It's been a while since I posted here. My upsaid.com account was halted because they froze all the free accounts and tried to get people to upgrade and I had to upgrade our free web hosting at doteasy.com because 20 mb was no longer enough.
With the account upgrade they offer free movable type - so I'll probably try that although I'm liking blogger.com's new changes, templates, etc.
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Experiencing Unity in Orlando
It is always fun to get together with other leadership and see what God is doing around the country and world. But this time here has been even a bit more exceptional.
Let me give a little background. Crusade has been known to partner with outside ministries on a national level. However, at the local ministry level we have not only ignored each other we have often competed against each other. The last 4 years I have seen God do amazing things to begin to change this stain with in our ministry's culture.
Here, I have been even more amazed. These meetings are the first time we have facilitated a time where all the ministries (now over 70 of them) get together to focus on working together and even supporting one another in the area of fund development. Praise God!
We have learned through our experience in urban ministry that this not only mandated but also critical for our effectiveness. When you’re talking about life issues such as teenage pregnancy, cycles of poverty, generational addictions, gangs, etc., you can't waste much time on protecting your ministries boundaries. That is simply not often a luxury (although I'm amazed how much I try to do this).
Now Crusade is focused much more in working together and building into each other. A national director of one of our primary ministries just stood up and said to the effect pf, "if we all would raise up one gift for another ministry each year, the resulting unity would be so powerful we wouldn't know what to do". That's God!
As Steve Douglass, our President said today, God is mobilizing His Body for an unprecedented time of harvest. If I wasn't a part of what God is doing in the inner city, I sure would be looking for ways to get involved!
Let me give a little background. Crusade has been known to partner with outside ministries on a national level. However, at the local ministry level we have not only ignored each other we have often competed against each other. The last 4 years I have seen God do amazing things to begin to change this stain with in our ministry's culture.
Here, I have been even more amazed. These meetings are the first time we have facilitated a time where all the ministries (now over 70 of them) get together to focus on working together and even supporting one another in the area of fund development. Praise God!
We have learned through our experience in urban ministry that this not only mandated but also critical for our effectiveness. When you’re talking about life issues such as teenage pregnancy, cycles of poverty, generational addictions, gangs, etc., you can't waste much time on protecting your ministries boundaries. That is simply not often a luxury (although I'm amazed how much I try to do this).
Now Crusade is focused much more in working together and building into each other. A national director of one of our primary ministries just stood up and said to the effect pf, "if we all would raise up one gift for another ministry each year, the resulting unity would be so powerful we wouldn't know what to do". That's God!
As Steve Douglass, our President said today, God is mobilizing His Body for an unprecedented time of harvest. If I wasn't a part of what God is doing in the inner city, I sure would be looking for ways to get involved!
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Off to Florida
I go to Florida tomorrow for a Crusade development conference... fun. No really, this time it is fun because Tonya is going with me!
My Mom flew in yesterday and we got to spend Mother's Day together with her (for the first time in a while!) and she will watch Syd and Zach while we're gone!
Tonya will hang out, read, do whatever she wants! Now that's a Mother's Day present!
My Mom flew in yesterday and we got to spend Mother's Day together with her (for the first time in a while!) and she will watch Syd and Zach while we're gone!
Tonya will hang out, read, do whatever she wants! Now that's a Mother's Day present!
Friday, May 07, 2004
Crazy May
Usually May has been a time to slow down a bit, winding down in preparation for summer. This May is not slowing down at all! This has been one of our busiest times of the year!
TechExchange (website in progress) our refurbishing center project has been slow to get off the ground due to the Architects concern of using the roof (inside our warehouse) to store computer donations. So hopefully the build out will begin in the next week of so.
We have been brainstorming with several other interested ministries in coming up with some type of leadership development alliance focused on assessing and developing church planters and indigenous leadership. This is an amazing concept that can literally change the face of urban ministry in LA!
We have been talking to the LA County Sheriffs Department about sort of cooperative with S.A.Y. Yes! Youth Development Centers.
Habitat for Humanity in LA has asked us to help identify four families for their new Compton development project.
We are working with TechMission to facilitate the AC4 West Coast Regional Conference Saturday, June 5, 2004.
And I'm trying to focus on raising our personal support up to where it needs to be. The past two years I have been working very hard on our team's overall budget and have neglected our own support. For that reason and some other factors (increase of health care costs, some supporters unable to continue their support, etc.) our need is now significant.
All of this is on top of the normal busyness!
Family Update
Sydney turned 5 yesterday! At the age of three she decided that when she turned five, she wanted to go to Disneyland! So, last Monday we did. It was only 102 degrees, which greatly reduced the waiting lines!
Syd was so thrilled to meet Cinderella! She kept talking about how nice her voice was! Zach was also excited because he got to meet Buzz Lightyear!
It was hot but we had a great family day!
TechExchange (website in progress) our refurbishing center project has been slow to get off the ground due to the Architects concern of using the roof (inside our warehouse) to store computer donations. So hopefully the build out will begin in the next week of so.
We have been brainstorming with several other interested ministries in coming up with some type of leadership development alliance focused on assessing and developing church planters and indigenous leadership. This is an amazing concept that can literally change the face of urban ministry in LA!
We have been talking to the LA County Sheriffs Department about sort of cooperative with S.A.Y. Yes! Youth Development Centers.
Habitat for Humanity in LA has asked us to help identify four families for their new Compton development project.
We are working with TechMission to facilitate the AC4 West Coast Regional Conference Saturday, June 5, 2004.
And I'm trying to focus on raising our personal support up to where it needs to be. The past two years I have been working very hard on our team's overall budget and have neglected our own support. For that reason and some other factors (increase of health care costs, some supporters unable to continue their support, etc.) our need is now significant.
All of this is on top of the normal busyness!
Family Update
Sydney turned 5 yesterday! At the age of three she decided that when she turned five, she wanted to go to Disneyland! So, last Monday we did. It was only 102 degrees, which greatly reduced the waiting lines!
Syd was so thrilled to meet Cinderella! She kept talking about how nice her voice was! Zach was also excited because he got to meet Buzz Lightyear!
It was hot but we had a great family day!
Saturday, May 01, 2004
Where does all the time go?
Do you ever get to the end of your day and think, "Did I accomplish anything?"
If you're like an average American, in your lifetime you will …
eat out 14,411 times (including 1,811 trips to McDonald's!)
spend 13 years and 4 months watching TV
spend 5 years waiting in lines
spend 1 year looking for misplaced items
attend 35 weddings
drive 413,226 miles
… and a whole lot more!
Time and balance are a constant struggke in urban ministry. Rick Warren has a good little article on it here.
If you're like an average American, in your lifetime you will …
eat out 14,411 times (including 1,811 trips to McDonald's!)
spend 13 years and 4 months watching TV
spend 5 years waiting in lines
spend 1 year looking for misplaced items
attend 35 weddings
drive 413,226 miles
… and a whole lot more!
Time and balance are a constant struggke in urban ministry. Rick Warren has a good little article on it here.
Friday, April 23, 2004
Isaiah 1:17-23
"Los Angeles has become one of the largest prostitutes-trafficking centers with an estimated 10,000 immigrant women are brought here and forced into prostitution each year, a city councilman said Thursday". Read Article
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.
"Come now, let us argue this out," says the LORD. "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool. If you will only obey me and let me help you, then you will have plenty to eat. But if you keep turning away and refusing to listen, you will be destroyed by your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine. Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them take bribes and refuse to defend the orphans and the widows.
-Isaiah 1:17-23
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.
"Come now, let us argue this out," says the LORD. "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool. If you will only obey me and let me help you, then you will have plenty to eat. But if you keep turning away and refusing to listen, you will be destroyed by your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine. Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them take bribes and refuse to defend the orphans and the widows.
-Isaiah 1:17-23
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Growth...
I have had a lot of opportunities to grow recently. Being stretched is not fun, to say the least. I have been struggling under the weight of realizing the need for this growth. It's not easy continually realizing how in deficit you are!
We had a great staff prayer time today.
During that time I realized that this pressure I have been putting on myself to grow is exactly that, pressure that I have created, not God. So I remembered that He wants to be responsible for my growth! I can't do it.
So now I'm trying to walk in the knowledge that growth is His responsibility and my availability to His leading is mine.
We had a great staff prayer time today.
During that time I realized that this pressure I have been putting on myself to grow is exactly that, pressure that I have created, not God. So I remembered that He wants to be responsible for my growth! I can't do it.
So now I'm trying to walk in the knowledge that growth is His responsibility and my availability to His leading is mine.
Monday, April 12, 2004
Blogging in Compton...
I just blogrolled Ramiro Caldera, one of our main SAY Yes! student leaders. He is helping me test blogging as a discipleship tool. This can help him process his life and what's happening as he walks with God and be used to encourage, challenge and share the journey with others. Visit Living in Compton... and let us know your thoughts on discipleship blogging!
Friday, April 09, 2004
Downtown LA Urban Hike
Today I led some of our LA Campus Crusade staff on an all-day hike through downtown LA. What an amazing place. The contrasts are amazing. The dead ducks hanging in the window of Sam Woo's restrauant in Chinatown to the opulence of certain Little Tokyo shops, the suprisingly peaceful beauty of the Civic Center plaza and the Bonzai garden on top of the New Otani Hotel and the noise of the busiest retail street in the country, Broadway.
I love the Grand Central Market where a sheep head is going for $1.19 a pound and you can get a huge serving of Pad Thai for $3.00! Across the street from there is my favorite LA building, the Bradbury.
It is unbelievable inside. I love the 'ohhs and ahhs' of people seeing it for the first time. My other favorites are the Biltmore Hotel and Union Station. I fall in love with this city more and more each day!
I love the Grand Central Market where a sheep head is going for $1.19 a pound and you can get a huge serving of Pad Thai for $3.00! Across the street from there is my favorite LA building, the Bradbury.
It is unbelievable inside. I love the 'ohhs and ahhs' of people seeing it for the first time. My other favorites are the Biltmore Hotel and Union Station. I fall in love with this city more and more each day!
Los Angeles Leads U.S. Counties in Population Growth
Apr. 9 - Driven by immigration and new births, Los Angeles County's population swelled by 352,000 people from 2000 to 2003, the largest growth of any county in the nation in the period, according to new U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released Thursday.
L.A. County continued to be a major destination for immigrants, primarily from Mexico and Asia, gaining 335,000 foreign-born residents. At the same time, the county lost 286,990 residents to other counties in the United States.
Read entire Article
The world is coming to Los Angeles. What a great place to live and minister! If I didn't live here, I would move here.
L.A. County continued to be a major destination for immigrants, primarily from Mexico and Asia, gaining 335,000 foreign-born residents. At the same time, the county lost 286,990 residents to other counties in the United States.
Read entire Article
The world is coming to Los Angeles. What a great place to live and minister! If I didn't live here, I would move here.
Thursday, April 08, 2004
HIV/AIDS Links
"This generation will be remembered for three things: the internet, the war on terror, and how we let an entire continent go up in flames while we stood around with watering cans. Or not." -Christian rock singer Bono of U2, on his efforts to raise funds to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa - Christian Century (Dec 27, 2003)
HIV/AIDS is projected to wipe out half of Zambia's 10 million inhabitants. The disease has already resulted in more than a million deaths and created nearly 600,000 orphans. - Christian Reader (Sep/Oct 2003)
Every single day, 9,500 African contract AIDS. The daily death toll is 6,500. - Christian Reader (Sep/Oct 2003)
Understanding HIV/AIDS - Do you and your church understand the basics of HIV/AIDS? Before you can attack the global HIV/AIDS crisis, you'll need info on how the disease spreads, where the trouble spots are and what's being done elsewhere to combat the problem. This website is a good place to start.
HIV/AIDS Timeline - It has been 23 years since HIV/AIDS first received public attention in 1981. Here is a review of how the disease has spread around the world.
Tutorial on HIV/AIDS - Before your church members will get involved in the HIV/AIDS epidemic, they need good information. On this website you'll find articles about the global HIV/AIDS fight, along with an interactive map and a moving photo essay on the subject.
MediaLink download - HIV/AIDS: Milita's Story - Free Video download - The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy. But, Christ came to give life to the fullest. The thief is using HIV/AIDS to devastate vast regions of our world. Young orphans are left to survive on their own. But there is hope in Jesus Christ. As believers, we are responsible for sharing that plan with those hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. (Length: 1:10)
Jesus only answer to HIV/AIDS crisis, missionary tells youth - Sue Sprenkle
Abstinence one of five keys to battling global HIV/AIDS problem - Randall Tobias
Nightmare becomes sweet dream in Uganda's HIV/AIDS battle - Barbara Brake
I'm on our church's 'TeamSwazi', a committee to discover what we as a American church can do in light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. We have partnered with WorldVision to adopt the Sithobela Area Development Project in Swaziland. So far our church has started sponsoring 120 of the 474 available child sponsorships from that area. We hope to make some trips there and build much awareness here in our church, community, area. I agree with Bono, we must act now, our lives literally depend upon it.
HIV/AIDS is projected to wipe out half of Zambia's 10 million inhabitants. The disease has already resulted in more than a million deaths and created nearly 600,000 orphans. - Christian Reader (Sep/Oct 2003)
Every single day, 9,500 African contract AIDS. The daily death toll is 6,500. - Christian Reader (Sep/Oct 2003)
Understanding HIV/AIDS - Do you and your church understand the basics of HIV/AIDS? Before you can attack the global HIV/AIDS crisis, you'll need info on how the disease spreads, where the trouble spots are and what's being done elsewhere to combat the problem. This website is a good place to start.
HIV/AIDS Timeline - It has been 23 years since HIV/AIDS first received public attention in 1981. Here is a review of how the disease has spread around the world.
Tutorial on HIV/AIDS - Before your church members will get involved in the HIV/AIDS epidemic, they need good information. On this website you'll find articles about the global HIV/AIDS fight, along with an interactive map and a moving photo essay on the subject.
MediaLink download - HIV/AIDS: Milita's Story - Free Video download - The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy. But, Christ came to give life to the fullest. The thief is using HIV/AIDS to devastate vast regions of our world. Young orphans are left to survive on their own. But there is hope in Jesus Christ. As believers, we are responsible for sharing that plan with those hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. (Length: 1:10)
Jesus only answer to HIV/AIDS crisis, missionary tells youth - Sue Sprenkle
Abstinence one of five keys to battling global HIV/AIDS problem - Randall Tobias
Nightmare becomes sweet dream in Uganda's HIV/AIDS battle - Barbara Brake
I'm on our church's 'TeamSwazi', a committee to discover what we as a American church can do in light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. We have partnered with WorldVision to adopt the Sithobela Area Development Project in Swaziland. So far our church has started sponsoring 120 of the 474 available child sponsorships from that area. We hope to make some trips there and build much awareness here in our church, community, area. I agree with Bono, we must act now, our lives literally depend upon it.
Saturday, April 03, 2004
Galaxy edge Revolution in opener
Go Galaxy!
Our new guy Andreas Herzog is amazing! We picked up Jose and Ramiro, met up with friends and had a great time. Fireworks were awesome as well.
Syd did cry when she found out Cobi Jones didn't play!
Our new guy Andreas Herzog is amazing! We picked up Jose and Ramiro, met up with friends and had a great time. Fireworks were awesome as well.
Syd did cry when she found out Cobi Jones didn't play!
8200 Easter Bags!
Just got home from our Easter Bag Packing Party. Hello Advil.
63 churches were involved and we sent out 8200 bags and a ton (probably 3 pallets) of bulk candy and Luna bars (not there not really just for women!).
Pray for these bags as they go out today and tomorrow. Pray that God will use these bags to touch peoples lives.
We had a great time. We did a bit of a vision pull-out session from a group of folk from some churches in the Inland Empire. Dave and Heidi are finishing raising their personal support to open an IE team and the brought almost 20 people to show them what can be done up there in the future! Go God!
Also spend a few good minutes with Craig from Kairos LA.
Now were napping and resting up for the LA Galaxy home opener tonight. We got tickets for all of us to go including Ramiro and Jose. We're all excited! Go Galaxy!
Hopefully we don't get so excited we forget to set the clocks back and get to church late!
63 churches were involved and we sent out 8200 bags and a ton (probably 3 pallets) of bulk candy and Luna bars (not there not really just for women!).
Pray for these bags as they go out today and tomorrow. Pray that God will use these bags to touch peoples lives.
We had a great time. We did a bit of a vision pull-out session from a group of folk from some churches in the Inland Empire. Dave and Heidi are finishing raising their personal support to open an IE team and the brought almost 20 people to show them what can be done up there in the future! Go God!
Also spend a few good minutes with Craig from Kairos LA.
Now were napping and resting up for the LA Galaxy home opener tonight. We got tickets for all of us to go including Ramiro and Jose. We're all excited! Go Galaxy!
Hopefully we don't get so excited we forget to set the clocks back and get to church late!
Friday, April 02, 2004
Easter Bag Packing Party
Today our staff, an Urban Imersion (spring break mission trip) team from Seattle and a Jr. High School class for Calvary Christian School in Pacific Palisades prepared for our 15th annual Easter Bag Packing Party tomorrow.
At 8 am about 400 volunteers and 40 ministries will decend on Downey First Baptist' gym to pack over 8000 evangelistic Easter Bags! These bags will be distributed by these inner city churches all across Los Angeles.
This packing party event is a great example of the body of Christ working together. People from all different racial backgrounds, socioeconomic classes and regions from LA will work shoulder to shoulder packing these Easter Bags.
This is a lot like our holiday evangelistic food outreach Boxes of Love, just a bit smaller!
At 8 am about 400 volunteers and 40 ministries will decend on Downey First Baptist' gym to pack over 8000 evangelistic Easter Bags! These bags will be distributed by these inner city churches all across Los Angeles.
This packing party event is a great example of the body of Christ working together. People from all different racial backgrounds, socioeconomic classes and regions from LA will work shoulder to shoulder packing these Easter Bags.
This is a lot like our holiday evangelistic food outreach Boxes of Love, just a bit smaller!
Los Angeles County's Poor Struggle with Hunger, Insecurity
Results from the recently released Los Angeles County Health Survey show an estimated 260,000 people in the county experienced food insecurity during 2002-03, and an estimated 141,000 experienced hunger. The survey was the largest ever conducted by the health department.
Read entire article
Read entire article
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Setting up the program
We are setting up our newest program, TechExchange a computer refurbishing center. We just put the first page of the website up. This is keeping us busy for sure!
Our Pastor makes the LA Times!
Compton Pastor Taps Into Youths' Passion for Sports (registration is required)
This has been our church in Compton for over 10 years.
This has been our church in Compton for over 10 years.
Our Agenda or God'a Agenda?
"So if I want to be on mission it’s really about getting on God's agenda. " Read this whole interview.
I see this a lot; people in ministry with their own plan and they ask God to bless it. We try to see what God is doing in the city and get into that stream. A bit subtle, but important.
I see this a lot; people in ministry with their own plan and they ask God to bless it. We try to see what God is doing in the city and get into that stream. A bit subtle, but important.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
A Good Read
"Taking a compelling look at where the church is today and where God wants it to be, McManus argues convincingly that we have chosen convenience and comfort and the result is deadness. He challenges churches to go beyond accepting the new reality of the changing world we live in to actually doing something about it. He offers insight about the negatives and positives of megachurches. Each chapter concludes with some excellent discussion questions."
Just got this book, looking forward to sitting down with it.
Just got this book, looking forward to sitting down with it.
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Unreached people in the US targets of evangelism
USA (MNN) -- Meanwhile, If you can believe it…there are unreached people in the United States. American Missionary Fellowship is aware of the situation and they're doing something about it. Beginning in March, AMF will begin training missionaries to start US based 'Learning Communities'.
AMF's Ed Henderson. "We believe it's a time in America that we need to create a new spin on Bible studies and we're calling them learning communities. We want them to focus on reaching some unreached people groups in the U-S." Henderson says many Americans and international students on college campuses have never heard the Gospel. He says that's not the only place the unreached can be found. "There are those in our inner cities and our suburbs that are unreached because no one has taken the Gospel into those communities. Neighborhood after neighborhood where there is no influence of the church whatsoever." Full Story
There are kids and adults in our neighborhood who have never seen snow, never been to the beach (even though it is a 10 minute drive away) and have never heard about Jesus.
Who is going to church?
According to Leadership Magazine:
People over 50 are more likely to go to church, but are also more resistant to the Gospel.
Younger people are more likely to have an interest in spiritual things, but less likely to attend church.
AMF's Ed Henderson. "We believe it's a time in America that we need to create a new spin on Bible studies and we're calling them learning communities. We want them to focus on reaching some unreached people groups in the U-S." Henderson says many Americans and international students on college campuses have never heard the Gospel. He says that's not the only place the unreached can be found. "There are those in our inner cities and our suburbs that are unreached because no one has taken the Gospel into those communities. Neighborhood after neighborhood where there is no influence of the church whatsoever." Full Story
There are kids and adults in our neighborhood who have never seen snow, never been to the beach (even though it is a 10 minute drive away) and have never heard about Jesus.
Who is going to church?
According to Leadership Magazine:
People over 50 are more likely to go to church, but are also more resistant to the Gospel.
Younger people are more likely to have an interest in spiritual things, but less likely to attend church.
How does your church rate?
A church newsletter mentioned a man who visited eighteen different churches on successive Sundays. He was trying to find out what the churches were really like. He said, "I sat near the front. After the service, I walked slowly to the rear, then returned to the front and went back to the foyer using another aisle. I smiled and was neatly dressed. I asked one person to direct me to a specific place: a fellowship hall, pastor's study, etc. I remained for coffee if served. I used a scale to rate the reception I received. I awarded points on the following basis:
10 for a smile from a worshiper
10 for a greeting from someone sitting nearby
100 for an exchange of names
200 for an invitation to have coffee
200 for an invitation to return
1000 for an introduction to another worshiper
2000 for an invitation to meet the pastor
On this scale, eleven of the eighteen churches earned fewer than 100 points. Five actually received less than 20.
The conclusion: The doctrine may be biblical, the singing inspirational, the sermon uplifting, but when a visitor finds nobody who cares whether he's here, he is not likely to come back."
>From: Steve Barack - heb1035@prodigy.net
10 for a smile from a worshiper
10 for a greeting from someone sitting nearby
100 for an exchange of names
200 for an invitation to have coffee
200 for an invitation to return
1000 for an introduction to another worshiper
2000 for an invitation to meet the pastor
On this scale, eleven of the eighteen churches earned fewer than 100 points. Five actually received less than 20.
The conclusion: The doctrine may be biblical, the singing inspirational, the sermon uplifting, but when a visitor finds nobody who cares whether he's here, he is not likely to come back."
>From: Steve Barack - heb1035@prodigy.net
Saturday, March 20, 2004
Passion in the Box Office
I have been looking for a way to chart the success of the movie. Here it is. Blockbuster Showdown - The Passion vs. Return of the King vs. Spider Man vs. Star Wars
Jim Caviezel on playing Jesus
"When this whole thing began--I met one day with Mel [Gibson], and we're talking about other roles, and then stories in the Bible, and he's looking at me. And I said, 'You want me to play Jesus, don't you?' And he said, 'Yeah.' Your life builds up to things. When you're asked a question, when the whole history of your life comes to that moment--You want me to play Christ. don't you?--God gives you a grace inside your heart that says, 'Look, this is where I need you.'
"Miraculous things have happened. When I was hit by lightning [during the filming of a crucifixion scene], it was the one day I didn't have communion. We always had mass and I always received communion but on that one day the priest ran out of hosts. I was up there on the cross and I was hit and we knew I was going to be hit, we could see it coming. And the eyes of the men below me turned glossy. Everything was pink, fire coming from both sides of my head."
The whole article.
"Miraculous things have happened. When I was hit by lightning [during the filming of a crucifixion scene], it was the one day I didn't have communion. We always had mass and I always received communion but on that one day the priest ran out of hosts. I was up there on the cross and I was hit and we knew I was going to be hit, we could see it coming. And the eyes of the men below me turned glossy. Everything was pink, fire coming from both sides of my head."
The whole article.
Urban Immersion
Today about 100 college students from around the country descended into LA for week 2 of this years 4 week urban Immersion Schedule. Urban Immersion is our short term inner city project for college students during spring break.
Tonight I spoke to the group from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. About 30 of them are spending their first night in South Central LA! They are at Lighthouse Community Ministries, an amazing ministry we just found out in the last few months. They house 8-10 women and children in their woman's home, a lifestyle-discipleship program. Pastor and Sister Hall are incredible examples of dedicated heroes of the faith, who have served there for almost 20 years.
The students will do work projects, have evangelistic outreaches and endure a poverty simulation that will give them painful insight into the life of a homeless person on the streets of LA.
We are praying for many lives to be touched these next few weeks!
Tonight I spoke to the group from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. About 30 of them are spending their first night in South Central LA! They are at Lighthouse Community Ministries, an amazing ministry we just found out in the last few months. They house 8-10 women and children in their woman's home, a lifestyle-discipleship program. Pastor and Sister Hall are incredible examples of dedicated heroes of the faith, who have served there for almost 20 years.
The students will do work projects, have evangelistic outreaches and endure a poverty simulation that will give them painful insight into the life of a homeless person on the streets of LA.
We are praying for many lives to be touched these next few weeks!
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Tonya's Home!
Well it has been a slow blogging week! Tonya arrived home from Thailand on Wednesday to an anxious, awaiting family! We were so happy to see her.
She came home with many great stories, many about the incredible women she got to hang out with. At this Global Women's Forum she met many national Campus Crusade staff, many from closed countries. She heard story after story of how women are advancing the gospel far and wide.
They rode elephants, prayed in and around government buildings, were coached in leadership development areas and explored both Chaing Mai and Bangkok. All around a great time. We're proud of her!
Two thirds of the American women there, including Tonya and Erica (our LA team member) got sick. They had some type of food poisoning. Tonya wasn't able to keep anything down for a few days, including the antibiotic to help the infection in an upper molar. So now she is recuperating and trying to find a local dentist that can put Tonya out to perform a root canal! She says that she'd rather go through labor again than go to a dentist. Being the thoughtful and wise husband I am, I don't challenge her on that declaration!
So as Sydney says, "We're all back together again, we're all family again".
She came home with many great stories, many about the incredible women she got to hang out with. At this Global Women's Forum she met many national Campus Crusade staff, many from closed countries. She heard story after story of how women are advancing the gospel far and wide.
They rode elephants, prayed in and around government buildings, were coached in leadership development areas and explored both Chaing Mai and Bangkok. All around a great time. We're proud of her!
Two thirds of the American women there, including Tonya and Erica (our LA team member) got sick. They had some type of food poisoning. Tonya wasn't able to keep anything down for a few days, including the antibiotic to help the infection in an upper molar. So now she is recuperating and trying to find a local dentist that can put Tonya out to perform a root canal! She says that she'd rather go through labor again than go to a dentist. Being the thoughtful and wise husband I am, I don't challenge her on that declaration!
So as Sydney says, "We're all back together again, we're all family again".
Saturday, March 13, 2004
A Nice Slow Day
Today was an intentional slow day. We have been doing so much with Tonya being gone, were taking it easy today. We watched cartoons and then took a trip to Home Depot for some minor home projects. This afternoon we hung out with Ramiro and Jose, played some Bocce ball, ate pizza and watched some Lakers.
Friday, March 12, 2004
Camp Daddy!
Tonya has food poisoning in Thailand!?! Other than that she is having a great time. She has met many Crusade staff women from all over the world. There are many 'Nationals' there, many of whom are 'undercover' missionaries. She will have some amazing stories to share when she gets back!
We miss her! But we are managing. I have had so much fun just hanging out with Syd and Zach! We have camped outside, went to the Aquarium of the Pacific, rode horses, watched movies, it has been Camp Daddy!
Even though we have had fun we can't wait for mommy to get back!
We miss her! But we are managing. I have had so much fun just hanging out with Syd and Zach! We have camped outside, went to the Aquarium of the Pacific, rode horses, watched movies, it has been Camp Daddy!
Even though we have had fun we can't wait for mommy to get back!
Monday, March 08, 2004
Alpha Update
In my February, 22 2004 post I talked about the Alpha retreat and one of the guys in my group who invited Christ into his life.
Yesterday, this guy, his wide and three year old daughter attended our mini-church (small group) for the first time. They had seemed a bit cautious about coming but I could tell they really wanted to come.
They came and we introduced them to everyone and they seemed to have a good time. We all ate together, went through our little lesson and then prayed together. At the end of the prayer time, the wife, who was already in tears, asked if she could say something. She stated that they had never been so accepted before and how much being in this group meant to them. She paused several times between the tears and the hugs she was receiving from the group who immediately responded to her statement. The husband also got choked up and said he wanted to say something, but he was glad his wife did first.
This is just another example of how desperately people want to connect with each other, how much we need each other. Go God!
Yesterday, this guy, his wide and three year old daughter attended our mini-church (small group) for the first time. They had seemed a bit cautious about coming but I could tell they really wanted to come.
They came and we introduced them to everyone and they seemed to have a good time. We all ate together, went through our little lesson and then prayed together. At the end of the prayer time, the wife, who was already in tears, asked if she could say something. She stated that they had never been so accepted before and how much being in this group meant to them. She paused several times between the tears and the hugs she was receiving from the group who immediately responded to her statement. The husband also got choked up and said he wanted to say something, but he was glad his wife did first.
This is just another example of how desperately people want to connect with each other, how much we need each other. Go God!
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Tonya in Thailand!
Today, we took Tonya to Los Angeles International Airport and dropped her off. No, were not mad at her!?! She is headed to Campus Crusade's Women's Global Forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand! She and four other senior staff women (one from our LA team) are representing Here's Life Inner City among about 400 other Crusade women from around the world. They will participate in the Forum from March 10-15.
This is quite an honor for Tonya. The purpose of the Forum is really twofold; they will be discussing the status of women on staff around the world and it is a developmental time for emerging leaders. Tonya will have a coach and look intensely at critical leadership development issues during the conference.
We all are proud of her, but we already miss her! Pray for her and us as were 'on our own' for ten days (really pray for Syd & Zach as there stuck with Dad for ten days).
This is quite an honor for Tonya. The purpose of the Forum is really twofold; they will be discussing the status of women on staff around the world and it is a developmental time for emerging leaders. Tonya will have a coach and look intensely at critical leadership development issues during the conference.
We all are proud of her, but we already miss her! Pray for her and us as were 'on our own' for ten days (really pray for Syd & Zach as there stuck with Dad for ten days).
We just recieved a nice Grant!
We are praising God for opening the doors for a new city-wide project. I (Mike) have dreamed of a computer refurbishing center to help support the ministries we serve for a number of years.
This past week we received a $15,000 grant to do just that. Prayerfully April 24th we will launch the LA Computer Refurbishing Center! We will build out a 400 sq. foot classroom lab to host classes for several computer instructional programs as well as refurbished hardware redistribution to ministries all across LA. Friday we brought on a computer professional who will serve as Refurbishing Center Coordinator and help us ramp the project up.
Please pray with us for some corporate partnerships, additional funds needed and a lot of donated computers to refurbish!
This refurb center is in partnership with the great group of people at TechMission.
This past week we received a $15,000 grant to do just that. Prayerfully April 24th we will launch the LA Computer Refurbishing Center! We will build out a 400 sq. foot classroom lab to host classes for several computer instructional programs as well as refurbished hardware redistribution to ministries all across LA. Friday we brought on a computer professional who will serve as Refurbishing Center Coordinator and help us ramp the project up.
Please pray with us for some corporate partnerships, additional funds needed and a lot of donated computers to refurbish!
This refurb center is in partnership with the great group of people at TechMission.
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
A Key to City Reaching
Study shows Protestant ministers want more cooperation among denominations....
(In Illinois Baptist Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Vol. 98 No. 02)
Phoenix, Ariz. Just how "denominational" are denominational churches in the United States? Newly released survey results show that most Protestant church pastors are committed to their denomination but also frustrated at the lack of agreement within their own denomination, as well as the lack of interdenominational cooperation.
Results from the study, conducted by Ellison Research of Phoenix, Ariz., among a nationally representative sample of 567 Protestant ministers, are being released for the first time in the January/February issue of the magazine Facts & Trends, which is published by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. The research was independently funded and conducted by Ellison Research and included churches from all Protestant denominations.
Ron Sellers, president of Ellison Research...pointed out that pastors are the ones who must make inter-church cooperation work. "The vast majority of ministers wanted more cooperation among churches of different denominations, but that level of cooperation will not happen just by hoping or desiring. The pastors themselves will have to make this happen. Maybe knowing that there's a strong chance other ministers in their community also want more inter-church cooperation will encourage that cooperation to take place."
More detailed information on the study is available at www.ellisonresearch.com.
(In Illinois Baptist Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Vol. 98 No. 02)
Phoenix, Ariz. Just how "denominational" are denominational churches in the United States? Newly released survey results show that most Protestant church pastors are committed to their denomination but also frustrated at the lack of agreement within their own denomination, as well as the lack of interdenominational cooperation.
Results from the study, conducted by Ellison Research of Phoenix, Ariz., among a nationally representative sample of 567 Protestant ministers, are being released for the first time in the January/February issue of the magazine Facts & Trends, which is published by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. The research was independently funded and conducted by Ellison Research and included churches from all Protestant denominations.
Ron Sellers, president of Ellison Research...pointed out that pastors are the ones who must make inter-church cooperation work. "The vast majority of ministers wanted more cooperation among churches of different denominations, but that level of cooperation will not happen just by hoping or desiring. The pastors themselves will have to make this happen. Maybe knowing that there's a strong chance other ministers in their community also want more inter-church cooperation will encourage that cooperation to take place."
More detailed information on the study is available at www.ellisonresearch.com.
Saturday, February 28, 2004
The Passion
I have seen The Passion of the Christ twice in the theatre so far. So of our team went to see it on opening day and our church rented out 3 nights of showings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
It is incredible. When we saw the screening in January it was amazing. But seeing it in a dark theater on a big screen is even more amazing. Watching Jesus' eyes is amazing. One of the most piogant scenes for me was when the flipped the cross over while Jesus was nailed to it.
We saw it on Thursday night with the theatre filled with members from our church and their guests. The guy who accepted Christ at our Alpha retreat was speechless afterward. The two guys I brought from our neighborhood were stunned. One said I can't believe He went through that much pain for me. One of our friends, another Alpha leader's sister came to Christ in the theatre after the movie!
Praise God for how He is using Mel Gibson and this movie across the country.
If you haven't seen it yet, see it this week. According to an email from The Passion of The Christ Fan Website [listadmin@passion-movie.net]; it helps if we go the first week of opening...
"To everyone in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand -- if you plan to see this film, we strongly encourage you to see it this first week. The first week is the most crucial for a film's success, and because these four countries are showing it first, it also sends a trend of interest in the film worldwide. By seeing the film this weekend, you increase the chances that MORE theaters will carry the film in your own countries, but you also increase the chances that those in other countries will be able to see it. The film is being carried in over 2,800 theaters in the US, and some theaters are booked for showings two weeks into March! This is a great turn-out to this important film. Please consider seeing it with your friends and family. If you see it, and like it, please recommend it to your friends".
Did you see Ebert and Roeper's review? It is great! Check it out here.
Keep track of the news surrounding the movie, click here.
I have seen The Passion of the Christ twice in the theatre so far. So of our team went to see it on opening day and our church rented out 3 nights of showings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
It is incredible. When we saw the screening in January it was amazing. But seeing it in a dark theater on a big screen is even more amazing. Watching Jesus' eyes is amazing. One of the most piogant scenes for me was when the flipped the cross over while Jesus was nailed to it.
We saw it on Thursday night with the theatre filled with members from our church and their guests. The guy who accepted Christ at our Alpha retreat was speechless afterward. The two guys I brought from our neighborhood were stunned. One said I can't believe He went through that much pain for me. One of our friends, another Alpha leader's sister came to Christ in the theatre after the movie!
Praise God for how He is using Mel Gibson and this movie across the country.
If you haven't seen it yet, see it this week. According to an email from The Passion of The Christ Fan Website [listadmin@passion-movie.net]; it helps if we go the first week of opening...
"To everyone in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand -- if you plan to see this film, we strongly encourage you to see it this first week. The first week is the most crucial for a film's success, and because these four countries are showing it first, it also sends a trend of interest in the film worldwide. By seeing the film this weekend, you increase the chances that MORE theaters will carry the film in your own countries, but you also increase the chances that those in other countries will be able to see it. The film is being carried in over 2,800 theaters in the US, and some theaters are booked for showings two weeks into March! This is a great turn-out to this important film. Please consider seeing it with your friends and family. If you see it, and like it, please recommend it to your friends".
Did you see Ebert and Roeper's review? It is great! Check it out here.
Keep track of the news surrounding the movie, click here.
Sunday, February 22, 2004
Alpha Retreat
Yesterday we took about 30 people from our churches Alpha class on a retreat in the mountains above Los Angeles.
We played games, went on a hike, ate a lot, and had some Alpha sessions. The three lessons revolved around the Holy Spirit; who is He, what does He do, and how can one be filled with His power?
At the end during the silent prayer time, one of the guys in my group came up to me and asked for prayer. He told me he waned more of God in his life and wanted more certainty for he and his family's future. I asked him if he had ever prayed to give God complete control of his life, and he answered, "not really".
I prayed for him and then he prayed the "I'm Sorry, Thank You and Please" prayer (I'm sorry for my sins, thank you for dying on the cross, please come into my life).
After our prayer time he was beaming! Me and another Alpha leader in our small group invited Geno and his wife to our mini-church. I think and pray they'll come.
Strike up another for community!
We played games, went on a hike, ate a lot, and had some Alpha sessions. The three lessons revolved around the Holy Spirit; who is He, what does He do, and how can one be filled with His power?
At the end during the silent prayer time, one of the guys in my group came up to me and asked for prayer. He told me he waned more of God in his life and wanted more certainty for he and his family's future. I asked him if he had ever prayed to give God complete control of his life, and he answered, "not really".
I prayed for him and then he prayed the "I'm Sorry, Thank You and Please" prayer (I'm sorry for my sins, thank you for dying on the cross, please come into my life).
After our prayer time he was beaming! Me and another Alpha leader in our small group invited Geno and his wife to our mini-church. I think and pray they'll come.
Strike up another for community!
Friday, February 20, 2004
Our new EFD evangelism numbers
Yesterday we finished our survey process of finding out all of what is happening with our church ministry partners that pick up food weekly through our Evangelistic Food Distribution program. Here are some of the highlights...
* Currently, 238 churches/ministries pick up food every week from our Lynwood warehouse/resource center. This has increased by 63 ministries since November of 2002.
* The estimated average number of individuals who receive food every month has increased from 360,325 to 401,030.
* We have seen an increase of almost 200% in congregants involved in evangelism (from an average of 9 people to 26 people from each participating church) in the last two years.
* On average, over 2100 people are estimated to have come to Christ each month, an increase of 300% since we commenced the training procedure (the growth has been from 700 conversions a month to 2142 per month, as each ministry averages nine positive salvation responses per month).
* On average, 86% of people are being followed up in some form or another, an increase of 36% since the training process was instituted. Most of these numbers are being assimilated into the respective churches.
* An estimated 57.5% of people receiving food are non-believers, up 3.5 % from last year.
We are especially pleased to see what God is doing through this program in light of the national USDA food shortage. Our USAD food allotment dropped over 75% since January 2003 (the USDA program represents about 90% of our food supply). Unfortunately, this resulted in recipients receiving less food per week then they were in 2002-2003. However, we praise God that more churches joined the program and entered the training process, thus increasing the overall spiritual impact in spite of the lesser food amounts.
* Currently, 238 churches/ministries pick up food every week from our Lynwood warehouse/resource center. This has increased by 63 ministries since November of 2002.
* The estimated average number of individuals who receive food every month has increased from 360,325 to 401,030.
* We have seen an increase of almost 200% in congregants involved in evangelism (from an average of 9 people to 26 people from each participating church) in the last two years.
* On average, over 2100 people are estimated to have come to Christ each month, an increase of 300% since we commenced the training procedure (the growth has been from 700 conversions a month to 2142 per month, as each ministry averages nine positive salvation responses per month).
* On average, 86% of people are being followed up in some form or another, an increase of 36% since the training process was instituted. Most of these numbers are being assimilated into the respective churches.
* An estimated 57.5% of people receiving food are non-believers, up 3.5 % from last year.
We are especially pleased to see what God is doing through this program in light of the national USDA food shortage. Our USAD food allotment dropped over 75% since January 2003 (the USDA program represents about 90% of our food supply). Unfortunately, this resulted in recipients receiving less food per week then they were in 2002-2003. However, we praise God that more churches joined the program and entered the training process, thus increasing the overall spiritual impact in spite of the lesser food amounts.
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Blogging as a discipleship tool for youth...
We're talking about doing a workshop on discipleship blogging for youth at the Urban Youth Workers Insitute at Azuza Pacific University on May 13-15 (by the way, you gotta go, it's amazing).
Has anyone had any experience with using blogging for discipleship in the past? If so, let's chat.
We are just beginning to see how to use this and how we could play it out.
Has anyone had any experience with using blogging for discipleship in the past? If so, let's chat.
We are just beginning to see how to use this and how we could play it out.
Wholistic Discipleship Communities
Follow up to my Sunday post.
I would describe Wholistic Discipleship Communities as an intentional community where the existing body of Christ is operating in a way to come along side each other in all areas of life; work, play, parenting, schooling, in sickness or disaster, home life, social, spiritual and any other aspect of someone's life.
In the past Christian bodies such as this have been considered 'counter culture', like Jesus People USA or The Simple Way. These communities have lived an authentic Christian community lifestyle and have shown us the value and the biblical basis in which they operate.
But now, in the midst of the 'never slow down' culture (traffic reports every five minutes around the clock, emailing, on-line dating, done-in-a-minute and off to something else microwave mentality) we are literally seeing people dying for this type of real connection with people.
As a result, we have seen the increase and the effectiveness of the cell-group strategy from Willow Creek and Saddleback, now into almost every neighborhood church. A problem with these have been the modern evangelical 'spiritual segmentation' which allows for us to deal with our spiritual/Jesus stuff on Sundays and Thursday nights in a small group, but has little play throughout the rest of the week and therefore lacks a certain amount of Christian wholeness or authenticity in the rest of our lives.
In our small group, 'Mini-Church' as we call them, we have incredible ethnic, economic and age diversity. But in three short months we have a situation where anyone would stop anything to help or minister to each other. Last week the leaders, a couple in our Mini-Church was hit head-on by an older woman who evidently passed out. This couple immediately called another sister from Mini-Church, who was there within five minutes. She accompanied them to the hospital (amazingly they are completely fine, Praise God) praying and ministering to them. Another guy needed a job and I have an Aunt and Uncle who needed a quality, experienced manager for one of their hearing aid stores. Within a week, he had a good paying job, which afforded him the necessary time with his family. There is story after story like this from just our Mini-Church, one of 50 or so in our church.
In the inner city this community works best operating on an intentionally more wholistic level. I believe the suburban groups need to as well, but these communities can more easily hide felt-needs behind good paying jobs and the accumulation of material possessions.
Everyone in one of these communities whether it be a cell group, Sunday school class, support group, or group of neighbors must have a role to play. Everyone needs to have ownership to fully belong. This exemplifies the body of Christ in that we all need each other.
My Lessons
Now, let me be honest about my initial thoughts in entering this community. I was very hesitant, to say the least. I felt I didn't need any new friends. I couldn't ever return the calls I got before joining this group. But now I have lunch with several of the group each month, we meet at least bi-weekly and we talk on the phone, email each other, etc. I did not see the spiritual nurturing, encouragement, or joy that I would get out of this close knit group. I have learned much more than I have given, and the funny thing is that everyone feels that way!
I have met a new hero, a single mom raising five kids and they don't even have a permanent place to live right now! She is doing an amazing job that I couldn't even try to do. And the father of her children just joined us last Sunday night for his first time. He said, "All I have heard about you guys is that you're a big family".
This illustrates the principle that if Christians live like they're suppose to, it will be an attractive situation to the world. We don't have to go out and beat them over the head about Christ, they are drawn to Him through this authentic communities interactions and love for each other. They will know us by our love…
I would describe Wholistic Discipleship Communities as an intentional community where the existing body of Christ is operating in a way to come along side each other in all areas of life; work, play, parenting, schooling, in sickness or disaster, home life, social, spiritual and any other aspect of someone's life.
In the past Christian bodies such as this have been considered 'counter culture', like Jesus People USA or The Simple Way. These communities have lived an authentic Christian community lifestyle and have shown us the value and the biblical basis in which they operate.
But now, in the midst of the 'never slow down' culture (traffic reports every five minutes around the clock, emailing, on-line dating, done-in-a-minute and off to something else microwave mentality) we are literally seeing people dying for this type of real connection with people.
As a result, we have seen the increase and the effectiveness of the cell-group strategy from Willow Creek and Saddleback, now into almost every neighborhood church. A problem with these have been the modern evangelical 'spiritual segmentation' which allows for us to deal with our spiritual/Jesus stuff on Sundays and Thursday nights in a small group, but has little play throughout the rest of the week and therefore lacks a certain amount of Christian wholeness or authenticity in the rest of our lives.
In our small group, 'Mini-Church' as we call them, we have incredible ethnic, economic and age diversity. But in three short months we have a situation where anyone would stop anything to help or minister to each other. Last week the leaders, a couple in our Mini-Church was hit head-on by an older woman who evidently passed out. This couple immediately called another sister from Mini-Church, who was there within five minutes. She accompanied them to the hospital (amazingly they are completely fine, Praise God) praying and ministering to them. Another guy needed a job and I have an Aunt and Uncle who needed a quality, experienced manager for one of their hearing aid stores. Within a week, he had a good paying job, which afforded him the necessary time with his family. There is story after story like this from just our Mini-Church, one of 50 or so in our church.
In the inner city this community works best operating on an intentionally more wholistic level. I believe the suburban groups need to as well, but these communities can more easily hide felt-needs behind good paying jobs and the accumulation of material possessions.
Everyone in one of these communities whether it be a cell group, Sunday school class, support group, or group of neighbors must have a role to play. Everyone needs to have ownership to fully belong. This exemplifies the body of Christ in that we all need each other.
My Lessons
Now, let me be honest about my initial thoughts in entering this community. I was very hesitant, to say the least. I felt I didn't need any new friends. I couldn't ever return the calls I got before joining this group. But now I have lunch with several of the group each month, we meet at least bi-weekly and we talk on the phone, email each other, etc. I did not see the spiritual nurturing, encouragement, or joy that I would get out of this close knit group. I have learned much more than I have given, and the funny thing is that everyone feels that way!
I have met a new hero, a single mom raising five kids and they don't even have a permanent place to live right now! She is doing an amazing job that I couldn't even try to do. And the father of her children just joined us last Sunday night for his first time. He said, "All I have heard about you guys is that you're a big family".
This illustrates the principle that if Christians live like they're suppose to, it will be an attractive situation to the world. We don't have to go out and beat them over the head about Christ, they are drawn to Him through this authentic communities interactions and love for each other. They will know us by our love…
Sunday, February 15, 2004
Community
I have been thinking alot about community for the past few weeks. Too much to write here, but it has been shaping my thinking on overall methodology in ministry.
Alot has gone into this shaping for me. That would include, the book, "Stories of Emergence", especially chapter seven by James F. Engel, visiting new church works in LA such as Kairos and NewSong LA. Also seeing the difference of sustained spiritual results between our old church of 10 years and our new church. Comparing and contrasting has certainly been interesting, challenging and sad.
I'm beginning to see the difference in what I would describe as Wholistic Discipleship Communities. We never really had that, at least to the necessary degree in my old church. But that is what I see other places that are seeing incredible transformations in individuals and communities.
More on this later.
Alot has gone into this shaping for me. That would include, the book, "Stories of Emergence", especially chapter seven by James F. Engel, visiting new church works in LA such as Kairos and NewSong LA. Also seeing the difference of sustained spiritual results between our old church of 10 years and our new church. Comparing and contrasting has certainly been interesting, challenging and sad.
I'm beginning to see the difference in what I would describe as Wholistic Discipleship Communities. We never really had that, at least to the necessary degree in my old church. But that is what I see other places that are seeing incredible transformations in individuals and communities.
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Good Article on Blogging for Christians
Gospelcom.net has a good blogging article online now.
They say "Once you have a blog, and added the obligatory "First Post" message to it, what do you do? Well, it's really up to you. Some folks keep a blog to post about politics, news, and anything else that comes to mind. But blogs can be about technology, the Bible, and can even aggregate content from other blogs. Maybe your church could use a blog to maintain a prayer list, or to give your missionaries a place to record their day-to-day experiences. Maybe your ministry could use a blog to let your Web vistors know about upcoming events. There are quite a few ways to make use of a weblog."
The Rest of the Article
I believe that blogging can be a great discipleship tool for youth. I getting one of our youth online now.
Tim Bednar at e-church really plays this out by sharing,
"Blogging (like journaling) can be a spiritual discipline for several reasons:
:: Blogging can be a frequent, intentional habit that aids in spiritual formation.
:: Blogging interrelates with the corollary discipline of spiritual reading.
:: Blogging can be used to practice the presence of God.
:: Blogging is practiced in community.
Dallas Willard writes of spiritual disciplines, "...they are much more effective if they can be practiced in community, and you can't really practice them without community. If you have a community where they are understood as a normal part of our lives, there can be instruction or teaching about them, which brings about a kind of accountability."
I found that journaling and blogging possessed several things in common:
:: Blogs and journals are at their best when they are written frequently.
:: Blogs and journal flow best when the author resists the urge to edit or censor.
:: Blogs and journals provide a unique history of one's inner life and faith-journey.
But I have also found them to be different and distinct:
:: Blogs are public. A private journal is usually never published.
:: Blogs seek to interact with an audience by soliciting comments and feedback. Journals are isolated from external input and separate from community.
:: Blogs can sometimes be more self-focused than God-focused. (Blogging as a spiritual discipline also does not require that every word be about God. In fact, writing only in spiritual tones misses blogging's potential. However, blogging ought not become narcissistic if it is to be useful for spiritual formation.)"
Thanks Tim! Here's the rest of his article.
I think that blogging can not only help the young person in processing and journaling in there walk with God, but also be an online example/role model for other teens (establishing community) as well as be a window into what youth in the inner city (or where ever else they may be from) are going through for youth leaders, parents, donors, etc.
We will continue to try to play this out and see what happens!
I'll keep you posted.
They say "Once you have a blog, and added the obligatory "First Post" message to it, what do you do? Well, it's really up to you. Some folks keep a blog to post about politics, news, and anything else that comes to mind. But blogs can be about technology, the Bible, and can even aggregate content from other blogs. Maybe your church could use a blog to maintain a prayer list, or to give your missionaries a place to record their day-to-day experiences. Maybe your ministry could use a blog to let your Web vistors know about upcoming events. There are quite a few ways to make use of a weblog."
The Rest of the Article
I believe that blogging can be a great discipleship tool for youth. I getting one of our youth online now.
Tim Bednar at e-church really plays this out by sharing,
"Blogging (like journaling) can be a spiritual discipline for several reasons:
:: Blogging can be a frequent, intentional habit that aids in spiritual formation.
:: Blogging interrelates with the corollary discipline of spiritual reading.
:: Blogging can be used to practice the presence of God.
:: Blogging is practiced in community.
Dallas Willard writes of spiritual disciplines, "...they are much more effective if they can be practiced in community, and you can't really practice them without community. If you have a community where they are understood as a normal part of our lives, there can be instruction or teaching about them, which brings about a kind of accountability."
I found that journaling and blogging possessed several things in common:
:: Blogs and journals are at their best when they are written frequently.
:: Blogs and journal flow best when the author resists the urge to edit or censor.
:: Blogs and journals provide a unique history of one's inner life and faith-journey.
But I have also found them to be different and distinct:
:: Blogs are public. A private journal is usually never published.
:: Blogs seek to interact with an audience by soliciting comments and feedback. Journals are isolated from external input and separate from community.
:: Blogs can sometimes be more self-focused than God-focused. (Blogging as a spiritual discipline also does not require that every word be about God. In fact, writing only in spiritual tones misses blogging's potential. However, blogging ought not become narcissistic if it is to be useful for spiritual formation.)"
Thanks Tim! Here's the rest of his article.
I think that blogging can not only help the young person in processing and journaling in there walk with God, but also be an online example/role model for other teens (establishing community) as well as be a window into what youth in the inner city (or where ever else they may be from) are going through for youth leaders, parents, donors, etc.
We will continue to try to play this out and see what happens!
I'll keep you posted.
Monday, February 09, 2004
I made it
I rushed home from Orlando yesterday just in time to hear the sermon at our church. It was on Point #5 of our churches “PEACE Plan” for addressing the giants of our city.
1. Planting Churches
2. Equipping Leaders to Serve
3. Assist the Poor
4. Care for the Sick
5. Educate the next Generation
6. Embrace Africa
Yes, there are two ‘E’s. The sermon was on the churches efforts in S.A.Y. Yes! Youth Development Center, the Jr. and Sr. High School ministries and the newest endeavor, the PEP Program. PEP (Paramount Educational Project) is a multi-faceted plan to bring mentoring, computer training, etc. to youth and adults of the community. High school graduates will complete a number of criteria and receive a four-year scholarship to college! One of the most amazing things about this is that the City of Paramount initiated with the church to do this!
The sermon was one of the best I even heard on the biblical mandate to focus on youth. It’s great to have a church that I’m anxious to get across the country for!
1. Planting Churches
2. Equipping Leaders to Serve
3. Assist the Poor
4. Care for the Sick
5. Educate the next Generation
6. Embrace Africa
Yes, there are two ‘E’s. The sermon was on the churches efforts in S.A.Y. Yes! Youth Development Center, the Jr. and Sr. High School ministries and the newest endeavor, the PEP Program. PEP (Paramount Educational Project) is a multi-faceted plan to bring mentoring, computer training, etc. to youth and adults of the community. High school graduates will complete a number of criteria and receive a four-year scholarship to college! One of the most amazing things about this is that the City of Paramount initiated with the church to do this!
The sermon was one of the best I even heard on the biblical mandate to focus on youth. It’s great to have a church that I’m anxious to get across the country for!
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Orlando, FL
Heading to Orlando in less than six hours.
We have our annual Here's Life Leadership Conference. This is where City Directors, the National Team and some support staff all get together. Should be about 40 or so people there.
Among other things, we will be focusing on "understanding the Framework of the Culture of Poverty'.
Gotta get some sleep.
We have our annual Here's Life Leadership Conference. This is where City Directors, the National Team and some support staff all get together. Should be about 40 or so people there.
Among other things, we will be focusing on "understanding the Framework of the Culture of Poverty'.
Gotta get some sleep.
Some days you can't stop praying
Today our team prayed about a friend most of us know very well. She is paranoid schizophrenic and now suicidal. She is a believer but she has shut everyone out including us. Her family are not believers but they are really praying now.
We learned today for the first time that…
Another mutual friend and ministry leader who has served with us here on a summer project is now questioning his faith.
A pastor of one of our ministry partner churches has a young adult daughter who is about to be sentenced for killing a lady while driving under the influence. She has not been walking with God for awhile.
One of our staff women is a cancer survivor. Her adult daughter just had some questionable images show up in a mammogram.
A church that we are close with just had a leader admit to an affair with another congregation member.
Another staff couple is transitioning off our team to focus completely in their church plant. It is a Hispanic church within an African-American church. Today they asked prayer for some serious spiritual warfare they have felt since they made the decision to move to the church full-time.
Some days you can't do much more than pray.
We learned today for the first time that…
Another mutual friend and ministry leader who has served with us here on a summer project is now questioning his faith.
A pastor of one of our ministry partner churches has a young adult daughter who is about to be sentenced for killing a lady while driving under the influence. She has not been walking with God for awhile.
One of our staff women is a cancer survivor. Her adult daughter just had some questionable images show up in a mammogram.
A church that we are close with just had a leader admit to an affair with another congregation member.
Another staff couple is transitioning off our team to focus completely in their church plant. It is a Hispanic church within an African-American church. Today they asked prayer for some serious spiritual warfare they have felt since they made the decision to move to the church full-time.
Some days you can't do much more than pray.
Monday, February 02, 2004
"Lets Blitz 'Em"
I just had a conversation with a full-time Christian leader (parachurch) who has a heart to reach the inner city. He has had some experience with urban youth and describes himself as a visionary. We have had an ongoing discussion about what parachurch ministries, like mine can do in the inner city. He has done some good things bring suburban and inner city pastors together. Our dialogue has been meaningful and he has some good ideas.
But one thing really bothers me.
He (and many, many other Christian leaders of the same generation and ethnicity) have the same impression... that we can just bombard the inner city with the Gospel and everything will work out. They think that they can just rush in, establish their agenda and be successful. He even used the war analogy. "We're battling the enemy", he ranted.
I tried to tactfully and respectfully explain how his dominant cultural background influences his perspective and how that perspective translates to the people of the inner city. If we're at war who is the enemy? Why is it that we always have to conquer something? What are we actually trying to conquer? To plant the flag of white republican values in the lost, liberal deserts of urban despair?
Is it so hard to see how inner city residents view that?
I think people think this is the easiest way to save the inner city. We don't have to relate, seek to understand, just get them to act like me and everything will be fine.
Often, I see and hear the frustration and anger of good intentioned ministries blowing in and blowing out of the inner city. They got their good story, newsletters, TV spots, etc. But then these urban communities are left with blown expectations and frustration that no one recognizes and helps with their own visions. The visions that are rooted in lifetimes of living in and understanding the culture.
There are some well known ministries here in LA now that other ministries don't really like. They don't really talk about it much, but you can tell.
My belief and the value of our ministry is to relocate into the city, learn, seek out relationships, love, be humble ask a lot of questions. We then look for the Christians that are standing in the gap, making a difference with little or nothing. Those are the heroes we can come behind and support, encourage and resource. We show God's love by feeding, educating, clothing, training, mentoring, and loving. This is where the example of true biblical unity will shine throughout the neighborhoods. This is how entire neighborhoods will change.
Let's bring the peace and hope of Jesus into the neighborhoods, not fire Gospel tract buckshot as we run through the city and then back to our safe enclaves.
But one thing really bothers me.
He (and many, many other Christian leaders of the same generation and ethnicity) have the same impression... that we can just bombard the inner city with the Gospel and everything will work out. They think that they can just rush in, establish their agenda and be successful. He even used the war analogy. "We're battling the enemy", he ranted.
I tried to tactfully and respectfully explain how his dominant cultural background influences his perspective and how that perspective translates to the people of the inner city. If we're at war who is the enemy? Why is it that we always have to conquer something? What are we actually trying to conquer? To plant the flag of white republican values in the lost, liberal deserts of urban despair?
Is it so hard to see how inner city residents view that?
I think people think this is the easiest way to save the inner city. We don't have to relate, seek to understand, just get them to act like me and everything will be fine.
Often, I see and hear the frustration and anger of good intentioned ministries blowing in and blowing out of the inner city. They got their good story, newsletters, TV spots, etc. But then these urban communities are left with blown expectations and frustration that no one recognizes and helps with their own visions. The visions that are rooted in lifetimes of living in and understanding the culture.
There are some well known ministries here in LA now that other ministries don't really like. They don't really talk about it much, but you can tell.
My belief and the value of our ministry is to relocate into the city, learn, seek out relationships, love, be humble ask a lot of questions. We then look for the Christians that are standing in the gap, making a difference with little or nothing. Those are the heroes we can come behind and support, encourage and resource. We show God's love by feeding, educating, clothing, training, mentoring, and loving. This is where the example of true biblical unity will shine throughout the neighborhoods. This is how entire neighborhoods will change.
Let's bring the peace and hope of Jesus into the neighborhoods, not fire Gospel tract buckshot as we run through the city and then back to our safe enclaves.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Mother Teresa's Daily Prayer
DEAR JESUS help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others.
Wow.
Hear her recite it.
More here.
Life...
It's been difficult to find blog time in the last few days. A lot has been happening, too much, in fact!
We got our minivan (transmission) fixed. Two days later we noticed a rather large puddle of pretty red transmission oil all over our driveway! Got that re-fixed only to wake up the next day to a van that won't start! The alarm, it seemed executed a hostile takeover of the electronic system and refused to be shut off. One call to the mobile alarm guy who exorcised the unwilling alarm for a mere $75. Then two days later we realized the battery was not holding a charge. Maybe the last effect of the evil battery, who knows. $84 later, a new Die Hard and a two-year warranty.
Being in the office only two days a week (due to the other 3 days focusing on our personal support needs) reminds me of the analogy of a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest. Do you have that mental image? Well, that's me.
Tonya's birthday was Sunday and her parents flew here from Indiana. Good choice- it's minus 4 there and 75-80 degrees here! We all had a good time on Sunday, showing off our new church and having lunch with a bunch of friends.
Sunday night we went out with her parents to see Cheaper by the Dozen. This movie is only funny if you're NOT a parent. I almost walked out a couple times. Sometimes you just have to make a stand for justice and sanity. In the mean time Erica on our staff team was watching Syd and Zach. Unbeknown to us, Zach was throwing up all over the place, including down Erica's back. Good thing we have a washer and dryer. I'm looking for the nomination website for the 'Aunt of the Year Award'.
Monday, Zach still playing 'fountain boy' helped change our family day plans. Syd and I took Grandma and Grandpa to Farmers Market and 'The Grove', but not before the mandated every-California-visit trip to In-N-Out Burger.
Tuesday, brought staff meeting, several other smaller staff meetings and an impossible to-do list. I have been working on our fund raising golf-tournament with the other LA Campus Crusade ministries. We call ourselves LA Connect.
Then last night is was members only, "Nemo night" at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Membership does have its privileges. So Syd and I took Grandma (Grandpa already flew back for work on Wednesday).
Today is more meetings and sending our some letters, etc.
Trying to be faithful and see the daily graces of the Lord.
______________________
UPDATE - 7:31 PM
Just got back from Downey Memorial Hospital. We took Zach in at 1 PM with a 106 degree tempature. By the time we got to the hospital it had dropped to 104 degrees.
They gave some meds and we waited for the temp to drop. They gave him a suppository to help calm the vomiting. Then they seemingly half-heartedly decided to do a chest x-ray. Praise God they did because he has mild-pneumonia. So after all day of promising that he would not get a shot... he got a shot. Ice cream tonight (that's our post-shot family tradition).
He is doing much better, even ate a bowl of soup, rice and a popsicle (the ice cream equivalent for tonight). We see how the next few days goes.
We got our minivan (transmission) fixed. Two days later we noticed a rather large puddle of pretty red transmission oil all over our driveway! Got that re-fixed only to wake up the next day to a van that won't start! The alarm, it seemed executed a hostile takeover of the electronic system and refused to be shut off. One call to the mobile alarm guy who exorcised the unwilling alarm for a mere $75. Then two days later we realized the battery was not holding a charge. Maybe the last effect of the evil battery, who knows. $84 later, a new Die Hard and a two-year warranty.
Being in the office only two days a week (due to the other 3 days focusing on our personal support needs) reminds me of the analogy of a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest. Do you have that mental image? Well, that's me.
Tonya's birthday was Sunday and her parents flew here from Indiana. Good choice- it's minus 4 there and 75-80 degrees here! We all had a good time on Sunday, showing off our new church and having lunch with a bunch of friends.
Sunday night we went out with her parents to see Cheaper by the Dozen. This movie is only funny if you're NOT a parent. I almost walked out a couple times. Sometimes you just have to make a stand for justice and sanity. In the mean time Erica on our staff team was watching Syd and Zach. Unbeknown to us, Zach was throwing up all over the place, including down Erica's back. Good thing we have a washer and dryer. I'm looking for the nomination website for the 'Aunt of the Year Award'.
Monday, Zach still playing 'fountain boy' helped change our family day plans. Syd and I took Grandma and Grandpa to Farmers Market and 'The Grove', but not before the mandated every-California-visit trip to In-N-Out Burger.
Tuesday, brought staff meeting, several other smaller staff meetings and an impossible to-do list. I have been working on our fund raising golf-tournament with the other LA Campus Crusade ministries. We call ourselves LA Connect.
Then last night is was members only, "Nemo night" at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Membership does have its privileges. So Syd and I took Grandma (Grandpa already flew back for work on Wednesday).
Today is more meetings and sending our some letters, etc.
Trying to be faithful and see the daily graces of the Lord.
______________________
UPDATE - 7:31 PM
Just got back from Downey Memorial Hospital. We took Zach in at 1 PM with a 106 degree tempature. By the time we got to the hospital it had dropped to 104 degrees.
They gave some meds and we waited for the temp to drop. They gave him a suppository to help calm the vomiting. Then they seemingly half-heartedly decided to do a chest x-ray. Praise God they did because he has mild-pneumonia. So after all day of promising that he would not get a shot... he got a shot. Ice cream tonight (that's our post-shot family tradition).
He is doing much better, even ate a bowl of soup, rice and a popsicle (the ice cream equivalent for tonight). We see how the next few days goes.
Monday, January 19, 2004
Happy King Day
Today our team went to our local Martin Luther King day parade in the Crenshaw district of South Central LA. It was a great time- a pretty diverse group attended this celebration. I was surprised to see many Asians represented in the parade. There was also the typical politicians trying to convince everyone how much they love the community, the mostly African-American TV anchors and reporters happily waving, and big corporations trying to convince minority communities that they really 'care'; Coke, Lawry's, etc. But even with all the posturing, we still had fun.
For more on Dr. King see the King Center website and Stanford's great Dr. King Project.
I wish we all would focus more on Dr. King's writings and speeches. Everyone knows his "I Have a Dream" speech, but there are so many others just as good if nor even more profound. One of my favorite Dr. King quotes is...
For more on Dr. King see the King Center website and Stanford's great Dr. King Project.
I wish we all would focus more on Dr. King's writings and speeches. Everyone knows his "I Have a Dream" speech, but there are so many others just as good if nor even more profound. One of my favorite Dr. King quotes is...
Love is creative and redemptive. Love builds up and unites; hate tears down and destroys. The aftermath of the 'fight with fire' method which you suggest is bitterness and chaos, the aftermath of the love method is reconciliation and creation of the beloved community. Physical force can repress, restrain, coerce, destroy, but it cannot create and organize anything permamnent; only love can do that. Yes, love--which means understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill, even for one's enemies--is the solution to the race problem.--Martin Luther King, Jr., 1957
Sunday, January 18, 2004
I Love this City!
From the cultural richness of the King Day parade in Crenshaw I drove up into the Little Armenia and Thai Town area of Hollywood. The smells are amazing! I got to spend time with two pastor's I met about four years ago. JR Woodward and Craig Wollack and their team have spent at least four years praying, studying and planning Kairos- Los Angeles.
I really like and appreciate their focus on being church in the context of everyday community. The have an innovative approach to establishing community.
The structure of Kairos consists four elements;
Disciples:
seekers > hearers > kneelers > faithful > servants
Equippers:
dream awakeners - heart revealers - story tellers - soul healers - light givers
Gatherings:
canvas groups - congregation - neighborhood church - larger gatherings
Ministries:
equipping center - urban center - missions - support team
It is a biblical, well thoughtout approach to church. I know that God is going to use them significantly to help build His Kingdom in LA.
I really like and appreciate their focus on being church in the context of everyday community. The have an innovative approach to establishing community.
The structure of Kairos consists four elements;
Disciples:
seekers > hearers > kneelers > faithful > servants
Equippers:
dream awakeners - heart revealers - story tellers - soul healers - light givers
Gatherings:
canvas groups - congregation - neighborhood church - larger gatherings
Ministries:
equipping center - urban center - missions - support team
It is a biblical, well thoughtout approach to church. I know that God is going to use them significantly to help build His Kingdom in LA.
Saturday, January 17, 2004
Today...
Slow days are nice... urban ministry dosen't normally allow for many!
Apparently, last night there was a lot of police activity outside our house. Victims of a drive-by stopped their car in our street and argued (loudly) about what they were going to do. Supposedly the shooting wasn't in our immediate neighborhood. Sheriffs came and took at least a few away, so who knows what happened. Best of all, we slept through all of this!
After we awoke, Zach accompanied me to the gym (nice Kid's room), Home Depot to get a replacement back-flow value for my high quality, self-installed sprinkler system. We had some $1 Chinese food and got hair cuts. Tonya and Syd were on their own errand spree- including grocery shopping.
Went home and installed the back-flow value. Brass this time!
This evening a family from our small group at church came over to take showers, as they were locked out of where they are staying.
Looking forward to church tomorrow it is nice to have a church you can't wait to go to. That hasn't been that way for us for a long time. God is good. All the time.
Apparently, last night there was a lot of police activity outside our house. Victims of a drive-by stopped their car in our street and argued (loudly) about what they were going to do. Supposedly the shooting wasn't in our immediate neighborhood. Sheriffs came and took at least a few away, so who knows what happened. Best of all, we slept through all of this!
After we awoke, Zach accompanied me to the gym (nice Kid's room), Home Depot to get a replacement back-flow value for my high quality, self-installed sprinkler system. We had some $1 Chinese food and got hair cuts. Tonya and Syd were on their own errand spree- including grocery shopping.
Went home and installed the back-flow value. Brass this time!
This evening a family from our small group at church came over to take showers, as they were locked out of where they are staying.
Looking forward to church tomorrow it is nice to have a church you can't wait to go to. That hasn't been that way for us for a long time. God is good. All the time.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Trying to raise some support
Today was a day to work on our personal support. Even though raising our own missionary support is not what I would call fun. But overall I have learned to appreciate the process. We are so grateful for the 215 or so individuals, families and churches that are part of our team. Yes, we really do consider them part of what God has called us all to do. Some are 'goers' and some are 'senders'. The 'goers' couldn't go without the 'senders'!
However, today I really didn't appreciate the process so much. Our staff have an inside kind of joke that asks how many times did you "leave staff this month". When our staff do leave it is hardly ever just because of the support raising process. But I have to admit I have been thinking about a 'paid' job recently. I have "left staff" in my mind a few times! But then I think about what I get to do and see and usually it is a fleeting moment or... day!
Over the last three years as the City Director too much of my time has focused on raising the city budget and not enough time focusing on our own personal support. This is the primary reason that we in the situation we are in now. So now I have to buckle down and focus on our own account.
The great thing about this support raising process is meeting people and getting to share with them what God is doing in Los Angeles and the inner city of America in general. That is the exciting part.
Crusade has a great (and very biblical) perspective on raising your support. Because God's will is complete, when He calls you, He also calls your financial team and you just have to discover who they are.
So, we'll do what it takes, because God is in control and He is moving before us, we just have to follow!
However, today I really didn't appreciate the process so much. Our staff have an inside kind of joke that asks how many times did you "leave staff this month". When our staff do leave it is hardly ever just because of the support raising process. But I have to admit I have been thinking about a 'paid' job recently. I have "left staff" in my mind a few times! But then I think about what I get to do and see and usually it is a fleeting moment or... day!
Over the last three years as the City Director too much of my time has focused on raising the city budget and not enough time focusing on our own personal support. This is the primary reason that we in the situation we are in now. So now I have to buckle down and focus on our own account.
The great thing about this support raising process is meeting people and getting to share with them what God is doing in Los Angeles and the inner city of America in general. That is the exciting part.
Crusade has a great (and very biblical) perspective on raising your support. Because God's will is complete, when He calls you, He also calls your financial team and you just have to discover who they are.
So, we'll do what it takes, because God is in control and He is moving before us, we just have to follow!
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Attachment Theory
Tonya and I have been talking about 'attachment' and some of the ramifications of 'not being attached'. We have seen this over and over again with some of the kids we work with. But we had a deep example of that this weekend.
Eden, our god-daughter and of course, Bob and Susan (our team members, best-friends, next door neighbors, etc.) just came back from Chicago on Saturday. They are adopting Eden who was born on Dec. 26th. So after we picked them up from LAX our team, other friends and family came over for a bit of an open house to see Eden. LaToya, a single teenage mom who lives across the street from us brought her six month old son with her. Other than us they were the first ones there and among the last to leave. Tonya has seen her son much more than I have, but we never had the opportunity to spend as much time with them as we did on Saturday.
Mario, her son is a real cute baby, he is one that the old ladies would stop and fuss over for awhile. Big cheeks and all. But I was amazed that he never smiles or laughed. I have been around a few babies and have always been able to make them smile and giggle. Just do anything really goofy or make some silly sound and that usually does the trick. But not with Mario. He just sat there seemingly thinking, "what is this stupid white guy doing?". As we were discussing this later on we thought the fact that Mario dosen't smile isn't surprising. We have noticed and Tonya has talked with LaToya about holding, caring for and spending time with her son. She is outside on the patio a whole lot without him. Some of the younger kids even say that their grandma is always on LaToya about passing off her baby responsibilities to someone else. It would seem to make sense that since LaToya never really had opportunities to make those emotional attachments with her parents, those same traits are now being passed to her son. Mario it seems, hasn't really been able to make some of those emotional attachments either. Hence no smiles.
So I played with him almost the whole time. Tickling, playing with his toys, bouncing a balloon on his head- all failed to get him to even act like he could smile. But I kept at it and I noticed how he would just stare into my eyes. Finally during an energetic (on my part) game of peekaboo he began to smile. Soon he was laughing. I even got him to have a couple laugh-so-hard-you-roll-over laughs!
But it really just made me sad. Seeing how some of God's beautiful children have to grow up is really hard.
Were past the "we are gonna try to save the whole world" phase of ministry and we know what we can do is very limited but it makes me sad. Sad and thankful. Thankful for my children, the children at our SAY Yes! Center in Compton and the other 13 SAY Yes! Centers across LA, that they are getting the chance to become attached to something- emotionally, physically, socially and most important spiritually attached. And I look at Eden and I thank God for the different life that she will now have the opportunity to live.
Man, what I have taken for granted in my life. Forgive me Lord.
Eden, our god-daughter and of course, Bob and Susan (our team members, best-friends, next door neighbors, etc.) just came back from Chicago on Saturday. They are adopting Eden who was born on Dec. 26th. So after we picked them up from LAX our team, other friends and family came over for a bit of an open house to see Eden. LaToya, a single teenage mom who lives across the street from us brought her six month old son with her. Other than us they were the first ones there and among the last to leave. Tonya has seen her son much more than I have, but we never had the opportunity to spend as much time with them as we did on Saturday.
Mario, her son is a real cute baby, he is one that the old ladies would stop and fuss over for awhile. Big cheeks and all. But I was amazed that he never smiles or laughed. I have been around a few babies and have always been able to make them smile and giggle. Just do anything really goofy or make some silly sound and that usually does the trick. But not with Mario. He just sat there seemingly thinking, "what is this stupid white guy doing?". As we were discussing this later on we thought the fact that Mario dosen't smile isn't surprising. We have noticed and Tonya has talked with LaToya about holding, caring for and spending time with her son. She is outside on the patio a whole lot without him. Some of the younger kids even say that their grandma is always on LaToya about passing off her baby responsibilities to someone else. It would seem to make sense that since LaToya never really had opportunities to make those emotional attachments with her parents, those same traits are now being passed to her son. Mario it seems, hasn't really been able to make some of those emotional attachments either. Hence no smiles.
So I played with him almost the whole time. Tickling, playing with his toys, bouncing a balloon on his head- all failed to get him to even act like he could smile. But I kept at it and I noticed how he would just stare into my eyes. Finally during an energetic (on my part) game of peekaboo he began to smile. Soon he was laughing. I even got him to have a couple laugh-so-hard-you-roll-over laughs!
But it really just made me sad. Seeing how some of God's beautiful children have to grow up is really hard.
Were past the "we are gonna try to save the whole world" phase of ministry and we know what we can do is very limited but it makes me sad. Sad and thankful. Thankful for my children, the children at our SAY Yes! Center in Compton and the other 13 SAY Yes! Centers across LA, that they are getting the chance to become attached to something- emotionally, physically, socially and most important spiritually attached. And I look at Eden and I thank God for the different life that she will now have the opportunity to live.
Man, what I have taken for granted in my life. Forgive me Lord.
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Pastor's Prayer Time on "Prayer Mountain"
Today was our 'trial' run for a pastor's prayer time at Kenneth Hahn State Receration Area in Inglewood, a two-hour prayer time to literally 'pray over LA'. This will officially begin on Jan. 29th and happen the last Thursday of each month at 9 am.
Pastor Rooselvelt Marks and I have been discussing this since our Box of Love packing party over Thanksgiving. Today was beautiful. Crisp and pretty clear. We had seven people there, three (including me) from our team.
We are praying for a real movement of the Lord to unite pastor's hearts together. I believe this can be a real powerful time for pastors to come together to pray and establish good relationships to begin partnering together in ministry focused directives. Come and join us if you're from LA!
Pastor Rooselvelt Marks and I have been discussing this since our Box of Love packing party over Thanksgiving. Today was beautiful. Crisp and pretty clear. We had seven people there, three (including me) from our team.
We are praying for a real movement of the Lord to unite pastor's hearts together. I believe this can be a real powerful time for pastors to come together to pray and establish good relationships to begin partnering together in ministry focused directives. Come and join us if you're from LA!
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
January 2004 Prayer and Praises
Prayers
Praises
* Pray for our financial support situation. We are currently raising support 3 days a week until we are back up to full support.
* Pray for many new contacts.
* Pray for our mini-van, it is currently sitting in our driveway until we can afford to replace the transmission.
* Continue to pray for Ramiro's family. His mom is now attending church regurarly but his dad now does not want to go.
* Pray for Ramiro that he will stand strong and continue to grow in his faith.
* Pray for Zachary, our 3 year old (and us) during this potty-training period.
* Pray for wisdom directing our team as we are navigating some tough areas.
* Pray for our upcoming LA Connect Golf classic fund-raising tournament on Feb. 23rd. (Wanna play? Email me!)
Praises
* Thank God for a good, relaxing holiday season.
* For our new church, it is such an amazing place. This has been a real oasis for us.
* For Eden, our new God-daughter! Bob and Susan, from our team has just adopted a baby girl! We are truly rejoicing over her, she is a real answer to prayer.
* For a saviour that loves and cares for each and every need we have, before we even have it!
DATA - Bono fights for South Africa
We have been interested and praying for South Africa for 10 years. We have continually sponsored World Vision children from South Africa, God seemingly awoke us to Nelson Mandella's inauguration (we fell asleep with the TV on) at 3 am, and my favorite movie, "The Power of One" takes place there.
Recently we saw Oprah's South African Christmas show and Tonya and I both bawled (even though many white people do cry watching Oprah, we normally don't!).
Think of the contrast between the residue of years of unbelievable oppression with the music and the beautiful natural landscape of the country. To me, South African music is the most beautiful in the world and the country has to be one of the most beautiful places in all the world. Our hearts are struck by the poverty and the continual, devastating effects of apartheid. A pastor from our church just went there and talked about how their are no street lights in some of the townships, because they are tore down and sold for scrap metal. Amazing.
I've been reading about DATA, Bono's organization to help fight AIDS and other devastating situations (debt, literacy) in the country. I was encouraged to see they have part of their part of their web site dedicated to helping the American Church figure out how we can help. There are sample sermons, Sunday school curriculum, etc.
We Christians must get engaged with this issue. Tonya and I will be involved with our church in some way. We hope to go there sometime in the future.
Recently we saw Oprah's South African Christmas show and Tonya and I both bawled (even though many white people do cry watching Oprah, we normally don't!).
Think of the contrast between the residue of years of unbelievable oppression with the music and the beautiful natural landscape of the country. To me, South African music is the most beautiful in the world and the country has to be one of the most beautiful places in all the world. Our hearts are struck by the poverty and the continual, devastating effects of apartheid. A pastor from our church just went there and talked about how their are no street lights in some of the townships, because they are tore down and sold for scrap metal. Amazing.
I've been reading about DATA, Bono's organization to help fight AIDS and other devastating situations (debt, literacy) in the country. I was encouraged to see they have part of their part of their web site dedicated to helping the American Church figure out how we can help. There are sample sermons, Sunday school curriculum, etc.
We Christians must get engaged with this issue. Tonya and I will be involved with our church in some way. We hope to go there sometime in the future.
Monday, January 05, 2004
Just saw The Passion of The Christ!
Unbelievable. Amazing. Uncomfortable. Breathtaking.
Tonya and I saw Mel Gibson's upcoming movie today. We were with about 1000 other pastors and church leaders for the pre-release screening at Saddleback Church.
Like today's moderator Lee Strobel said, this movie is almost to describe. YOU MUST GO SEE IT! It comes out February 25th. It does have an "R" rating, BUT DO NOT LET THAT STOP YOU. It will change your perspective on the most important story ever told. Yes it is graphic, very graphic. Hence the "R" rating (don't take children under 12 or 13). You will be effected. Bring tissue, lot of tissue.
I just kept saying in my mind, I put Jesus on the cross, He's thinking of me right now, that whip to the back should have been mine.
Mel was there. Strobel interviewed him. Mel has a deep faith and feels an amazing calling to do this movie. They have experienced much spiritual warfare but already many have come to Christ by being involved or seeing a screening of this movie.
THIS WILL BE A VERY EFFECTIVE EVANGELISTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITIES AND COUNTRY IF...
... IF THE CHURCH GETS BEHIND IT.
There are tons of materials to help families and churches use this movie as an opportunity to share their faith. See my recent post on the sites where churches can go for more information.
I think every Christian in America should go see this film in the opening week because...
1. It will give you new insight in an accurate account of what Jesus did for YOU,
2. It will be an avenue for a more intimate relationship with your savior,
3. It will send a message that Christians do care what is put into movie theaters
Then, every Christian should take a non-believer back with you to see it again.
We at Here's Life Inner City will send info to our 300 church partners encouraging them to see and use the film to share the message of Jesus to their neighbors.
If we all get behind this opportunity, what an Easter we will have!
Pray for the film. Pray for Mel. Pray for the millions of people that will see this movie and have questions about who Jesus is. Pray for church's to get involved and be ready to help answer these millions of peoples questions.
Tonya and I saw Mel Gibson's upcoming movie today. We were with about 1000 other pastors and church leaders for the pre-release screening at Saddleback Church.
Like today's moderator Lee Strobel said, this movie is almost to describe. YOU MUST GO SEE IT! It comes out February 25th. It does have an "R" rating, BUT DO NOT LET THAT STOP YOU. It will change your perspective on the most important story ever told. Yes it is graphic, very graphic. Hence the "R" rating (don't take children under 12 or 13). You will be effected. Bring tissue, lot of tissue.
I just kept saying in my mind, I put Jesus on the cross, He's thinking of me right now, that whip to the back should have been mine.
Mel was there. Strobel interviewed him. Mel has a deep faith and feels an amazing calling to do this movie. They have experienced much spiritual warfare but already many have come to Christ by being involved or seeing a screening of this movie.
THIS WILL BE A VERY EFFECTIVE EVANGELISTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITIES AND COUNTRY IF...
... IF THE CHURCH GETS BEHIND IT.
There are tons of materials to help families and churches use this movie as an opportunity to share their faith. See my recent post on the sites where churches can go for more information.
I think every Christian in America should go see this film in the opening week because...
1. It will give you new insight in an accurate account of what Jesus did for YOU,
2. It will be an avenue for a more intimate relationship with your savior,
3. It will send a message that Christians do care what is put into movie theaters
Then, every Christian should take a non-believer back with you to see it again.
We at Here's Life Inner City will send info to our 300 church partners encouraging them to see and use the film to share the message of Jesus to their neighbors.
If we all get behind this opportunity, what an Easter we will have!
Pray for the film. Pray for Mel. Pray for the millions of people that will see this movie and have questions about who Jesus is. Pray for church's to get involved and be ready to help answer these millions of peoples questions.
Thursday, January 01, 2004
Happy New Year!
Well we managed to survive another year, and another gun-shooting-up-in-the-air New Years celebration in Compton. A quiet evening talking on the phone with everyone about new baby Eden and just chillin' and hoping no stray bullet leaves a new year hole in our cars! (ok, that's a bit over dramatized).
I pray that 2004 will see many lives changed for Jesus!
I pray that 2004 will see many lives changed for Jesus!
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