they only help us to see.  Now before I go on I’m sure there’s one or two of you that got lost back at the part where you don’t see with your eyes. 

Let me break this down so everybody can be on track.  Your eyes do one thing and one thing only.  They focus light… that’s it, end of story. Once the light is focused, nerves carry it to the brain where the information is fed into the mind for understanding.  The mind is where pictures are created with the help of your imagination. 

It is the only place where you really see things.

Now that I got everybody on the same page maybe you can began to understand this revelation. If you don’t believe it in your mind you won’t see it even when it’s right in front of you. 

In other words… believing is seeing… not the other way.

We were born with our spirit; we didn’t get it after we came… we had it before we got here.  Our mind is locked inside our spirit and from day one it started getting its information through our five senses.  But that’s not the only way it gets its information. When you go to sleep your eyes are closed; they stop working.  Yet you see things in a dream that you remember and can describe.  If it’s a bad dream, you wake up scared and shaking.  Your mind sees it without your eyes.  Your mind working with the imagination creates a believable picture that gives you “Spiritual Vision.”  I say believable because you still have to believe it.  If you don’t believe it, you won’t see it.  During our life we have made our “Spiritual Vision” dull by not believing what it sees.  We tell ourselves that it must come through the five senses in order to be real.  We train our mind not to believe it. 

If you want to see Jesus… if you would allow yourself to see Him, you must first close your eyes and look with your “Spiritual Vision”, and then believe what you see.  Remember these words… 

John 20:29 (NIV)

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Made like God, man is a spirit first.  Remember when we were born we came with a spirit.  We were created to exercise an ability called imagination.  With it our Spirit can see things that are not in the physical world.  It lets us create things as well as take control of them.  Think of all the inventions; cars, planes, computers, and all the other things that were seen before they existed.  God told Adam to create names for all the animals as well as to take control over all the earth.  Because of mans relationship with God our “Spiritual Sight” was not blinded or corrupt.  That condition quickly changed. 

Genesis 3:6 (NIV)

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

This is how the eyes worked for us… first she SAW, then she LOOKED with a pleased eye, and because of it she DESIRED.  The spirit was influenced by the senses and the things of this world; as a result the “Spiritual Sight” was made dull.  Mankind suffers from desire driven by worldly influence on the five senses. 

Genesis 3:7 (NIV)

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Our eyes became a misguiding source of information which interferes with “Spiritual Sight.” Without clear “Spiritual Sight”, we all hide ourselves from Jesus… we must see Him through our Spirit first in order to really see the greatness of Who and What He is. 

The bottom line is this; our “Spiritual Vision” must be strengthened with faith.  It’s the only way our minds will give our Spirit what it needs to see.  We were made to be led by the Spirit… not by the eyes.  It all comes down to simply this… 

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

We live by faith, not by sight. 

 Blessings,

Matt.

Sunday, August 30, 2009 

At one time or another I have not only felt guilty but I’ve also been guilty.  One thing is certain when it comes to guilt; either you are or you’re not. Wrestle with guilt… who would willingly do that?  You can only be guilty if something you did… some act was wrong.  Now if I’m not guilty I might wrestle with feelings of resentment at being falsely accused.  On the other hand if I am guilty I have nothing to do but face my responsibility and move on to whatever remorseful and repentant behavior I can work toward.  To wrestle with guilt sounds more like somebody wants to keep up the act that causes guilt than to let it go.  Why else would you be wrestling?  More often than not it becomes a struggle with the act that itself that keeps a guilty feeling in your conscience mind.  When we refuse to acknowledge the act or change the behavior, we aggravate the problem. 

Many of the people that come to the “Blue Sky Cathedral” are challenged by their lifestyle and or behavior.  Often they refuse or are presented with problems which make change difficult or imposable.  One way or other guilty feelings run high among the core group.  Today’s message attempted to address this issue with at least some basic information with which to develop skills for this challenge.  How you handle guilt depends on where you are on the guilt scale; or more correctly how you view yourself in relation to guilt itself. 

The world has its way of dealing with the situation and the range of approach varies greatly.  For the mot part the measures are subjective as well as inadequate.  One could try to minimize the act saying it’s nothing or using a rational angle because everybody else is doing it. Sometimes self compromise is employed and we lower the standard trying to make the action an acceptable behavior or we criticize others in an attempt to justify the act.  Then there are those who internalize their guilt and dump on themselves about it.  At the end of the spectrum are the indifferent who do nothing more than develop a perpetual state of apologizing, trying to make saying “I’m sorry” stand as a cure all.  Most of these efforts perpetuate the problem and often create new reasons for guilty feelings. 

Faith in Christ offers the only definitive solution for handling guilty feelings.  The work of Jesus at the cross has paid the price for what we all are guilty of. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  

Once the feelings are dealt with that leaves the acts and behavior which must be addressed.  When a wrongful act is committed, responsibility must be faced.  Responsibility is a hard pill but it can be swallowed. 

Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. 

The work of Christ acts as a blanket of security when properly put to use.  When there is a transgression, confess your sin with a sincere heart.  The debt has been paid, we have only to accept God’s forgiveness. 

1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

With true repentance from a sincere heart, the advent of responsibility will be evident by a faithful change in behavior.  Accepting the gift means living by faith. 

Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

Just as wrestling with guilt is a subjective process of the mind, it can be reformed.  It may not be easy or come about instantly but faithful change can be expected. 

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

God has given us all a choice.  You can wrestle with guilt if you wish, but as I said; “Who would willingly want to do that?” Through Christ there is a better option.  I pray that those challenged and struggling within our group will make the option of Jesus the one they choose.  

Blessings,

Matt.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

I was distracted when I left the house and all along the way to the service site.  I had gotten a late call from my daughter and she was also in route to attend the service.  At the last minute she had decided to make it out before returning to Minnesota with my granddaughter.  The scheduling gave her a window of time.  We were coming from different locations and she was traveling behind me.  It wasn’t much to be concerned about, but I’m still a father and it was on my mind.  

As is normal at the “Blue Sky Cathedral”, we hold a discussion period.  It’s a way to get everyone to open up and let out some of what their feeling.  It also introduces the topic and gives everybody the chance to focus their thoughts and be more open to what’s offered in the sermon.  While we were getting it on my daughter still hadn’t arrived.  We were talking about staying straight and again, I was distracted.  As the discussion winds down it’s our practice to sum up the concerns as well as try and illustrate a Biblical principle that addresses the topic with spiritual teaching.  Today that duty rested on me, and my cell phone was ringing.  In a very real way… I was not staying straight, at least as it relates to my focus on Ministry.  All was O.K. and my daughter would be arriving shortly.  She would miss my segment but be in time for Steve’s sermon.  The thing is even when you’re in a better position to know better, you can still fall short.  I Thank God for that phone call; it helped me to regain my focus so that I could be straight.

Every case is unique to the person involved.  That person holds the key that identifies the problems for them. The answers are much easier to supply once the problem is clearly seen.  The thing is this, when it’s your problem you have to see it as a problem… and see it clearly.  The solution is always there, always at the ready, and always available.  From that point on it’s all a matter of acceptance.  In every store the shelf is full of things to supply your needs.  However, you don’t need everything that’s on the shelf.  You must make the choice of taking what will do you the most good.  The question is simple… do you want what you need?  Often we say we do but really we don’t. 

We act on impulse… we go with what looks nice, or the package that catches our eye.  Sometimes we grab a thing a friend told us about or something we saw on a television commercial.  We do all of these things to get it over with.  We take the easy way out instead of the needed way out.  More often than not, what we need to do won’t be the easiest thing to do.  The fact that it’s hard does not stop it from needing to be done.  Once again… it’s a matter of acceptance.  I needed to stay focused on my role as a Minister and not be distracted by things that I had no control of.  I couldn’t see it as a problem let alone accept it, but that was due to my own understanding.  It also reminds me of my own need to keep reviewing another spiritual teaching…

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 

Blessings,

Matt.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

It’s three in the morning and I’m putting the finish on my service notes for in the morning.  I’ll be delivering the information and teaching segment… and I want the message to be received from the Spirit and not just me.  This is not my first effort with this group but there are some jitters.  I know that all will be fine and God will do His work but this group gives me reason for concern.  Especially after the events of last week with the neighbors and the law, I’m wondering where their mind is at.  Street people tend to view things differently.  Usually it’s from a standpoint of indifference.  A sense of detachment develops and hopelessness can be an overwhelming issue.   

Being from the streets myself, having spent time homeless, I want to be able to leave them with some sense of hope.  I remember when I felt as if there wasn’t any.  I had no reason to want to make an effort to go on.  It took my seeing myself as having value; not the value that I gave myself but the value that others had placed in me, as well as the value they had for me.  What it comes down to is being made to feel as though one is not useless.  The day I started believing that I was worth something was the day I started to try and find out what that something of worth was.  It was my ladder up out of the hole.  It was the one tool and the only thing given to me, during that period of my life, which made a difference.  God saw fit to give it to me, that feeling, and I don’t want to sit idle and waist it.  There are a lot of trenches in the streets and some of the holes are very deep.  I pray that the ladder I bring to the “Blue Sky Cathedral” has an extension long enough to reach.

Living on the edge of society is intimidating; one can easily start to feel as though everything is ganging up on you.  Sometimes you get the urge to show the world you’re not a “PUNK.”  No matter what you’re not going to be pushed around.  You may be down and out but that doesn’t mean you’re a push over and the world can’t just throw whatever it wants at you.  That may have been the way the two young ladies felt last week when the commotion got started.  Jesus could have felt the same way.  He could have snapped, after all, mankind didn’t seem to be getting it.  Why should He have to pay for our sins anyway; He wasn’t the sinner.  There are times when no matter what you have a right to do, or feel you want to do… you can only do what must be done.  It’s a time where doing what’s right and being responsible is the only thing that will make a difference.  It calls for humility and the ability to allow your will to submit to a power much greater than yourself.  I thank God that Jesus was able to stand in the face of seemingly overwhelming, hopeless, and intimidating conditions.  That He held fast in spite of what was thrown at Him.  I’m so very glad that He had the courage to show the world… that He really and truly was no “PUNK.” 

John 16:33 (NIV)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Blessings,

Matt.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Every now and then you have one of those days; the enemy calls in Murphy… the guy with the other law.  Sometimes I find myself caught off guard and he seems to just all of a sudden appear.  Now I’m aware he’s in the background, lurking and ever ready to come at you.  Still there are times when you just don’t see his approach.  My computer had been acting with a mind of its own.  All week long I was challenged with my preparations for Sunday’s service at the “Blue Sky Cathedral.”  There were shutdown, data loss, and files that refused to open or somehow not attach to e-mails that I had to send.  Everything worked to push my timing right up to the deadline.  Deadline… now that’s a word that should have been a tip off.  After getting a late start and a cab ride that was cost prohibitive, I arrived (Late), for our Outreach Service. 

Steve had started the discussion and our group was engaged.  I had just made the deadline, a fitting cliché for a topic involving death.  The scripture concerned Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead.  The clear message is that Christ is the resurrection and the life.  No longer do we have to live in defeat, accepting this death of life.  The thing I wanted to get across was… “do you believe it?”  As I spoke, I drew attention to everyone connected to the story and what the scripture illustrated they believed.  From Thomas and the rest of the disciples, on down through Martha, Mary, and the town’s people; everyone held a belief in Jesus.  However, what they believed was not only reflected in their actions, but seemed not to focus on the role of Christ as the Lord of the Resurrection.  Death, in their eyes held more power than Jesus did over its final grip. 

The sermon seemed to go well and entered our fellowship period.  I guess Murphy became a little more upset and wanted me to know it.  A couple of woman got into an argument over who knows what and it attracted all the negative attention that our enemy hoped for.  Some of the neighborhood locals were upset by the commotion and called the police.  Now understand that no one was hurt and we managed to bring things back under control, but a few things came to the surface that gave Steve and me a cause for concern.  There was one guy who suggested that we were responsible for the whole thing.  According to him we shouldn’t be ministering to this group and our presence is why they are a problem.  He wanted the authorities to force us to take the group elsewhere; anywhere as long as it wasn’t there where he was.  One of the reasons we started this in the first place was due to the regular gathering of these folk that society has no use for.  They are there everyday, Monday through Friday; not just the few hours that we try to provide direction in their lives on Sunday.  We don’t dictate their lives or control them in any way; if anything they allow us into their space.  This neighborhood and society in general offers them nothing not even a wholesome conversation or word of encouragement.  They represent an eyesore, something to be removed.  Most often, as in this case, they’re just somebody else’s problem and somebody else’s responsibility.  This guy even went as far to say, “take them to your neighborhood and let them be your problem for a while, we need a break.”  I wonder if he was the spokesman for “Murphy’s Law” or if he was Murphy himself.  The truth is their not his problem or ours; they’re everybody’s problem and we all need to work at addressing a solution.  I pray for his understanding of that.  Shifting them back and forth will never be the solution, no matter how bad he wishes it was.  To find the answer will take a little belief.  I ask the same question as I did in the sermon…

“What do you believe?” 

Deuteronomy 15:11 (NIV)

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. 

Blessings,

Matt.

I will be continuing with the section reviews and they will be available for reference at my column, “Today’s Spiritual Understanding.” I hope you will take the time to use it as an introduction to scripture and encouragement to continue, or maybe to start the project in your own time frame.  The reviews can also be helpful as discussion material for personal and group Bible Study.  Reading the Bible has always been my foundation for an enriched relation with “Our heavenly Father” and I recommend to all that you establish it as a regular part of your spiritual process.  

Blessings and Encouragement,

Matt.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

By the grace of God and the power of Christ’s Spirit transformation is slowly given to those who are willing to humble their hearts. When it comes to my life I, like all of those before me had to listen and learn. It’s a process that won’t take place overnight. I’m sure I did more resisting and clinging to doubt than being open to the “Good News.” For the most part sin has blinded us all. We fall into the trap of thinking everything is going great. While we’re having a good time the consequences of sin are taking their toll. Where would I be if the Holy Spirit had not graced me with those special gifts, those servants of willing and obedient heart; who were patient and encouraging… seeking my salvation even when I had no desire for it myself. 

We set out at “The Blue Sky Cathedral” in search of that one who would come to Christ. In a small way we try to allow sight to those who are blind to the message of salvation and are following a blind path. The scripture message was about Jesus giving sight to a man blind from birth. Like many today who just don’t see, it takes Christ to produce a radical change that we could not imagine possible. Steve explained how Jesus is the power to overcome darkness and be brought to the light. Now it would be nice if we could sit back and have everything just fall into our lap, but I don’t recommend you bank on it happening that way. More often Christ meets us at the end of our efforts; when we’ve made the choice to move in His direction, seeking the benefits that only He can provide. He has His work and we have ours. John gives the details of Jesus applying mud to the man’s eyes and instructing him to go wash in the “Pool of Siloam.” When you want something you apply yourself. Salvation is a free gift but it requires acceptance… the application of faith; without it no change is possible. 

 After the service in a quiet and almost timid manner we were approached by a young man who it seems was listening. I admire his courage even in the face of his fear. He was making an effort toward applying that faith and humbling himself in the presence of a power much greater than all of us. This young man confessed to having a heroin addiction which he wanted and needed help with. He was tired and beaten but had heard enough to know that Christ could handle it. Steve and I prayed with him and took him with us as we made inquires to some treatment programs. It won’t be easy and there is a lot stacked against him in the way of resources and lifestyle… but thank God he chose to be willing to seek the Lord for his salvation. 

 As I said, we seek that one whose life will change, that one who will come to know Christ Jesus. I pray that the story for this young man is just beginning. 

Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Blessings,

Matt.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

We invited another guest speaker for the service today. Glen Fitzjerrell, accompanied by his friend and Ministry partner Jed Brewer, were on hand to enhance the “Blue Sky Cathedral.” I’ve known Glen for a few years now and anyone who’s met him knows that he is going to stand out in your memory. Glen landed in Chicago after serving in Texas as a prison chaplain in the juvenile division. He has continued his work in prison and street ministry becoming a respected name and face among some of Chicago’s toughest gang members. As the founder of “Mission USA”, he has helped to affect the lives of many in and around our city. Anyone interested in this area of service would do well to meet with his organization to learn of ways to effectively start or enhance their programs. 

With a personable manner and humorous style, Glen gave his sermon to open ears. Jed, who handles the musical leg of the show, had already worked our group in worship songs. Continuing in our sermon series, Glen delivered the story of Jesus being followed to the other side of Lake Capernaum, (where He walked across the water) by a vast crowd. (See Jn.6) It seemed that the people, as Glen put it, “wanted the hook-up.” As I said, he has a way of standing out, but more so, it carries over to the way he gets the message out. With his Texas accent and more comical injections, he captured the attention of our little gathering. The message was received and I think all understood that Christ wants to “Hook You Up” big time. Not just for a moment with something to eat, or a show of impressive and miraculous performances, but with much more than you could ever ask for. Christ has the inside track on Eternal Life and that’s a “Hook Up” for real.  

Afterwards, during the fellowship period there was engaging conversation amongst the exceptionally large crowd. We had enough attendees to consume all of the food that was provided; the team had to opt for a visit to the restaurant. In all it was a good mix of lives in the process of change. Those who come regularly looking for change. There is Steve and myself who have been changed, and all of us together working in some way to see a change. I thank God for Glen and Steve and the work they do. All the more I thank God for allowing them to cross my life and the opportunity to replace our plans with the plans that He has given us. Plans that hold in store a great future in Christ Jesus. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Blessings,

Matt.