This is Home to Someone

This morning I got up (earlier than my body wanted to) and went to help out at Capo Beach Calvary. We were setting up for the Thanksgiving Dinner being served today at noon. It is free and anyone and everyone is welcome! If you are away from loved ones, alone for the holiday, don't have anyone to spend the day with, or you would perhaps just love to spend time with and comfort others; you are welcome! It was a small bit of my time to help set up tables and chairs in the sanctuary and I had a great time seeing many of the people I have come to know and love there. After the heavy stuff was all done, the decorating started; it was time for me and my bros to step aside and let the more talented people take over - the women (we are too macho for that foo foo stuff).


Anyway, when we were finished, I had some time to relax and just think. I began to think about all the things I am thankful for and my thoughts and prayers began to drift to others. I found myself thinking about all the homeless and less fortunate in the area; I see them around and always wondered where it is they might lay themselves down a night. So I took a walk, and I found, not to far from my home and the church, a little place that some call home. I don't have to tell you how bad I felt just to see the conditions these people were living under. It was all I could do to keep my composure as I spoke to a kind and gentle soul that called this place home. He didn't speak much English, but that was not a problem; even if I didn't speak Spanish (though I do), I'm sure the language of our souls would speak clearer than anything.


So I spent some time there talking with him; I invited him to dinner at the church, gave him a little money for food, and I gave him a small tract; the Gospel of John (he held it like it was gold). He was so appreciative, so sincere, so humble; I wanted to do so much more. I began to feel so selfish; why do I have so much more, and what could I do to make any difference? What can one man do? I had to stop my "why" thoughts and just accept that God has His reasons and His ways are far beyond my ability to comprehend. But I did think back to some recent reading from Genesis and I realized every multitude starts with one.

So he called that place home, for a while. It is not his home forever. Like all of us, he is a sojourner here, just spending a little time here before we move on to eternity. As the Bible says, we long for a better home; a home in heaven. I just pray that somehow, he and others, had a better home than this for now.

Giving Thanks

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a happy time for most when we gather together with family and friends and just be together. A time to ponder and give thanks for all the good things we have in this world; in spite of being in the world. And for many, (and I speak for myself) the good things may not become so evident until we loose or almost loose them. Simple things that we take for granted are often the most treasured things when trials and tribulations come our way. And the things we thought were so important often show their real character; stumbling blocks to the better plan God has for our lives.

I thank God for opening my eyes! And I thank Him for the trials that, although painful, have made me so much more aware of what is truly treasure in my life. The things I once thought so important, so paramount have, for the most part, done nothing more than separate me from God and lead to only pain, resentment, and regret. And not only to me, but to those I love and care about as well. My selfish “Me, mine, and more” way of living has taken its toll and at times it seems it has left me with nothing more than me and God. But even that is a gift; He has opened my eyes to see, He is all I need.

So what am I thankful for today? I am thankful for the path God has given me. I am thankful for the eyes He has opened that were once blind in more ways than one. I am thankful for my wife and for the miracle of tolerance and endurance she has been in my life. I am thankful for my children and there unconditional love. I am thankful for my father and my sisters for loving me in spite of me. I am thankful for my church and my Pastor; for being there for me, for praying for me, and for accepting me as I am. I am thankful for today, I am thankful for tomorrow; and I am thankful for yesterday even though the memories often hurt. I am thankful for my sobriety, and I am thankful for you, my family in Christ; a gift from God!

But most of all, I am thankful for Jesus! I am thankful He died for me, I am thankful He forgave me, and I am thankful He came looking for the one who wandered from the flock.

Therefore He says:


“ Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”


See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:14-21 NKJV

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Giving Thanks Always!

Happy Birthday Little Sweets!

My Little Sweets.

Happy Birthday my Little Sweets, I know this is a little late in coming, you know how busy things have been lately. But know this; I am never too busy for you!

It is so amazing, such a miracle to watch you grow up right before my eyes. It seems just yesterday you were my little girl held safe in my arms. I remember such special times with you and cherish every moment. I remember when mom would leave for work early in the morning and leave you in bed with me waiting for the day to begin. The memories of your gentle grunts and groans and the sweet smell of your hair still comfort me. The times I remember with just me and you, you and I, are so very precious. Today I looked at the little piggy hand puppet and the memories of all those giggles and smiles of yours brought tears to my eyes. And now I look at you and it seems, in the blink of an eye, you have become a young woman; and that is hard for your daddy to grasp.

So what do I see? I see you – a very beautiful, intelligent, caring, loving, supportive, forgiving and compassionate woman – yet still my Little Sweets. I know I have not always been the best example and have not always been there for you, I am truly sorry; I know these are only words. I can’t change the person I was or make up for the things I did or did not do. All I can do is now be the father God meant for me to be. So I will be here for you now, I will be here for you in the future, I will spend the time with you that you need and deserve, and I will be the father God created me to be.

I know I sometimes seem like a nag to you, trying to get you to come to church with me; but it is only because I love you and want you to know the God that saved me; the God that gave me my family back; God, that gave you your father back; God, that gave me all the good things I don’t deserve and did not give me the things I do deserve. Don't ever be ashamed to call on His name - Jesus!

So my Little Sweets, know that your daddy loves you – always. Know that your daddy needs you – always. Know that your daddy worries about you – always. And know that your daddy prays for you – Always!

I Love You, My Little Sweets,
More Than You Will Ever Know.

I Need You, My Little Sweets,
And Cherish The Gift of Watching You Grow.

And I Worry About You Always,
This World is Sometimes Not a Gentle
Place.

And I Pray For You Always,
For His Mercy, His Protection, His
Love, And His Grace.

I Love You Sarah, Daddy's Little Sweets! Happy 14th Birthday!

Love,

Daddy

Pines Park Sunset

A New KWAVE Broadcast; A Daily Walk

Just some good news I wanted to share. Pastor John Randall and his messages from Calvary Chapel San Juan Capistrano will be on KWAVE coming up at the end of this month. The broadcast is starting Sunday, November 29^th at 2:30pm to 3:00pm. Titled “A Daily Walk”, it will be messages that are recorded from services at Calvary Chapel San Juan Capistrano. For those of you who are not familiar, Calvary Chapel SJC is in downtown San Juan Capistrano across from the Mission. My wife and I have been going there for over a year now and it has been a blessing. I really enjoy (and trust) the teaching we get there. There is something to be said for going through the Bible chapter by chapter and learning the whole counsel of God. I guess I could go somewhere else and hear only happy and cheerful messages that tickle my ears, but I know that is not what the Lord wants me to hear.

Anyway, I am looking forward to having the opportunity to listen to the messages, because even though I may have heard them once, I’m the kind of guy that could slip back into old habits when the world starts taunting me.

So check it out on Sundays at 2:30 pm starting November 29^th. Even if you can’t make it to service, you can be in the Word. There are many excellent teachers on KWAVE like Chuck Smith, Jack Abeelen, Dave Rolph, Raul Ries, Tony Clark, Pancho Juarez, Jon Courson, Skip Heitzig, and many others. It is at the end of the FM dial: 107.9 FM and they do have digital broadcasts also. And if you can make it, come be in the Word with us at Calvary Chapel San Juan Capistrano. Sunday Services are at 8:30am and 10:30am and there is a Wednesday night Bible study at 7:00pm also.

Even if you have never been to church, never read the Bible, never thought about your eternity; you will be welcome! I know how scary it can be to walk into a church all alone, but remember, you are not alone! And if you need the company of another sinner, I would love to have you come to service with me. Email (scmcqueen@cox.net) or call (337-8302) and I will pick you up. We usually go to the early service on Sundays as well as Wednesday night study.

I once was lost, but now I’m found. I may have a lot of past garbage that I am still ashamed of, but I know for sure God has forgiven me: But there is one thing I will never be ashamed of - the Gospel of my Lord Jesus Christ.

He lived, all God, all man, the Word made flesh

He died, nailed to a cross, and paid the price for my sins

He rose again, was seen by many, and lives forever…

And I believe!

Combined Men's Ministry Monthly Breakfast

Just a quick post on an opportunity for fellowship with the guys this Saturday morning, November 7^th. The Combined Men’s Ministry puts on a breakfast once a month at Mangia Bene in Laguna Niguel. Cost is $9 if you pay in advance or $10 at the door, but it is best to make reservations so they can plan for enough food etc. Click on this link “Combined Men’s Ministry” to go to their web page and get the info and call for reservations.

This Saturday Peter-John Courson from Capo Beach Calvary will be the speaker, check out his blog if you get a chance. I do enjoy his teaching and appreciate his strong faith. Schedule permitting, my wife and I (and sometimes the kids, please pray!) go to Capo Beach Calvary on Thursday evenings for Bible study and Saturday evenings for service. I am always amazed at how he is so organized, focused, and on track with no notes or outline! For those who are not familiar with Peter-John, he is the son of Pastor Jon Courson from Applegate Christian Fellowship in Oregon. He can be heard on the radio ministry Searchlight on KWAVE.

Although I have only been to one of the monthly breakfasts in the past, it was a blessing and I will be going this weekend. Every month they have a different speaker and have a great worship team. They have had some great speakers in the past including John Randall, Don McClure, and Jack Abeelen and musical guests such as Dennis Agajanian.

Anyway, I hope to see some of you men (no, all of you) this Saturday morning for the Combined Men’s Ministry breakfast at Mangia Bene at 7:45am. Click on the web site link to call and make reservations and bring an unsaved friend! And if you need a ride, call or email me!

If you see me, please introduce yourself; I am not ignoring you, I am just very shy and still very insecure, but He is working on me!

If you can't make it this weekend, plan on next month. And check out Mangia Bene for lunch or dinner sometime, it is excellent!

God Bless brothers!

Here are some links!

Combined Men’s Ministry

Capo Beach Calvary

Peter-John Courson's Blog

Mangia Bene Italian Restaurant