I first met Sarge in September, 1963, at the College of the Ozarks (now University). Now here we are 47 years later and he has preceded me to heaven. I got word Monday that he had stepped from the land of the dying into the land of the living. Jesus reached down His hand at about 6am and Sarge took it.
How in the world we became such good friends I can't remember, but we did. We were from two different backgrounds, he from the north and I from the south. He was a jock and I wasn't. Sarge was the type of guy that when you met him you walked away his friend. Everyone liked him. He was truly a Prince among men.
We became such good friends that he was my best man at my first wedding. He drove back to Arkansas from Ohio to attend her funeral a year and a half later. I know that he would have been by my side in January when we laid Jeanne to rest, if he had not been taking chemo and related treatments.
I have been friends with Sarge longer than I have known my younger sister.
He was not always known as Sarge, a name I believe he picked up in High School. Russell Sherhag is his real name. He was never a sargent, but that is how he is known around the country.
We had a standing joke between us, Pam included, that is until email. A line from 'Dances with Wolves' was our mantra, one character says to Kevin Costner, upon seeing a skeleton with an arrow sticking out of it, "Someone back east wonders why he don't write." We always joked about me writing a letter and the mailman passing out when he saw the return address. I was out west and they were back east wondering why he doesn't write. Thank God for email.
I will have only good memories of Sarge and our times together, though we weren't in each others company very many times over the years. I have to admit that there were times that Sarge did more to maintain our friendship than I did.
I know that I will see him again in heaven but I will miss him terribly here on earth. I know he is talking with his family and has laughed with Sharlene and Jeanne, but Sarge, wait for the rest of us at the corner of Hallelujah Blvd and Love Ave, for we will see you soon. We will dance before the Throne and praise God together.
See you later ol' buddy.
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Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
THE THUMB SUCKER AT SOX PLACE
As I watch the Street Connected Youth coming in to Sox Place, I keep wondering what brought them to this place in their lives. What happened in their younger childhood that caused them to leave a home, at least a house, go onto the streets and put themselves at risk for sexual abuse, physical abuse, death by overdose or freezing...could it be that the streets were more comfortable than their home life? Everyone of them have stories of abuse from father, mother, fathers girlfriend, mothers flow thru boyfriends that are very abusive to children in the way. Girls are raped by their mothers live-in boyfriends. Physical abuse abounds from drug/alcohol use by parents. A daily occurrence of being slapped, slugged, kicked and told you are no good and you were a mistake, and will be glad when you are gone...why would you want to stay in that situation?
There were two young women who came in that I couldn't help but wonder what happened to them. The first one couldn't have been more than 20 or 21. I had not seen her before or seen her since. It took me a few minutes to realize that she was sucking her thumb! It came out if she said something then right back in. It came out when she put food in her mouth, then right back in her mouth. She walked around, then went outside, but always with her thumb in her mouth as if nothing strange about it. What trauma would cause such behavior?
The second young woman was again in her early 20s and seemed so shy, she was here for a couple of weeks before she acknowledged me by introducing herself to me. I can't remember her name because when she told me what her street name was I forgot everything else. She said call me Rage. I asked her to repeat that and she did and then spelled it out R A G E. If I get another chance to talk with her I'm going to ask her why, why Rage?
Josh told me of two young women who had come around a few years ago. One said her name was Ugly. He said that she told them that that was her name because her Daddy never told her she was beautiful therefor she must be ugly. Fathers, you may not realize it but you have major influence in your daughter's lives for good or bad. Which will it be? Remember, Ugly.
Another girl's street name was an old slang word for a woman's breasts. At Sox Place they absolutely refused to call her by that name. Your heart will break for these thrown away children. The Fathers heart breaks for His little ones.
Last week I shared about my interest in Native American ministry. Based on US Census, the Native American population in the US alone in between 4.9 to 5.2 million. The Pentecostal Church of God and the Southern Baptist convention both say that less than 3% consider themselves Christian. Do the math, that is about 150,000 who claim to be Christ followers (I got my worst grades in Math in school and college). Can you wrap your minds around how large a mission field this is??? And it is all with the borders of the US. And as I said before, you don't need a passport, or shots, and you can drink the water and eat the food, and English is the prevalent language. However, it is a hard ministry. There are no large exciting evangelistic meetings, most churches consist of a handful of people, and results can take years. But didn't the Lord say something about taking the Gospel to the nations?
I did some research and found that the push to take the Gospel to the Indians came to a standstill in the latter half of the 1800's. The shift then became foreign missions. It was easier than trying to reach the American Indian. In fact, this is a quote from one such study, "...the Indians were not attractive as converts. Many missionaries, therefore, set their sights on other parts of the world."
We are to remember Jesus' command in Matt 28:19, "...all nations..."
Back to Sox Place. After the article in the Denver Post, we have had several donations come in. Today, three young women came in with a small pickup loaded with blankets and sleeping bags. We can get 50 coats one week but next week will need more. As these things come in, they go right back out. Like the food that is donated to us, we give some of it right back out to others who are putting together food boxes and giving them out.
Just so you know, there are 5 full time staff members here, three draw a nominal salary. Doyle does not take any money from Sox Place and I am "self-supporting". Your donations go to take care of the basic needs of the ministry.
Ya'll come see us when you can, ya heah?
Keep praying for us and watch the Lord meet our needs and yours.
With you in His service,
Troy
There were two young women who came in that I couldn't help but wonder what happened to them. The first one couldn't have been more than 20 or 21. I had not seen her before or seen her since. It took me a few minutes to realize that she was sucking her thumb! It came out if she said something then right back in. It came out when she put food in her mouth, then right back in her mouth. She walked around, then went outside, but always with her thumb in her mouth as if nothing strange about it. What trauma would cause such behavior?
The second young woman was again in her early 20s and seemed so shy, she was here for a couple of weeks before she acknowledged me by introducing herself to me. I can't remember her name because when she told me what her street name was I forgot everything else. She said call me Rage. I asked her to repeat that and she did and then spelled it out R A G E. If I get another chance to talk with her I'm going to ask her why, why Rage?
Josh told me of two young women who had come around a few years ago. One said her name was Ugly. He said that she told them that that was her name because her Daddy never told her she was beautiful therefor she must be ugly. Fathers, you may not realize it but you have major influence in your daughter's lives for good or bad. Which will it be? Remember, Ugly.
Another girl's street name was an old slang word for a woman's breasts. At Sox Place they absolutely refused to call her by that name. Your heart will break for these thrown away children. The Fathers heart breaks for His little ones.
Last week I shared about my interest in Native American ministry. Based on US Census, the Native American population in the US alone in between 4.9 to 5.2 million. The Pentecostal Church of God and the Southern Baptist convention both say that less than 3% consider themselves Christian. Do the math, that is about 150,000 who claim to be Christ followers (I got my worst grades in Math in school and college). Can you wrap your minds around how large a mission field this is??? And it is all with the borders of the US. And as I said before, you don't need a passport, or shots, and you can drink the water and eat the food, and English is the prevalent language. However, it is a hard ministry. There are no large exciting evangelistic meetings, most churches consist of a handful of people, and results can take years. But didn't the Lord say something about taking the Gospel to the nations?
I did some research and found that the push to take the Gospel to the Indians came to a standstill in the latter half of the 1800's. The shift then became foreign missions. It was easier than trying to reach the American Indian. In fact, this is a quote from one such study, "...the Indians were not attractive as converts. Many missionaries, therefore, set their sights on other parts of the world."
We are to remember Jesus' command in Matt 28:19, "...all nations..."
Back to Sox Place. After the article in the Denver Post, we have had several donations come in. Today, three young women came in with a small pickup loaded with blankets and sleeping bags. We can get 50 coats one week but next week will need more. As these things come in, they go right back out. Like the food that is donated to us, we give some of it right back out to others who are putting together food boxes and giving them out.
Just so you know, there are 5 full time staff members here, three draw a nominal salary. Doyle does not take any money from Sox Place and I am "self-supporting". Your donations go to take care of the basic needs of the ministry.
Ya'll come see us when you can, ya heah?
Keep praying for us and watch the Lord meet our needs and yours.
With you in His service,
Troy
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
WHY AN INDIAN CHURCH?
Last week I told you of my visit to an Indian Church. Why an Indian Church you probably asked. I'll explain that later in this post, but first let's talk about Sox Place.
I had a young mother ask me if we had a baby tooth brush. I've got to be honest, I had no idea what a baby toothbrush looked like. I had her look thru the baby stuff we have but she did not find what she needed. You can see by that that we need what you need to go thru your day at home.
One man who has been around Sox Place for a few years shared with me that he had cancer and that he had had two rounds of chemo before this. He said he had been advised to have a third, but he was not going to go thru that again. He is praying for God's healing and letting God have his will in his life and healing. I asked if I could pray for him and he wanted me to. Afterwards he had tears in his eyes and thanked me profusely. He has come to me every day since and asks how I am doing!
One day while sitting around watching everyone do their thing, I asked a young man, "Where you going tonight? How will you stay warm?", He said that one old building that he had been sleeping in was torn down. He guessed he would walk around all night.
While people ask, "How can I help? What do you need? I just don't know what to do", our Cintas service man, Thomas, has contacted some of his customers about our needs. One of his customers has 40 pairs of pants that former employees had bought and then left when they quit, and Thomas will pick them all up for us. Another client runs a hotel and said they were going to be changing out their blankets for new ones. Know what Thomas did? You guessed it, he asked to have them donated to us! Thomas has started his own personal Matt 25:35,36 ministry. If we just look around us and pray for guidance, the Lord will show us what's needed and what's available. Those of you in NW Arkansas, are you aware of Seven Hills Ministry in Fayetteville? Or Samaritan House in Rogers? They also have needs. There's a couple of women's shelters in Bentonville that I gave stuff to but can not now remember what the names are. Look around you, there are needs to be met.
So, why an Indian Church? Why not a church like I have been use to? Something I failed to tell you in my first posting was that the Lord used an interest in Native American ministry to get me open to moving out of my comfort zone and into Sox Place.
Having spent 20+ years in New Mexico, and being a student of Western History, I read Louis L'Amour novels, I had read about and visited some of the Pueblos in New Mexico. I had joked with Pastor Cass at New Life Christian Center that when you did a short-term mission trip to a reservation, you did not need a passport, no shots, you could drink the water, you could converse in the same language, and you could usually drive there. I started researching such trips with the object of me leading some people on these type of trips. While researching, I contacted one such ministry by email and during my July 1-6 trip (this was a momentous time period) to be with my daughter, Chelley, that person contacted me and ask, "Would you be interested in pastoring a Native American church?" I responded that I would be. He had the person in charge of Native American ministries for the Pentecostal Church of God get in touch with me. We were never able to meet while I was in Arkansas, however, he wants to meet with me on one of his trips thru Colorado. Does this mean that I am not committed to Sox Place? Not at all, I am committed here as long as the Lord wants me here, and as long as my brother Doyle can use me. And as long as I can think up things to cook.
So, I visited an Indian Church which is predominately Navajo, but is intertribal in its outreach. I love old architectur and the building they own was built in 1893 and the exterior and interior design has not changed. It is not what I have been use to, however, it is evangelical in belief and practice. The song service not what I have been use to but is worshipful. They are having a Thanksgiving pot luck dinner on the 21st., what can I cook?
So, you see now why a visit to an Indian Church? What has the Lord for me in the future? I don't know, but I am determined to be open. Just one more thing I ask you to pray with me about.
Last week, I had a thought and I know it was of the Holy Spirit as I would not have thought of this, at least not as question to me. "How are you going to love the unlovable if you are never around them?" Good question.
I leave you with a quote from a dear friend of Jeanne and mine, Jamie Hedges Collins: "Jesus loves me inside my mess, and I just want to be willing to get out of the way so Jesus can get to us and soothe our aching hearts."
Love to you all and keep on keeping on with the Lord.
Troy
I'm going to try and post some pictures next time.
I had a young mother ask me if we had a baby tooth brush. I've got to be honest, I had no idea what a baby toothbrush looked like. I had her look thru the baby stuff we have but she did not find what she needed. You can see by that that we need what you need to go thru your day at home.
One man who has been around Sox Place for a few years shared with me that he had cancer and that he had had two rounds of chemo before this. He said he had been advised to have a third, but he was not going to go thru that again. He is praying for God's healing and letting God have his will in his life and healing. I asked if I could pray for him and he wanted me to. Afterwards he had tears in his eyes and thanked me profusely. He has come to me every day since and asks how I am doing!
One day while sitting around watching everyone do their thing, I asked a young man, "Where you going tonight? How will you stay warm?", He said that one old building that he had been sleeping in was torn down. He guessed he would walk around all night.
While people ask, "How can I help? What do you need? I just don't know what to do", our Cintas service man, Thomas, has contacted some of his customers about our needs. One of his customers has 40 pairs of pants that former employees had bought and then left when they quit, and Thomas will pick them all up for us. Another client runs a hotel and said they were going to be changing out their blankets for new ones. Know what Thomas did? You guessed it, he asked to have them donated to us! Thomas has started his own personal Matt 25:35,36 ministry. If we just look around us and pray for guidance, the Lord will show us what's needed and what's available. Those of you in NW Arkansas, are you aware of Seven Hills Ministry in Fayetteville? Or Samaritan House in Rogers? They also have needs. There's a couple of women's shelters in Bentonville that I gave stuff to but can not now remember what the names are. Look around you, there are needs to be met.
So, why an Indian Church? Why not a church like I have been use to? Something I failed to tell you in my first posting was that the Lord used an interest in Native American ministry to get me open to moving out of my comfort zone and into Sox Place.
Having spent 20+ years in New Mexico, and being a student of Western History, I read Louis L'Amour novels, I had read about and visited some of the Pueblos in New Mexico. I had joked with Pastor Cass at New Life Christian Center that when you did a short-term mission trip to a reservation, you did not need a passport, no shots, you could drink the water, you could converse in the same language, and you could usually drive there. I started researching such trips with the object of me leading some people on these type of trips. While researching, I contacted one such ministry by email and during my July 1-6 trip (this was a momentous time period) to be with my daughter, Chelley, that person contacted me and ask, "Would you be interested in pastoring a Native American church?" I responded that I would be. He had the person in charge of Native American ministries for the Pentecostal Church of God get in touch with me. We were never able to meet while I was in Arkansas, however, he wants to meet with me on one of his trips thru Colorado. Does this mean that I am not committed to Sox Place? Not at all, I am committed here as long as the Lord wants me here, and as long as my brother Doyle can use me. And as long as I can think up things to cook.
So, I visited an Indian Church which is predominately Navajo, but is intertribal in its outreach. I love old architectur and the building they own was built in 1893 and the exterior and interior design has not changed. It is not what I have been use to, however, it is evangelical in belief and practice. The song service not what I have been use to but is worshipful. They are having a Thanksgiving pot luck dinner on the 21st., what can I cook?
So, you see now why a visit to an Indian Church? What has the Lord for me in the future? I don't know, but I am determined to be open. Just one more thing I ask you to pray with me about.
Last week, I had a thought and I know it was of the Holy Spirit as I would not have thought of this, at least not as question to me. "How are you going to love the unlovable if you are never around them?" Good question.
I leave you with a quote from a dear friend of Jeanne and mine, Jamie Hedges Collins: "Jesus loves me inside my mess, and I just want to be willing to get out of the way so Jesus can get to us and soothe our aching hearts."
Love to you all and keep on keeping on with the Lord.
Troy
I'm going to try and post some pictures next time.
Monday, November 8, 2010
SOX PLACE ADDRESS
For those who have asked, the address for Sox Place is PO Box 544, Denver, CO, 80201. This is for donations to the ministry. If you are sending a gift for me, use the same address but note it is for me so you can get tax credit.
My personal address is PO Box 241, Denver, CO, 80201.
Thank you for your kind comments about the blog. I'll try and keep it up to date.
My personal address is PO Box 241, Denver, CO, 80201.
Thank you for your kind comments about the blog. I'll try and keep it up to date.
HAPPENINGS AT SOX PLACE
Another interesting week here at Sox Place. Out of the clear blue I had one young man ask when we were going to start GED classes. I don't know if I mentioned it or not but I want to start helping any who want their GED to get it. I explained that if he would keep in touch I would help him. Then he asked about reading and writing. Again, I told him that I would help him all I could. Not sure how to do it but with the Lord's help I'll help him learn to read and write.
On Friday a Fundraiser for Sox Place took place at Dave and Busters. D & B has been described as an adult Chuck & Cheese. Video games to the max! This Fundraiser was organized, paid for and run by the executive administrative assistant to one of the Sr. VP's at Cricket. We had several corporate sponsors who donated high ticket items for an auction and many other individuals donated items. I was amazed and pleased to see the corporate backing and interest shown for the ministry of Sox Place. There were two key Microsoft executives who flew in from California to interview Doyle and attend the Fundraiser. I have no idea how much money was raised, but it goes to the operational budget of Sox Place. However, our monthly budget still depends heavily on the regular giving of individuals and churches. The Lord has shown favor for this humble ministry.
Yesterday, Sunday, I attended a small 1st Nations church, Denver Christian Indian Church. The elder is a soft-spoken, gentle man, Richard Silversmith, a Navajo. I felt very comfortable and was warmly greeted by many. We sang Lamb of God, Walking into the Light with native drum accompaniment, Cover Me, and one song that really moved me - Just a Closer Walk sung in Navajo. It reminded me of the time I was in the Philippines and heard the missions hymn, Send the Light, send the Gospel light, let it shine from shore to shore. It was sung in Tagalog. We here sang it for missionaries to take the Gospel to foreign shores. I was hearing it sung by those on foreign shores asking me to send the Gospel! I was moved then in my spirit and I was moved yesterday to hear What a Friend sung by Navajos in Navajo. I'm going to go back to that church.
The Lord is gently sharing some thoughts with me about serving. The other day I was in the kitchen washing out some large pots when the Holy Spirit brought to my mind the man who wrote Practicing the Presence. He had been wealthy and a party animal when the Lord got a hold of him. He gave it all up to serve in a monastery by washing the dirty pots and pans so others could be served hot meals. While washing he practiced the presence of the Lord. Oh, please don't think that I am something super holy, I'm not. The Lord is simply showing me aspects and rewards of true servant hood. It is all about Him and the ones being served, not about the one doing the serving. Matt 25:35,36
On Friday a Fundraiser for Sox Place took place at Dave and Busters. D & B has been described as an adult Chuck & Cheese. Video games to the max! This Fundraiser was organized, paid for and run by the executive administrative assistant to one of the Sr. VP's at Cricket. We had several corporate sponsors who donated high ticket items for an auction and many other individuals donated items. I was amazed and pleased to see the corporate backing and interest shown for the ministry of Sox Place. There were two key Microsoft executives who flew in from California to interview Doyle and attend the Fundraiser. I have no idea how much money was raised, but it goes to the operational budget of Sox Place. However, our monthly budget still depends heavily on the regular giving of individuals and churches. The Lord has shown favor for this humble ministry.
Yesterday, Sunday, I attended a small 1st Nations church, Denver Christian Indian Church. The elder is a soft-spoken, gentle man, Richard Silversmith, a Navajo. I felt very comfortable and was warmly greeted by many. We sang Lamb of God, Walking into the Light with native drum accompaniment, Cover Me, and one song that really moved me - Just a Closer Walk sung in Navajo. It reminded me of the time I was in the Philippines and heard the missions hymn, Send the Light, send the Gospel light, let it shine from shore to shore. It was sung in Tagalog. We here sang it for missionaries to take the Gospel to foreign shores. I was hearing it sung by those on foreign shores asking me to send the Gospel! I was moved then in my spirit and I was moved yesterday to hear What a Friend sung by Navajos in Navajo. I'm going to go back to that church.
The Lord is gently sharing some thoughts with me about serving. The other day I was in the kitchen washing out some large pots when the Holy Spirit brought to my mind the man who wrote Practicing the Presence. He had been wealthy and a party animal when the Lord got a hold of him. He gave it all up to serve in a monastery by washing the dirty pots and pans so others could be served hot meals. While washing he practiced the presence of the Lord. Oh, please don't think that I am something super holy, I'm not. The Lord is simply showing me aspects and rewards of true servant hood. It is all about Him and the ones being served, not about the one doing the serving. Matt 25:35,36
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