Goin' Mercer…ramblings and rants!

We knew that soon we would be running into traffic, but were satisfied with being able to fill up. We were driving 70 mph on Westpark Toll Road and things were great. Then with about 5 miles before we would exit we hit traffic. It came to a stop. All lanes were stopped as well as the feeder road. We knew this was part of the gig so we waited. We took different times to turn off the air conditioner and sometimes we turned off the entire truck in order to conserve fuel. While in this stopped traffic we received a call from Leah’s dad. They had decided to evacuate as well and went and got her grandmother in Bellaire. They were behind us in traffic somewhere. It was maybe two miles, but more than two hours. Her dad did not have a full tank of gas but his car did get good gas mileage. We had our dog Zeke with us so when we were stopped for 30 minutes or more we took him out gave him water and walked him around on the freeway. Crazy I know, but everyone was doing this to keep their pets from overheating. At one point we had the air off in the truck and our cat began to pant. This was really scary so we decided to turn on the truck and cool him down. It took us 9 plus hours to go 20 miles and we finally exited off the Tollway and onto FM 1093. This moved better. We headed up to Hwy 36 and drove into Sealy. It had taken us 11 hours to get to Sealy, which is normally an hour and a half. We stopped there, went to the restroom and got some sodas. There was still no gas. Leah’s dad heard on the radio that down I-10 there was gas. So we decided to take I-10 to find it. His tank was getting down to less than half a tank, but my tank was still between 3/4 and full. This was a miracle from God. In the 11 hours on the road my truck which gets 17 to 21 miles to the gallon under normal use stayed on Full the entire time. It is much like the story about Elijah and the woman who had just a little oil and flour, yet it was constantly replenished.

Our goal was Ft. Worth, but we were desperate to get somewhere so we began to call friends in San Antonio. I had family in New Braunfels, my father-in-law had a connection in Wimberly, Leah had some friends in San Antonio, and I had some friends in San Antonio. Although we considered this strongly we saw a light at the end of the tunnel. We decided to go Hwy 77 to La Grange and then to Austin, thinking that Austin may have gas. My father-in-law had just enough gas to get there and I could have still made it to Ft. Worth on my tank if traffic was good (which was very questionable). So we headed down Hwy 77…(to be continued)

-Michael

We left our house all boarded up and everything inside off the floor at around 9:00pm on Wednesday evening before Rita hit. It usually takes 30 minutes to reach Leah’s parents, but that night it took us 2 hours. We stopped at her parents and evaluated our plans. We decided to get some sleep and went to bed around 1:00am. We slept 3 hours and awoke at 4:00am to get ready to leave. Reflecting on our 2 hour drive for what should have only been 30 minutes we decided to change our plans. We knew gas would be in short supply so we decided to leave in one car as opposed to the two we brought to her parents. We spent time re-packing and were able to get almost all of our stuff in one vehicle (which included a cat and dog). The truck really made a difference. The only problem was that Leah’s car got better gas mileage and had a full tank and my truck had only 3/4 of a tank. That amount would normally get us to Ft. Worth which was our destination, but we knew because of what we had seen the night previous that we would need more. My thought was that we needed a full tank and after we got out of Houston we would fill up again. I thought that the gas shortage would only be in Houston. So we packed up, ate breakfast, went to the restroom, and left for Ft. Worth. There was no gas near her parents so we took a chance and went in to town. Highway 288 was empty and we made it to Bellaire with no traffic and in normal time. Since Leah had lived in Bellaire growing up she knew where every gas station was. We were praying fervently and mostly what we saw was empty stations that were already out of gas. We did find two stations that had long lines and I passed them up thinking that by the time we got to the pump it would be out and time was not on our side. Then came our first blessing of the trip. We saw a Sam’s store that also had gas. There were no lines, but it was apparent that had fuel. We stopped and filled up. I don’t usually top off my tank in order to be safe, but this time I let that handle click and would pull it out a little more and let it click again. I did this until it spilt out of the tank. There were two other people at the station that needed assistance and I was so excited about how God provided I helped them joyously. My tank was full it was 7:30am and we were on our way. We turned on Zoe’s CD Desperate and sang loudly praises to God. What an appropriate CD. We began by taking the Westpark Toll Road towards Grand Parkway…(to be continued)

To tell the entire story in one blog would take too long to write and too long for you to read. I will continue to tell the story this week.

The focus here is not on gas, early departures, long car rides, or even the safety of our family. The focus is God’s provision. He was blessing us and countless others whether we could see it or not. It was enriching to our faith to witness these events.

-Michael

Well I made it back yesterday from Ft. Worth. We sought refuge with Leah’s grandparents. It took us 26 total driving hours to get to that destination. We secured the house before leaving and prepared it for the Storm Surge. Thankfully, the storm missed us, but unfortunately hit the residents of Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur and many places in Louisiana. Leah and I are okay and are completely exhausted. We are slowly putting our house back in order and preparing for some normality of life. I am back in the office today and taking it all in. I am trying to get my mind off the past few days and concentrate on the task of today. In the next few days, hopefully I will be able to blog about some stories I can share about our evacuation and God’s guidance through the Spirit. We praise God for keeping us safe!

-Michael

Last night we had our huddle group. The weeks previous have been really random and spontaneous mostly leading us to help with the hurricane relief effort. However, last night we resumed our normal huddle process. The topic for the month is Authentic faith. Last night we talked about its definitions and characteristics. The group really took off though when I asked this question, “What in your faith lacks authenticity?” I thought the room would go silent and everyone would quickly know the pattern of the carpet. I was amazingly surprised. Everyone wanted to answer and the comments were deep and thought provoking. We were able to share real things about ourselves and places where our faith really is struggling. The students opened up and some new realizations occurred. We had one student who came to realize some things about theirself that hopefully through our discussion will change and allow them to thrive in their faith. Upon that conversation there was another member of the huddle that was designated to hold the other accountable. There was breakthrough last night in huddle. I was able to facilitate a conversation among these students that led them to ministry and deeper thinking about their faith. The last question, which was a struggle to answer, “How can you redeem that quality that you lack?” Not only did these students answer the question, but they were gently and unassuming in their response to others helping them in their faith.

I confess I didn’t want it to end. I am not sure they did either. I am excited that we were able to speak beyond a surface level. These students have been able to do that for years. I am ecstatic that I was able to be a part of this evening. The part of ministry I have always loved the most is when a student makes a realization for the first time that will forever change their lives in Christ. I am filled!

-Michael

Tonight in our huddle group we are beginning a three week series on Authentic faith. This comes from the book “7 Checkpoints” by Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall. I tried to use this once before, but it didn’t work out quite as planned so we are trying again. However, instead of sharing the book with them, I am simply taking from the book things I would like to share with the group.

The hardest part about this lesson was coming up with a story about Authenticity. In our huddle we do a short story that makes the point of the evening, then we break into small groups to discuss it further with prepared questions. Well, the questions came easy, but the story just not so much. Why am I having a hard time thinking of a story about something authentic? It certainly isn’t because I haven’t seen authenticity. I have, but what kind of story will speak to them.

Will my story be authentic to them?

Wow this postmodern stuff has me spinning. Well it is about time for me to go tell my story. I guess the most important part is just for me to be authentic when I tell it.

I hope we can all be authentic in our faith.

-Michael

I just love Abilene! The dryness in the air, the cool mornings and hot days and then cool evenings. The buzz around campus of energetic young people working hard to receive a degree and to make a difference in the world. A place where people open the door for others, everything is “thank you” and “please”. There is an air of hope and newness. Some of this comes from the university and some just from the unusual Christian flavor of this town. I love the fact that people are extremely hospitable and always looking for a way to serve. I love education, church, family, and goodness. Abilene carries all those things.

It isn’t perfect; poverty, dust, no Pappasitos, and soon to be no real gap (that one is for my wife). It does have its places of need. However, it is a place where I found home in the spiritual sense. It is a place I was nurtured and learned how to minister to adolescents. It is the place that is still home to many families I love and know because of my interaction with their kids. I can’t help it, but I love Abilene. There are good memories here and every time I come I am ensured to meet new people and make new friends.

Yes, I love Abilene, but I miss Houston; my wife, my cat, my dog, my house. Soon (tomorrow) I will return and I hope to pick up where I left off, helping victims from the storm.

-Michael

I made a friend last Thursday morning. He was from New Orleans and lost everything he new. He came to our church looking to provide for his family. Well, the family that he was speaking of wasn’t really his family. When the storm was approaching and they decided to evacuate he was in a particular part of New Orleans. He was responsible and got his wife and children in the car and ready to go. Then they proceeded to his wife’s family since they were closer. After that they didn’t have much time and evacuated to Houston. That was on Saturday before the storm. This was Thursday and when we were talking he was speaking of the raging guilt within him for not going the extra miles to go and retrieve his side of the family. Now those of us removed from the situation can understand that in the midst of hurrying to get out of the path of such a devastating storm that you do as much as you can. However, my friend was feeling profound guilt and had no idea where his side of the family was. We continued our conversation and he decided to concentrate on providing for his wife and children and his wife’s side of the family rather than wallow in the guilt. He grabbed some clothes, food, and a couple of gift cards then left our church. I have prayed for him and his family ever since and I wasn’t sure I would ever see him again.

Today was an awesome day. We had a trailer full of clothes and food and supplies come to our church yesterday. I went to our gym in order to take an inventory of what was there so that I could let those who needed to know what we had in stock. When I went to report I passed by the prayer room and saw what I thought was my friend from last Thursday. Sure enough my desire to know overtook me and I went into the prayer room in order to see if it was him. Sure enough it was him. As I walked in the room I embraced him and my first question was about his family. Without answering my question he took my arms and lifted them over my head so that we together could lift up Holy hands to the Lord in praise and Thanksgiving, because his family was spared and together. We embraced again and tears poured out of my eyes. I was so excited for him and I shared in his praise and I exclaimed how I had been in prayer for him and his family. It was truly a holy moment! I couldn’t believe that I was in such tears of grief mixed with joy with my new friend of less than a week. That is the Body of Christ!

So tonight, my friend can rest easy and lay down his guilt because he knows that his wife, kids, wife’s side and his side have all made it out okay. Praise the Lord for He is Good!

-Michael

I am sorry, but this will be short. We are having hundreds of people come through our door for gas cards, groceries, and clothes. We are receiving wonderful donations from our church and other churches that are willing to help. We are working with the Christian church, Baptist churches, Presbyterian church, and non-denominational churches in serving meals twice a day seven days a week. It is a combined effort.

Let me tell you of some other efforts that need attention as well. Lifeline chaplaincy needs monetary assistance for those victims who need immediate medical care. Impact Church of Christ is collecting everything and distributing.

That is what is wonderful. All the churches are working together to help these victims. Consider this story. The mayor of Deer Park commissioned all the churches to lay down any boundaries and work together to help the relief effort for these victims. Isn’t it amazing when a government official needs some people to help, he calls on the force of God’s Kingdom his Church!

Praise Be To God!

And

Pray for the Families

-Michael