Matthew TwoSix:ThreeNine

For years, my career revolved around sports teams, facilities, and contests.  One of my favorite parts of that chapter was the early mornings at the outdoor facilities.  As the sun rises, it bounces off the dew that clings to blades of grass on the meticulously manicured playing surface. A clean crisp breeze pushes across the field as the birds chirp in the background. What would later be filled with athletes and fans was now tranquil and peaceful. In these moments, I can recall being grateful for God’s creation.  A feeling of awe would overtake me as I realize how small I am in this world. A feeling of gratitude followed as I realized that God intimately knows me and loves me.  Even the hairs on our head are individually known to God (Matt 10:30). Those who love God are known by God (1 Cor 8:3). There is no place we can hide from God (Heb 4:13). We are known by our creator.  Take a moment to pause. Soak in God’s beautiful creation surrounding you. I...

In this country, I think we take freedom for granted. Most of us have never known anything but freedom. We can typically come and go as we please. We can pursue the dreams we envision. We live in a country that provides us significant freedom. For the seafarers we serve at Anchor House, freedom takes on a life of its own. Freedom to leave the ship depends upon visas, shorepasses, duration of stay in port, and the decisions of ships owners, management, and captains. There are many factors that can impact a seafarer's ability to get off of a ship and have the freedom to move about.  February 20, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. The term freedom drastically changed for the Russian and Ukrainian seafarers we serve. They found themselves restricted and could no longer enjoy shoreleave at our port. Meanwhile their colleagues from other countries were able to visit Anchor House or travel to town for shopping while their ships were in port. While their countries waged war and live...

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports.   One of the highlights of the trip was me...

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:14 NIV Waiting is hard. When you are waiting to take part in an activity you enjoy or are waiting to hear very important news or are waiting for something to arrive, each minute you wait can feel like eternity. In this instant access age, I think it's even harder. We want it now and if we can't get it now we want updates.   If you've ever ordered from Amazon, you know they are experts in this. They send notifications to update you as to where your package is on the delivery route. Once your package arrives, they take a picture and send it to you. That way no matter where you are you get to enjoy knowing your waiting is nearly over.  To me there is no agony like the pain of waiting for a pizza delivery. You're hungry and looking forward to delicious pizza. Time seems to slow. Seconds tick away like minutes and minutes like hours. Many of the pizza chains have added their own update...

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18‭-‬20 NIV I hope this is one of the most impactful selections of scripture for us as followers of Jesus. To set the scene, Jesus is on a mountain and with his closest followers. He's defeated death and left the empty tomb behind. I'm sure the apostles are starting to really understand all He shared with them. The pieces of a puzzle clearly fitting into place. I envision it being like a coach in a huddle just before a game. He shares his final instructions to his team before they go out and execute the plan. If you've seen the movie Pulp Fiction, I think that what the apostles experienced would have been like the ...

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.- James 1:17 NIV John Maxwell said, "Change is inevitable, growth is optional." I think most of us resist change because it is uncomfortable. It pushes us to do things differently or shift our way of doing things. It may change our way of thinking about the things we face. There is peace and safety with our normal routines and way of doing/thinking of things. When those things change it can feel like our world turns into chaos and we don’t have control. We experience vulnerability.  My family and I experienced significant change this last year as I stepped into vocational ministry. The change was both uncomfortable and exciting. There has been this wonderful peace surrounding the change. I believe, with my whole heart, it is because my employer changed, who I work for (God) stayed the same.  As James reminds us our Heavenly Fathe...

I'm going to guess that each of us have a Sunday routine. You probably have a church service you prefer to attend. You may go out to brunch after service. Or maybe it is your cheat day and you allow yourself to indulge with the donuts at church. You probably have a preference as to where you sit in church. It may be the exact same location each week. Possibly, you are a little more general in your planning. Just like school, some of us are back sitters and others prefer the front of the class. I am sure there are some who would like to be in the middle of things, too.   My point is we like to be comfortable. We have certain preferences and when those preferences are met, we enjoy comfort. Comfort provides us with calm and peace. Being comfortable feels good.  Jesus knew that comfort could be the enemy of growth. When the apostles got too comfortable, Jesus shook things up. He took them out on a boat. Many of His disciples were fishermen. A boat was a place ...

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16 The people who work at SeaPort Manatee are some of the most dedicated and hard-working people I have had the privilege to know. They work tirelessly to load and unload ships, keep the port safe, load and unload trucks, and the many other activities that make this place go. Three hundred sixty-five days days a year this SeaPort is alive because of the men and women who work here.  As the days drag on and the hours worked add up, fatigue sets in. Fatigue is the playground of the enemy. He strikes with doubt, impure thoughts, distractions, and any device he can employ to take our eyes off of God. The enemy jumps on us when we a...

Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:11-12     Lately, I have found myself spending a lot of time in the Book of Acts. I’ve been enamored by the early church and its actions. These people actually knew Jesus or knew people who knew Jesus. They saw the miracles. They heard the parables. They saw the reactions of those threatened by Jesus' very existence. They were hunted, thrown in prison, and killed because they followed Jesus.    The selection above comes after Peter and John were abducted by the temple guard. The Bible says, “they seized Peter and John” (Acts 4:3). I can say I’ve never been seized. It is a concept I can only understand because I have seized things, but never people. My kids come home with Halloween candy and I seize my favorite candies. I have seized many an opportu...

One of things I get to do in my role with Anchor House is visit churches and invite them into partnership with the mission. What we need most is people willing to donate their time and serve alongside us at SeaPort Manatee. We are seeking followers of Jesus who want to consistently serve in a ministry with a local and global impact. We are inviting people who are motivated by love and want to love others. Many times when I approach a church they are expecting a financial “ask”. While we are an independent 501c3 mission and rely on the generosity of others to exist, money is not our primary “ask”. I can imagine churches frequently get approached by missions and ministries hoping for funding. I believe as missionaries and leaders of ministries, our responsibility is to share with God’s people what He is doing through us. Once we do that I think we need to allow the Holy Spirit to work.  The Holy Spirit will guide them as to how or if a church or person should engage with ...

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Day of the Seafarer with a week of activities.  One of the places we invited churches and families to come alongside us was by baking treats for the seafarers and port community. Throughout the week we were blessed with an incredible amount of cookies, brownies, and other delectable treats.  Some of which were put out at Anchor House for all who visited the center to enjoy.  Others were packaged up and brought to ships for the seafarers to enjoy. Many were accompanied by a note or card of encouragement and prayer.  I hope the seafarers enjoyed the baked goods they received. Being on a ship for 4-10 months at a time, I would miss the treat of homemade cakes, cookies, and other yummy treats. I am sure some of the cooks on the ships make treats for the crew.  And I am confident they are very skilled in their culinary skills. However, I think there is nothing quite like a homemade cookie.  I’m not sure, but I think the...

"No one will be able to stand up against you all of the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you." - Joshua 1:5 Earlier this week I found myself staring doubt straight in the face. In this world of uncertainty, the enemy had waged a war in my soul. His weapon was uncertainty and fear. He uttered the words, "You are not good enough. You are not strong enough. You cannot do this." It was a very real battle. I was powerless. The words of Joshua 1:9 have been a shelter for my soul. The promises resonate and remind me of the the truth. It says, "Be strong and filled with courage; do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua certainly faced doubt. Moses was dead and God was calling him to lead His people. He assures him that he will never leave him.  That promise rescued me from doubt. The promise that I am not alone and God...

This past week we had the chance to hold a worship service on a ship. For me it was a first. I love worship services and preaching. Worshiping on a ship with a group of guys who haven’t had the chance to share in corporate worship for months made it even more meaningful. Huddled up in the crew’s lounge space, we sang worship songs together (thanks to our intern, Gabe, and his willingness to play guitar and sing), shared in the word, prayed, partook in the Lord's Supper, and shared in a message.  The message I shared centered around the fact that God is always with us. It is something I think it is important to remind seafarers. Their time on the ship can be physically and mentally arduous. The solitude can be overwhelming. One of the blessings of being a follower of Jesus is that we are never alone. God is with us. Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” in Romans 8...

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. - 1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV I have always taken this verse as a nudge to grow up. It reminded me to act like an adult and accept responsibility for my actions. As a child I didn't worry about a roof over my head or question where my next meal would come from. I was truly blessed by my parents.  As adults we work hard to put a roof over our head and pay our bills. We focus on responsibility instead of fun. The worry-free hours of play get replaced with purposeful actions.   After seeing the incredible generosity of our kids at VBS, I find myself enamored by the love they showed in their giving. Their faith in Jesus and hope that others will share the same faith drove them to give. Love truly emanated from their actions.  Later in the chapter, the author of Corinthians says, "And now these three remain: faith...

I couldn't think of a better topic this week than rest. Chaplain Trish recently took a break from Anchor House and visited New York City with her daughters and grandson. It was the first real vacation she has enjoyed since COVID turned the world upside down.   If anyone deserved a rest it is Trish. She pours her heart and soul out on this mission. Each day she chooses to love God and love his people through Anchor House.   While she was gone, some of the regulars would ask where she was. When I'd share that she was on vacation, they would all say something like, "good for her" or "she deserves it." It was a testament to the respect they have for her.   Rest is a vital aspect of our Christian walk. Sometimes where God has called us to serve is demanding of our time. It can sometimes be difficult to take a vacation or take a day off. Jesus tells us to go to him. He says He will provide us rest.   In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, "Come to me, all you ...

The term mentor has been rattling around in my head. We all need someone in our lives who is willing to lovingly lead us. We all need someone who has been there and willing to invest in us.  We need that person who is interested in taking us on a journey of experience and breathing life into us through these experiences.  Paul understood the importance of mentors in our lives and discipleship journeys. He invested significant time and energy in those he mentored. In 1 Timothy, Paul shows us the personal and intimate nature of the relationships with those he mentors. He refers  to Timothy as "my true son in the faith." He views this relationship like a father would have with a child.  Father's want the best for their kids. It is a father's responsibility to lead his family. It is his responsibility to show them how a husband loves his wife. A father wants to share his knowledge with his kids so they benefit from his wisdom. Father's play a pivotal role ...

Have you ever thought about what you may want written on your tombstone? They are  final words that are written about you and intended to encompass who you were and how you lived.  They are etched into stone in hopes that they will stand the rest of time. They are powerful words. Years of living summarized in one short sentence. Recently, I read a verse and thought, "That would be an honor if it were used to summarize my life.  I'm not sure I'm bold enough to state it myself. I'm also not sure it has the same impact if I ask for it to be on my tombstone. Rather, it would be an honor if God said it about me." The words I'm speaking of come from Matthew 21:6, "The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them." I think space is limited on a tombstone. So, maybe it would better be stated as, "He did what he was told to do." To me, the goal of being a Christian is to follow.  The word follow shows up in the Bible over 400 time...

This past week we were blessed by Big Fish Technologies. For the longest time Anchor House has struggled to get internet speeds and stability that could keep up with today's demands. For the seafarer, it wasn't much faster than the slow WiFi they could get on board the ship. For us at Anchor House, we struggled to do the daily tasks of paying bills, reading email, and various other web based activities.   When I first started, we began the process to qualify for participation in the Giving Challenge. Doing so required uploading a significant number of PDF documents. This should be a task that is easily done with modern day technology. However, I found that one PDF file would take 10 minutes to upload or would completely fail to upload on the Anchor House internet. With slow speeds like we had, there is no way a Seafarers could download movies or an electronic version of the Bible to their phone to combat the countless hours of solitude.  But now things are ...

I saw this quote recently, “You glow differently when your confidence is fueled by belief in yourself instead of validation from others.” I found myself wrestling with it. I completely agree with the concept that the validation of my worth is not established by the thoughts of others. While I think a positive self image is important, I do not think that it is what really makes me “glow differently.” I hope I glow differently because of whom I believe in, rather than what I believe of myself.  The author of Titus says, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7) . Love and kindness entered the world in the form of a m...