​A thought for today
In the world that in which live, with the pandemic that has swept over the world, the unrest that is unfolding demanding a change in thinking that should have happened many years ago. I must remind you that, regardless of your gender, race, national origin, age or orientation. Regardless of your faith, belief or denominational identification, religion or practices. Regardless if you have no religious belief, practice or if your faith is based in mother earth. There is one thing that makes each one of us, brothers and sisters. With all our differences, uniqueness and personalities, is our humanity. We are all human, we are all individuals who are bound together by our humanity.
Once we see ourselves as brothers and sisters, we can change how we think of each other. We can do away with the old practices that have existed since time immortal and work together as one. My wish today is that we take time to see how much we are the same, rather than thinking about what makes us different. I believe if you look through new eyes at one another you will see your brother or sister looking back at you.
 
Life’s Journey Ministry
Alex 

We are all caregivers in some way, we care for our families, loved ones and friends. For some the idea of being a caregiver means something different. Tending to an aged parent who can no longer take care of themselves, caring for a child with special needs or a family member with terminal illness. For these caregivers, it is a 24/7 365 duty that they perform, for them their tireless may go unnoticed, for some their commitment to caring maybe overshadowed by those who they care for. And they never look for recognition or affirmation that they are doing what needs to be done. But when the care is no longer needed, when the flowers and cards no longer arrive, when the words of encouragement stop, they are left with a void that is difficult to fill.
To all those who work to caring for their families we understand and recognize that your job is not an easy task. For those who being a caregiver means much more we recognize your efforts, commitment and strength you need to show while you care for those who cannot care for themselves. Let us take just a moment to think about these caregivers who are not part of the medical community, let us take a moment to thank them for all they do, for those whom they love.
Pastor’s Alex and Lisa
​

​We will hold a special prayer service this Friday evening for caregivers, with all that is happening with this pandemic, we can often overlook caregivers. We always pray for the Doctors and nurses, first responders and hospital staff. what we do not often remember are the family members of those affected by Covid19, or other serious and terminal illnesses. These family members tend to their loved ones, comfort them and care for them. Many times we forget these tireless individuals. We are sure you may know a few as do we, many of you may have been or are currently caregivers to your families, as we have also been. For all that you do, for all that we do for the ones we love, please join us in prayer on Friday. If you do not have a faith based belief then take a moment of silence on Friday to honor those who often are not recognized.
May God bless you
Pastor's Alex and Lisa  

Father, we offer our prayers to you for all who are afflicted with the Covid19 virus that has claimed so many of our brothers and sister, and for the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray for those who are sick, those who are still fighting for their lives, we pray for the doctors, nurses, first responders and scientists who are doing all they can to stop the spread of this pandemic. We pray that everyone take the shelter in place, self-isolation orders seriously to help stop the virus from continuing to claim more lives. Let them understand that by staying home they are helping to save lives. We pray that local leaders and state governments will continue to secure supplies for hospital to that they may continue to save as many lives as they can. We pray that in this crisis we will find leadership who is not afraid to stand up and take the best interests of the many rather than the interests of the few. Lord give your healing hands to all of us, that we may find peace in this time of trouble, place your healing hands on the sick, on the families who have experienced loss, give us the strength to see our way through this time of doubt and fear, let us see that in your love and mercy that you are here to help us through this. Let us unite in prayer where ever we are as we are all your children. we ask though our lord Jesus Amen
​

​Over the years that I and my husband have been working as a ministry. I have been asked many times, where is my church? This is of course a legitimate question, if one says they are a ministry, then they must have a church or be part of a church, right?
The answer to that is, no we do not have one, nor are we part of one. For most their ministry would just dry up and blow away at that point. However, ours has not. I believe this is in part to knowing in my heart that God called me, he called me to Shepard those who are un-churched, to those who need to hear the message or receive his blessings yet have no place to go.
Another reason we do not have a church is, we can’t afford to do so. Operating a church is expensive, the overhead alone is staggering, needing to rely on volunteers to assist with, housekeeping, liturgy or service planning. Environment (flowers and decorations). We are not privileged with the collective support of Conventions, diocese, Holy See’s or synods, as we do not identify ourselves as a denomination, nor are we non-denominational. Rather, we are faith based Christian ministry. What does that mean? We do not follow any specific set of canons, dogma or a specific theology other than what we are taught in the Gospels about Christ, and his commandments.
So, for us, having an actual building that people can come to does not exist. What we do, however, is bring the church into the community. We as members of the Body of Christ and therefore members of the church, take the message to where it is needed. Rather than have a destination for people to come to.
When we are questioned about how I can be a pastor, my Husband has answered many people who site 2 Timothy with “Who are we to judge who God calls to do his work?” I think the first time I heard that I was almost knocked off my chair, I was feeling like I did not belong in the role of a pastor. Sometimes that still haunts me, however, I have become more resilient in my belief that I am going what God has called me to do. in Galatians 3:28 Paul tells us, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” I firmly believe this to be true, and as such, we are all called in someway to serve the church and to serve God to fulfill his needs on earth.
Therefore, who are we to Judge who God has called?
Pastor Lisa

10/20/19


An observation


From the time I was a child, I have seen many changes in how we live, from the time of rotary dial phones, and pay phones. To the luxury of cell phone and now smart phones. From spending our days at the roller rink or riding our bikes everywhere, to calling uber to take us where we need to go.
Have we become so bankrupt in our lives that we seem to only see the world through the vast expanse of the virtual internet? Have we become so dependent in technology that living our lives in real time no longer exists?
When I was young, we would go to the store to buy food and items that we needed, and now people shop online and have these things delivered to them. We would go to the library and read books or walk around the bookstore just because we loved the way that new books smelled. With our current reading materials people today do not know the awesomeness of the musty smell of books.
Have our lives become so shallow that we cannot put down our cell phones long enough to watch children grow up? Or to spend family time together. Have we become too dependent of buying our food already cooked? And not understand the importance of sitting at table with each other. Or do we find it and inconvenience to go to church services in favor of watching them online?
I believe that if we can put the technology away, even for a few hours a day we can reclaim all that we are missing in our lives. We can remember a time when being together as a family was more important than texting endlessly. If we can take the time to go to the stores, and interact with people we meet, our lives could become richer by socializing with others. If we can understand that, as humans, we need social interaction with one another, we can become stronger in our relationships. Both at home and in public, that we can see one another as individuals, rather than just an image on a computer screen.
I am not making a statement that the internet is a bad thing, in fact quite the opposite. The internet does have it’s usefulness, however, maybe if we can step away from the virtual world for a little time each day. We can find ourselves not missing out on experiences that will enrich our lives, rather than coming to the end of our lives never having lived them.
It is obvious that I have been on my computer today, and on social media in order to post this, however, My suggestion to you today, put down your phone, step away from the computer or video games and step outside and see the wonders of our world, the joys of interacting with others and our families, that we may see all that God has given us that our lives will be better.


Pastor Lisa
​

When we think about mothers, I think of all the things that they need to be. Comforters, doctors and tailors. They are strong when we are in doubt, they are fearless if we are in trouble. They are there to tend to all the scrapes and bruises, broken hearts and more. When I think of our mothers, they are so many more things than we could imagine.
But there is one important thing that we often over look about them. They chose to be our mothers, they chose to be captivated with us when the first saw us, when we smiled and walked. They chose to stay up with us all night when we did not feel good, and they chose to endure all that they would go through so that you can be here reading these words.
Though they seem tired or worn. Though they work hard for their family, their love never becomes dim. Though they show the weight of age, they still would do everything they can for their families. And though their hands may be wrinkled with age, a single touch from them can still make us understand just how lucky we are that this woman chose to be our mom.
Happy Mother’s Day
Pastor Lisa
​