One of the things I love best about 00:01:40.03\00:01:41.66 working at Andrews is the sense of community 00:01:41.69\00:01:44.37 experience with my colleagues. 00:01:44.40\00:01:47.28 Its exciting to, to realize that 00:01:47.31\00:01:49.84 we're all part of the same team. 00:01:49.87\00:01:51.57 We're here because we love Andrews, 00:01:51.60\00:01:53.58 and we want what is best for Andrews. 00:01:53.61\00:01:56.36 One of my favorite verses in Philippians 00:01:56.39\00:01:58.41 is where Paul counsels us. 00:01:58.44\00:02:00.42 "So this is my pray, that your love will flourish 00:02:00.45\00:02:03.36 and that you will not only love much 00:02:03.39\00:02:05.53 but that you will love well." 00:02:05.56\00:02:07.67 And as we get busy in this, 00:02:07.70\00:02:09.45 our days are sometimes really pressured 00:02:09.48\00:02:11.54 that is my prayer to You. 00:02:11.57\00:02:13.00 That we'll love one and other well in community. 00:02:13.03\00:02:16.04 Holy Father, those are words of the Apostle. 00:02:19.04\00:02:22.55 Do you speak them to us as well? 00:02:22.58\00:02:25.78 So this is my prayer that Your love will flourish 00:02:25.81\00:02:29.30 and that You will love well. 00:02:29.33\00:02:32.37 How can our love flourish 00:02:32.40\00:02:34.42 and how shall we love well unless Your love in fills us 00:02:34.45\00:02:37.99 which is why we have gathered this Sabbath 00:02:38.02\00:02:41.86 as a worshipping community. 00:02:41.89\00:02:43.56 Hours, before the school bells begin 00:02:43.59\00:02:45.39 their clanging all over again, 00:02:45.42\00:02:49.85 oh, God who is giving knows no ending. 00:02:49.88\00:02:54.42 We throw wide our hearts to You, 00:02:54.45\00:02:56.49 fix in us Your humble dwelling, 00:02:56.52\00:02:59.03 pour Your faithful mercies new. 00:02:59.06\00:03:01.82 And in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:03:01.85\00:03:04.04 please accept our grateful praise 00:03:04.07\00:03:08.87 as the new year approaches. 00:03:08.90\00:03:11.69 Amen. 00:03:11.72\00:03:13.39 God, whose giving knows no ending 00:03:47.16\00:03:51.55 From Your rich and endless store 00:03:51.58\00:03:56.22 Nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom 00:03:56.25\00:04:00.90 Costly cross, grave's shattered door 00:04:00.93\00:04:05.77 Gifted by You, we turn to You 00:04:05.80\00:04:10.64 Off'ring up Yourselves in praise 00:04:10.67\00:04:16.03 Thankful song shall rise forever 00:04:16.06\00:04:20.89 Gracious donor of our days. 00:04:20.92\00:04:27.17 Skills and time are ours for pressing 00:04:27.20\00:04:32.12 Toward the goals of Christ, Your Son 00:04:32.15\00:04:37.23 All at peace in health and freedom 00:04:37.26\00:04:42.25 Races joined, the church made one 00:04:42.28\00:04:47.70 Now direct our daily labor 00:04:47.73\00:04:52.80 Lest we strive for self alone 00:04:52.83\00:04:58.34 Born with talents, make us servants 00:04:58.37\00:05:03.67 Fit to answer at your throne 00:05:03.70\00:05:08.75 Treasure, too, You have entrusted 00:05:27.97\00:05:33.61 Gain through pow'rs Your grace conferred 00:05:33.64\00:05:39.61 Ours to use for home and kindred 00:05:39.64\00:05:45.73 And to spread the Gospel Word 00:05:45.76\00:05:52.09 Open wide our hands in sharing 00:05:52.12\00:05:57.86 As we heed Christ's ageless call 00:05:57.89\00:06:05.29 Healing, teaching, and reclaiming 00:06:05.32\00:06:11.94 Serving You by loving all 00:06:11.97\00:06:18.43 Now its turn as congregation to come forward 00:06:23.26\00:06:26.34 and bring our praises, bring our thanksgivings, 00:06:26.37\00:06:31.03 bring our petitions to the Lord of the universe. 00:06:31.06\00:06:35.16 And so we will invite you 00:06:35.19\00:06:36.43 as we saying "Spirit of the living God" 00:06:36.46\00:06:39.33 to join us here at the front. 00:06:39.36\00:06:41.04 Spirit of the Living God 00:06:54.46\00:07:00.85 fall afresh on me 00:07:00.88\00:07:07.36 Spirit of the Living God 00:07:07.39\00:07:14.60 fall afresh on me 00:07:14.63\00:07:21.52 Break me, melt me 00:07:21.55\00:07:28.84 mold me, fill me 00:07:28.87\00:07:34.54 Spirit of the Living God 00:07:37.57\00:07:43.40 fall afresh on me 00:07:46.40\00:07:53.18 Father God, again it is our privilege 00:07:57.58\00:08:00.88 to be here this morning 00:08:00.91\00:08:03.37 to praise, honor and worship You. 00:08:03.40\00:08:06.22 You've brought us here safely after another week, 00:08:06.25\00:08:09.75 after another summer and we thank You. 00:08:09.78\00:08:13.61 In this place we have come to be with You 00:08:13.64\00:08:17.71 and in the next few moments of silence 00:08:17.74\00:08:20.60 we want to quiet our hearts 00:08:20.63\00:08:23.01 so that we can rest in You. 00:08:23.04\00:08:25.22 You have nurtured, You've led us 00:08:30.25\00:08:33.44 as a community of believers. 00:08:33.47\00:08:35.79 From this fellowship has grown Your schools 00:08:35.82\00:08:39.01 and communities of learning. 00:08:39.04\00:08:41.51 We thank You for the obvious signs 00:08:41.54\00:08:43.58 of Your leading and Your guiding 00:08:43.61\00:08:46.07 with our own like with Ruth Murdoch Elementary 00:08:46.10\00:08:49.43 in Andrews Academy and yet Lord, 00:08:49.46\00:08:53.17 we know that some of our brothers and sisters 00:08:53.20\00:08:55.19 are hurting spiritually, emotionally, physically 00:08:55.22\00:08:59.96 and we want to lift them up 00:08:59.99\00:09:02.94 and yet we know that 00:09:02.97\00:09:04.02 there are praises also that we have. 00:09:04.05\00:09:06.18 We praise You for the Father of Pastor Esther 00:09:06.21\00:09:11.33 and the blessing that you've given in that's situation. 00:09:11.36\00:09:15.46 We have also come to the front to bring special praises, 00:09:15.49\00:09:19.22 requests during the next moment of silence. 00:09:19.25\00:09:23.46 Lord, bless Your servant Pastor Dwight 00:09:28.90\00:09:32.40 as he shares with us just those thoughts 00:09:32.43\00:09:35.07 that we need this day in this hour. 00:09:35.10\00:09:38.11 May our minds be opened 00:09:38.14\00:09:39.38 to the working of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:39.41\00:09:42.37 Keep Your healing grace flowing through our cooperate efforts. 00:09:42.40\00:09:46.68 Indeed Lord, we want to seek You first 00:09:46.71\00:09:50.67 best and foremost. 00:09:50.70\00:09:52.85 And only after we have brought our helpless hearts to You 00:09:52.88\00:09:56.28 can we rightly serve others. 00:09:56.31\00:09:58.45 So today we give You our community, our schools, 00:09:58.48\00:10:02.75 our leaders, teachers, parents, and our students. 00:10:02.78\00:10:07.91 But most importantly we hand over to You 00:10:07.94\00:10:11.80 our claim to ourselves. 00:10:11.83\00:10:14.24 We are Yours, use us as You will 00:10:14.27\00:10:18.68 because You are faithful. 00:10:18.71\00:10:21.02 We boldly pray all of this in Jesus name, amen. 00:10:21.05\00:10:25.62 If you didn't bring your Bible pull out the pew Bible 00:30:03.64\00:30:05.59 its page 790 there. 00:30:05.62\00:30:11.05 Here's from the message 00:30:11.08\00:30:12.28 "If you gotten any thing at all out of following Christ, 00:30:12.31\00:30:17.88 if His love has made any difference in you life, 00:30:17.91\00:30:21.14 if being in a community of the Spirit." I like that. 00:30:21.17\00:30:23.75 "If being in a community of the Spirit 00:30:23.78\00:30:25.10 means anything to you, 00:30:25.13\00:30:27.12 if you have a heart, if you care." 00:30:27.15\00:30:28.93 And Peterson italicizes. 00:30:28.96\00:30:31.18 "If you care then do me a favor. 00:30:31.21\00:30:34.69 Agree with each other, love each other, 00:30:34.72\00:30:37.42 be deep-spirited friends. 00:30:37.45\00:30:39.91 Don't push your way to the front, 00:30:39.94\00:30:41.08 don't sweet talk your way to the top. 00:30:41.11\00:30:43.89 Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. 00:30:43.92\00:30:47.10 Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. 00:30:47.13\00:30:48.94 Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." 00:30:48.97\00:30:54.29 You know what we need around here? 00:30:54.32\00:30:56.50 No true, we need, what we need is a front porch. 00:30:56.53\00:31:01.91 I've read a book that is really 00:31:01.94\00:31:03.82 stirred up my thinking this summer. 00:31:03.85\00:31:05.88 Written, by Joseph R Myers title of the book 00:31:05.91\00:31:08.17 "The Search to Belong, Rethinking Intimacy, 00:31:08.20\00:31:11.26 Community, and Small Groups." 00:31:11.29\00:31:14.31 Now, here, here is Myers point he said 00:31:14.34\00:31:16.74 we as Americans are a nation in search of a front porch. 00:31:16.77\00:31:23.06 Do you think about you just-- 00:31:23.09\00:31:24.63 you know when you drive through Berrien Springs 00:31:24.66\00:31:27.28 how many houses in our little community 00:31:27.31\00:31:29.34 have front porches? 00:31:29.37\00:31:30.69 The only ones, isn't this true, 00:31:30.72\00:31:31.77 the only ones are the old, old homesteads with, 00:31:31.80\00:31:35.84 you know, they got to creek 00:31:35.87\00:31:38.19 with a century old collection of memories. 00:31:38.22\00:31:40.55 Only the old houses have the verandas, isn't that right? 00:31:40.58\00:31:44.81 When you go to our where lot of you live these, 00:31:44.84\00:31:46.83 these new developments anybody building front porches anymore? 00:31:46.86\00:31:49.81 Nobody is building them. 00:31:49.84\00:31:52.85 Myer says "we are a nation now in search of a front porch." 00:31:52.88\00:31:59.35 I mean what good is a front porch? 00:31:59.38\00:32:01.98 Have you ever watched Andy Griffith, 00:32:02.01\00:32:03.46 the Andy Griffith show? 00:32:03.49\00:32:07.06 Now, come on don't do you say Andy Griffith who? 00:32:07.09\00:32:09.85 You know, you can notice 00:32:09.88\00:32:11.97 those reruns have been going forever. 00:32:12.00\00:32:14.91 But you know I got to thinking. 00:32:14.94\00:32:16.78 I'm wondering if-- and the students aren't here yet 00:32:16.81\00:32:19.70 but I wonder if the students know the Andy Griffith Show. 00:32:19.73\00:32:23.22 So my PowerPoint man 00:32:23.25\00:32:26.46 the bioengineer student a major here 00:32:26.49\00:32:30.20 just a sharp computer wiz works for ITES 00:32:30.23\00:32:32.47 I think this, he is coming up on his junior year 00:32:32.50\00:32:34.33 and his name is Anthony Willis. 00:32:34.36\00:32:36.27 He is up there in the media mezzanine 00:32:36.30\00:32:40.33 running the PowerPoint right now. 00:32:40.36\00:32:41.70 So I said "I'm gonna check it with Anthony." 00:32:41.73\00:32:43.96 I said, "Anthony, 'look at you're a young man, 00:32:43.99\00:32:47.46 have you ever heard of the Andy Griffith show?" 00:32:47.49\00:32:51.50 He didn't say a word. He went-- 00:32:51.53\00:32:55.09 so we whistled it together. 00:33:00.87\00:33:03.50 And you know what if the college students 00:33:03.53\00:33:04.76 were here right now we would whistle the whole thing. 00:33:04.79\00:33:08.11 But as a faculty you got to be, kind of proper 00:33:08.14\00:33:13.61 but Andy Griffith Show. 00:33:13.64\00:33:16.72 Almost every scene in the Andy Griffith Show 00:33:16.75\00:33:18.56 ended in that twirler moment 00:33:18.59\00:33:20.24 when there was that Sheriff Andy 00:33:20.27\00:33:24.44 and his loveable befriend Aunt Bee 00:33:24.47\00:33:29.32 and right at the OP, you remember OP. 00:33:29.35\00:33:32.02 And then of course the rash well accident-prone 00:33:32.05\00:33:35.53 Deputy Sherriff Barney but they'd that last, 00:33:35.56\00:33:38.40 last moment of the show sitting on a front porch. 00:33:38.43\00:33:42.19 I came across the piece by a guy name Scott Cook. 00:33:42.22\00:33:45.98 I would like this for an essay title 00:33:46.01\00:33:47.36 the "Cultural Significance of the American Front Porch." 00:33:47.39\00:33:50.49 Let me read this to you. 00:33:50.52\00:33:51.55 I put it up on the screen for you. 00:33:51.58\00:33:53.72 "The American front porch." 00:33:53.75\00:33:55.85 What we're missing today. 00:33:55.88\00:33:56.98 "The American front porch further represented 00:33:57.01\00:33:58.89 the ideal of community in America. 00:33:58.92\00:34:02.50 For the front porch existed as a zone 00:34:02.53\00:34:04.32 between the public and the private." 00:34:04.35\00:34:05.48 Its true isn't it. 00:34:05.51\00:34:06.54 "An area that could be shared 00:34:06.57\00:34:07.60 between the sanctity of the home and the community outside. 00:34:07.63\00:34:11.29 The front porch fostered a sense of community in neighborliness. 00:34:11.32\00:34:15.70 In the evening as people moved outdoors, 00:34:15.73\00:34:18.35 the porch served to connect individuals. 00:34:18.38\00:34:20.49 The neighbors from next door might stop by one's house, 00:34:20.52\00:34:22.77 sit on the porch and discuss both 00:34:22.80\00:34:24.46 personal and community issues. 00:34:24.49\00:34:26.47 The couple walking down the street 00:34:26.50\00:34:27.83 might offer a passing 'hello' as they passed house after house 00:34:27.86\00:34:31.23 whose inhabitants rested outdoors." 00:34:31.26\00:34:35.09 Hey, come on guys, that's what America needs. 00:34:35.12\00:34:37.55 We need front porches again that's Myers point. 00:34:37.58\00:34:41.36 And in fact I though this is priesthood 00:34:41.39\00:34:43.72 he makes the observation that this generation 00:34:43.75\00:34:46.92 our culture right, right now 00:34:46.95\00:34:48.51 has actually designed a new front porch. 00:34:48.54\00:34:51.02 We got front porches in America yep, 00:34:51.05\00:34:53.49 all through our suburbs 00:34:53.52\00:34:55.72 right to the heart of the downtown 00:34:55.75\00:34:57.49 across the nation and they're around the world. 00:34:57.52\00:35:00.13 And these front porches have a name 00:35:00.16\00:35:05.06 I'll put it on the screen you recognize the name 00:35:05.09\00:35:08.80 we'll put on the screen. 00:35:08.83\00:35:12.53 Come on don't you, don't you pretend like 00:35:12.56\00:35:14.57 what's Starbucks? 00:35:14.60\00:35:18.28 Isn't that true, you think about it. 00:35:18.31\00:35:20.28 Myers says you know the thing about Starbucks he says 00:35:20.31\00:35:23.88 is it what it's providing for this generation and culture 00:35:23.91\00:35:27.07 is something he calls median space. 00:35:27.10\00:35:29.67 That's the in between space. 00:35:29.70\00:35:30.86 I have my intimate space. 00:35:30.89\00:35:31.92 I have my private space and by the way next Sabbath 00:35:31.95\00:35:33.55 we'll be talking about the four spaces 00:35:33.58\00:35:34.72 that Edward T. Hall has identified that we all have 00:35:34.75\00:35:37.52 and we need to belong in these four spaces. 00:35:37.55\00:35:39.42 I will share that with you next Sabbath. 00:35:39.45\00:35:41.10 But Myers is saying we need this median space 00:35:41.13\00:35:43.93 because I have my intimate space 00:35:43.96\00:35:45.22 that's my house very few people 00:35:45.25\00:35:46.61 come into my house only with my permission. 00:35:46.64\00:35:49.23 And then I have this rough and tumble 00:35:49.26\00:35:51.64 work-a-day world of survival that's my public space 00:35:51.67\00:35:55.67 but I need something in between 00:35:55.70\00:35:57.64 and the Starbucks front porches have become that 00:35:57.67\00:36:02.27 where we can socially and personally. 00:36:02.30\00:36:04.67 It's not about this design or cardboard cup, 00:36:04.70\00:36:08.05 it's about making connection. 00:36:08.08\00:36:10.47 I think Myers is right. 00:36:10.50\00:36:11.67 Come on, faculty isn't he. 00:36:11.70\00:36:14.31 America is a nation seeking a front porch. 00:36:14.34\00:36:20.54 I kind of think... 00:36:20.57\00:36:22.56 that's what Paul is writing about don't you. 00:36:22.59\00:36:25.08 I mean if you got anything 00:36:25.11\00:36:26.21 how is it go here in the message. 00:36:26.24\00:36:27.28 "If you got anything at all out of following Christ, 00:36:27.31\00:36:31.32 if His love has made any difference in you life, 00:36:31.35\00:36:33.14 if being in a community of the Spirit 00:36:33.17\00:36:35.06 means anything to you, if you have a heart, 00:36:35.09\00:36:37.47 if you care then do me a favor. 00:36:37.50\00:36:39.89 Agree with each other love each other, 00:36:39.92\00:36:43.01 be deep spirited friends." 00:36:43.04\00:36:46.49 So here is the question come on, think about this. 00:36:46.52\00:36:49.03 How can we create some front porches around here, 00:36:49.06\00:36:51.22 around this campus because we are thinking campus now? 00:36:51.25\00:36:53.97 But I'm willing to think congregation, 00:36:54.00\00:36:55.75 I'm willing to talk community. 00:36:55.78\00:36:57.05 How can we create some new front porches around this place 00:36:57.08\00:37:03.45 for this deep-spirit of kind of friendship 00:37:03.48\00:37:05.31 to be able to foster and grow? 00:37:05.34\00:37:08.46 When you think about Andrews University 00:37:08.49\00:37:09.69 isn't this true, come on, 00:37:09.72\00:37:11.20 Andrews University we are a small 00:37:11.23\00:37:14.29 but big university. 00:37:14.32\00:37:17.06 I know we are not huge in terms of in roaming across the nation 00:37:17.09\00:37:20.10 but look at how many schools are we. 00:37:20.13\00:37:21.33 I didn't write this down you got to help me. 00:37:21.36\00:37:23.03 How many schools are we? 00:37:23.06\00:37:24.41 We have the college of arts and sciences, is that right? 00:37:24.44\00:37:27.06 Okay, school of education. 00:37:27.09\00:37:29.61 I was kind of wandering my mind across campus. 00:37:29.64\00:37:31.75 School of education, school of business, 00:37:31.78\00:37:33.91 school of technology, school of architecture, 00:37:33.94\00:37:38.45 theological seminary, graduate school, 00:37:38.48\00:37:43.10 Ruth Murdoch Elementary, Andrews Academy. 00:37:43.13\00:37:46.47 Did I leave any out? 00:37:46.50\00:37:48.76 Yeah, it's nine schools. 00:37:48.79\00:37:52.01 But we got 1000s here 00:37:52.04\00:37:55.21 who are from literally almost a 100 nations. 00:37:55.24\00:37:57.51 We got faculty, staff and students 00:37:57.54\00:37:59.42 a very diverse population 00:37:59.45\00:38:01.40 that makes Andrews University, Andrews University. 00:38:01.43\00:38:03.28 So here is the question how can we form community 00:38:03.31\00:38:06.89 in a small but large university like this? 00:38:06.92\00:38:11.95 Ever heard of John Wooden? 00:38:11.98\00:38:14.00 You have to be a sportsman to know John Wooden. 00:38:14.03\00:38:16.86 John Wooden the winningest coach in college basketball. 00:38:16.89\00:38:21.29 He used to coach the UCLA Bruins. 00:38:21.32\00:38:22.79 You, you've heard it, wouldn't have you. 00:38:22.82\00:38:24.82 And in fact, 10 of the 12 years 00:38:24.85\00:38:27.44 they went to the national championship 00:38:27.47\00:38:28.86 they won, winningest coach. 00:38:28.89\00:38:31.37 Somebody came to Wooden one day and said 00:38:31.40\00:38:32.53 "hey, coach, how is that you can-- 00:38:32.56\00:38:34.91 how is that you can form a team 00:38:34.94\00:38:37.01 out of such a desperate bunch of young athletes? 00:38:37.04\00:38:40.40 How do you do it?" 00:38:40.43\00:38:42.22 And Wooden responded 00:38:42.25\00:38:43.57 and I want you think about the team you are on 00:38:43.60\00:38:45.32 because I'm thinking about the team I'm on. 00:38:45.35\00:38:46.91 Let's put Wooden on the screen here. 00:38:46.94\00:38:50.19 "All members of your team." 00:38:50.22\00:38:52.03 All right you're leader of a team. 00:38:52.06\00:38:54.16 You're member of a team. 00:38:54.19\00:38:55.26 "All members of your team must know 00:38:55.29\00:38:57.47 they're wanted, needed and appreciated. 00:38:57.50\00:39:03.40 And it's the leader's job." See I'm thinking of my own team. 00:39:03.43\00:39:05.99 "And it's the leader's job to help them experience value 00:39:06.02\00:39:10.46 through their experience of belonging." 00:39:10.49\00:39:13.55 And then look at this punch line. 00:39:13.58\00:39:15.00 Look at this, folks. 00:39:15.03\00:39:16.28 "We are many but are we much." 00:39:16.31\00:39:22.66 Boy, that's the title of our little 00:39:22.69\00:39:24.24 sharing time this morning. 00:39:24.27\00:39:25.47 We are many, put that on the screen for you 00:39:25.50\00:39:29.33 "We are many but are we much." 00:39:29.36\00:39:34.18 Isn't that what Wooden is suggesting. 00:39:34.21\00:39:37.70 Out of this-- out of the manyness that we are 00:39:37.73\00:39:40.48 and I'm thinking Andrews University. 00:39:40.51\00:39:42.01 God longs to release the muchness of our potential. 00:39:42.04\00:39:45.78 And that muchness doesn't just happen 00:39:45.81\00:39:47.42 because we are walking the sidewalks 00:39:47.45\00:39:48.76 and passing each other. 00:39:48.79\00:39:49.82 It's gonna take this sense of belonging 00:39:49.85\00:39:51.43 it's gonna take the gift of community 00:39:51.46\00:39:53.49 to release that muchness. 00:39:53.52\00:39:55.89 We are many but are we much. 00:39:55.92\00:39:57.59 So I repeat the question, 00:39:57.62\00:39:58.87 how is it that we can form you and I intentionally together 00:39:58.90\00:40:02.06 form some front porches around AndrewsUniversity? 00:40:02.09\00:40:09.42 Let me close with sharing with you 00:40:09.45\00:40:11.33 two or three suggestions 00:40:11.36\00:40:12.68 that may be your kindred spirit might pick up on. 00:40:12.71\00:40:15.04 Just, two or three of them. 00:40:15.07\00:40:16.80 I wanted to make all three of them 00:40:16.83\00:40:18.12 come out of Paul's reflections here in Philippians 2 00:40:18.15\00:40:25.79 but I couldn't make the first one, 00:40:25.82\00:40:26.85 I can't make this first one. 00:40:26.88\00:40:28.34 So, but here is number one. 00:40:28.37\00:40:29.40 We will make it number one anyway. 00:40:29.43\00:40:30.64 Number one, we need front porch breaks around here. 00:40:30.67\00:40:37.95 I want to part of my doctoral work 00:40:37.98\00:40:39.56 I went Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. 00:40:39.59\00:40:42.22 And I'm telling you what, 00:40:42.25\00:40:43.77 just like clock ward midmorning, 00:40:43.80\00:40:46.65 bells ring you know where everybody goes 00:40:46.68\00:40:48.63 not to the next class everybody heads to the campus, 00:40:48.66\00:40:52.55 space in the middle of that university. 00:40:52.58\00:40:54.93 Faculty and students all intermingling. 00:40:54.96\00:40:58.89 Now they have a strange name for it 00:40:58.92\00:41:00.60 they call it a coffee break. 00:41:00.63\00:41:07.17 But it's integrated into their formal scheduling 00:41:07.20\00:41:14.38 and colleagues interact 00:41:14.41\00:41:16.41 and what it if-- it was great for me. 00:41:16.44\00:41:18.69 I mean, see Peter Wagner 00:41:18.72\00:41:19.82 one of the great writers of missiologist 00:41:19.85\00:41:22.30 and I got to go up to him and always he don't 00:41:22.33\00:41:24.33 and you know and I have little O'Jays 00:41:24.36\00:41:25.66 and just to have that moment for interaction. 00:41:25.69\00:41:30.23 I'm afraid now please don't misunderstand me 00:41:30.26\00:41:32.41 but I'm really afraid that we are so driven 00:41:32.44\00:41:35.64 by our Adventist work ethic 00:41:35.67\00:41:38.41 that like busy little bees 00:41:38.44\00:41:39.82 we just keep minding our own business straight until noon 00:41:39.85\00:41:42.46 and when that noon whistle goes up bang, we are gone. 00:41:42.49\00:41:45.72 There is so no chance in the midmorning 00:41:45.75\00:41:49.55 for us to just drop everything 00:41:49.58\00:41:52.13 and have a little front porch break. 00:41:52.16\00:41:55.49 Now, look I'm not suggesting 00:41:55.52\00:41:58.68 that we open up a Starbucks franchise 00:41:58.71\00:42:00.94 like Notre Dame University students. 00:42:00.97\00:42:04.26 I'm not suggesting that at all. 00:42:04.29\00:42:05.67 You know me well enough. 00:42:05.70\00:42:08.15 But we didn't call a post term break. 00:42:08.18\00:42:12.75 We just got to have a break. 00:42:12.78\00:42:15.15 How could number one, how could this front porch break 00:42:15.18\00:42:19.03 become reality here in Andrews University. 00:42:19.06\00:42:21.35 I'm gonna give you a clue. 00:42:21.38\00:42:23.32 I suppose if we got permission from the third floor. 00:42:23.35\00:42:29.93 I wasn't looking at the president. 00:42:29.96\00:42:33.68 I suppose if got permission from the third floor. 00:42:33.71\00:42:37.48 You know, all our take would be a few deans 00:42:37.51\00:42:38.96 I see some deans here. 00:42:38.99\00:42:40.02 We'll just take a few deans a couple of them 00:42:40.05\00:42:42.82 may be two or three departments sharers 00:42:42.85\00:42:44.33 they put their heads together 00:42:44.36\00:42:45.39 and say, hey, you know what, let's do it. 00:42:45.42\00:42:46.75 We have got to have front porch community 00:42:46.78\00:42:49.40 in our department in our share teams 00:42:49.43\00:42:52.89 what do you say we this particular 00:42:52.92\00:42:55.37 10 minute break let's make it social. 00:42:55.40\00:42:58.02 We'll do some special everyday for our majors for us. 00:42:58.05\00:43:01.98 That's all it would take. 00:43:02.01\00:43:03.87 You know Myers is right. We are a nation. 00:43:03.90\00:43:06.41 I want to rephrase Myers 00:43:06.44\00:43:08.54 we are university in search of a front porch. 00:43:08.57\00:43:15.76 And so Paul can come along say "hey please, please 00:43:15.79\00:43:19.90 if you've gone anything at all out of following Christ, 00:43:19.93\00:43:23.38 if His love is made any difference in your life 00:43:23.41\00:43:25.90 if being in a community of the Spirit 00:43:25.93\00:43:28.07 means anything do you, if you have a heart, 00:43:28.10\00:43:30.08 if you care then do me a favor, 00:43:30.11\00:43:32.05 agree with each other love each other, 00:43:32.08\00:43:34.49 be deep spirited friends." 00:43:34.52\00:43:37.68 Don't you really I love that rendition 00:43:37.71\00:43:39.61 be deep-spirited friends. 00:43:39.64\00:43:41.64 Because, that's number two. 00:43:41.67\00:43:42.70 Okay, they're just three of these. 00:43:42.73\00:43:44.60 There must be one of these you can do 00:43:44.63\00:43:46.42 to create front porches in your life. 00:43:46.45\00:43:47.95 But number two, we need front "porch friends" around here. 00:43:47.98\00:43:51.75 Front porch friends. 00:43:51.78\00:43:54.72 I got to read a story to you would you indulge me. 00:43:54.75\00:43:58.53 Joseph Myers, he describes 00:43:58.56\00:44:01.39 when he-- I think its second grade or third grade 00:44:01.42\00:44:03.92 I will see in just a moment but he tells it an incident 00:44:03.95\00:44:07.01 and that's so disappointing 00:44:07.04\00:44:08.36 and our kids are going back to school 00:44:08.39\00:44:09.76 and saw all these little cherubs upfront here moment ago. 00:44:09.79\00:44:13.79 So let me read this in honor of all our, 00:44:13.82\00:44:16.84 our great school teachers who were here. 00:44:16.87\00:44:20.46 "In the second grade," in the second grade all right. 00:44:20.49\00:44:23.38 "I was Jon's best friend, although it was news to me. 00:44:23.41\00:44:28.42 I'm not sure how this happened. 00:44:28.45\00:44:29.62 Mrs. King, our second-grade teacher, 00:44:29.65\00:44:31.11 gave us in assignment to write a report 00:44:31.14\00:44:32.82 and read it to the class. 00:44:32.85\00:44:34.63 The report was to be titled 00:44:34.66\00:44:36.01 'Can You Guess Who My Best Friend Is.' 00:44:36.04\00:44:39.54 And Mrs. King instructed us to begin with this question, 00:44:39.57\00:44:43.16 but not to reveal the answer until the last, 00:44:43.19\00:44:46.19 the very last sentence." 00:44:46.22\00:44:48.94 Despite his Jon, "Jon did not have great social skills. 00:44:48.97\00:44:53.33 What he did have was a hearing disorder. 00:44:53.36\00:44:56.24 His hearing aids were not the almost 00:44:56.27\00:44:58.00 invisible kind available today. 00:44:58.03\00:44:59.83 On his belt, Jon wore a box, 00:44:59.86\00:45:01.67 with wires from the box running unto his shirt 00:45:01.70\00:45:04.16 to a device in and behind his ear. 00:45:04.19\00:45:06.23 The only time this contraption worked to Jon's advantage 00:45:06.26\00:45:09.51 was when he would turn his hearing down 00:45:09.54\00:45:11.90 or often take a nap right in front of the teacher. 00:45:11.93\00:45:16.10 "Despite his disorder," listen to this, 00:45:16.13\00:45:19.48 "Jon always wore a smile. 00:45:19.51\00:45:22.29 We classmates did tried to warm up to Jon. 00:45:22.32\00:45:24.17 I mean, he was very friendly although he talked funny 00:45:24.20\00:45:26.46 because he cannot hear well. 00:45:26.49\00:45:27.67 It was difficult for him to form words 00:45:27.70\00:45:29.11 the rest of us could understand. 00:45:29.14\00:45:30.62 It was painfully difficult both for Jon and for us. 00:45:30.65\00:45:35.40 The day that reports were due" got to turn into day 00:45:35.43\00:45:39.48 "Jon announced that first recess 00:45:39.51\00:45:41.03 that he was going home with me after school. 00:45:41.06\00:45:43.72 I hadn't invited him. 00:45:43.75\00:45:45.37 At least I didn't recall that I had. 00:45:45.40\00:45:47.43 Jon was smiling from ear to ear as he made this his declaration. 00:45:47.46\00:45:50.92 'Have you asked your mom?' I asked. 00:45:50.95\00:45:52.75 I know, I hadn't asked my mother 00:45:52.78\00:45:54.23 which was a breach of our family's 'Friend Etiquette.' 00:45:54.26\00:45:57.38 'Yeths,' he replied it exuberantly. 00:45:57.41\00:45:59.92 'Well, how you're gonna get home?' 00:45:59.95\00:46:01.69 He struggled to explain that he would go home with me 00:46:01.72\00:46:03.99 after school, eat supper with my family 00:46:04.02\00:46:06.27 which was not acquainted with him 00:46:06.30\00:46:07.55 and ride to the baseball game with us. 00:46:07.58\00:46:09.17 His mother would pick him up 00:46:09.20\00:46:10.23 after we 'slaughtered' as he put the other team." 00:46:10.26\00:46:14.12 You see 'Jon and I played on the same Little League team. 00:46:14.15\00:46:16.77 It is probably more accurate to say 00:46:16.80\00:46:18.82 'I played and Jon watched.' 00:46:18.85\00:46:21.92 During the team warm-ups Jon would throw with me. 00:46:21.95\00:46:23.96 Most of my teammates ignored him. 00:46:23.99\00:46:25.63 It was not very adapted at throwing, 00:46:25.66\00:46:26.80 and it was difficult to understand 00:46:26.83\00:46:27.86 and converse with him. 00:46:27.89\00:46:28.96 The coach was afraid to put him, 00:46:28.99\00:46:30.24 fearing he might get hurt due to his inability to hear. 00:46:30.27\00:46:32.68 But Jon's mother wanted him to fit in, to belong. 00:46:32.71\00:46:36.69 When it was time to present the reports, 00:46:36.72\00:46:38.00 Mrs. King called us up in an alphabetical order. 00:46:38.03\00:46:41.73 Jon's surname slated him last. 00:46:41.76\00:46:45.08 As he moved to the front of the room, 00:46:45.11\00:46:46.61 the class grew tense. 00:46:46.64\00:46:48.40 How would you Jon do? 00:46:48.43\00:46:49.57 Would we be able to understand him? 00:46:49.60\00:46:51.14 Whom would he pick as his best friend? 00:46:51.17\00:46:53.97 Jon struggled to shape words through his beaming smile. 00:46:54.00\00:46:57.40 He could hardly wait to get to the last sense 00:46:57.43\00:46:59.06 so he could proudly announce to the world 00:46:59.09\00:47:00.85 who his best friend was. 00:47:00.88\00:47:01.98 He was not nervous, 00:47:02.01\00:47:03.04 he had practiced hard to stand before us. 00:47:03.07\00:47:04.87 The class understood about half of what Jon said, 00:47:04.90\00:47:07.44 although it became clear that he would pick me. 00:47:07.47\00:47:10.93 The entire length of his report he kept looking at me." 00:47:10.96\00:47:16.77 I just love it. again you see it. 00:47:16.80\00:47:18.80 "And at one point even smiling and pointing to me. 00:47:18.83\00:47:22.57 And then he concluded 00:47:22.60\00:47:24.14 'An myne est friend isth Gio Myerths.' 00:47:24.17\00:47:30.80 That was years ago. 00:47:30.83\00:47:33.19 I had a question then. I have a question now. 00:47:33.22\00:47:36.53 How did this happen without my knowledge? 00:47:36.56\00:47:39.62 How could I be his best friend? 00:47:39.65\00:47:41.34 Did this mean he had to become mine?" 00:47:41.37\00:47:46.87 You know what... 00:47:46.90\00:47:49.85 we have a few people like little Jon 00:47:49.88\00:47:55.57 around this university in our departments, 00:47:55.60\00:48:00.80 in our classrooms, in the third floor, 00:48:00.83\00:48:03.85 the second floor, first floor, 00:48:03.88\00:48:05.19 basement I'm okay where it is 00:48:05.22\00:48:07.95 we got people that are hungry for somebody to notice me. 00:48:07.98\00:48:13.78 We've very full congregation on Sabbath 00:48:13.81\00:48:16.05 do you know there're people 00:48:16.08\00:48:17.25 who come here and don't meet a soul. 00:48:17.28\00:48:20.83 They go home and eat alone Sabbath after Sabbath. 00:48:20.86\00:48:25.78 I have no idea why they keep coming back. 00:48:25.81\00:48:30.11 Next Sabbath I'm going to share with you 00:48:30.14\00:48:31.28 the results of a survey of this congregation. 00:48:31.31\00:48:34.05 I will share a few of those thoughts with you. 00:48:34.08\00:48:38.27 You know what, ladies and gentlemen, 00:48:38.30\00:48:39.43 we need front porch friends around here. 00:48:39.46\00:48:42.52 I know our friendship circles oh, it's too large. 00:48:42.55\00:48:45.36 I can't add, I can't add too more strangers to this. 00:48:45.39\00:48:47.92 Oh, yes you can. Yes, you can. 00:48:47.95\00:48:51.54 There is a Jon here, there is a little Jon here 00:48:51.57\00:48:54.68 that would just love it, 00:48:54.71\00:48:56.62 if you could become as best friend, 00:48:56.65\00:48:58.69 if you could become her friend. 00:48:58.72\00:49:02.30 If you would have room on your front porch 00:49:02.33\00:49:03.86 if you only would for him to rock with you. 00:49:03.89\00:49:10.11 See we need, we need front porch breaks around here. 00:49:10.14\00:49:14.89 We need front porch friends around here 00:49:14.92\00:49:17.49 and then I want to put it on the screen. 00:49:17.52\00:49:21.16 This is the third we also need around here. 00:49:21.19\00:49:24.94 I'm looking at the monitor and I left out a quotation. 00:49:32.09\00:49:35.66 Its so good I'm gonna mess up 00:49:35.69\00:49:38.45 and go back to the quotation can you do that. 00:49:38.48\00:49:40.17 Will that will be okay. This, this is just choice. 00:49:40.20\00:49:41.94 Karen and I when we have our worships together 00:49:41.97\00:49:45.72 we have been reading a little book 00:49:45.75\00:49:46.84 maybe you never heard of it, 00:49:46.87\00:49:47.90 it's called "Sons and Daughters of God." 00:49:47.93\00:49:50.93 And the other day when we are reading 00:49:50.96\00:49:52.19 we came across this line 00:49:52.22\00:49:53.39 and this is too good to skip over. 00:49:53.42\00:49:55.04 And so thanking Anthony for just stealing yourself 00:49:55.07\00:49:58.11 and holding that slide on the screen. 00:49:58.14\00:49:59.71 I want to put something to-- this little quotation. 00:49:59.74\00:50:01.66 Would you, would you take a look at it. 00:50:01.69\00:50:03.08 Take look at there on the screen. 00:50:03.11\00:50:05.83 The author writes "Things will go wrong with everyone." 00:50:05.86\00:50:08.13 Let me ask you something, do things go wrong in your life? 00:50:08.16\00:50:09.87 Come on, be honest. 00:50:09.90\00:50:10.93 Hey, things go wrong with me all the time, don't they? 00:50:10.96\00:50:16.10 You too, "Things will go wrong with every one, 00:50:16.13\00:50:18.50 sadness and discouragement press every soul 00:50:18.53\00:50:21.21 then a personal presence." 00:50:21.24\00:50:23.79 Somebody shows up "a friend 00:50:23.82\00:50:26.02 who will comfort and impart strength 00:50:26.05\00:50:28.60 will turn back the darts of the enemy 00:50:28.63\00:50:30.66 that are aimed to destroy. 00:50:30.69\00:50:33.24 Christian friends are not half as plentiful as they should be. 00:50:33.27\00:50:36.40 In hours of temptation in a crisis, 00:50:36.43\00:50:38.45 what a value is a true friend! 00:50:38.48\00:50:41.85 Oh, such help is worth more than precious pearls." 00:50:41.88\00:50:46.87 Hey, guys I have never owned a pearl in my life 00:50:46.90\00:50:50.14 but I want you to know I want friends bad. 00:50:50.17\00:50:53.95 I want to have a friend. 00:50:53.98\00:50:55.69 Don't you. 00:50:55.72\00:50:57.93 Yeah. 00:50:57.96\00:51:00.05 Oh, "If you have got anything it all out of following Christ, 00:51:00.08\00:51:03.18 if His love has made any difference in your life, 00:51:03.21\00:51:05.17 if being in a community of the Spirit 00:51:05.20\00:51:06.75 means anything to you, if you have a heart, 00:51:06.78\00:51:08.58 if you care then do me a favor. 00:51:08.61\00:51:11.02 Agree with each other, love each other, 00:51:11.05\00:51:13.80 be deep-spirited friends." 00:51:13.83\00:51:16.74 Three of them, you take the one that works for you. 00:51:16.77\00:51:18.89 Number one, we need "front porch" breaks. 00:51:18.92\00:51:21.01 Number two, we need 00:51:21.04\00:51:22.08 "front porch" friends around here. 00:51:22.11\00:51:24.29 And finally, number three, 00:51:24.32\00:51:25.35 we need "front porch" groups around here. 00:51:25.38\00:51:28.01 Circles of--small circles of men, women and young adults 00:51:28.04\00:51:31.59 who are committed to this, this Pauline Passion 00:51:31.62\00:51:36.94 to develop and grow deep-spirited friendship. 00:51:36.97\00:51:39.86 We need them around here. 00:51:39.89\00:51:42.36 In fact, you think about it the early church 00:51:42.39\00:51:44.18 in the Book of Acts there is no question. 00:51:44.21\00:51:46.20 The secret to their explosive growth 00:51:46.23\00:51:49.44 was their front porch communities. 00:51:49.47\00:51:50.75 Let me, let me put it on the screen for you 00:51:50.78\00:51:52.07 Acts Chapter 2 take a look of this verse 46 and 47. 00:51:52.10\00:51:57.32 "So continuing daily with one accord." 00:51:57.35\00:51:59.48 Describing the infant church. 00:51:59.51\00:52:00.68 "Continuing daily with one accord in the temple, 00:52:00.71\00:52:02.83 and breaking bread from house to house." 00:52:02.86\00:52:04.96 You can go ahead and read that. 00:52:04.99\00:52:06.34 "From front porch to front porch, 00:52:06.37\00:52:08.19 because they were socialized. 00:52:08.22\00:52:09.25 They were going from house to house and sharing food. 00:52:09.28\00:52:12.07 "Breaking bread from front porch to front porch 00:52:12.10\00:52:14.31 they ate their food with gladness 00:52:14.34\00:52:16.13 and simplicity of heart, 00:52:16.16\00:52:18.19 praising God and having favor with all the people." 00:52:18.22\00:52:22.60 You think about it the front porch of community 00:52:22.63\00:52:25.29 is what led that early church 00:52:25.32\00:52:26.82 to have such a dramatic impact with the pagan society. 00:52:26.85\00:52:29.86 You know what the pagans are saying 00:52:29.89\00:52:31.42 "see, how these Christians love one and another." 00:52:31.45\00:52:34.59 Wow. 00:52:34.62\00:52:38.35 Front porch communities 00:52:38.38\00:52:40.41 are the secret of the early church. 00:52:40.44\00:52:41.88 Now I got two little bits of good news to pass on to you. 00:52:41.91\00:52:47.10 Number one, you need to know there is a-- 00:52:47.13\00:52:49.73 there is a front porch small groups 00:52:49.76\00:52:52.01 somewhere in this university or community 00:52:52.04\00:52:54.10 that is just perfect for you. 00:52:54.13\00:52:56.96 I'm gonna talk about now 00:52:56.99\00:52:58.17 we will deal with it next Sabbath 00:52:58.20\00:52:59.90 but I do want to draw your attention 00:52:59.93\00:53:01.21 because this is in your bulletin. 00:53:01.24\00:53:02.27 See this little purple piece of paper. 00:53:02.30\00:53:04.74 Our leadership team for our small groups' ministry 00:53:04.77\00:53:06.79 put this together. 00:53:06.82\00:53:08.57 You can take it home there is code word 00:53:08.60\00:53:10.13 to get into the website it shows the different groups. 00:53:10.16\00:53:13.24 I wish you were just got to feel a bit risky 00:53:13.27\00:53:16.86 and check out this web site. 00:53:16.89\00:53:18.65 Andrews University, 00:53:18.68\00:53:20.38 our small groups that are beginning to form. 00:53:20.41\00:53:23.36 That's all I want to say about it 00:53:23.39\00:53:24.42 but if you would like to be open to a front porch small community 00:53:24.45\00:53:29.57 I'll just bet you there is one here ready for you. 00:53:29.60\00:53:32.20 May be you'll be the one to get one going I don't know. 00:53:32.23\00:53:35.18 So hang on to this don't throw it away when you leave. 00:53:35.21\00:53:37.01 Take this little purple piece of paper home 00:53:37.04\00:53:38.59 it has to code word on it 00:53:38.62\00:53:39.65 and you just move into that site. 00:53:39.68\00:53:41.38 But here is the other bit of I think it is good news 00:53:41.41\00:53:43.51 and you need to hear this. 00:53:43.54\00:53:46.07 And that is you don't have to join a small group 00:53:46.10\00:53:51.28 in order to experience community and belonging. 00:53:51.31\00:53:56.54 I got that from reading Joseph Myers book, 00:53:56.57\00:53:59.81 The Search to Belong. 00:53:59.84\00:54:01.78 And I must tell you that when I read that 00:54:01.81\00:54:03.26 that was just kind of like this, this almost inaudible 00:54:03.29\00:54:05.45 because I know sometimes when I deal with the subject 00:54:09.04\00:54:10.83 and may be when you, when you read other literature 00:54:10.86\00:54:13.08 its almost suggesting that 00:54:13.11\00:54:14.36 if you're not a part of small group my man, 00:54:14.39\00:54:16.40 "A" you're not a good Christian 00:54:16.43\00:54:17.72 and "B" you don't know the meaning of community 00:54:17.75\00:54:19.60 and "C" what's matter your sense of belonging. 00:54:19.63\00:54:21.68 You almost feel guilty for not joining a small group. 00:54:21.71\00:54:25.06 But Myers says no, no, no, 00:54:25.09\00:54:27.05 what every human shares is this, need to belong. 00:54:27.08\00:54:31.01 We've got four different spaces we talk about that next week. 00:54:31.04\00:54:33.09 Four different spaces where 00:54:33.12\00:54:34.40 we could find that need fulfilled. 00:54:34.43\00:54:37.48 Not everybody has to join a small group to belong 00:54:37.51\00:54:39.91 but I need to quickly say 00:54:39.94\00:54:42.27 if you're working with a little stereo type 00:54:42.30\00:54:44.43 of what a small group is 00:54:44.46\00:54:45.75 I want you to just abandon that for a few days. 00:54:45.78\00:54:49.20 I hope to reshape that. 00:54:49.23\00:54:52.63 Because it may be that for you 00:54:52.66\00:54:54.34 the very kind of belonging you're hungry for 00:54:54.37\00:54:57.27 can only come through a front porch small community. 00:54:57.30\00:55:02.92 Sign on that purple piece of paper. 00:55:02.95\00:55:05.15 That there are three of them ladies and gentlemen, 00:55:05.18\00:55:06.49 number one, we need small, we need, 00:55:06.52\00:55:08.62 we need "front porch" breaks around here. 00:55:08.65\00:55:11.53 Number two, we need 00:55:11.56\00:55:12.59 "front porch" friends around here. 00:55:12.62\00:55:13.68 Number three, we need "front porch" groups around here 00:55:13.71\00:55:16.95 because you know why, we need Jesus that's it. 00:55:16.98\00:55:20.12 I mean you think about it all three of these suggestions 00:55:20.15\00:55:22.60 really centered down in the Lord Jesus Himself. 00:55:22.63\00:55:25.93 Because who would you rather have 00:55:25.96\00:55:29.36 for a front porch break than the one who says come to Me. 00:55:29.39\00:55:32.25 Hey, hey are you-- are you worn up 00:55:32.28\00:55:34.22 and you hasn't even started yet 00:55:34.25\00:55:35.82 come to Me, I will give you rest. 00:55:35.85\00:55:38.44 He is the perfect front porch break that you and I need. 00:55:38.47\00:55:41.17 Who better to have as a front porch friend 00:55:41.20\00:55:43.41 than Jesus Himself who when He looks into our faces 00:55:43.44\00:55:45.39 before He goes up to cavalry 00:55:45.42\00:55:47.07 he says "by the way guys I need you to know 00:55:47.10\00:55:49.50 I have called you friends." 00:55:49.53\00:55:52.23 I mean who better to have in a front porch small group 00:55:52.26\00:55:56.11 than the same Jesus who said 00:55:56.14\00:55:58.33 where two of three of you get together 00:55:58.36\00:56:00.18 in My name I'm there. 00:56:00.21\00:56:02.36 Ladies and gentlemen, it all centers on Jesus. 00:56:02.39\00:56:05.43 We're just why Paul after he makes this 00:56:05.46\00:56:07.51 impassioned appeal for community 00:56:07.54\00:56:09.72 the very next verse, verse 5 00:56:09.75\00:56:11.80 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." 00:56:11.83\00:56:18.39 Because you see when you have the mind in to Christ 00:56:18.42\00:56:20.77 I kind of like to read that 00:56:20.80\00:56:21.89 when you have the heart of Christ 00:56:21.92\00:56:24.43 you are in search just like Jesus 00:56:24.46\00:56:27.03 for another front porch. 00:56:27.06\00:56:30.30 Hey, listen I don't know a lot, 00:56:30.33\00:56:31.94 you're lot brighter than I am but this much I know 00:56:31.97\00:56:36.72 sooner or later if you follow Jesus sooner or later 00:56:36.75\00:56:41.48 you're gonna end up on the front porch 00:56:41.51\00:56:46.42 and when I think about all of us 00:56:46.45\00:56:48.18 it occurs to me that sooner would be a whole life better. 00:56:48.21\00:56:54.26 Let me take one more moment of your time to let you know 00:56:58.61\00:57:00.92 that one of the blessings I receive from this telecast 00:57:00.95\00:57:03.53 is being in touch with viewers like you all across Michigan 00:57:03.56\00:57:06.61 and our nation and literally the world. 00:57:06.64\00:57:08.94 I'm humbled and honored 00:57:08.97\00:57:10.00 with your sharing of journey with us. 00:57:10.03\00:57:11.48 Sometimes it's a Bible question, 00:57:11.51\00:57:13.08 other time it's an observation or suggestion 00:57:13.11\00:57:15.55 and sometimes just a note 00:57:15.58\00:57:16.70 to share a prayer or a prayer request. 00:57:16.73\00:57:18.95 I'd love to hear from you and it's so easy to be in touch. 00:57:18.98\00:57:21.66 Just go to our Pioneer Memorial Church website 00:57:21.69\00:57:24.22 www.pmchurch.tv and click on contact 00:57:24.25\00:57:28.73 and then the word pastor 00:57:28.76\00:57:30.45 and then jot down the message you wish to send. 00:57:30.48\00:57:32.90 If you have a prayer request click on those words 00:57:32.93\00:57:35.59 or call our toll free number 1-877-HIS-WILL 00:57:35.62\00:57:40.01 and I promise you that our prayer partners 00:57:40.04\00:57:41.97 will lift your personal need to God. 00:57:42.00\00:57:43.91 Because nobody should have to journey alone, 00:57:43.94\00:57:46.21 not only do we have Jesus but we also have each other. 00:57:46.24\00:57:49.21 So write me won't you at www.pmchurch.tv 00:57:49.24\00:57:53.87 In the mean time may the God whose mercy 00:57:53.90\00:57:55.90 continually runs after us be with you 24/7 00:57:55.93\00:57:59.55 every step of the way. 00:57:59.58\00:58:01.87 I'll see you again right here next time. 00:58:01.90\00:58:04.77