Little House On The Prayer-ee?

If you’ve attended More About Jesus on Wednesdays nights at 6:30 pm, you know about how Jackie and I’ve been praying for the sale of our house in Canton, Ohio. Packing nearly 1200 square feet into this massive [ha!] brick bungalow [we had more space in our back yard than inside], we loved this little house [Joshua and Lydia cried when they realized we were leaving it behind. I think because they thought it was small enough to pick up and take with us like their Lego].

Long story short: When we bought this little home, a lot prayers got answered as far as location [close enough to Mayfair Junior Academy where Joshua went to school] and neighborhood [packed with friends and families some of whom have already come to visit us here in Toe-lee-dee-oh] and financing [we borrowed and paid back some money from my mom and dad] and features [everything inside and out had been renovated and replaced.] So doesn’t it make sense that a lot of prayers be responsible for its sale?

Of course, Jackie and I have been praying. But seeing as its been 7 months and it hasn’t sold yet [one likely purchase agreement fell through], we were hoping you could pray too!!! Specifically [since it’s always okay to ask God for anything as long as we finish like Jesus did with Not My Will But God’s Will Be Done], we’d like to sell it without a realtor [Sorry Heather!!!]. Will you join us in praying for our Little House On The Prayer-ee? My mom had to remind this pastor that LOTS o’ prayer is a good thing!!!

What's Your Love Language?

According to Dr.Gary Chapman, there are Five Love Languages [click graphic above for details]. To determine what they are, everybody in the office took an online quiz so we can know how they most like to be loved. While I can’t share their results without permission, here for your learning pleasure are mine [drum roll please!!!]

5) Acts of Service [Ironic for the Ordinary Outreacher in me!!!]
4) Physical Touch [Not a big hugger...but getting used to it Mary!!!]
3) Receiving Gifts [SEPT 6 is my birthday!!!]
2) Words of Affirmation [Is that where WTG came from?!!]
1) Quality Time [Time After Time, take it away Cyndi Lauper!!!]

What is your love language? Do those near and dear to you know how you like to be loved? Click HERE to find out!!! Take the online quiz!!! Share the care and spread the love!!!

Jingle All The Way?

Hear ye, Hear ye!!! We could use a small army of volunteers in their blue "Church Has Left the Building" T-Shirts on Monday SEPT 3rd @ 8 AM to help set up and serve during Cars 4 Kidz!!! [If you don't have a shirt, one will be provided while supplies last. You do not have to be a member of Toledo First to help out!!!]

Big Thanks and Way to Go!!! to Greg and Heather, Steve and Kendra and Chuck [who has such a SMOOTH radio voice!!! Casey Kasem eat your heart out!!!] for creating our Cars 4 Kidz radio jingle. It will be on the Oldies 93.5 station on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday this weekend before our Cars 4 Kidz show begins on Monday September 3rd.

If you hear it on the radio, let me know!!! Or if you simply can't wait, you can LISTEN TO IT NOW by clicking here or the graphic above. I think it's awesome. What do you think?

Calling All Ragamuffins?

A recovering alcoholic and former Franciscan priest, Brennan Manning has spent the past 40 years helping others experience the reality of God's love and grace. Brennan is perhaps best known as the author of the contemporary classics The Ragamuffin Gospel [one of my Top Ten all time faves], Abba's Child and Ruthless Trust. Brennan's latest book is The Importance of Being Foolish: How to Think Like Jesus.

Long story short: I'm going to hear him live in Cleveland on FRI SEPT 14 @ 7:30 PM!!! I can't wait!!! We'll leave Toledo First at 4:00PM and stop somewhere fast to eat supper on the way. Cost is $10/person. I share this with you because Quality Time is my number one love language [click here for more on that] so I would love to have YOUR company!!!

Please RSVP TO ME [mike4tune@gmail.com] before SEPT 6 if you want to go because pre-registration is required. Click the graphic above for more details. And even if you can’t attend, remember as Brennan says, “Once you come to know the love of Jesus Christ, nothing else in the world will seem as beautiful or desirable.”

Preach Wit Me?

Larry and Pastor Nathan gave me a great idea this week. It’s about how you [and even Nelly or Al Gore] could Preach Wit Me. I discovered this week that Larry’s young adult Sabbath School class is studying the book of John. Which just so happens to be the book I’m preaching through at the 11AM service... SO whether you’re young or just an adult, here’s what I’m suggesting: Help me preach through John!!!
Each of you read ahead with me a passage I’m chewing on and then either email me [mike4tune@gmail.com] your journal musings, devotional thoughts, illustrations or stories, questions, or applications [or post them on the new forum Shawn is launching on our church website. Click here or on enthusiastic Al Gore for more]

I’ll read them by THUR each week [when I’m usually holed up in my office writing my message] and look forward to including some of YOUR insights into MY message. Seriously. Try it. It’ll be fun!!! You can save me time and be part of my research team!!! First up for September 3rd — John 2:23 - 3:21.

Butterfly Kisses?

On Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Lydia Kay Fortune attended her first day of school. It was an emotional day for some of us. Alright, just one of us. Lydia was fine. Jackie did much better than I thought she would. But I was up for much of the night before tossing and turning in anticipation with the lyrics to Butterfly Kisses [click any pic to watch the YouTube video] tumbling through my mind. I don’t remember losing any sleep when Joshua went to all day Kindergarten...which is why I was caught by surprise I think...Here’s some pics of her first day with back packs and lunch boxes and the lyrics to that dang song I can’t get out of my head!!!
There's two things I know for sure / She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl / As I drop to my knees by her bed at night / She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes / And I thank God for all the joy in my life / Oh, but most of all / For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer / In all that I've done wrong / I must have done something right / To deserve a hug every morning and butterfly kisses at night

Wanna Adopt 150 Webkinz?

A Webkinz is an individually boxed stuffed animal that our Cars 4 Kidz sponsor St.Vincent Mercy Children’s Hospital recommends as THE toy 7 year olds and up really love. Not only is it soft and cushy comforting kids in crises battling cancer, it also allows its owner to connect to the internet for continued “care and learning.”[Click the graphic for more info about Webkins].

Through the generosity of St.Vincent’s Mercy Children's Hospital, we have received enough money to purchase 50 Webkins so far. The goal between now and September 3rd is to find 50 more people/families/giving units inside Toledo First and 50 more outside Toledo First willing to part with $20 each so we can double the number of Webkinz we can give to kids in crisis as an ordinary outreach of our church.

Will you or your brother or sister pool your allowance money together to sponsor one Webkinz? Could you collect some loose change from the couch? Could you do some odd jobs around the house? We want to give away 150 Webkinz to comfort children battling cancer. I KNOW we can do it!!! Thank you for considering this small gift to show one child that God loves them almost as much as He loves you!!! Just kidding. As much!!! As much!!! As much!!!

No Joke?

A pastor, lady rabbi, and professor walk into a bar...Think you’ve heard the punch line? You haven’t! But you could if you register in time!!! [If you book Skybus, maybe you could even fly there for $10!!! Click here for details on that] The 2007 National Conference on Innovation • September 30 - October 2, 2007 • Columbus, Ohio

This year's event promises to be power-packed, and of particular value to congregational leaders. The presenters are nationally and internationally recognized.

Jon Paulien is a renowned expert on the book of Revelation, Professor of new Testament Interpretation, and incoming Dean of the Faculty of Religion at Loma Linda University. He is the author of several books, including: Knowing God In The Real World [one of my all times faves!!!], The Day That Changed The World, and Everyday Faith.

Rabbi Marcia Prager is Dean of the ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal Rabbinic Program and serves as rabbi of both the Philadelphia and Princeton P’nai Or Jewish Renewal Communities. Reb Marcia is the author of Path of Blessing, which has been called, “One of the best introductions to Jewish Renewal learning and practice.”

Philip Jenkins is a distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies at Pennsylvania State University. A graduate of Cambridge University, he has published widely (over 20 books) on contemporary religious phenomena, but is best known for the highly acclaimed The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity.

Some have asked: Is this just for pastors? The answer is NO!!! Nathan, Aly, and I will be there. But we’d love to have some company!!! Some have also asked: Is there a group discount? And the answer is YES!!! For every three persons who register, one comes free [the third person's $99 registration fee is waived]. Don't miss this chance to learn from some of the best and brightest innovators God is leading today. For more info and registration information, click the graphic above.

Wanna Fly [No Lie] For $10?

Skybus offers all non-stop flights to 11 destinations on brand new full-size Airbus A319 air planes with at least 10 seats offered at $10 on every flight, every day. How do they do it?

A few of the ways they do it are by booking flights only through the internet, so there’s no expensive call center or 800 number to operate. By flying brand new, fuel-efficient jets to keep fuel costs lower. And by flying into smaller, regional airports where it’s less expensive (and more convenient) to land. The bottom line? You pay less, so you can afford to travel more. Click the graphic above for more details.

Which is all very interesting. But here’s what I’m wondering: If an airline can learn to not only survive but thrive in an industry plagued by rising fuel costs and poor customer service, don’t you think the local church can too? Did anybody read last week’s post about that little church in Wisconsin that could? [Click here to read it] What comparisons do you see between the local church and Skybus? Do success stories like these from the business sector motivate or de-motivate ordinary outreach?

As you ponder these questions, hum with me the encouraging lyrics of Martin Smith’s 1995 praise song “Shout To The North”: Rise up church with broken wings / Fill this place with songs again / Of our God who reigns on high / By His grace again we’ll fly

Which Logo You Likey?

At the conclusion of our Vacation Bible School, Pastor Aly reminded the children and their parents/guardians that VBS is not over.

Instead, it continues every Saturday @ 11AM and 5PM. Just with another name.

Which logo you likey?

Who's Invited To Cars 4 Kidz?

Our first annual Cars 4 Kidz carshow to benefit children in crisis will occur Monday September 3rd from 11 - 4 in our church parking lot and you're invited!!!

If you know a friend or family member [or complete stranger!!!] who might be interested in showing their car, they're invited too!!!

Click here for online pre-registration for car owners with any kind of car [classic, muscle, hot rod, etc.]

Click here to print a hard copy of the pre-registration form to give to them to mail into the church office. On site walk up pre-registration the day of the event will also be available from 9 - 11 AM.

Who Is Dakota Joe?

Dakota Joe and his dog Digger were the video leaders of the Quest For Truth vacation Bible school this year.

Pastor Aly led 35 children [divided into 5 groups] and 35 total volunteers throughout the week [WTG!!!] in a week long adventure discovering clues about the truth of Jesus.

I was the Bible Challenge leader. Which meant teaching them Scripture songs around the "campfire."

You think they enjoyed it?

Is Jesus Always Relevant?

Jesus is always relevant to every culture—to every person—to every age. We will not criticize church leaders. And we will not dump on other denominations or religions. These are a few things one little Adventist church in Wisconsin decided to emphasize before they started growing again. Click the graphic above to read the entirety of this fascinating article online.

God Sod Video?

Those of you who liked Shawn's carnival day recap of our Mission Trip to Toledo June 23 - 27 will love his latest creation -- The God Sod Soundtrack and Video.

I give it two thumbs up!!! WTG Shawn!!! Requires DSL or high speed internet.

Enjoy!!!

Holy Cal?

An integral function of the Hall of Fame is putting the best players' careers into proper perspective. Keeping with that theme, Cal Ripken took time out of his speech this past week during his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame to try to put his most famous accomplishment -- The Streak -- [playing 2632 straight games] into perspective, noting that he's not the only one who showed up for work every day.

"I know some fans have looked at the streak as a special accomplishment, and while I appreciate that, I always looked at it as just showing up for work every day," Ripken said. "As I look out on this audience, I see thousands of people who do the same. Teachers, police officers, mothers, fathers, business people and many others."

"You all may not receive the accolades that I have throughout my career. So I'd like to take the time to salute all of you for showing up, working hard and making the world a better place. Thank you, all."

No wonder the Hall of Fame set a single-day attendance record at the induction ceremony with an estimated crowd of 75,000. I'm not the only one who still admires Cal. Do you?

Wanna Monster Jam?

Joshua turns 8 years old on AUG 6. For part of his celebration, as a family we went to Monster Jam at the Toledo Speedway. In addition to baking in the bleachers watching monster trucks like Superman [driven by a guy no lie named Chad Fortune!!!] Grave Digger, and Monster Mutt crush cars, we also witnessed the American Thunder Jet Powered Jeep, the Crazyboy Jet Powered Recliner [now THAT'S a man chair!!!], and the Extreme Street Bike Association doing motorcycle tricks and wheelies on the 1/2 mile fast track.

Joshua's favorite Monster Truck, the Hot Wheels truck, wasn't there. But he enjoyed watching Monster Mutt take the donut competition, Grave Digger the freestyle [jumping over 50'], and Superman survive a horrendous crash rolling upside down to the delight of the crowd. How many of you think Josh will still be into Monster Jam next year?

Man vs. Wild?

Man vs. Wild is a survival television series on the Discovery Channel hosted by Bear Grylls who is airlifted into the wild with only a few survival tools, such as a flint or water bottle. On the show, he supposedly survives for several days with no outside assistance [although he’s got a crew of people filming him so duh that’s obviously not always the case people!!!].

Grylls, who has served in the British Special Air Services, has been filmed stranded in the deadly swamps of the Florida Everglades, paragliding onto the edge of the Andes to follow rivers into the Ecuadorean jungle and demonstrating how to make a snow cave, find water in deep tunnels and avoid frostbite in Iceland's arctic environment. The series features Grylls purposefully demonstrating extreme methods of survival in harsh conditions. The program has shown him eating raw meat and live fish, staving off hypothermia after intentionally jumping in a frozen lake, and drinking the fluids of elephant feces and his own urine for hydration.

In advertisements for Man vs. Wild season 3, the screen shows a disgusted Grylls eating an enormous grub while the announcer states, ‘Does Bear Grylls really need to do these things? Probably not. But you might.’ And because he does, Joshua gets to “exercise his eye” by watching it with me.

After reading some Berenstein Bears, it’s fun to sit back and watch a real live Bear do his thing!!! It’s educational. And entertaining. And before you know it, it’s time for Joshua to take his patch off his eye. [Joshua has a condition in his right that requires him to wear some pretty thick “cool goggles” and before the summer was told he also has to wear a patch on his eye for 2 hours a day]. Click any graphics for a link to Bear's Blog.

Cars 4 Kidz?

On September 3rd 2007, the Toledo First Seventh-day Adventist Church will be hosting Cars 4 Kidz, a classic car show to benefit children in crisis. In addition to prizes, games, live 60's music, free food and fresh squeezed lemonade, we will be collecting donations for new stuffed animals to give to child cancer patients at St. Vincent's Mercy Children's Hospital.

[Due to fear of infection, we have been informed that we CANNOT collect stuffed animals. So please do NOT bring them to this event!!! Instead, we will be pooling resources with our co-sponsors, friends, and family to purchase and deliver Sabbath afternoons specifically approved stuffed animals that come pre-wrapped and sealed in a box].

Our hope is Cars 4 Kidz will provide a fun event in our neighborhood helping to brighten the day of a sick child while inspiring cooperation within our community making it a better place to live. So save this date!!! If you or someone you know would like to register their car to show, please download and mail in the Registration Form and Invitation Card available on the church website by clicking here or on the awesome hot rod that will be at our car show!!!

A Bus For Us?

Some of you know we've been praying for a vehicle that could transport the 9 folks from Aurora House that have started attending our church after our Mission Trip to Toledo. In response, a donor has contributed $2k so we could purchase a mini van. But a mini-van only seats 7 people. And recently we were told it wouldn't be available for another week. A little later than we originally thought.

Then, out of the blue on Tuesday this week, before we spent the $2k, I received an unsolicited email that made it past my spam filters and into my inbox about a 15 passenger bus. So I called the owner and asked some questions. Turns out he does not know any of the people I've told about our need for a bus!!! He was browsing websites and found ours [in addition to some other churches no doubt] and sent me some pictures. We were the first church to call about it. It's just the right size, has a lift gate and for a diesel at 118k miles, is barely broken in. Original price 9 years ago: $60k.

Long story short: I believe God wanted us to have this bus. And a bunch of you inside and outside Toledo First obviously felt the same way. So far we have received pledges totaling $5k in the amounts of:

$300
$250
$500
$1000
$50
$100
$500
$2000
$300

After that, two anonymous donors were willing to “make up the difference” putting us at $7k!!! So we have a bus for us!!! If you’d still like to contribute to God’s bus for us, feel free to do so!!! We still have to pay for taxes and tags not to mention fuel and maintenance!!! Pastor Nathan and I already have plans for a new outreach called Midnight Cry consisting of picking up drunk people from bars and driving them home for free!!! Sober night owls with a good driver record [and maybe a CDL] apply now!!!

Some of you noticed that the paint job on the bus even matches the colors of our church. So God even painted it the right colors!!! Join me singing “God is SO gooooood....God is SO goooood....God is SO goooood...He’s SO goooood to WE!!!” Thank you thank you thank you for reminding us this week that “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it and all who live in it” [Psalm 24:1].

Are These The Days Of Elijah?

On the morning of June 24th, 2007, members of Toledo First Seventh-day Adventist Church left the building. We jumped into our cars and headed off on a mission trip. Fifteen minutes later we arrived!

Our mission field was a women's shelter in downtown Toledo called The Aurora House. Our goal was to show people that God loves them like crazy!

Check out this 8 minute video to see highlights from the carnival. Requires DSL or high speed internet connection. If you or your church would like a copy of this video to share in your church, please send a note to Toledo First care of Shawn Flack and include a check for $10 and we’ll send you one. Enjoy!!!

Our contact info is on our website: toledofirstadventist.org

Praise The Lord?

My sister Maegan and her boyfriend Aaron, my brother Matt, and I went to Cedar Point on Monday. Jackie got us tickets into the park for only $20 because it was ProMedica's Family and Friends day!!!

Their newest roller coaster is called the Maverick. It's track length is 4,450 feet. The vertical drop is 100 feet. The angle of descent is 95 degrees!!! Which means we went up and over and in before out "falling" at 57 mph then "catching" the track [and my stomach] and zooming up to 70 mph throughout the rest of the ride.

Maegan lost her voice from screaming. But none of us lost our lunch. Praise the Lord!!!

Friday Night Lights?

Every other Friday night during S.O.S 2007 [Summer of Service], Pastor Nathan and I meet some friends from Northgate Community Church in downtown Toledo [Jack, Sue, Ron, Devin, Elijah, Christina, and Tina!!!] and after we have worship and group prayer, together we give away 200+ hot dogs in front of a liquor store owned by a [not so orthodox] Muslim named “Amer.”

Amer is super nice and looks forward to our visits. He prays with us in a big circle on the sidewalk after we’re all done. He believes God will bless him for giving us space to serve the community. He accepted my invitation to attend our “Confessions of a Bridge Builder” event coming up SEPT 22 on the campus of UT and promised to bring some friends.

Last Friday, there were 25+ children listening to music and coloring pictures of Jesus on the sidewalk until midnight!!! All of the local teens and adults from that community were respectful and grateful and some of them were even willing to take this hilarious live action shot.

If you’re an adult or a teen with your parent’s permission, join us for our next FNL on JULY 27. We leave Toledo First @ 7:30 pm and return by 1:00 am!!!

Is God’s Throne In The U.P?

So we took a "mini-vacation" this week to Drummond Island in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

You get there by crossing the Mackinac Bridge and heading East 15 miles later until you run out of road.

Then you take a ferry [that we missed both coming and going!!!] to the island and another road you follow until that ends too and THAT'S where my father-in-law goes to fish.

My friend Cheryl told me God's throne is up here cause it's so beauuutiful. And while I can't say I found it, I may have stumbled across His front porch. Because this was the view from it.

Joshua's "Grumpy" let him drive the boat a.k.a "The Green Bean"

Lydia pretended to be a Mermaid.

And somehow [I still have no idea how] a few Herring jumped onto my hook. Jackie and Joshua caught more than I did and even Lydia got one. Grumpy and Laure are great teachers and we all had fun.

And THAT is no "tall tail.".

Did You Take More MTTT Pictures?

No. But Shawn and Mindy did!!! And they’ve made them available to you if you’re interested in seeing everything that happened during our Mission Trip to Toledo 2007.

Click any of the pics for a link to over a GIG of high res digital photography [A GIG is BIG!!!] sorted and categorized by day and event. Way to go Shawn and Mindy for taking off work to take pictures!!!

NBC 24 interviewed me and the mayor.

Over 30 volunteers from inside and outside Toledo First installed our God Sod. What a great crew!!!

Victory was ours. And theirs.

What's A Life Worth Living?

A few months ago we were speaking with Denise, the director of the Aurora House, about our Mission Trip to Toledo. We were explaining to her how we wanted Mission Trip to Toledo 2007 to be a gift to the community but that after it was over, we didn’t want the community to think we moved back to the suburbs of Sylvania and abandoned them.

So we shared with her our dream to be a consistent transforming presence in the community and invited the Aurora House to continue playing a key role by providing space for us to teach some classes offered free of charge about health and wellness that would benefit both the residents and guests in the community.

She enthusiastically agreed, answering an unknown [to her] prayer request for a cheap [i.e.–free!!!] space downtown we could continue doing ministry. She volunteered a classroom inside their Educational Learning Center [ELC] behind their main building that is well equipped for a class up to 12 people. She even allowed us to use her phone number to pre-register guests during the Block Party and to promote the class in their newsletter as part of their curriculum. Thank you Denise!!!

Please pray for this ordinary outreach and the 8 teams of volunteers willing to give up one TUE evening every two months for Jesus’ sake!!! First up: Nutrition [JULY 17 David & Debbie Putano]. Other topics will include: Exercise [JULY 24 Dave & Sheila Case]; Water [JULY 31 Carla Szczechowski]; Sunshine & other cancer prevention related issues [AUG 7 Dr. Marsa]; Temperance [AUG 14 Judy Riley]; Air [AUG 21 Rose Cross]; Rest [AUG 28 Dr. David]; Trust in Divine Power [SEPT 4 Pastor Mike].

Top Ten Commandments For S.O.S Picnics?

Here for your serving enjoyment are my Top Ten Commandments for our Summer of Service Picnics:

1. Thou shalt bring plenty of food [we’ll provide the utensils, plates, lemonade, and bottled water]

2. Thou shalt not mock the labeled veggie dogs

3. Thou shalt not be shocked to see “holy cow” hot dogs

4. Thou shalt remember to bring a hat and wear sun screen [or at least remind me to wear mine!!!]

5. Thou shalt sign up in the church lobby to volunteer at the Lemonade Stand; the Grill; or the Helium Tank

6. Thou shalt smile and laugh and delight in the Sabbath activities

7. Thou shalt stuff your pockets with dog biscuits and invitations to VBS and our SEPT 3rd Car Show to give away from 4-5 on our Holy Hike [complimenting the dogs we see NOT its owner because nobody turns down compliments and gifts for their pets]

8. Thou shalt not be half naked [but thou shalt not wear church clothes either even if you just came from church!!! PLEASE change your clothes BEFORE you arrive or you will be given a baggy Church Has Left the Building T-shirt to cover up whatever church thing you’re still wearing]

9. Thou shalt stay for worship @ 5:00 pm [a crowd draws a crowd]

10. Thou shalt remember we’re doing all this to SHOW people that GOD loves them like crazy!!!

Is The Mission Over After The Trip?

No, no, never, never, uh uh uh, no way!!! Our S.O.S [Summer of Service] blazes on like the sunburn on my receding hairline!!! [Read my post “What Did We Play At Maumee Bay?” for the embarrassing details how THAT happened.]

At the back of the park at Wildwood Metro Park, there is a children’s playground in front of a large parking lot. To the left of that playground, there is a covered pavilion we’ve rented from Noon to 6pm for every Saturday in July. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find that pavilion and join us for our S.O.S Picnics in the Park taking place from 1pm to 6pm every Sabbath in July. Here’s an hourly breakdown of what’s happening:

Noon - 1pm - Decorate pavilion; set up Lemonade Stand [between pavilion and playground]; and start giving away Lemonade until 5:00pm [sign up in lobby of church]

1-2:30 pm - Eat [This requires food. So please bring some to share potluck style.]

2:30 - 4 pm - Games/Music/Activities [We’ll be dividing into groups spread under the shade to play the Amazing Race: S.O.S Edition. THIS is a great mingling event so don’t pretend you’re too cool to participate.]

4-4:45 pm - Holy Hike where we walk around giving away dog biscuits and ice cold bottled water to the walkers and their pets

5-6:00 pm - Connections [2nd Service] under the pavilion. PLEASE STAY for this. Worship is the most important thing we'll be doing there. A crowd draws a crowd.

What Did We Play At Maumee Bay?

The Friendship Getaway is the last weekend of June every year at Maumee Bay State Park.

On Friday I forgot to wear my [not so] Indiana Jones [floppy] hat and my forehead got sunburned!!! [Which I didn’t think would happen since it was cloudy that morning. But by noon it wasn’t and I was toast.]

So I slapped some sun screen on my receding hairline and took the kids tubing on Lake Erie, swimming in the pool, and kayaking on the pond before running to WalMart for some Solarcaine!!! [Which is Aloe Vera + Lidocaine — the medicine they put on baby boys before they circumcise them in the hospital...takes the pain away!!!]

Sabbath meals were provided [thank you Toledo First!!!], the speakers were Christ centered and grace based, the music vibrant, the SON sets unforgettable. I can't wait till next year!!!

Isn’t this beauuutiful? Special thanks to Pastor Marcellus for snapping this picture.

Could Christians Help Unions Eliminate Slavery?

I don’t know. But couldn't we try? That’s why U.S., Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, announced March 30, 2007 legislation called “The Indentured Servitude Abolition Act of 2007” to hold employers and foreign labor contractors responsible for foreign workers recruited for jobs in the United States.

Instead of good jobs few Americans want to do anyway [such as hand picking pickles for the big burger you grill today], recruited workers wind up trapped in oppressive employment, often unable to repay their debts to their recruiters or find other jobs.

Unlike U.S. citizens, legal guestworkers do not enjoy the ability to change jobs if they are mistreated. Instead, they are bound to the employers who “import” them. If guestworkers complain about abuses, they face deportation, blacklisting, and in some cases death. This is simply modern day slavery in disguise.

That’s why Baldemar Velazquez, President of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee here in Toledo, whom I met at a funeral for one of his employees that had been assassinated [Santiago Cruz was tortured and murdered April 9, 2007 in Monterrey Mexico at the FLOC office for helping Mexicans recruited into the US guest worker program fight for their rights as legal, temporary workers in the US] testified June 7, 2007 before the United States Congress in an effort to support Congressman George Miller's (D-CA) “Indentured Servitude Abolition Act of 2007.”

So on this Independence Day, while we polish off our burgers and iced tea, here’s what I’m wondering about modern day slavery in the United States: If labor unions are so bad, why are they the ones fighting the hardest to end it, some with their very lives, while too many in the church just want someone to pass us the chips?

Exodus 22:21 [NLT] says, “21You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:34 [NLT] says, “34Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself.” Numbers 15:15 [NLT] says, “15 Native-born Israelites and foreigners are equal before the Lord and are subject to the same decrees. This is a permanent law for you, to be observed from generation to generation.”

To donate to FLOC or find other ways to eliminate abuses of indentured servitude in the United States, contact Baldemar at 419.297.7528
To read the press release about Miller's bill click here
To read about the “The Indentured Servitude Abolition Act of 2007” click here

To read the Toledo Blade article about Santiago Cruz’s funeral click here
To read an analysis from the United Electrical Workers of Santiago Cruz’s assassination click here

What Is Andrew's July 4 Dream?

Hi Pastor Mike,

I'm sorry I couldn't answer your questions sooner as I went on the Dreams Across America Campaign in Washington D.C. this weekend. I would be glad to answer your questions.

My parents came to the United States legally as my dad studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toledo for 10 years, and then they went back to South Korea (with me) for a period of about 6-7 months.

My dad was a sushi chef at a local Japanese restaurant still in business today on Monroe Street, “Koto Buki.” When we came back to the United States my dad initially wanted to go the Michigan Language School in Ann Arbor to improve his English. He received his I-20 from there which was his legal status of being in the United States as a student. He then decided to go back to the University of Toledo and study Business Administration.

The University of Toledo accepted his tuition money, but never transferred his I-20 back to UT. From there, my parents' immigration status spiraled downward. The process my parents went through is different in that they came to the United States as legal immigrants, and did not try to sneak into the United States.

However, due to the inability of the University of Toledo to transfer my father's I-20 and bad legal advice, their immigration status was ordered deported in 1995. Ironically in 2000, my dad was given an I-140 to work in the United States, but he did not have the right to live here.

The recent failure of immigration legislation in DC effects my message positively because it shows the government the failure of the current immigration system, and a desperate need for immigration reform to hopefully reunite my family as well as prevent the separation of families due to the current unjust immigration laws.

I hoped I have answered your questions, and I will see you later.

Sincerely,
Andrew Jung