Mission, Day 6 – Houston

Today is our last day of mission opportunities.  We again have breakfast and devotions before we leave.  Today we will be heading to the Beacon Day Center.  The center provides hot meals, private showers and lavatory facilities, laundry services and case management to Houston’s underserved and homeless population. Upon our arrival, Andy and I are assigned … [Read more…]

Mission, Houston Day – 5, Saving Smiles & A Shocking Revelation

Today we head off to saving smiles again.  This is great, as we enter the building, people begin to great us, and they all remember us from a couple of days ago.  This is like visiting with old friends.  We are told that we will be doing the same jobs that we had previously, which … [Read more…]

Houston, Day 4 – Houston, Urban Plunge

Welcome to day 4 of the Houston mission trip.  I am so glad that you will be joining us today.  Today we start off with a devotion and breakfast.  After that we have some real exciting stuff planned.  Make sure you make two sack lunches today and put on some good walking shoes. We will … [Read more…]

Mission, Day 3 – Houston

I failed to mention this in the previous posts.  Each day we start off with devotion to set the tone for the day.  I lead the devotions and I do not have a laid out pattern for what will be read in the morning.  I have just been letting the Spirit guide and guide it … [Read more…]

Mission, Day 2 – Houston, Student Thoughts

Today’s post will be a collection of thoughts of the students participating in the mission trip. I will do my best to provide context to their thoughts where needed. I will use their own words but where clarification might be needed, I will do this with the use of [ brackets]. During our mission of … [Read more…]

Mission, Day 1 – Houston

We rise to another early day, just like our travel days towards Houston. Now we rise to the soundings of a rooster, yes a rooster, here in Houston. Well, some of us hear the rooster, while others can to sleep through just about anything. It had rained overnight and the air is now damp along … [Read more…]

Houston Here We Come!

We have left Platteville and headed out on our mission trip to serve in urban ministries of Houston TX. Although there were some very tired people this morning, there was still excitement to hit the road. We have made it to Missouri on I-35. Now it is time to fill the van and our tummies! … [Read more…]

God Protects us…Mission and the Big Picture

Video Link to Sermon Audio Link to Sermon Malachi 4:1–2a 2 Thessalonians 3:6–13 Luke 21:5–19 Matthew 25:1-10 Matthew 24:42-43 Matthew 24:36 Last week when Jesus was asked a direct question, He never really answered the question at all.  Then of course, the Sadducees were looking for details, not at the big picture as Jesus was … [Read more…]

What about Christ in Christmas Anyway?

We are now headed into Advent, waiting the anticipated arrival of a Savior for all of humanity.  Sure, we have a bigger picture than the kings who sought out the baby Jesus and of the shepherds who received the good news from the angels.  We can still experience this excitement if we are willing to … [Read more…]

Stewardship – Seminary & Campus Ministry

Luke 19:1-11 I thought it might be helpful to have some background on me, to help you understand the perspectives I bring to the text today. I grew up un-churched.  In fact I would say I was an atheist.  I would get infuriated when I would see or hear things like “In God we trust”, … [Read more…]