Monday, December 31, 2007
Homeless in Tyler
Glenwood's Trent Spradlin did a great job with this special report for the local CBS TV station.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
A Whole 'Nother Country
Being a proud Texan, though admittedly not a native, it is difficult to get "a discouraging word" about this State. But the prophet Larry James quotes these statistics from a recent Dallas Morning News article. Looks like we have much work left to do!
"Consider the facts, just the facts, about Texas:
* A child is born in poverty every 7 minutes
* A child is abused or neglected every 10 minutes
* First in teen births and the most repeat teen births in the U. S.
* 25% of Texas' children are born into poverty
* 49th in the number of working poor (that is, Texas is second in the number of people who work and remain poor)
* $14,700--the average annual income of the poorest 20% of Texas families
* $203,200--average annual income of the richest 5% of Texas families (13.8 times as high as the poorest 20%)
* 16% of Texans live with hunger or in fear of starvation, just ahead of New Mexico and Mississippi
* 48th in the nation in state and local government expenditures for public welfare--$808 per capita
* Second highest Gross Domestic Product in the U. S.
* Number 1 in cancerous emissions into the air and toxic chemicals into the water.
* Ranks 50th in the number of insured people in the nation--5.5 million Texans are not covered by health insurance or 24% of the population (compared to 15.7% for the U. S.)
* 1st in the U. S. in executions since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976
* 2nd highest incarceration rate
* 60% of children under Texas Youth Commission supervision come from low-income families
* 83% of these children have IQs below 100
* 41% experience serious mental health issues
* 52% come from families with a history of criminal behavior
* 76% have parents who are separated or never married
* 34% of Texas high school students drop out--8th highest in the U. S.
* 49th in verbal SAT scores and 46th in math
* Texas ranks 41st in per capita spending on students in public schools, compared to 25th in 1999. [Did I hear someone say, "No child left behind"?]
* 8th largest GDP in the world--$1.1 trillion in 2006
* 1st in number of shopping malls in the nation
* 12th in church or synagogue attendance
Not a pretty picture.
If I'm a Texas preacher today, I figure I have a few things to bring up with my congregation.
If I'm a Texas legislator, after I take a long look at myself in the mirror, I figure I've got a few things to work on.
If I'm a citizen of the state, and I am, I figure I need to be engaged at several levels."
"Consider the facts, just the facts, about Texas:
* A child is born in poverty every 7 minutes
* A child is abused or neglected every 10 minutes
* First in teen births and the most repeat teen births in the U. S.
* 25% of Texas' children are born into poverty
* 49th in the number of working poor (that is, Texas is second in the number of people who work and remain poor)
* $14,700--the average annual income of the poorest 20% of Texas families
* $203,200--average annual income of the richest 5% of Texas families (13.8 times as high as the poorest 20%)
* 16% of Texans live with hunger or in fear of starvation, just ahead of New Mexico and Mississippi
* 48th in the nation in state and local government expenditures for public welfare--$808 per capita
* Second highest Gross Domestic Product in the U. S.
* Number 1 in cancerous emissions into the air and toxic chemicals into the water.
* Ranks 50th in the number of insured people in the nation--5.5 million Texans are not covered by health insurance or 24% of the population (compared to 15.7% for the U. S.)
* 1st in the U. S. in executions since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976
* 2nd highest incarceration rate
* 60% of children under Texas Youth Commission supervision come from low-income families
* 83% of these children have IQs below 100
* 41% experience serious mental health issues
* 52% come from families with a history of criminal behavior
* 76% have parents who are separated or never married
* 34% of Texas high school students drop out--8th highest in the U. S.
* 49th in verbal SAT scores and 46th in math
* Texas ranks 41st in per capita spending on students in public schools, compared to 25th in 1999. [Did I hear someone say, "No child left behind"?]
* 8th largest GDP in the world--$1.1 trillion in 2006
* 1st in number of shopping malls in the nation
* 12th in church or synagogue attendance
Not a pretty picture.
If I'm a Texas preacher today, I figure I have a few things to bring up with my congregation.
If I'm a Texas legislator, after I take a long look at myself in the mirror, I figure I've got a few things to work on.
If I'm a citizen of the state, and I am, I figure I need to be engaged at several levels."
Saturday, December 15, 2007
I'm Back!
Just a short note to document my return from the hospital yesterday. This recovery from the hip resurfacing surgery has been harder than I anticipated (slight understatement there). I'm trying not to let my disappointment and surprise influence my attitude going forward, knowing that won't help, so I'll just try to celebrate the milestones and enjoy(?) each day. There'll be plenty of time for analysis, later.
Grace and peace to all!
Grace and peace to all!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Ebola
I received the horrific news tonight that there is an outbreak of a new strain of Ebola virus in western Uganda! For updates from the front lines, check out the Drs. Myhre's blog. Lord God, please stop this horrible disease which targets those caring for the ill!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The End of Homelessness
The prophet Larry James says the solution for homelessness in America is to provide permanent, private residences.... duh!
"Housing First" Works!
By Larry James
Newsflash: homeless people are not criminals, nor are they deserving of the treatment they usually receive. What people who lack homes need is decent, permanent housing.
As I've related here before, lots of national research and numerous case studies document the fact that once given a place to call home, an overwhelming majority of formerly homeless persons manage their lives very well without much additional intervention (87%, to reference one major study).
Well, we now have our own experience to report in validation of the reports from other cities.
Thanks to a grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Central Dallas Ministries is placing homeless persons in permanent housing in two undisclosed Dallas locations.
We have funding for 50 apartments. We have secured these housing units through an agreement with one property owner. We control 25 one-bedroom apartment units in each of two different locations. In each location our living units are part of a much larger, multi-family development.
So far we have placed 18 homeless men in permanent housing. These guys now have a key to the place they call home. Thanks to a couple of area churches, they also have what they need to set up housekeeping.
We've been at this for several weeks now. Before too much longer we will have filled all 50 of our apartments.
Guess what?
No problems whatsoever from our tenants. They are so grateful for the housing and for the freedom, you should hear them talk. Without a doubt, these gentlemen will become some of these developments' best residents.
Their stories are all a bit different.
All are dealing with various disabilities.
All are capable of life on their own. They proved that surviving on our mean streets, some of them for several years.
What they share in common is an extremely positive, appreciative response to having a home of their own.
Here's the chief solution for our Downtown "problems with the homeless." Develop the housing. Provide the support to move folks from the street to a quality, decent home. The problem can be solved. We are kidding ourselves if we say otherwise.
If I was a Downtown, upscale developer, I'd call CDM and ask how to make an investment in our future development plans.*
I'm just wondering if we have the will, the smarts and the vision as a community to simply practice the Golden Rule? If we do, the outcome will be wonderful for everyone.
(*By the way, my phone number is 214.823.8710 ext 116!)
.
Posted on www.UrbanDaily.org
"Housing First" Works!
By Larry James
Newsflash: homeless people are not criminals, nor are they deserving of the treatment they usually receive. What people who lack homes need is decent, permanent housing.
As I've related here before, lots of national research and numerous case studies document the fact that once given a place to call home, an overwhelming majority of formerly homeless persons manage their lives very well without much additional intervention (87%, to reference one major study).
Well, we now have our own experience to report in validation of the reports from other cities.
Thanks to a grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Central Dallas Ministries is placing homeless persons in permanent housing in two undisclosed Dallas locations.
We have funding for 50 apartments. We have secured these housing units through an agreement with one property owner. We control 25 one-bedroom apartment units in each of two different locations. In each location our living units are part of a much larger, multi-family development.
So far we have placed 18 homeless men in permanent housing. These guys now have a key to the place they call home. Thanks to a couple of area churches, they also have what they need to set up housekeeping.
We've been at this for several weeks now. Before too much longer we will have filled all 50 of our apartments.
Guess what?
No problems whatsoever from our tenants. They are so grateful for the housing and for the freedom, you should hear them talk. Without a doubt, these gentlemen will become some of these developments' best residents.
Their stories are all a bit different.
All are dealing with various disabilities.
All are capable of life on their own. They proved that surviving on our mean streets, some of them for several years.
What they share in common is an extremely positive, appreciative response to having a home of their own.
Here's the chief solution for our Downtown "problems with the homeless." Develop the housing. Provide the support to move folks from the street to a quality, decent home. The problem can be solved. We are kidding ourselves if we say otherwise.
If I was a Downtown, upscale developer, I'd call CDM and ask how to make an investment in our future development plans.*
I'm just wondering if we have the will, the smarts and the vision as a community to simply practice the Golden Rule? If we do, the outcome will be wonderful for everyone.
(*By the way, my phone number is 214.823.8710 ext 116!)
.
Posted on www.UrbanDaily.org
The River
The chorus is:
"Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong
But I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son
I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered"
Enjoy "The River" from Good Charlotte-
"Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong
But I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son
I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered"
Enjoy "The River" from Good Charlotte-
Good Charlotte - The River
Posted Feb 08, 2007Good Charlotte and M. Shadows baptize themselves in the concrete LA River.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Spelling R-E-L-I-E-F
Remembering the old Rolaids commercials, I'm looking for relief from my hip pain and have decided on hip resurfacing surgery. The date is now set for December 10, and can be done in Tyler with the arrival of Dr. Volatile (yes, that's his real name!). The doctor believes I'm a good candidate for this procedure, but will leave the option open for total hip replacement if they encounter a problem or worse-than-expected conditions during the surgery. So, we're down to four weeks, and counting!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
In a white room, with black curtains, near the station....
Salon's book review says "...it's also a redemption narrative, in which a wastrel is saved by grace after hitting bottom." Here's a rare, beautiful confession from an aging rock star who had been given everything this world has to offer:
"Nevertheless, I stumbled through my month in treatment much as I had done the first time, just ticking off the days, hoping that something would change in me without my having to do much about it. Then one day, as my visit was drawing to an end, a panic hit me, and I realized that in fact nothing had changed in me and that I was going back out into the world again completely unprotected. The noise in my head was deafening, and drinking was in my thoughts all the time. It shocked me to realize that here I was in a treatment center, a supposedly safe environment, and I was in serious danger. I was absolutely terrified, in complete despair.
Almost of their own accord, my legs gave way and I fell to my knees. In the privacy of my room I begged for help. I had no notion of whom I thought I was talking to - I just knew that I had come to the end of my tether, and I had nothing left to fight with. Then I remembered what I had heard about surrender, something I thought I could never do, that my pride just wouldn't allow it. But I knew that on my own I wasn't going to make it, so I asked for help, and, getting down on my knees, I surrendered.
Within a few days, I realized that something had happened for me. An atheist would probably say it was just a change of attitude, and to a certain extent that's true, but there was much more to it than that. I had found a place to turn to, a place I'd always known was there but never really wanted, or needed, to believe in. From that day until this, I have never failed to pray in the morning, on my knees, asking for help, and at night, to express gratitude for my life and, most of all, for my sobriety. I choose to kneel because I feel I need to humble myself when I pray, and, with my ego, this is the most I can do... In some way, in some form, my God was always there, but now I have learned to talk to him." Eric Clapton, Clapton: The Autobiography.
"Nevertheless, I stumbled through my month in treatment much as I had done the first time, just ticking off the days, hoping that something would change in me without my having to do much about it. Then one day, as my visit was drawing to an end, a panic hit me, and I realized that in fact nothing had changed in me and that I was going back out into the world again completely unprotected. The noise in my head was deafening, and drinking was in my thoughts all the time. It shocked me to realize that here I was in a treatment center, a supposedly safe environment, and I was in serious danger. I was absolutely terrified, in complete despair.
Almost of their own accord, my legs gave way and I fell to my knees. In the privacy of my room I begged for help. I had no notion of whom I thought I was talking to - I just knew that I had come to the end of my tether, and I had nothing left to fight with. Then I remembered what I had heard about surrender, something I thought I could never do, that my pride just wouldn't allow it. But I knew that on my own I wasn't going to make it, so I asked for help, and, getting down on my knees, I surrendered.
Within a few days, I realized that something had happened for me. An atheist would probably say it was just a change of attitude, and to a certain extent that's true, but there was much more to it than that. I had found a place to turn to, a place I'd always known was there but never really wanted, or needed, to believe in. From that day until this, I have never failed to pray in the morning, on my knees, asking for help, and at night, to express gratitude for my life and, most of all, for my sobriety. I choose to kneel because I feel I need to humble myself when I pray, and, with my ego, this is the most I can do... In some way, in some form, my God was always there, but now I have learned to talk to him." Eric Clapton, Clapton: The Autobiography.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Scrambling for Pennies
I confess; I have just not been too interested in the "budget process" within our Big Church. I have been wearied by all the talk and planning and meetings and meetings and meetings leading up to the day when a large group would spend all day in a marathon meeting to try to figure out how to split up the 10% of the budget that was deemed discretionary. I have serious questions about our priorities when all our "benevolence ministry" is deemed discretionary (meaning optional and subject to being eliminated in times of financial crunch).
But in the midst of that meeting a beautiful thing occurred. As further cuts were being discussed and negotiated, an uprising broke out from the crowd and a roomful of people who had been bargaining, begging, justifying, cajoling and pleading their own causes (all of which are GOOD WORKS) turned their eyes toward the Benevolence Center Ministry and requested, no demanded, that its funding be restored to the full, proposed level, even at the expense of their own budgets! This was an act of God and a sure sign of the purity of hearts in that room, representing the pure hearts in this church. It was the highlight of the day, in my eyes! HALLELUJAH! God is at work, even on budget Sunday!
But in the midst of that meeting a beautiful thing occurred. As further cuts were being discussed and negotiated, an uprising broke out from the crowd and a roomful of people who had been bargaining, begging, justifying, cajoling and pleading their own causes (all of which are GOOD WORKS) turned their eyes toward the Benevolence Center Ministry and requested, no demanded, that its funding be restored to the full, proposed level, even at the expense of their own budgets! This was an act of God and a sure sign of the purity of hearts in that room, representing the pure hearts in this church. It was the highlight of the day, in my eyes! HALLELUJAH! God is at work, even on budget Sunday!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Fall Out Boy
New video from Fall Out Boy was shot on location in Gulu, northern Uganda and is based on the plight of the Invisible Children:
Monday, September 17, 2007
Time Waster
Need to get mesmerized and waste some time on the net? Try this. I can't stop watching!
Blogger Play will show you a never-ending stream of images that were just uploaded to public Blogger blogs. You can click the image to be taken directly to the blog post it was uploaded to, or click “show info” to see an overlay with the post title, a snippet of the body, and some profile information about the blogger who uploaded it.
Blogger Play will show you a never-ending stream of images that were just uploaded to public Blogger blogs. You can click the image to be taken directly to the blog post it was uploaded to, or click “show info” to see an overlay with the post title, a snippet of the body, and some profile information about the blogger who uploaded it.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Women in Church Leadership
Here's a link to a sermon from one of our sister congregations' website which sets out their attempt to explain their current stance and policy on this hot topic. It is included in a two-pronged statement of "Core Beliefs" and "Heritage Commitments", listed here. If the audio link above doesn't work for you, try this.
(For the completely opposite effect, check out this public "lynching" conducted by Church of Christ icon Guy N. Woods. The link is included on a tribute website, honoring his life and work!)
Wade Hodges' sermon is a valiant attempt at encouraging dialogue; at declaring the truth of the gospel, the freedom in Christ we all hold so dear, and applying it to our USAmerican church culture. I love that he ended the sermon with the Galatians 3 passage! Its our history and tradition of the "church as organization" that causes such difficulties, it seems to me. We get so wrapped up in "our comfort zones" and how we "do church", that the grand mission of the Kingdom of God gets left behind. If Jesus were here, it strikes me that I would want to be "sitting at his feet" with Mary, and I would not be concerned that she was there beside me or leading me, as long as we were getting closer to Jesus! How should we balance the appreciation for our heritage and our love for each other with the need of the church for the use of the God-given gifts of ALL of its members? Perhaps we should search for ways like this to be relevant to our egalitarian society, recognizing the equality of men and women as one of the basic tenets of the gospel, the "mystery of the gospel" for our age! The world is watching!
(For the completely opposite effect, check out this public "lynching" conducted by Church of Christ icon Guy N. Woods. The link is included on a tribute website, honoring his life and work!)
Wade Hodges' sermon is a valiant attempt at encouraging dialogue; at declaring the truth of the gospel, the freedom in Christ we all hold so dear, and applying it to our USAmerican church culture. I love that he ended the sermon with the Galatians 3 passage! Its our history and tradition of the "church as organization" that causes such difficulties, it seems to me. We get so wrapped up in "our comfort zones" and how we "do church", that the grand mission of the Kingdom of God gets left behind. If Jesus were here, it strikes me that I would want to be "sitting at his feet" with Mary, and I would not be concerned that she was there beside me or leading me, as long as we were getting closer to Jesus! How should we balance the appreciation for our heritage and our love for each other with the need of the church for the use of the God-given gifts of ALL of its members? Perhaps we should search for ways like this to be relevant to our egalitarian society, recognizing the equality of men and women as one of the basic tenets of the gospel, the "mystery of the gospel" for our age! The world is watching!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Same Kind of Different As Me
.
The authors, Ron Hall and Denver Moore, are coming to Tyler to speak at two events during PATH Week! This is a great book and a powerful story of redemption and friendship. Everyone should read it to get an inside view into the issues of homelessness.
The authors, Ron Hall and Denver Moore, are coming to Tyler to speak at two events during PATH Week! This is a great book and a powerful story of redemption and friendship. Everyone should read it to get an inside view into the issues of homelessness.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
How good and pleasant it is!
We were blessed to have the Ben Wall family stay with us this week. On Thursday night we had a gathering of supporters.
Reminded me of Psalm 133!
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Reminded me of Psalm 133!
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
A Song on My Heart
What do you do without a songleader or even your standard music material? Tonight I just asked, "Does anyone have a song to share?" And we were blessed with beautiful impromptu solos from Juanita and Roy! Juanita said the LORD had placed her song on her heart this morning, and she didn't know why, but was grateful for the chance to share it with The Gathering.
And then the blessing we received from Kelly's testimony! She confessed that she had fallen back into her drug habit recently, but was again on the way out of it and looking for a better life. I'm glad she and Victor found a way to come share with us tonight! The world is watching!
And then the blessing we received from Kelly's testimony! She confessed that she had fallen back into her drug habit recently, but was again on the way out of it and looking for a better life. I'm glad she and Victor found a way to come share with us tonight! The world is watching!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Where Are The Women?
This post by Heather Hodges has got me thinking. Here's an excerpt:
"From the time I was a child I heard the names of Sarah, Rachael, Leah, Jochebed, Miriam, Abigail, Tamar, Deborah, Jael, Rahab, Esther, Ruth, Hannah, Elizabeth, Anna, Mary, Martha, Dorcas (Tabitha), Lydia, Phoebe, Chloe, Priscilla, Junias, Lois, and Eunice. These women served in every roll imaginable in the kingdom. There was a mother of nations, a song leader, a ruler, a warrior, a hero, a determined convert, a rescuer, a faithful mom, a loyal wife, a prophetess, a hostess, a church planter, a teacher, an apostle, a philanthropist, a business woman, a devout Christian, and a woman honored above all other woman as the mother of Christ.
Throughout Scripture we read story after story of these great women who had distinct roles in the kingdom of God. Whether they were pious or not, they were used for the glory of the Lord. Unfortunately, many Christian churches today have let two culturally restrictive Scriptures (1 Co 14:34 and 1 Tim 2:12) over shadow the rich history of women in the Bible. Scholars agree that these two Scriptures were cultural directions that dealt with specific situations and are not to be directives to all churches for all times. However, many churches have applied these two restrictions to all women for all times. Other churches have softened their stance for women’s roles but have kept women in the background because of “heritage values.”
It is time for a better understanding of Scripture and a better understanding of how the Lord has used and plans to use women in his kingdom. So, where are the women in churches today? They are where they have always been. They are behind the scenes planning, coordinating, and organizing. They are in the kitchen, nursery, and classrooms. They are on their knees in prayer. They are battling the enemy head-on in their homes, at work, the community and the mission field. They are raising-up generations of faithful believers."
Good points and well written! I'm not even sure how we have a dialogue about this topic in my faith community without people feeling alarmed and threatened. We are probably in that group of churches that "have softened their stance for women’s roles but have kept women in the background because of “heritage values".” But, I'm also distressed that many believers' giftedness lies dormant due to the restrictions we're placing on them, especially when the needs of the church are so great! Yes, I know the Scriptures, but I'm no longer a "flatlander", viewing all Scripture as of equal height and weight and literal relevance to this culture, to be read in the same manner and with the same "lenses". Honestly, who can read Job and John in the same way? Or Psalms and Philemon? Or Ruth and Revelation?
My goal is not change for change's sake; my goal is honoring God and loving people as He does. I have questions; I am seeking Truth. I would love to have some healthy discussion on this, and soon.
"From the time I was a child I heard the names of Sarah, Rachael, Leah, Jochebed, Miriam, Abigail, Tamar, Deborah, Jael, Rahab, Esther, Ruth, Hannah, Elizabeth, Anna, Mary, Martha, Dorcas (Tabitha), Lydia, Phoebe, Chloe, Priscilla, Junias, Lois, and Eunice. These women served in every roll imaginable in the kingdom. There was a mother of nations, a song leader, a ruler, a warrior, a hero, a determined convert, a rescuer, a faithful mom, a loyal wife, a prophetess, a hostess, a church planter, a teacher, an apostle, a philanthropist, a business woman, a devout Christian, and a woman honored above all other woman as the mother of Christ.
Throughout Scripture we read story after story of these great women who had distinct roles in the kingdom of God. Whether they were pious or not, they were used for the glory of the Lord. Unfortunately, many Christian churches today have let two culturally restrictive Scriptures (1 Co 14:34 and 1 Tim 2:12) over shadow the rich history of women in the Bible. Scholars agree that these two Scriptures were cultural directions that dealt with specific situations and are not to be directives to all churches for all times. However, many churches have applied these two restrictions to all women for all times. Other churches have softened their stance for women’s roles but have kept women in the background because of “heritage values.”
It is time for a better understanding of Scripture and a better understanding of how the Lord has used and plans to use women in his kingdom. So, where are the women in churches today? They are where they have always been. They are behind the scenes planning, coordinating, and organizing. They are in the kitchen, nursery, and classrooms. They are on their knees in prayer. They are battling the enemy head-on in their homes, at work, the community and the mission field. They are raising-up generations of faithful believers."
Good points and well written! I'm not even sure how we have a dialogue about this topic in my faith community without people feeling alarmed and threatened. We are probably in that group of churches that "have softened their stance for women’s roles but have kept women in the background because of “heritage values".” But, I'm also distressed that many believers' giftedness lies dormant due to the restrictions we're placing on them, especially when the needs of the church are so great! Yes, I know the Scriptures, but I'm no longer a "flatlander", viewing all Scripture as of equal height and weight and literal relevance to this culture, to be read in the same manner and with the same "lenses". Honestly, who can read Job and John in the same way? Or Psalms and Philemon? Or Ruth and Revelation?
My goal is not change for change's sake; my goal is honoring God and loving people as He does. I have questions; I am seeking Truth. I would love to have some healthy discussion on this, and soon.
The God of Second (and Third) Chances
Well, Carl did it again. He didn't have his rent money, again, since he went with some friends to Shreveport and drank and gambled it all away! (But at one point he was $2500 ahead! sigh....) So now he comes to The Gathering very contritely and cries and pleads for help. The father and rule-keeper in me wants to punish him and "teach him a lesson", and something does need to change, and quickly, for his own good. But then I have to wonder how this God of second chances I've been talking about looks at Carl, and me. Has he been faithful to forgive us (me) each time I've made a poor choice and then returned to him on my knees? I told The Gathering that a proper view of the nature of God allows and empowers us to live a life in the Kingdom, so, Greg, is he the "Great Rule-Keeper in the Sky" or is he the Father who loves me SO MUCH? Is my faith strong enough to allow me to forgive and sacrificially give? I don't get many opportunities like that, so I decided to give it a try this time, for "His steadfast love endures forever." The world is watching! HALLELUJAH!
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Camping Inside the House
From Barbara Brown Taylor's "Leaving Church",
"I have learned to prize holy ignorance more highly than religious certainty and to seek companions who have arrived at the same place. We are a motley crew, distinguished not only by our inability to explain ourselves to those who are more certain of their beliefs than we are but in many cases by our distance from the centers of our faith communities as well. Like campers who have bonded over cook fires far from home, we remain grateful for the provisions that we have brought with us from those cupboards, but we also find them more delicious when we share them with one another under the stars.
This wilderness experience sets up a real dilemma for some of us, since we know how much we owe to the traditions that shaped us. We would not be who we are without them, and we continue to draw real sustenance from them, but insofar as those same traditions discourage us from being with one another, we cannot go home again. In one way or another, every one of us has gotten the message that God made us different that we might know one another, and that how we treat one another is the best expression of our beliefs."
Well said! As I struggle with some of those same issues, I often feel like I'm a "camper" while still in the center of my faith community! Ever raise your tent in the middle of your own room? And that is the great blessing I've found at Glenwood; my "campiness" is accepted, and even embraced, at a level that allows me some peace with the situation, even as I continually search out fellow "campers", often near the edges of the community, as they are in the process of easing into or out of the household.
Monday, July 30, 2007
I Lied!
As we were discussing Acts 13 last night, Sharon cried out, "I lied!" She had already shared with us about her car wreck last week which totaled the old, uninsured vehicle she had been about to sell, and we were thankful with her that she wasn't seriously hurt. She had said that she didn't know why those kind of bad things seem to happen to her. But later in the evening, her heart was touched and she cried out, "I lied!" She went on to confess that she had not disclosed the many problems the old vehicle had to her potential buyer, and that she had even told him that it ran fine, which we all knew was not true. So now, she was convinced and convicted that God had taken the car from her because of her sin, and she asked for forgiveness.
So, as our crowd continues to grow, and a few new folks like Kelly and Victor continue to join us each week, I give thanks for moldable, breakable hearts like Sharon's that set an example of what our lives in the Kingdom look like. As I shared with Don later, when spontaneous, public confession like Sharon's breaks out, I'm convinced we're doing something right and God is truly leading us.
We were all touched by her transparency and her willingness to share with The Gathering! She feels safe enough there to expose her brokenness. This is real church! HALLELUJAH! The world is watching!
So, as our crowd continues to grow, and a few new folks like Kelly and Victor continue to join us each week, I give thanks for moldable, breakable hearts like Sharon's that set an example of what our lives in the Kingdom look like. As I shared with Don later, when spontaneous, public confession like Sharon's breaks out, I'm convinced we're doing something right and God is truly leading us.
We were all touched by her transparency and her willingness to share with The Gathering! She feels safe enough there to expose her brokenness. This is real church! HALLELUJAH! The world is watching!
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