There is this curious spot in the Republic of Georgia where if you put your car in neutral it roles uphill.
In recent years there has been a trend of suburbanites moving back to the city. I was at a party in my inner city community that was attended by many folks who have recently moved back into the city. Many had found the charms of old neighborhoods with wide streets and parks irresistable. Many have found the hope of buying low and selling high exciting. They are young couples mostly from the ages of 25 to 40. In the sixties the trend was the exact opposite.
Many fled the cities to leave for the suburbs. People were excited to experience more solitude. They wanted better schools and less pollution from factories. They wanted to escape from the neighborhoods where the crime rate was rising. When they left their incomes which went to support the neighborhoods they were living in went with them. Schools systems got worse. Crime increased more. Jobs were scarce. Hope went with them to the suburbs and left the inner city to decay.
Unfortunately, there was also a racial dimension to this migrations. Many of the inner cities became poor African American communities. Many of the suburbs became white communities. Now it seems that the car is going back up hill. It doesn't seem to make sense but the same "type" of people who abandonded the city are now returning to it.
The question is...what will history tell of this time? Will it look back to say that once again the white return flight displaced the poor and moved the mariginal to the margins of the cities? One thing that has been a huge surprise to me is that many of those moving back into the cities are of the Christian faith. Many of those low income families living within the city are also of the Christian faith. But it is like the ways they practice their faith don't connect with each other. In fact, it is almost as if they are practing two seperate faith systems.
What if the two groups could find a meeting place and learn to worship and live together?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Return of the Jedi
I chose this Title because Star Wars is a set of movies that just wnen you thought they were gone they came out with a whole new series. I realize that I haven't written on this blog in quite a while. Its been just under two years in fact. These two years have helped me discover quite a bit about life. I have learned things about myself. I've learned things about others. And I think I've become a deeper person over this time. So today I just felt like writing. I felt like saying something. I didn't feel like being clever or creative just expressing myself. When I write I feel like I am touching a deeper part of myself. That I am communicating with people something that until I begin to type remains only a feeling. At times when I write and I want to express something I have to really focus and then the sentence just comes forward. And then the Thesis just writes itself. It isn't that I have to come up with something to write as much as I have to get inside and find that something that is already written within. It is that clarity that makes writing fun.
The thing is it would be great if life were a bit more like writing. It would be great if there was a bit more clarity as to that thing which is our purpose. And I really don't know if just focusing harder is enough to get us there. I think the equivalent to focusing harder is learning to endure for a dream. I know suffering and sacrifice are key elements to attaining purpose. But to achieve a noble dream perhaps it takes more than a moment of suffering or sacrifice. To achieve a noble dream, that which is worthy of the life we have been given, takes full commitment. I believe it is at that moment that the Thesis writes itself.
The thing is it would be great if life were a bit more like writing. It would be great if there was a bit more clarity as to that thing which is our purpose. And I really don't know if just focusing harder is enough to get us there. I think the equivalent to focusing harder is learning to endure for a dream. I know suffering and sacrifice are key elements to attaining purpose. But to achieve a noble dream perhaps it takes more than a moment of suffering or sacrifice. To achieve a noble dream, that which is worthy of the life we have been given, takes full commitment. I believe it is at that moment that the Thesis writes itself.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Piper Against the American Dream
"You don't want to be always sitting high in your SUV dropping nickels into other people's dreams."
John Piper
Passion '07
Quoted in Christianity Today
John Piper
Passion '07
Quoted in Christianity Today
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Phil Laeger's New Release
Hi:
I want everyone to go check out Phil's new, FREE, music release on his websites. You can see what Phil has to say about it as well as the websites where you can find it below.
I want you to go there because Phil is an extremely gifted guy and his lyrics and music WILL bless your socks off!
Jason
Hey guys,
I'm writing to let you know that my new album, Pride & Glory, Truth &
Beauty, is now available online @ any of the following websites:
www.phillaeger.com
www.saytunes.com/bands/phillaeger
www.myspace.com/laeger
www.purevolume.com/phillaeger
Recently, I was at a prayer and fasting retreat where the speaker
pointed out that one of the constant themes of the New Testament is
the Apostle Paul's prayer for more light, both for himself and for
those he had led to Christ.
This album is a prayer for light. The songs on it were written as
far back as almost 10 years, and as recently as just a few months
ago. They're held together by the theme of sight. It is a prayer
that I am still praying, a prayer that all of us are called to pray
as Christians. It is a prayer put in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
It is the prayer for more light from the Lord.
Light for our pride. Because God resists the proud but gives grace
to the humble.
Light to see His glory. Because the glory of God is all around us
and yet our sin hides Him from us.
Light to know His truth. Because even our best reasoning cannot
bring us to the revelation of God.
Light to see His beauty. Because even the faintest glimpse will
awaken our senses and set us in our right minds.
I hope you enjoy the album. I hope that you are blessed as you
listen and that it encourages you to press in even further in your
quest to know Him.
"May God give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation" so that you
can see His glory, know His truth and experience His beauty.
Grace and more grace to you,
Phil
I want everyone to go check out Phil's new, FREE, music release on his websites. You can see what Phil has to say about it as well as the websites where you can find it below.
I want you to go there because Phil is an extremely gifted guy and his lyrics and music WILL bless your socks off!
Jason
Hey guys,
I'm writing to let you know that my new album, Pride & Glory, Truth &
Beauty, is now available online @ any of the following websites:
www.phillaeger.com
www.saytunes.com/bands/phillaeger
www.myspace.com/laeger
www.purevolume.com/phillaeger
Recently, I was at a prayer and fasting retreat where the speaker
pointed out that one of the constant themes of the New Testament is
the Apostle Paul's prayer for more light, both for himself and for
those he had led to Christ.
This album is a prayer for light. The songs on it were written as
far back as almost 10 years, and as recently as just a few months
ago. They're held together by the theme of sight. It is a prayer
that I am still praying, a prayer that all of us are called to pray
as Christians. It is a prayer put in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
It is the prayer for more light from the Lord.
Light for our pride. Because God resists the proud but gives grace
to the humble.
Light to see His glory. Because the glory of God is all around us
and yet our sin hides Him from us.
Light to know His truth. Because even our best reasoning cannot
bring us to the revelation of God.
Light to see His beauty. Because even the faintest glimpse will
awaken our senses and set us in our right minds.
I hope you enjoy the album. I hope that you are blessed as you
listen and that it encourages you to press in even further in your
quest to know Him.
"May God give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation" so that you
can see His glory, know His truth and experience His beauty.
Grace and more grace to you,
Phil
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Great Quote
"And don't let anyone make you think God chose America as his divine messianic force to be a sort of policeman of the whole world. God has a way of standing before the nations with judgment and it seems that I can hear God saying to America, "You're too arrogant. If you don't change your ways, I will rise up and break the backbone of your power, and I will place it in the hands of a nation that doesn't even know my name. Be still and know that I am God."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
MountainTop
Last week I took a trip to Gatlinburg to pick out a hotel for our young adult retreat.
On the way home I drove directly over the top of the smoky mountains. A storm had come through the day before. You may have heard about this storm producing tornadoes and the lives that were lost in Alabama and North Carolina.
Well when the storm passed over the Smoky Mountains it had quite a different effect. The trees were left with a layer of whiteness. The limbs crisscrossed creating various patterns of white lines.
All along the rodeside people had stopped and were taking pictures. I had ran into this serendipitously. At the bottom of the mountain the temps had been over 50. My lightweight jacket was laying in the backseat where it had been most of the day.
Being from the south I don't get to see much snow. I have even vowed to phil that I am going to Boston when it snows. I couldn't resist stopping. I couldn't resist making a snowball. And as I was all by myself I couldn't resist throwing that snowball at my car.
Snow, I am convinced, was made to be shared. It creates a feeling of excitement and love. I wanted to call my wife but I had no signal. So I spent the time with my creator.
In the Republic of Georgia they have word, "ertat" which means "alone--together". So I spent this time ertat with God. I screamed into the snowy woods, into God's ears, into God's heart, "GORGEOUS!"
The question came to mind, "if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound?" I scratched my head. I thought. I looked down and a piece of my hair had fallen on the seat. I didn't even feel it fall out. Then I remembered God knows every hair on my head. As the hair came loose he knew it.
As I drove away I resolved that God is always there to hear it. He knows the depths of our beings. He is gorgeous. And we can dance with Him when there is no one else around.
On the way home I drove directly over the top of the smoky mountains. A storm had come through the day before. You may have heard about this storm producing tornadoes and the lives that were lost in Alabama and North Carolina.
Well when the storm passed over the Smoky Mountains it had quite a different effect. The trees were left with a layer of whiteness. The limbs crisscrossed creating various patterns of white lines.
All along the rodeside people had stopped and were taking pictures. I had ran into this serendipitously. At the bottom of the mountain the temps had been over 50. My lightweight jacket was laying in the backseat where it had been most of the day.
Being from the south I don't get to see much snow. I have even vowed to phil that I am going to Boston when it snows. I couldn't resist stopping. I couldn't resist making a snowball. And as I was all by myself I couldn't resist throwing that snowball at my car.
Snow, I am convinced, was made to be shared. It creates a feeling of excitement and love. I wanted to call my wife but I had no signal. So I spent the time with my creator.
In the Republic of Georgia they have word, "ertat" which means "alone--together". So I spent this time ertat with God. I screamed into the snowy woods, into God's ears, into God's heart, "GORGEOUS!"
The question came to mind, "if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound?" I scratched my head. I thought. I looked down and a piece of my hair had fallen on the seat. I didn't even feel it fall out. Then I remembered God knows every hair on my head. As the hair came loose he knew it.
As I drove away I resolved that God is always there to hear it. He knows the depths of our beings. He is gorgeous. And we can dance with Him when there is no one else around.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Great Quote
Some people will never learn anything because they understand everything too soon.
Alexander Pope
Alexander Pope
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Freedom
While watching Braveheart tonight this stream of quotes filled me and I found an unplanned devotional time unfolded as I wrote this blog.
Every man dies,not every man really lives.
William Wallace quote from Braveheart
Matthew 10:39
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
Teddy Roosevelt
I'd rather die than not have wings to fly...All you want is all I have, and all you give is your life...Phil Laeger, Moriah, Golgotha and Paradise
"FREEEDOMMMM!!"
Every man dies,not every man really lives.
William Wallace quote from Braveheart
Matthew 10:39
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
Teddy Roosevelt
I'd rather die than not have wings to fly...All you want is all I have, and all you give is your life...Phil Laeger, Moriah, Golgotha and Paradise
"FREEEDOMMMM!!"
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Halloween
My divisional commander said today that halloween is one of his favorite holidays. It is a time when there are no financial pressures of gift buying. It is a time when you don't have to prepare a huge meal. You can just have fun.
I have one thing to add to this...it is a time when you get to meet your neighborhood. You buy some candy and when the parents and the kids come by you exchange pleasantries...with folks you may never have met before.
Now I know many Christians have a problem with halloween. And I am not trying to make a case for or against halloween by this journal. But is it a shame that the most "pagan" holiday has more to do with loving your neighbors than any of the others?
I have one thing to add to this...it is a time when you get to meet your neighborhood. You buy some candy and when the parents and the kids come by you exchange pleasantries...with folks you may never have met before.
Now I know many Christians have a problem with halloween. And I am not trying to make a case for or against halloween by this journal. But is it a shame that the most "pagan" holiday has more to do with loving your neighbors than any of the others?
Monday, October 30, 2006
Hoop Dreams
Just got back from our Divisional Fall Youth Event.
The event is held at the Georgia Division's Camp. We had around 100 teens. It was THE premier weekend for fall colors in the Georgia mountains. The temperature was cold as far as us southerners understand cold. The wind was blowing most of the day Saturday. I was to organize a three on three basketball tournament on Saturday but only seven guys showed up. So we played four campers against three staff for the "championship" of the weekend. They just don't make delegate basketball players like they used to. As the leaves fell so too fell the hopes and dreams of the camper team, so too fell our shots through the hoop.
For a moment just before we made the last shot to win the second game I reflected back to just a few years ago when I had another great basketball contest on this same campground. It was a one on one affair. The boys had battled hard that day. In the end I had watched as one Drew Forster dropped the championship goal in the basket, ending my hopes of glory. I had vowed that day to never step foot on that court again unless I was prepared. Now three years later here I was about to redeem myself. And then it happened the ball went through the hoop giving us the victory!
There were no great theological sound bites that I have to share from the weekend, no great falling on your face before God and crying out. But there was a simple breeze of the Spirit that covered our times there. There was a deeper understanding of God's presence that seemed to permeate most of what was done throughout the weekend (this of course excludes the fist fight that occurred near the flag football game. No, Phil I wasn't involved in the fight)."
It was fall. There was a newness in the air. I am not sure how leaves dying and warmth leaving somehow gives me a fresh feeling, but it does. It tells me things can be redeemed.
The event is held at the Georgia Division's Camp. We had around 100 teens. It was THE premier weekend for fall colors in the Georgia mountains. The temperature was cold as far as us southerners understand cold. The wind was blowing most of the day Saturday. I was to organize a three on three basketball tournament on Saturday but only seven guys showed up. So we played four campers against three staff for the "championship" of the weekend. They just don't make delegate basketball players like they used to. As the leaves fell so too fell the hopes and dreams of the camper team, so too fell our shots through the hoop.
For a moment just before we made the last shot to win the second game I reflected back to just a few years ago when I had another great basketball contest on this same campground. It was a one on one affair. The boys had battled hard that day. In the end I had watched as one Drew Forster dropped the championship goal in the basket, ending my hopes of glory. I had vowed that day to never step foot on that court again unless I was prepared. Now three years later here I was about to redeem myself. And then it happened the ball went through the hoop giving us the victory!
There were no great theological sound bites that I have to share from the weekend, no great falling on your face before God and crying out. But there was a simple breeze of the Spirit that covered our times there. There was a deeper understanding of God's presence that seemed to permeate most of what was done throughout the weekend (this of course excludes the fist fight that occurred near the flag football game. No, Phil I wasn't involved in the fight)."
It was fall. There was a newness in the air. I am not sure how leaves dying and warmth leaving somehow gives me a fresh feeling, but it does. It tells me things can be redeemed.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Celebration
I am the director at an apartment complex ministry in an immigrant community. After being in the hospital all last week I was able to get back to the apartment this week. I noticed elizabeth and Lucy meeting with some of the kids one on one. When I went over to find out what was going on they kind of shooed me away. After a few minutes all the kids told me they had a secret. They wanted to congratulate me on graduating from Seminary and for getting out of the hospital. They had all signed a card for me.
Now the kids are all between the ages of 7 - 13 (except for Franky age 4 who came with his brother yesterday). So they didn't write the most complex things. But what they wrote really lifted my spirits. Just things like, "We missed you" and "We love you" and my favorite, "Your so cool." Seriously laughed out loud as I typed that!
Receiving--its hard sometimes. I think one of the things I have tried my best to learn lately has been how to receive love from others. How do I soak in the words of these kids? My initial reaction would be to laugh it off, push it away, not think about it. But I am learning to listen, to let love do its work in rejuvenating my heart. And what about God? What might he write on a card?
Now the kids are all between the ages of 7 - 13 (except for Franky age 4 who came with his brother yesterday). So they didn't write the most complex things. But what they wrote really lifted my spirits. Just things like, "We missed you" and "We love you" and my favorite, "Your so cool." Seriously laughed out loud as I typed that!
Receiving--its hard sometimes. I think one of the things I have tried my best to learn lately has been how to receive love from others. How do I soak in the words of these kids? My initial reaction would be to laugh it off, push it away, not think about it. But I am learning to listen, to let love do its work in rejuvenating my heart. And what about God? What might he write on a card?
Monday, October 23, 2006
20th Century Shift
I am reading a book by Franky Shaeffer called, "Addicted to Mediocrity." In it he traces through the 20th century shifts in thinking both in the church and society. His main focus is on the loss of appreciation among Christians for the arts. The chapter I just read is called: "spirituality" and "secularism."
This chapter says that during the 20th century the church began to compartmentalize spirituality. Thus many more people began to live different lives on Sunday than on Monday. Shaeffer says, "If God is some spiritualized 'praise the lord' feeling, then He is not much of a God. Indeed, He is not I AM at all. When our Christianity is allowed to become merely spiritual and inward without the incarnational and outward expressions of God's presence in the world, our faith is no longer meaningful in all areas of life."
Secondly, this chapter says the society of the 20th century was influenced by Darwinism and industrial factors. It became a society that judged things on the basis of how much they could produce. Shaeffer states, "so the tree which once had value, not least of which was its beauty, its shimmering leaves, the dappled shades it cast upon the mossy ground beneath, now only had value because of how many cubic feet of paper could be produced from it."
And people in the church began to be judged in the same way. From Shaeffer's point of view, "Now everything anyone did had to measure up somehow in utilitarian terms in the church..it had to help in its efforts, in its programs, its church growth emphasis week or whatever."
Is there a beauty that is unquantifiable in the Christian's life?
The Sun knew not the beauty of its rays,
When knowledge came to steal the day,
and darkness fell across my eyes,
The Moon reflected the beauty of its cries.
JP
This chapter says that during the 20th century the church began to compartmentalize spirituality. Thus many more people began to live different lives on Sunday than on Monday. Shaeffer says, "If God is some spiritualized 'praise the lord' feeling, then He is not much of a God. Indeed, He is not I AM at all. When our Christianity is allowed to become merely spiritual and inward without the incarnational and outward expressions of God's presence in the world, our faith is no longer meaningful in all areas of life."
Secondly, this chapter says the society of the 20th century was influenced by Darwinism and industrial factors. It became a society that judged things on the basis of how much they could produce. Shaeffer states, "so the tree which once had value, not least of which was its beauty, its shimmering leaves, the dappled shades it cast upon the mossy ground beneath, now only had value because of how many cubic feet of paper could be produced from it."
And people in the church began to be judged in the same way. From Shaeffer's point of view, "Now everything anyone did had to measure up somehow in utilitarian terms in the church..it had to help in its efforts, in its programs, its church growth emphasis week or whatever."
Is there a beauty that is unquantifiable in the Christian's life?
The Sun knew not the beauty of its rays,
When knowledge came to steal the day,
and darkness fell across my eyes,
The Moon reflected the beauty of its cries.
JP
Thursday, October 19, 2006
IVs and RNs
I have been through a pretty discouraging week. Last Friday I noticed what I thought might be a spider bite on my leg. After going to the emergency room I was admitted to the hospital. I thought at the most I might be there overnight and then be back on my feet the next day.
Well, I finally got out today at lunch. I struggled daily to keep my spirits up. The hardest day was yesterday. I thought I was going home at lunch and the doctor didn't even show up to talk to me until after lunch. He told me he wanted me to stay another day so he could get some more antibiotics in me.
It seems that what I had on my leg wasn't necessarily a spider bite but it was an infection that was resistant to penicillin. So the doctors really wanted to treat it through an IV antibiotic.
To make matters worse my skin is extremely sensitive and so my arms kept reacting to the medicine where the IV was inserted. I have seven different bruises left on my arm where the IVs were inserted. As last night neared I tried to cheer myself by telling myself I only had to let them get through one more puncture. Then it all came to a head when a nurse inserted an IV close to my wrist and it hit a nerve.
It hurt so bad. I was tired. She didn't seem to get it. She kept grabbing it and while moving it she would say "well it shouldn't hurt." I guess these were one of those times where the ought tos differ from the ares. Cause it hurt every time she touched it. I was done. I went to sleep without a needle in my arm. I checked out today without the last two doses of antibiotics.
Every day we meet people just like me...tired, hurt,discouraged and about to give up.
Isa 42:3 -
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
So I have to remind myself from this to ask myself about those people I meet and deal with: Are you about to push them over the edge or you helping encourage them towards Christ?
Well, I finally got out today at lunch. I struggled daily to keep my spirits up. The hardest day was yesterday. I thought I was going home at lunch and the doctor didn't even show up to talk to me until after lunch. He told me he wanted me to stay another day so he could get some more antibiotics in me.
It seems that what I had on my leg wasn't necessarily a spider bite but it was an infection that was resistant to penicillin. So the doctors really wanted to treat it through an IV antibiotic.
To make matters worse my skin is extremely sensitive and so my arms kept reacting to the medicine where the IV was inserted. I have seven different bruises left on my arm where the IVs were inserted. As last night neared I tried to cheer myself by telling myself I only had to let them get through one more puncture. Then it all came to a head when a nurse inserted an IV close to my wrist and it hit a nerve.
It hurt so bad. I was tired. She didn't seem to get it. She kept grabbing it and while moving it she would say "well it shouldn't hurt." I guess these were one of those times where the ought tos differ from the ares. Cause it hurt every time she touched it. I was done. I went to sleep without a needle in my arm. I checked out today without the last two doses of antibiotics.
Every day we meet people just like me...tired, hurt,discouraged and about to give up.
Isa 42:3 -
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
So I have to remind myself from this to ask myself about those people I meet and deal with: Are you about to push them over the edge or you helping encourage them towards Christ?
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Saturday, October 07, 2006
From Praise to Dog House
So, this morning, in the shower, I was thinking about the song, "Heart of Worship." I was going over the practical implications of this song for my life. I was praying.
I dried off and headed downstairs with the song still in my head. As I neared the kitchen I spontaneously began to sing it, loudly. Unbeknownst to myself the postman was nearing our front door which was on the other side of the downstairs, and thus out of my sight. Our two rather big dogs, began to howl, at him.
Have you ever heard the joke about when you sing the dogs howl? Needless to say I went from God focused to self consoling in a heart beat.
As I typed this post I began to wonder how many times in life we needless skip from being God-conscious to a self-deprecating consciousness?
I dried off and headed downstairs with the song still in my head. As I neared the kitchen I spontaneously began to sing it, loudly. Unbeknownst to myself the postman was nearing our front door which was on the other side of the downstairs, and thus out of my sight. Our two rather big dogs, began to howl, at him.
Have you ever heard the joke about when you sing the dogs howl? Needless to say I went from God focused to self consoling in a heart beat.
As I typed this post I began to wonder how many times in life we needless skip from being God-conscious to a self-deprecating consciousness?
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Phil Laeger
Saw my friend Phil last weekend. He said I need to write more about things that are going on in my personal life than just events. So for Phil...I went cosmic bowling Saturday night. I was competing hard both games we played the first game Ben edged me out by 4 points. The second game Ben edged me out by one point. The saddest part about it was there were five of us bowling and the first game Ben and I were competing for third place...the second game there were only four bowling and we were competing for third place. And I lost...
Monday, October 02, 2006
Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6:10-16 points out that as Christians we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers and principalities.
I am an avid viewer of Fox News and CNN. I especially like the shows where there is a democrat and republican who go head to head with each other. It is interesting the word choices they use to bring negative or positive connotations to their arguments. And most of the time we find the truth is somewhere in the middle.
But it sometimes seems we have turned our church leadership boards into halls of congress. If you use the right catch word your programs get approved. If you align yourself with the right people you receive positions with more influence. Could this whole system be influenced by principalities and spiritual forces?
Perspective is not reality. Perspective may be reality if God did not exist. There is a verse that says God does not only look at the outward appearance but also at the heart. In the same way, leaders feel the pressure of dressing up programs and ministry which are only having limited positive effects in order to keep their credibility and money flow. By comparing these programs to others that may not be wrapped as pretty they gain favor. Many leaders who don't have the skills of promotion and marketing are changing lives but are being harangued by others because of the outward appearance of the program.
I believe it is time for us to go deeper in spiritual leadership. It is time for us transcend the "politics" of human kind and negotiate through the "love" of the kingdom. This will need major prayer. We need to ask to walk by faith and not by sight. We need to ask to be emptied of selfish ambition. We need to ask for Holy vision.
Right now we are calling out for revival. I don't know how that might begin? Maybe it begins with our churches having massive emotional events. Or maybe it begins with us leaders, on our knees, putting on the belt of truth, so that we may fight against the temptations of negative leadership.
I am an avid viewer of Fox News and CNN. I especially like the shows where there is a democrat and republican who go head to head with each other. It is interesting the word choices they use to bring negative or positive connotations to their arguments. And most of the time we find the truth is somewhere in the middle.
But it sometimes seems we have turned our church leadership boards into halls of congress. If you use the right catch word your programs get approved. If you align yourself with the right people you receive positions with more influence. Could this whole system be influenced by principalities and spiritual forces?
Perspective is not reality. Perspective may be reality if God did not exist. There is a verse that says God does not only look at the outward appearance but also at the heart. In the same way, leaders feel the pressure of dressing up programs and ministry which are only having limited positive effects in order to keep their credibility and money flow. By comparing these programs to others that may not be wrapped as pretty they gain favor. Many leaders who don't have the skills of promotion and marketing are changing lives but are being harangued by others because of the outward appearance of the program.
I believe it is time for us to go deeper in spiritual leadership. It is time for us transcend the "politics" of human kind and negotiate through the "love" of the kingdom. This will need major prayer. We need to ask to walk by faith and not by sight. We need to ask to be emptied of selfish ambition. We need to ask for Holy vision.
Right now we are calling out for revival. I don't know how that might begin? Maybe it begins with our churches having massive emotional events. Or maybe it begins with us leaders, on our knees, putting on the belt of truth, so that we may fight against the temptations of negative leadership.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
WB
Tonight, I met a guy who is the great grandson (or something like that) of William Booth. For some reason I felt a strange urge to touch him. Now I am not one who creates SA icons are anything but there is something down in my heart that just has a reverance for the man who started it all. Anybody know what I mean?
Friday, September 29, 2006
A Report on Our Trip
REBUILD, RESTORE, RENEW ORLEANS
The Georgia Division sent a team of young adults to New Orleans from September 20- September 24, 2006. The team set off with the claiming Isaiah 43:2:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
The nine member team was made up of members from four different corps. The group began the trip barely knowing one another but quickly became a team.
The team left Atlanta on September 20 and enjoyed an eight hour van ride to New Orleans. They arrived at 6:30 pm, just in time for the weekly prayer service. Major Mike Hawley greeted the team in the parking lot and invited them inside. It was at this first prayer service that Hawley let the team know the importance of the mission he felt called to give them.
One year ago New Orleans had flooded, many of the residents were forced to leave and many businesses closed down. Likewise, the Salvation Army had closed its corps when flood waters had made the building unsafe for people. Just this summer the building has been restored. On October 1, the Territorial commander will preach at the grand reopening of the corps.
Our Team’s Mission
Our team’s mission was to follow up with people who had been to the Salvation Army for disaster service and received spiritual care. We were given their addresses, a map and fliers that announced the reopening. We were also to minister to all of the residents around the areas of the addresses we were given.
As our team started meeting people we realized the massive need that still exists in the city. One team came upon a woman sitting on her porch with her sister. The lady showed us her house. She kept saying, “There is nothing left.” But then she said, “My sister lost more. She lost her husband and all her kids in the storm.” She then asked the team to pray for her sister. As we gathered around her there wasn’t a dry eye in the group. The realization of the important things in life seeped deep into the hearts of those praying.
At another stop a team found a family whose front yard was full of sewage. The smell was horrid. The inside of the home was filled with fumes as well. They thanked the team for stopping. They said everyone else had just driven past. One of the women there said all she needed was a hug. That was something the team was happy to give her.
At another location the team saw a group of guys dealing drugs. The team went over and invited them to church. While the team was there a car pulled up and asked what the team was there for? The dealers announced to the car that it was The Salvation Army.
At another location a team knocked at the door of a house. A lady came to the door and asked who they were? The team responded, “The Salvation Army.” The lady said, “Oh praise God I was just praying for help and you guys knocked on the door.” As the team entered she began to tell them her story. She had not left her house because she was afraid she would get lost in the paperwork and not be able to receive assistance from FEMA. As a result she had gotten sick and ended up in the hospital. Her feet were black from the fungus which resulted from her walking in the water. As she told the team the story they listened to the song she had playing in the background.
God will make a way,
When there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.
It was to this song that she was praying, “God please make a way.” And as she prayed the knock came on the door and it was our team.
In all well over 100 people were visited and invited to church. There were many more stories just like these from our visits.
Our Team’s Spiritual Experience
Our team had devotions together each day. The first day we focused on the battle not being against flesh and blood but against Spiritual powers. We read a prayer together asking God to help us put on the full armor of God.
The second day we were invited to participate with some of the workers at the recovery center in their daily devotional time. Our team was asked to give a couple of testimonies. Regina Scott from the Lakewood corps gave her testimony about how the people she had met had opened her eyes to the need in the city. John Ragan gave his testimony about how incredible it was to reach out to people whom the workers we were with had previously witnessed to. He commended them on the work they had done.
Captain Richmond was invited to speak. He spoke from Matthew 21. This is the passage that talks about being able to do all things through faith. The passage says if you have faith you can even have a mountain thrown into the sea. What an appropriate passage in light of the woman the team met.
The third day the team discussed having a passion for souls. We talked about what we could personally be involved with in order to help out the next time there is a major disaster. The fourth day of the trip we gathered for a small worship service in the chapel of the New Orleans Corps.
During this worship service Katrina Scott gave her testimony about how much the trip had meant to her. She said she had always thought of New Orleans as a place where people go to party. When she first heard about the trip she struggled with why she wanted to go. In the end she said she remembers telling her young daughter she was going to New Orleans to work because the people there needed her.
Just after the service Nathaniel Weaver came to me and said that although he thought he would only need his Bible for the Sunday morning service, he found out God had a much greater purpose for it. On Saturday evening he was sitting in his room and found he had an intense desire to read the scripture. He opened up his Bible at Matthew. He read the whole book of Matthew and half of the book of Mark. Praise the Lord for His Holy Spirit.
The City of New Orleans
The Monday night football game was played in New Orleans just after we left. Ironically it was the Atlanta Falcons versus the Saints. Many in the media portrayed the city as finally getting back to normal. This simply was not the case. Some areas of the lower ninth ward look like the disaster hit just yesterday. The team was able to go through some of these areas.
While in the French Quarter I saw a shirt that said Rebuild, Restore, Renew Orleans. I believe it is just this that the Lord is hard at work through The Salvation Army and many other agencies in New Orleans. Perhaps we can join them in prayer for this city.
The Georgia Division sent a team of young adults to New Orleans from September 20- September 24, 2006. The team set off with the claiming Isaiah 43:2:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
The nine member team was made up of members from four different corps. The group began the trip barely knowing one another but quickly became a team.
The team left Atlanta on September 20 and enjoyed an eight hour van ride to New Orleans. They arrived at 6:30 pm, just in time for the weekly prayer service. Major Mike Hawley greeted the team in the parking lot and invited them inside. It was at this first prayer service that Hawley let the team know the importance of the mission he felt called to give them.
One year ago New Orleans had flooded, many of the residents were forced to leave and many businesses closed down. Likewise, the Salvation Army had closed its corps when flood waters had made the building unsafe for people. Just this summer the building has been restored. On October 1, the Territorial commander will preach at the grand reopening of the corps.
Our Team’s Mission
Our team’s mission was to follow up with people who had been to the Salvation Army for disaster service and received spiritual care. We were given their addresses, a map and fliers that announced the reopening. We were also to minister to all of the residents around the areas of the addresses we were given.
As our team started meeting people we realized the massive need that still exists in the city. One team came upon a woman sitting on her porch with her sister. The lady showed us her house. She kept saying, “There is nothing left.” But then she said, “My sister lost more. She lost her husband and all her kids in the storm.” She then asked the team to pray for her sister. As we gathered around her there wasn’t a dry eye in the group. The realization of the important things in life seeped deep into the hearts of those praying.
At another stop a team found a family whose front yard was full of sewage. The smell was horrid. The inside of the home was filled with fumes as well. They thanked the team for stopping. They said everyone else had just driven past. One of the women there said all she needed was a hug. That was something the team was happy to give her.
At another location the team saw a group of guys dealing drugs. The team went over and invited them to church. While the team was there a car pulled up and asked what the team was there for? The dealers announced to the car that it was The Salvation Army.
At another location a team knocked at the door of a house. A lady came to the door and asked who they were? The team responded, “The Salvation Army.” The lady said, “Oh praise God I was just praying for help and you guys knocked on the door.” As the team entered she began to tell them her story. She had not left her house because she was afraid she would get lost in the paperwork and not be able to receive assistance from FEMA. As a result she had gotten sick and ended up in the hospital. Her feet were black from the fungus which resulted from her walking in the water. As she told the team the story they listened to the song she had playing in the background.
God will make a way,
When there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.
It was to this song that she was praying, “God please make a way.” And as she prayed the knock came on the door and it was our team.
In all well over 100 people were visited and invited to church. There were many more stories just like these from our visits.
Our Team’s Spiritual Experience
Our team had devotions together each day. The first day we focused on the battle not being against flesh and blood but against Spiritual powers. We read a prayer together asking God to help us put on the full armor of God.
The second day we were invited to participate with some of the workers at the recovery center in their daily devotional time. Our team was asked to give a couple of testimonies. Regina Scott from the Lakewood corps gave her testimony about how the people she had met had opened her eyes to the need in the city. John Ragan gave his testimony about how incredible it was to reach out to people whom the workers we were with had previously witnessed to. He commended them on the work they had done.
Captain Richmond was invited to speak. He spoke from Matthew 21. This is the passage that talks about being able to do all things through faith. The passage says if you have faith you can even have a mountain thrown into the sea. What an appropriate passage in light of the woman the team met.
The third day the team discussed having a passion for souls. We talked about what we could personally be involved with in order to help out the next time there is a major disaster. The fourth day of the trip we gathered for a small worship service in the chapel of the New Orleans Corps.
During this worship service Katrina Scott gave her testimony about how much the trip had meant to her. She said she had always thought of New Orleans as a place where people go to party. When she first heard about the trip she struggled with why she wanted to go. In the end she said she remembers telling her young daughter she was going to New Orleans to work because the people there needed her.
Just after the service Nathaniel Weaver came to me and said that although he thought he would only need his Bible for the Sunday morning service, he found out God had a much greater purpose for it. On Saturday evening he was sitting in his room and found he had an intense desire to read the scripture. He opened up his Bible at Matthew. He read the whole book of Matthew and half of the book of Mark. Praise the Lord for His Holy Spirit.
The City of New Orleans
The Monday night football game was played in New Orleans just after we left. Ironically it was the Atlanta Falcons versus the Saints. Many in the media portrayed the city as finally getting back to normal. This simply was not the case. Some areas of the lower ninth ward look like the disaster hit just yesterday. The team was able to go through some of these areas.
While in the French Quarter I saw a shirt that said Rebuild, Restore, Renew Orleans. I believe it is just this that the Lord is hard at work through The Salvation Army and many other agencies in New Orleans. Perhaps we can join them in prayer for this city.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Revive, Rebuild, Restore, Re New Orleans
I've just this morning returned from an amazing mission trip to New Orleans.
The Georgia Division took a team of nine to help restart corps work there. We were able to pray with a woman who had lost her husband and all her children in the storm. We ministered to people in the ninth ward. We prayed through the lower ninth ward (most people have not returned to their homes in that section). We invited over 100 people to attend the reopening of the corps on Oct. 1.
I found a shirt in the french quarter which said,"rebuild, restore, re new orleans." In our worship time on Sunday morning, one of the spiritual care workers there said she wanted to see the city revived. While talking with my wife Kelly, she reminded that re means "again."
New Orleans was founded by two frenchmen who while taking into account the mammoth mosquitos, swamps and alligators, saw great potential in a port city at the base of the Mississippi. They named the city after Orleans, France the home of Joan of Arc. Joan of Arc overcame great odds to become a national hero. Perhaps it was this spirit the pioneers hoped to employ by naming the city Noevelle Orleans. It worked. A city was birthed overcoming great odds!
What's in a name? The summary of a character and culture forged through history. The hope of a rebirth. Perhaps a prophetic message about the spiritual needs of a people whose hearts have been flooded by the tragedy. Let us pray for the people of New Orleans. God, Re New Orleans!
The Georgia Division took a team of nine to help restart corps work there. We were able to pray with a woman who had lost her husband and all her children in the storm. We ministered to people in the ninth ward. We prayed through the lower ninth ward (most people have not returned to their homes in that section). We invited over 100 people to attend the reopening of the corps on Oct. 1.
I found a shirt in the french quarter which said,"rebuild, restore, re new orleans." In our worship time on Sunday morning, one of the spiritual care workers there said she wanted to see the city revived. While talking with my wife Kelly, she reminded that re means "again."
New Orleans was founded by two frenchmen who while taking into account the mammoth mosquitos, swamps and alligators, saw great potential in a port city at the base of the Mississippi. They named the city after Orleans, France the home of Joan of Arc. Joan of Arc overcame great odds to become a national hero. Perhaps it was this spirit the pioneers hoped to employ by naming the city Noevelle Orleans. It worked. A city was birthed overcoming great odds!
What's in a name? The summary of a character and culture forged through history. The hope of a rebirth. Perhaps a prophetic message about the spiritual needs of a people whose hearts have been flooded by the tragedy. Let us pray for the people of New Orleans. God, Re New Orleans!
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