Very Interesting.
The Super Bowl will end about 10 p.m. Sunday, and by 10:01 every player on the winning team — along with coaches, executives, family members and ball boys — could be outfitted in colorful T-shirts and caps proclaiming them champions.
The other set of championship gear — the 288 T-shirts and caps made for the team that did not win — will be hidden behind a locked door at Dolphin Stadium. By order of the National Football League, those items are never to appear on television or on eBay. They are never even to be seen on American soil.
They will be shipped Monday morning to a warehouse in Sewickley, Pa., near Pittsburgh, where they will become property of [link=http://www.worldvision.org/]World Vision[/link], a relief organization that will package the clothing in wooden boxes and send it to a developing nation, usually in Africa.
[link=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/sports/football/04gear.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin]The whole story from the NY Times.[/link]
Our family is proud to sponsor children from [link=http://www.worldvision.org/] World Vision specifically in the Sithobela Area Development Project in Swaziland.
Hi Nelly!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
For First Time, More Poor Live in Suburbs Than Cities
Very Interesting...
Full story at NPR's site @ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6598999
All Things Considered, December 8, 2006
A move from the city to the suburbs used to signal prosperity for American families. But last year, the number of poor suburbanites outnumbered poor people in cities by 1 million for the first time. That startling statistic is part of a new report that examines poverty trends in the first part of the decade...
Full story at NPR's site @ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6598999
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Boxes of Love
Boxes of Love are this week. We will distribute about 5000 boxes on Saturday. We also have about 250 people serving 11 churches and private homes in Compton, painting, rehabing and cleaning up.
Pray for God's hand of transformation and revival as we love His people of Compton and South Central.
Look forward to some awesome stories soon!
Pray for God's hand of transformation and revival as we love His people of Compton and South Central.
Look forward to some awesome stories soon!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Mini-Church Tonight
Led our mini church-- small group tonight. It's an awesome group of former gang members, criminals, chikdren from tough -- some very tough backgrounds and we're all striving to love and follow Jesus together.
We talked about how we often view our own relationship with God as the primary aspect of our walk; our prayer closet, quiet times, personal retreats, "being alone w/ Him", etc. But that was never the intent of the biblical writers. The intent was scripture to always be interpreted in community -- the letters to the churches of the New Testament, the Gospel accounts for all to read and be aware, even Old Testament accounts to be accounts to pass on for the generations after. The writers never dreamed of the modern day miracles of the printing press, where everyone could have their own copy of the Holy Book, much less several copies around the house, on their palm pilot, on the web and in every hotel!
We talk alot about 'doing life together', taking each others kids to school when needed, helping one another move, hospital visits, financially when possible, etc. But we also need each other, in community to help make the word real, understandable, relavant and more accurate than I could all by myself. My perspective is narrow. I need John who has spend years in prison to help me understand grace and mercy better. I need Joey who is a recovering white supremest to help me understand forgiveness, etc., etc.
My culture teaches me to focus on independence and individualism but I'm trying to break out of that and learn more about community and how much I need the people that I live with.
We talked about how we often view our own relationship with God as the primary aspect of our walk; our prayer closet, quiet times, personal retreats, "being alone w/ Him", etc. But that was never the intent of the biblical writers. The intent was scripture to always be interpreted in community -- the letters to the churches of the New Testament, the Gospel accounts for all to read and be aware, even Old Testament accounts to be accounts to pass on for the generations after. The writers never dreamed of the modern day miracles of the printing press, where everyone could have their own copy of the Holy Book, much less several copies around the house, on their palm pilot, on the web and in every hotel!
We talk alot about 'doing life together', taking each others kids to school when needed, helping one another move, hospital visits, financially when possible, etc. But we also need each other, in community to help make the word real, understandable, relavant and more accurate than I could all by myself. My perspective is narrow. I need John who has spend years in prison to help me understand grace and mercy better. I need Joey who is a recovering white supremest to help me understand forgiveness, etc., etc.
My culture teaches me to focus on independence and individualism but I'm trying to break out of that and learn more about community and how much I need the people that I live with.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Friday, October 06, 2006
Last Year Crime was High -- better this Year
A list of the most and least dangerous cities overall, as compiled by Morgan Quitno Press, which bases the rankings on FBI figures released in June.
1. St. Louis
2. Detroit
3. Flint, Mich.
4. Compton, Calif.
5. Camden, N.J.
1. St. Louis
2. Detroit
3. Flint, Mich.
4. Compton, Calif.
5. Camden, N.J.
Fresh Start
This past year has been a blur.
Most of the time we didn't know if we were coming or going! So I want to start again, fresh with the blog. Update this with current happenings with our life and ministry (both the same) to keep you posted but also to dialogue with you about what God is doing in not only LA and Compton, but across the inner cities of America.
Most of the time we didn't know if we were coming or going! So I want to start again, fresh with the blog. Update this with current happenings with our life and ministry (both the same) to keep you posted but also to dialogue with you about what God is doing in not only LA and Compton, but across the inner cities of America.
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Republishing the Blog
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.
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.
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!
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