A mop and a bucket

It always astounds me how God uses ordinary people, things and circumstances to teach an extraordinary lesson. Yesterday, I went to the "His House" orphanage to help prepare one of the buildings for the arrival of Haiti orphans. For the next eleven hours I either had a mop in my hand or a broom or a toilet brush. The experience brought me back to one of my early lessons as a new believer. When I was first saved, my mother was hired by our church in Trinidad to do the cleaning and preparation process for each service. After school my brother an I would assist her in any way we could. Soon, my father gave his life to the Lord and the entire family roamed the halls, bathrooms and stairs with a mop and a bucket in hand. We counted it a privilege to serve in any capacity since our focus was to do something for God in gratitude for our salvation. As I once again held a mop in my hand, it brought back memories that were not so pleasant. About two years later our family received the devastating news that my mom would spend the rest of her life dealing with Rheumatoid arthritis and that she would be bedridden. I watched as my father, a shift worker and new Christian struggled to take care of his wife and do her tasks at the church as well as care for two teenage boys. Finally, I had to do something. What was once a family job would have to become my responsibility. After swinging a mop for hours I would pray at that altar for God to heal my mother and take the pressure off my father. Prayers of desperation turned to worship and worship developed into a relationship with God. I sought God and He found me. Sometimes God isolates us to change us. What seemed like an ordinary after-school labor of love for my parents became the forging ground for my faith. I look back at those precious moments and I thank God that He changed me. Those times of prayer had no rush order status because I refused to leave until I sensed God's presence and peace. I truly believe that I am ministering today because of my faithfulness in those little tasks when I was a young Christian. God can use anything and anyone He chooses to fulfill His great plan. I never thought in a million years I would be a minister of the Gospel while I was using that mop and bucket.

Zechariah 4:10 (New King James Version)

¹⁰ For who has despised the day of small things?

Reader, never despise the day of small beginnings for God sees everything and uses the crisis situations to form you into what He wants you to be. When you feel insignificant, under-appreciated, overlooked, belittled, stereotyped or mistreated, just reach for "Mop and Bucket" experience. Though the circumstances seem overwhelming use it to get closer to God.

Date Night

Enjoy a special "date night" with your sweetheart on Friday, February 12th while supporting Sunset Chapel's Children's Ministry.

Your children will have a great time in a safe environment. they'll enjoy pizza, popcorn and a movie, games, and lots of fun activities! all children welcome (birth through age 11)

Please contact our Church office for further details at (305) 271-4094.

See a need fill a NEED

Special thanks to Sterling, Maria, Angela, Raquel and Andrew for their labor of love on Sunday in Kids INC. I am asked by people who are interested in assisting our ministry to children a very valid question. They ask, "Pastor Kevin, I would like to assist you with the kids. How much time do you think I should commit to?" My answer is not always received with an open mind, but my intentions are to help them understand what they are asking me. My response is usually this..."There is always a need for help in Children's Ministry. As long as Church is in progress, we need you to impact these kids for Jesus" This response let's the well-natured person see that the kids need Godly examples to mentor them as they grow in the faith. However, the answer to the latter part of the question usually leaves them thinking. They ask, "How much time do you think I should commit to?" What if one day a call comes in to the Church and the person on the line says, "How much should I tithe this week?" or "How much should I give in the offering this week?" My dear reader I could almost hear you chuckle while others are almost offended but before you take any action please read on.

When we become involved in ministry it is an act of worship. Worship is showing God how much He is worth to you by giving your time, talents, things or by just being available. No person can measure your act of worship! If you desire to become involved in ministry... DO IT because that is worship. Sunset Chapel needs you! Demonstrate your spiritual act of worship by rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty for God. Hebrews 10:24 says, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." (NLT)