Goodness over Gloom 2017 > 2016…?

Another year has come and gone.

On a global stage 2016 has been a year to forget, but on a personal level it leaves us with many wonderful memories and personal gains, of which we chose to remember and give thanks for.

-I turned 50 years young in 2016! Michele Brent Bissig and our children threw a surprise “Celebration of My Life” party for me, and without a doubt, it was the highlight of my year. It was humbling to see friends and family from near and far who have made a deposit into my life in attendance. I also completed writing two children’s books and am nearing the completion of a daily devotional. Writing these has stretched me far beyond what I ever imagined.

-Michele and I celebrated 28 years of marriage. She continues to amaze me with her stunning beauty, southern gracefulness, wisdom, and heart for the Lord and the work He has given us. I say this unashamedly…we have a hot marriage! She and I connect on all levels and without trying be cliche…we do complete one another. She makes me a better person. She is my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night. I am way beyond blessed.

-Our son Ryan Bissig bought a beautiful new home in Germantown. This guy really has it going on! It has been such an honor watching him grow and mature, stepping further into manhood. He is one of the most compassionate and generous people I know. His heart is golden and we couldn’t be more proud of him.

–Sara Cooley and Casey Cooley continue to make their house into a warm home in horse country. Casey stepped into a new career-path at a major production company in Lexington, and Sara continues working at UK. Together, they have expanded their photography business and have been recognized regionally for their impressive work. They have also launched a blog; “The Cooley Cottage” where they share their lives and travels from both sides of the lens.

–Emilee Bissig also made a career change and continues serving on staff at church as our children’s pastor. She is the most energetic person we know, always on the edge of culture, creativity and excitement. In mid-summer she took Michele and I to see Coldplay and it was a memory of a lifetime. I pray she never loses her child-like faith and youthful spirit…and some of it rubs off on some of us older folks.

-Life Church Louisville continues to grow healthy and strong. Some days I wonder why God chose me to lead such a wonderful group of people? What we have witnessed God do in the past six-months has been more than I could put into words. Services are full, lives are being changed and finding freedom, and there is a genuine spirit of love, peace, cooperation and camaraderie among everyone. It is priceless!

-The Louisville Dream Center has continued to develop into an incredible ministry to and for the community. Several years ago, God began to show us we were going to become a “great hub.” We didn’t understand it at first, but in 2016 we began to understand it quite clearly. In 2016 we have distributed over 210,000 lbs. of food to families most deserving incur community. We also have supplied 35,000 lbs. of food and supplies to six other local churches, civic organizations, and ministries in Indiana, Nashville and Appalachia. The more we give away, the more God sends in. It’s almost a comical thing among the volunteers. We gave 200 lbs. of turkeys away only for God to send us 2400 lbs. of chicken. Amazing!

Yes, I know this is just a snapshot of the highlights of our lives. Please don’t misunderstand, there have been plenty of disappointments and days where we wondered how something was going to work out.

We have weathered sickness in family and friends.
Death of those we loved and admired.
Disappointing news, bigotry and horror in our nation and city.

But we chose to end 2016 offering thanks and recognizing God’s peace, faithfulness and goodness on our lives. I encourage you and your family to take the same posture. If not, you will have a difficult time finding the good, among the gloom in 2017.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE

When talking with people I often hear a common quote, and I have no idea where it came from; “God will never give me more than I can handle.”

Friends, there is not much truth to that statement. Actually, there is no truth in that statement at all.

First, God does not place heavy loads on us. The bible says “…His yoke is easy and his burden is light.” So to imply God lays heavy, stressful living on our lives is incorrect.

Second, God will allow us to carry a heavy load…one that we often take-on willingly and one that too heavy for us. (Allowing is much different than placing!) God will allow us to carry as much as we want, and even carry it all by ourselves. He will never push or impose himself on us because he gave us a freewill. It’s when we finally realize the load and the stress is too heavy and come to the conclusion we need him, and call out to him, does he lighten our load.

Friends, we can’t handle the loads and stresses of life by ourselves. We need God’s help and the help of others.

Often we find ourselves in hardship, or in a storm being battered and blown alone because we fail to invite God into our situation. When the weather became intense as we travelled, I have to admit, I got a little nervous, but not one time did I ever think to question God why we were going through a storm. I placed myself there. Our travel plan was to be ahead of the storm, but it didn’t quite work out that way. Nevertheless, I knew God was with me, I was confident we were safe and able to make it to our destination.

Friends, if you are carrying a heavy load or life has stressed you beyond more than you can bear, ask God for help. He wants to help.

Psalm 50:15 “…call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you…”

Pray for Dallas

These are painful days. My heart is broken and I am very concerned.

Every week there seems to be another tragedy, and regardless of the source, or the target, it is a tragedy. Chattanooga, San Bernardino, Orlando, Baton Rouge, Minneapolis….

We need to pray for America. America needs Jesus.

If there is a time that we need to come together, it is right now. What is taking place in America is not a black issue, a white issue, a LGBT issue, a democrat or republican issue, or a police issue…but an American issue. Nothing will be solved until we come together. The blood on our streets is not brown, it’s not white, it’s not yellow, it’s not democrat or republican, it’s not gay. It. Is. Red. It is the one thing that we all have in common. Blood is blood.

Those at the highest level in our political system have been and will continue to fail us because they refuse to wrap their arms around real issues. They are too busy fighting among themselves for power and position.

When there is injustice at the top, even if it is only perceived injustice, it’s not long before it filters down into the streets. There is injustice from Washington DC, to small town America, and it is spilling into our streets, our neighborhoods and our communities. People are dying and it needs to be stopped at the gate.

Corrupt politicians need to be held accountable for their actions.
Corrupt police officers need to be held accountable for their actions.
Corrupt leaders need to be held accountable for their actions.
Those breaking the law need to be held accountable for their actions.
The media needs to stop using images to incite and perpetuate rage, you are taking advantage of anger.

Reasonable people must come together.

What happened in the streets of Dallas is not what we need, and not what the protestors were marching for. It is what happens when angry people loose their senses and take justice into their own hands. That in itself brings more injustice, more pain and more anger.

The Civil Rights movement turned when all races joined together in unity. I believe in unity, but not at the cost of silence. When something is wrong, it needs to be addressed. When something is wrong, it is wrong, and calling it wrong does not make you a racist. When Jesus saw something that was wrong, he said so.

What is happening is wrong. Thou shall not kill!

We need to speak out in rational terms. We need to unify. We need to support our brothers and sisters, we need to support our police who selflessly place themselves in harms way everyday to protect you and I.

We need to pray.
Our systems have failed.
Our justice has failed.
Our politicians have failed.
The only thing that will not fail is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Use your influence to bring change.
Use your faith to reach heaven.
Use your hands to bring healing.

We need Jesus. We have tried everything but him.
There is no better time than the present.

Social Mirrors

Earlier today I read a comment on a friend’s Facebook page about the quantity of hate on social media.

The truth of the matter is social media reflects who we are as individuals, which is scary. If you want social media to change, then society…we, must change.

It is my belief we have become a Nation without a moral compass. Take a look at our leadership. Look at who our choices are to lead our county, both are wheels-off. History has been generally kind to former US Presidents, and from a historical perspective, those great men who once led us courageously must be shaking their heads in their graves at our choices and the state of our Nation today. 

Morality must have a bedrock, core-belief to be anchored to. Without it we come back to the place where we are today. Being “good” doesn’t work either because behavior is tied to truth and we have made truth relative.

The same with love.

We shout “love” but even love has become tainted and misaligned.

We have looked to man for answers and solutions, and we keep coming up with the same outcomes. Hate, evil, death, decline, poverty, racism, divisiveness…the list is endless as it is tiresome.

The spirit of goodwill is draining out of our society, friends.

We are losing our heart and soul.

We kill one another without a second thought.
We allow ignorance, hate and bigotry to rule.

We have become a fractured society of colors, and political parties and their agendas, rather than neighbors, brothers and sisters, Americans.

We are a nation on the brink.

Jeremiah 17:9 “The human heart (which guides mankind) is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

We need help. It must begin within. With you and I.
Change must take place in my heart.

We need the help only God can provide.

How to Drown 101

You don’t drown by falling in water. You drown by staying there. Today is a great day to get out of your mess and begin really living, the choice is yours.

OPPORTUNITY ALMOST MISSED!

Wednesday afternoon I received a call from one of our staff at Life Church Louisville who was concerned with the incoming snow and the possibility that for the third week in a row we may have to close the Louisville Dream Center. For those who are unaware, The Louisville Dream Center is a volunteer driven organization that finds and fills the needs of individuals and families throughout the community.

In short, we operate a weekly food pantry and clothing closet, among several other ministries and outreaches. Closing means people may go without food or other basic needs. With the recent snows and biting cold weather, we had made the decision to close the operation the past two Thursday nights. We doubted whether people would get out.

Our goal early Thursday was to clear the parking lot of 12 inches of snow so we could accommodate those who may venture out in need of food. We decided to open at 5pm and stay open until 6pm, or as long as we needed to depending on attendance. We also decided when guests arrived, we would serve them curbside so they did not have to get out of their vehicles.

Brian Barnes (Stephanie Filippazzo Barnes) and his crew took care of the lot for us and others came to clear sidewalks, entrance ways and spread salt. At 5pm, the food pantry opened, fully staffed!

No one came, so we waited. The adults talked and laughed, the kids played in the snow and we waited some more.

Around 5:45pm a man, along with his daughter came walking across the parking lot and into the Center. It was a man we are all familiar with, he is a regular of the food pantry. He came in and was probably surprised by the reception. He and his daughter were our only guests so far and we were glad to see him!

Soon our celebration turned sober.

Our friend began thanking us for being open, he and his daughter were out of food and had little choice but take a chance that we were open. They had walked from about a quarter mile north of Western High School to catch a bus to Dixie Hwy., where they rode to E. Pages, then walked the almost half of a mile in the snow to get to us. One way it was six miles to where they lived.

Last night at 5:45pm it was 18 degrees.

He asked if his daughter could look for some shoes, she was wearing canvas “Chucks’ and they were soaked from the long walk. She was also wearing a thin, cotton jacket over a long sleeve t-shirt.

As she looked through the clothing at the clothing closet, our staff did all they could to hold it together. We found her a coat or two, some sweatshirts and nice, almost new, leather high-top shoes.

When they were finished, another staff member and and I offered to drive them home. They were extremely grateful.

On the way home the daughter spoke of her life in middle school and the father spoke of being a construction worker. His truck needs a new engine and she, a passing grade in math. I took note of how we soaked up the conversation with them, trying to find away to help them with more than food and clothing.

After dropping them off at their place, John and I met up with our volunteers who had decided on dinner at a local eatery. We were grateful we were there for that man and his daughter, who took a chance, walking in the cold and snow to hopefully find something for dinner.

I found myself having a difficult time enjoying the warm company and good food. It was a little much for me, still processing the thought of what this family had endured and that we may have been closed. This morning I still find I am processing the events of last night.

Each one of you who has given to us is, in part, the solution for the needs in our community. You are a piece of a vast puzzle and I, on behalf of our staff, am a very grateful man.

I would ask that you pray for this sincere man and his beautiful daughter, and the many more who have not yet made it to us.

And when they do, may we be there to serve them.

Christmas is…RECOVERY

I enjoy traveling and believe it or not, I enjoy traveling by car, especially to places I have never been. I’m not afraid to fly, by any means, it’s just I enjoy new scenery.

I have to admit, I have a great sense of direction. If I am going somewhere I have never been before, I always look at a map and and plan my route. I hate being lost, it is a waste of time and can be costly. Like when Michele and I got lost in Miami…but that’s another story for another day.

Many years ago, when Sara was still in high school, we had planned a trip to Asbury University, in Wilmore, KY to participate in their Fall Access Day event. It was a two day visit to the school were students and parents can attend workshops and classes, meet the faculty and staff, and tour the school. Kinda like a recruiting visit. I had not been to Wilmore in nearly 15 years, but was confident I knew the way and never took time to look at the directions.

A lot can change in 15 years.

It was a beautiful drive. Horse country is absolutely stunning. We were having a great time, had plenty of time before our first session so we casually meandered through the backroads and fences of central Kentucky. The next thing we know, we are in Harrodsburg, some 25 miles past Wilmore. I had missed a turn AND made a wrong turn in the dark. We were lost!

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest.”

After driving for several minutes, Sara reminded us we had to be at the school by a certain time and time was quickly melting off of the clock. The stress level in the truck began to rise, and the more I drove, the more stressful everyone became. I would have stopped for directions, but there are very few places to do so in that part of the state. What had begun as a peaceful, serene drive, was now an emotional and stressful trip.

I soon found a small country store and was given directions. Lucky for us we were just a few miles and a turn from Wilmore. We made it to the first session with minutes to spare.

When we sat down in our seats, an overwhelming sense of relief swept over me, I was exhausted. This was an important event and getting us there safely, and on-time was my responsibility. Sara didn’t want to be THAT student, showing up late and looking unprofessional.

We live in a very dark world and because we are disconnected to God, we often miss our turns and lose our direction. It can be extremely costly and can rob us of the joy of living. Jesus knew that would be the case and that is why He reached out to a weary-world and gave an invitation; “Come to me and I will give you rest!”

One of the messages of Christmas is recovery.

Jesus is fully aware of the hardship and the struggle you are facing today. He is fully aware of the pain, hurt and disappointment you live your life with. Jesus is fully aware of the frustration, conflict, debt and crisis that has found your life, and He invites us to come to Him and recover from it all.

Many of us have found ways to numb our life, to just cope and get by, living life day to day, but friend, that is not the life God has planned for you. People pass themselves off as having it altogether and everything looks perfectly in place, but beneath is a broken mess.

The night I walked into that general store, looking for the way to where I needed to be, I was as lost as I had ever been. The man who gave me directions didn’t laugh at me because I was turned around, lost in the dark and running late. He was kind and sincere and because of him, we found our way. We recovered our right course, and peace was restored in the truck.

Needless to say, we had a great weekend, Sara was accepted into the program and we have been traveling those backroads ever since.

Regardless of where you are in your life today, God is waiting for you to come to Him. He knows the path and will help you recover both lost ground and time, and get you where you are going safely.

If Michele or I can help you find your direction, send us a message. We’re here for you!

DON’T SINK MY BATTLESHIP!

Did you know that in the United States there are over 100 million used video games sold each year? Wow, to think they keep statistics on that kind of stuff.

Many years ago, I received the “old-school” board game; “Battleship” as a Christmas gift. I remember sitting for hours playing the game with my brothers.

For those who’ve never played the game, it is basically a guessing game in which the object is to sink your opponents battleships, aligned on an alphabetical and numerical grid that is out of sight. Once your opponent was onto your pattern, it was a matter of time before he was able to sink your ship.

Great fun, as long as your battleships didn’t sink.

Psalm 34:17-19 “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all”

Life has a way of sinking people and turning lives upside down. Relationship struggles, hard to control debt, and over-committed, busy schedules can all lead to discouragement. Especially during this time of year when those issues can be compounded by depression, loneliness and uncertainty of the upcoming new year. Discouragement is wicked and attacks everyone. If we’re not careful, we will find ourselves sunk deep into the mire of despair and hopelessness which leads to defeat.

Today’s scripture is one that I have leaned heavily on all of my life. Whenever I find myself becoming overwhelmed to the point of discouragement and fear, it steadies me. God is always near!

Another thing that I have employed is journaling. I have kept a daily journal going since 1982 and recently I have begun encouraging our entire church to do the same.

In my journal I write:
-A daily verse that I am mediating on.
-Important life events, activities
-What I am praying about; struggles, needs, concerns
-When God answers a prayer, I date it

Why do I do this? Because when I feel my life sinking I can pull out a journal and read several pages and it strengthens me. Often times I see what was about to sink me and what I had been praying about on July 18, 2012, is no longer an issue in my life. God took care of it, I am encouraged!

That crisis that almost took me out on May 28, 1984…I made it! I’m encouraged!
The defeat I was facing on July 17, 2000…I’m still standing! God is strong!
The health crisis that we faced in November 2012…over! All is well! God heals!

The death of my niece, Baby Aleena last month. Tough, hard. I’ve made it this far, I’ll keep moving forward…I need God to steady me. According to past history, God has and God will again.

Each time I face difficulty, I know God is bigger and everything is going to be alright. I am living proof. I have 32 years of it in writing that I can recall of God’s personal faithfulness to myself and my family.

For Christmas I want you to ask someone to get you a journal. Begin marking time. Journal your pain, your struggles and hardships. Journal your victories!

Because when life calls your number, and sends a torpedo your way it will be a reminder that you can stand firm knowing God has been there for you before, He is faithful, and he will be there again!

God Bless you, today!

CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE

Wednesday and I don’t know about you, but this Winter Polar Vortex stuff is garbage!

Speaking of seasons, there is a place in my brain that struggles with some of the seasonal changes that have been evolving over the past several years. Shorter summers for students…not a fan! When I was in elementary school, I remember being on summer break until Labor Day. How about Christmas decorations, music and retail-hype before Thanksgiving, and now Halloween? Really? I don’t think I am alone in that thought.

Traditionally, the Christmas discussion didn’t begin in our house until after dinner, Thanksgiving evening. The newsprint ads were passed around the table, as was the Sears and Roebuck Wish Book, and it was then plans were made for Black Friday shopping. I’ll never forget the fist time a retail store was opening early…6AM with Early Bird Specials! These days…well, I’d rather not go there.

In the late 1970’s, my parents established a foundation which purpose was to help deserving families receive needed Christmas gifts and food for their family. Families went through a vetting process, lists were made and donors found. Hundreds of children have been helped over the past thirty-five years, and today, the giving continues, only exponentially through my siblings and their families. Our Christmas was not complete unless the last child was helped.

There was a family who suffered a devastating fire on Christmas Eve. My mother took to the phone and donors supplied everything the family needed, in less than eight hours. There was a family whose father was laid-off right before Christmas, another who had lost their mother to cancer. The most memorable Christmas was when children living in an orphanage on Frankfort Avenue were provided gifts and clothing. My mother had been an orphan and through our church, every child received gifts. It was the most magical Christmas!

Each year at Life Church, our Angel Tree has taken care of families in need. We carefully screen families and our church community adopts either an outfit, a coat, a toy or, in some cases, the entire list for a child. Basically, it is an extension of what our family has done for so many years.

This year is no different, with the exception being the sheer numbers of those coming to us for assistance through the Louisville Dream Center’s food pantry.

-There is a elderly, disabled grandmother, raising her three grandchildren, one with special needs, while the mother recovers in drug rehab.

-There is the family whose mother has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. She is receiving treatment in another state while her adopted children are preoccupied with her health, not a visit from Santa.

-There are several families whose father or mother is no longer in the picture.

I could go on and on and on. Friends, these are our neighbors.

Last year, I was asked by a dear friend what the community could do to help. Within weeks, support came pouring in and we helped more families than ever before. It was amazing.

This year, I am approaching the community directly and asking you to consider helping us provide Christmas to a local family in PRP and Valley Station. Perhaps you, your office or your business can buy a much needed pair of pants, a shirt, a winter coat or a toy, or how about giving food?

This Sunday, November 16th beginning at 4pm, I am inviting the community to join me at Life Church Louisville in adopting some of the most deserving children in our community. Each family has undergone a thorough screening process and are not receiving help from another source. Information on each child will be available and you are free to do as much or as little as you are able. The church provides thorough accountability and record keeping for such a large endeavor. We will continue with the adoption process until 5pm. Stop by at anytime.

If you want more information, please feel free to in-box me.

I know there still more in need of help, but at this time we can not add anyone else to the list. If donations warrant, we will be happy to reopen the list.

If you would like to make a donation; make checks payable to Life Church Louisville 4413 E. Pages Lane, Louisville, KY 40272. All donations are tax deductible and 100% of all donations will go directly to helping local families.

Why not begin a new Christmas tradition for your family or business?

See you Sunday!

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

One of my favorite Beatles songs is “With A Little Help From My Friends.” Originally recorded by Ringo Starr, aka “Billy Shears” for the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, it has been recorded over 50 times by artists from all genres. Rolling Stone Magazine placed the song in the top 500 songs of all time.

As the legend goes, the song was actually recorded at dawn after a long, exhaustive night in the studio. The band actually had to talk Starr into singing the lead vocals, then stood around him at the mic for moral support as he recorded the song.

The songs chorus is pretty simple; “Do you need anybody?, I need somebody to love. Could it be anybody, I want somebody to love….Oh I get by with a little help from my friends”

On Thursday nights I lead a men’s group at church. We usually have 20-25 men attend and it is always a great time. We eat, hang out and then walk through some scripture and discover how to apply it.

Last night our discussion was taken from 1 Samuel 17: 4-7 “A champion named Goliath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.

Goliath was a champion. This is one of the few places in the bible where the word “champion” is used. He was the best of the best of the best, standing nearly 10 ft. tall. On top of that, he was covered with body armor. He was a professional. He was a beast! Everyone cowered when he arrived on the scene, striking fear in the hearts of the army of God.

But there is one thing about Goliath that stood out to me, found towards the end of the verse…”His shield bearer went ahead of him.”

Goliath, this mighty machine of a warrior, had a shield bearer.

A shield bearer was someone who went into battle with you and helped cover you…basically, they did all they could do to protect you as you fought the battle. They knew your skills, your next move, your tactics and your weaknesses. They literally had your back.

In our discussion last night we found that as big and bad as this champion Goliath was, he still had to have support. Someone to go into the fight with him. Someone to guard his back. A friend.

Regardless of how good life may be, or how awesome we may be, we all need a friend. Someone to help us walk through the struggles of life, someone to laugh with, someone to cheer us on. We all get by with a little help from our friends.

Batman had Robin, Andy had Barney, Lucy had Ethel, Han Solo had Chewy…who do you have?

This weekend remember you need friends! Going it alone leaves us vulnerable.

Besides, it’s the weekend. Time to relax and enjoy meaningful friendships.

Go out and have dinner, take in a movie, take a drive and if you do, be sure to take a little Sgt. Pepper’s along for the ride!