Waking on Sunday morning, I found that eyes opened right up which is rather unusual, because during the work week they fight me like its a prize fight.  They scream just a few more seconds.  As I rolled in one sweeping motion towards the open DVD drive on my computer – I grabbed the DVD that had burned all night and slipped it gently into the waiting DVD player hooked to the TV.  It was time.  Dun-Dun-Dun — it works.  Okay, time to burn the remainder of the Baptism DVD’s and then its off to church.

With the coffee securely in my hands, I uploaded the awaiting video to YouTube, dress and jump in the car bound for ABF.  Halfway down the vacant streets of the San Fernando Valley, I realize I need gas or I certainly won’t be able to make it to church, let alone anywhere else.  So I stop for some cash, then drive across the street to the gas station and the awaiting Starbucks. . . and that, that is, where it happened.

I’m sure you’ve felt it at some point in your life.  That tug of the Holy Spirit that says, “Here’s an opportunity to bless someone” – its right in front of your eyes.  As I make a quick turn around the corner, there he is – sitting cross-legged with his head down adjacent to the double doors leading into Starbucks.  With his dark-skin and tattoos clearly visible, a life perhaps of hard times and hard labor and decisions he rather forget, he sat.  His Dodger cap was pulled down over his graying hair, a black bandana swung from his neck to wipe whatever sweat was there.  He looked like a shower was something that he hadn’t experienced in days, maybe even a week.  And there he was sitting outside a Starbucks in a wealthy suburban neighborhood, minding his own business, not asking for anything, yet smiling through pain.  And there I was heading for the door in my green shorts and Agape polo shirt and then. . .our eyes met.

I gave that recognizing look and half-smile as I quickly darted for the door, not wanting to be bothered.  And as I stood in line, the prompting of the Spirit said, “why don’t you ask him he wants a drink“.  The internal debate raged.  God, I don’t have time.  I have to get my Venti Hot Chocolate with whipped cream.  I, then have to get gas in my car.  Then I have to go to church and sit in the nice seats in the air conditioned sanctuary.  Someone else will take care of it.  Again, the prompting came and each time I had an excuse.  I don’t have time.  I don’t want to be bothered.  Someone else will extend help.

Even as I stood at the gas pump and looked at this man. . .I still didn’t follow the prompting.  As I exited the gas station store, a man in his late fifties, well dressed with white pants and a nice suit coat, bent down with an outstretched hand and handed the man a cup of coffee.  And that is how I remember, a blessing missed.  An opportunity for help abandoned.  A realization that I made a mistake.

I should have listened to the Holy Spirit.  I missed out on an opportunity, because I wouldn’t step out of line and ask if that man wanted a cup of coffee or a danish or breakfast sandwich.  You can better believe that when the next prompting comes, I will obey.  May you learn from my mistakes so that you can grown in your faith.

Not the kind the cars do that is super cool, but the drifting we do in our spiritual lives.  Today, I find myself reflecting on a much needed day off about where I have been & where I am going.  I know, deep.  It seems that mistakes in my past are catching up with me.  I wonder can the God who sees all & hears all give me just a little more grace to get me through what I am going through.

The answer is yes, but that doesn’t mean He will.  It’s hard to believe Mini-Tour was one weekend ago already.  This time last week I as hurriedly grabbing my sleeping bag, pillow, stuff & throwing it under a bus to head out for the weekend.  Today is different.

Sometimes I just need to reflect & move forward.  We aren’t proud of all the mistakes we’ve made – how we’ve spent our money, what we’ve said to whom & when we’ve said it and probably most troubling is how we have talked to God or sometimes the lack there of.

Well, today is a new day of the month & a new opportunity to re-focus on what lies ahead.  I guess that is a good use of my time.

So. . .I am running behind on the ProBlogger 31 Day Blog Challenge, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been reading the posts.  I was thinking tonight as I was driving home, what makes a truely good leader?  I know this can’t be answered in a single post, but my thought process was meant to stimulate my creativity on ways to transition my knowledge & set up a generation behind me.

I currently work with a youth choir & as part of my responsibilities I lead the tech crew.  This is a finally tuned machine.  It is an honor to be on this team.  Well. . .we are heading out on our annual weekend “Mini-Tour” & so this Sunday wwe will be doing a full setup including sound & risers.  This is a team that is made of six high-schoolers & they can do a full sound setup in less than 10 minutes – its actually quite amazing to see.  With that said, what are some of the expectations for being a part of this crew:

• Servant Heart – we work in the coldest weather or the hottest weather
• Fun – we have to enjoy it!
• Desire to Learn – knowing it all – is just showing off – be humble & guide someone
• Excellence – do your best, strive for excellence – we aren’t perfect
• Legacy – be a part of something great
• Leadership – first off, last on

There you have it – the sound team is looking for a few good people.  Do you have what it takes?

Since the beginning of the year, I have been working hard to reduce expenses & to be diligent in getting “gazelle intense” as Dave Ramsey says regarding debt reduction & other things. So that means that I will be transferring my blog to a free service to help conserve my cash. In the end the cash isn’t that much (but I am trying to be a better steward of the resources God has given me) & TypePad has been a great platform for helping to extend my thoughts & the message of Christ with Agape. As of this Friday, I will be shutting this blog down on TypePad as well the Agape Singers blog & both will be transferring over to here (Elevate) & here (Agape). I will setup subscription services to the other sites so you can connect quickly. (Google Reader is always a good choice too)! Thank You TypePad for 2 great years!