Hello Florida Disciples Regional Church!

I greet you in Jesus name and thank you, each one, for all the welcoming messages and gifts.

Sonia and I, and Rico “the wonder dog”, are here in Florida at an extended stay hotel (so we’ll be staying for a while). What a profound blessing to arrive where there is “room at the inn” and room in the hearts of God’s people for strangers arriving in a new place.

Last Sunday, at one of our wonderful Florida Disciple congregations, I was asked to pray. I paused for a moment of centering silence and before I could begin my prayer a little boy broke the silence with an audible “uh-oh”. I will not take time here to figure out what was happening within that little boy’s heart and mind that produced an “uh-oh”, an expression that’s a mixture of fear, surprise, awe…  But, let me tell you it turned out to be prophetic. My first day at our Florida Disciples Regional Church Office was absolutely an “uh-oh” moment for this new kid on the block expecting a comfortable first day of introduction and orientation. It was like trying to drink from a fire hydrant. Como si me hubiesen tirado en el mar en medio de una tormenta. It was like trying to understand a foreign language. It was like trying to walk into hurricane force winds.

Well, that was yesterday, I made it and today is a new day … this is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice….                  

On this new day I invite you to find a way to BE STILL in the midst of the trouble and turmoil of this world God loves. BE STILL and remember that God so loved the world that he gave His son as a gift for all of us. BE STILL long enough to know that- God sent Jesus and Jesus sends US empowered by the Holy Spirit to respond to all of life’s “uh-oh” moments.
Please join me in a SEASON OF PRAYER as we begin this new time in the life of our Florida Disciples Regional Church.

Peace,

Juan

Pastor Juan Rodriguez,
Regional Minister