Atomic Pablo! A blues/jazz band played at Fireside

3 members of the Atomic Pablo blues, jazz band played at Fireside Books/Coffee today. Very good.

Writing my next column. Planning on heading to the parks today again locating homeless people to introduce them to our new fellowship and figure out how we can help them.

Im not preaching to them per se. I am interested in helping build a rapport and relationship first. So, I need to be seen where they are at. I plan on just having conversations with them. See what their stories are. Share my life stories with them. In short become a friend. Proclaiming the good news that the Kingdom of God has burst into human history when Christ was resurrected and is continuing to invade this evil world system set up by man and the evil one will naturally come up in conversation.

Repent and pour out your life in Christ's service. The Kingdom will come in fullness after this age is over and the age to come arrives!

In the meantime, we should not ignore the physical needs of the non-believers. The body is part of the human trinity: Body, soul and spirit.

I will be meeting with Johnny and Susie Davis soon. They manage a large food and clothing bank(His Hands). This couple provides all kinds of services for the poor. They are located off Broadway not far from our fellowship.

Mercy Bible Baptist wants to initiate their own homeless ministry but we also want to see where we can help out existing agencies as well. Think that is a wise approach.

No work today. Went thru parks and talked to homeless

No work scheduled today so I worked on the homeless ministry today. Walked thru the parks downtown introducing myself and striking up conversations.

Their stories are all different but the same paradoxically. Broken relationships, home, addictions whatnot.  Varied educational and work backgrounds. One guy(Mike) was an electrician but lost his job because of COPD. Met 2 guys who volunteer down at a food bank off Broadway. They told me I should visit the couple who runs it. The Davis's. I had already planned on doing so as I came across them gathering info/intel on the homeless problem.

I am assessing extent and nature of the need downtown to come up with what Mercy Bible/Baptist Church can do to help.

At this point just attempting to build rapport and trust.

I don't really know how I couldn't have better spent my day.

Pics are in order, Zack, Larry, Doug and AJ. AJ is only 18 years old. Also met with Tony and Mike but they are not pictured here. Last pics are of one of the parks/greenways I visited.

Trimmed Russian Olive trees and a large Locust today

Got most of our work although not all today. Rain was supposed to hit early today but didn't come until 130pm. Helped Matt the climber trim the dead out of a large Locust right next to a beautiful house in Cherry Hills.

Josh trimmed the Russian Olives. Rich couldn't assist us today because he's allergic to Russian Olives.

Got home showered and took the train downtown to Fireside Books and Coffee. Discussed the days events with Audrey the barista/bookseller.

Beginning to pen my column. Raining persistently now.

Tomorrow no tree work scheduled. Will be working on my homeless ministry assignment tomorrow.

New assignment from Mercy Bible Baptist Church

Received new assignment from Mercy Bible Baptist Church of Englewood, CO.

I will be starting a homeless ministry for the Church in Englewood. Who better than me to undertake this ministry? Since I am homeless. I spent part of last night going into the parks and train station looking for homeless people to assess the extent of the need. Found that many homeless people go to various shelters for the night. Will need to go to these parks and other hangouts during the day.

Working full time for the tree service. Will be working on the homeless ministry on my off time. Will need to cease my work at SAME Cafe too.

My first order of business is to analyze the extent of the need re: the homeless in Englewood. Then, will figure out how to meet the need. Then lastly, execute the plan to fill the need.

Exciting assignment! Will then hand off the ministry when I leave Denver.

The setting sun resisting the eventual night

Caught this on camera while hiking the Highline Canal Trail in Cherry Hills.

This was the first trail I hiked when I moved to Denver from Peoria, IL in February 2003. I was missing the 27 mile long Rock Island Trail. After hiking this canal trail I thought no way would it replace the Rock Island Tr. But after a year I fell in love with it with all of the wild plum groves the packs of coyotes and bats dive bombing me at dusk! I have hashed put a lot of problems walking this trail.

We are called to repentance!

"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, " Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Matthew 4:16-17

Matthew was quoting here from Isaiah. The region and land we are living in here in the US in the 21st century is eerily like it was in Christ's day in the first century. He called those there to repent and likewise is calling us as a people and as individuals to repent and to turn to Him and die in Christ in order to live.

Spent the greater part of the day today at Fireside Books and Coffee writing my Oct 15 column which centers around my biggest fears of walking across America.

Soon I will walk across Hampden to Walmart and buy a winter coat, jeans and a pair of hiking boots. Getting ready for the inevitable snows approaching Denver and it's evirons.

Working at the Tree Service today

Lots of work today at the Tree Service. 4 jobs. Tree removals and trims.

Pastor Josh and I will be doing a large apple tree removal. Rich will be doing some quotes and then joining us.

Its cold this am. Like 35 degrees. High 65 and sunny.

Last night walked in a driving rain from the Littleton train station after coming home from bible study and Fireside Books/Coffee.