Kentucky And Pittsburgh!

My Dad and his brother and sister, Aunt Mary Lou and Uncle Richard.

I didn't take too many pictures in Kentucky as it was a whirlwind of family fun with my sister and her kids and my Dad. I got to sing at my cousins church in central Kentucky and then we had some great food at my aunt's house. We also did a little concert for friends at my Sister's church. You can see photos from that HERE.



And we got to stop in beautiful Pittsburgh for a couple of nights hosted by former DTS student and fellow YWAM worker, Jenny. She showed us the city and arranged a house concert for us to share with her friends and family.

See a few pics at our facebook album HERE.

We're now in Canada and the whirlwind continues. We're having fun though and we'll post pics from our adventures here soon.

Texas and New Orleans...

Howdy folks...the Whitlers are still on the road. In fact, a nice man we met the other day called us the "real Griswolds". He had no idea how high a compliment that was for Amie. Anyhoo, we've uploaded some more pics to our facebook account that I thought I'd mention here.

A little album from our time at Twin Oaks Ranch...the YWAM base where Amie and I met, HERE.

And the important highlights from New Orleans while guests of the wonderful hospitality of YWAM across the river in beautiful Algiers HERE.

We're off today to Kentucky and all points North for a few house concerts and the like, making our way to the big event...Pitch and Praise in Ontario, Canada.

Grand Canyon!

Howdy folks...here's a few pics and pieces from our visit to the big 'ol Canyon.



We stayed at the beautiful property of Youth With A Mission, Tribal Winds...a YWAM training center and ministry with the Hopi people of New Mexico. Most of the staff were gone while we were there so we took advantage of the quiet.



The Whitlers at the Canyon...there is no way our tiny camera could get close to capturing it.





We did a Fossil walking tour with Ranger Wolfe...



This is an ancient sea shell...



Spongebob Fossil Pants...



Sam and Stella doing workbooks to become Junior Rangers...





For Sam's badge, he had to write a Haiku about the Grand Canyon. Here it is:

The canyon out there
Has the cutting river and
The forest so high

They made it...



And one last thing. Amie had a particularly odd wish. She wanted to see the Hotel where Clarke and Ellen Griswold (in National Lampoon's Vacation) stood and looked at the Grand Canyon for about 5 seconds because Clarke had stolen cash from the register. So, yeah, we...uh...went there...





And now we're on the road, after a little mechanical difficulty in Albuquerque (I knew we should'a taken that left turn!) and on our way to Texas. Week one done!

Joshua Tree!

The first stop on our world tour is Joshua Tree national park where Uncle Dan (Amie's brother) works as a Ranger. We spent two great days together in the park. You can see more pictures in our facebook album by clicking HERE!

A quarterly report...but not too boring!

The first bit of 2011 has been a bit of a whirlwind for the Whitlers and YWAM Modesto. I realized this past week that there are a few things I would have blogged about that I didn't. Here's a little scrap book of posts that I never got to...

Modesto Youth Reach Out in San Francisco



In January, YWAM Modesto and New Hope youth in partnership with YWAM San Francisco and Eastridge Church of the Nazarene spent an evening reaching out on the streets of the "Tenderloin" neighborhood of San Fran. Here, the YWAMers in the big city brief our team on life on the streets and ways that we can be a blessing to the marginalized in the city. We had a profound experience as well as a lot of fun together. If you're local and/or looking for a great location to take a mission team, pray about joining up with the YWAM team in San Francisco!

Tsartlip comes to Modesto!



Together with our friends at Global Youth Network and YWAM in Victoria, B.C., March brought us a team from the Tsartlip Native community on Vancouver Island. Our family (the Whitlers) visited this community in 2008 and we are planning to visit again (with our church youth group) this Summer. These guys came down to spend a week with us on their school break to learn leadership skills, the basics of reaching out to others, to interact with Native Americans and have a bit of fun in the process. This picture is during a BBQ for the struggling community on South 9th St. They did a great job.

This team also blessed the Whitlers greatly by helping us with a surprise, short notice move from our home of 4 years..our landlord was foreclosed on and lost his house :( They had all our stuff transferred to our new place (walking distance from our church!) in 5 hours! Thank you Tsartlip!

Steps of Justice



For the season of Lent, YWAM Modesto hosted a Steps of Justice group to go through the Steps 30 day Prayer and Action Guide. This is a great way to gain awareness, fuel intercession and take action around issues of global injustice. Our group of 12 or 13 dwindled down to a small group of 5 by the end of our study (I hear folks are pretty busy these days :), all who participated said this was a really good experience. It's a great way to carry with you the plight of the poor and let it help inform your choices, lead you to prayer and help you to give. Read more about my experience HERE.

YWAM Pismo Beach Discipleship Training School (DTS)



Now this one is truly pitiful. I did not even take one picture of a great team that came to be with us in the beginning of April...the Isaiah 61 DTS. 12 girls and the DTS staff joined us for a week of training and outreach on evangelism. This was an awesome team. They hit the streets with passion and purpose to love and pray for our city. It was a special privilege for me to set these folks loose in Modesto. They touched quite a few lives and are now reaching out in Israel and China! For more info in a DTS in Pismo Beach, go HERE.

New Hope Youth Car Wash



We wash cars waaaaaaay better than we spell, we promise. We spent the first of a few Saturdays washing cars at Yosemite Lanes here in Modesto to help raise money for our group to go to the Tsartlip community this Summer. Be on the look out for other fundraisers...more car washes to come as well as the classic bake sale and plain ole asking for donations. If you want to give toward this trip, let me (Chris) know! Email me at cwhitler@gmail.com

Blankets of Hope



We were able to link up recently with this great group of folks from a local church in Salida that have started a group to make and distribute blankets to the homeless. Deb brought 30 new, clean, handmade blankets out to our most recent 9th St. BBQ to give away. Everyone loved them and were so thankful for this meaningful gift.

Which leads us finally to...people from Fresno continuing to rock!



Like LAST YEAR and THE YEAR BEFORE, we hosted a team from Fresno First Baptist Church for Easter week. A couple of newbies (including the new youth pastor) and a couple of veterans joined us for a week of outreach in Modesto. This group spent the week praying, feeding, and helping all over the place.

A highlight for me was they day we had the high schoolers pray without us leaders and come up with the agenda for the day. What'd we do? Well, we bought 36 pairs of socks and 50 tacos and drove around handing them out to the homeless, that's what. Drive by Sockos. Then we spent the afternoon at the park with some kids that YWAM Modesto has been involved with for some time. A great day.



So that's a lot to cram into a little space but we did it! Our thanks to all the teams, churches and new friends we've been able to make in this first part of the year. And here's to more as we continue on in Spring and into the Summer...this week, the Whitlers head out on a month long North American tour to visit friends and share stories and songs with congregations and households and YWAM bases across the country. In June, we'll host John Wason from YWAM Canada's Word To Life Theatre Arts. In July, we'll have visitors from Stanley Park Church in Kitchener, Ontario. We'll also take our youth group to Tsartlip and I (Chris) am looking at visiting Thailand in August. All the while continuing to partner with our church and many other organizations to be a light in our city and neighborhood.

We need your prayers, support, friendship and encouragement now more than ever!

Living the Story #40, Lent 2011

...looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; -- it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed.

And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." John 16: 4 - 7

This will be my last post of the season. Encountering the gospel always surprises me. Even though I have read and re-read these stories many times, Jesus is never quite who I expect him to be. I suppose that's kind of his job.

Jesus breaks through, overturns, remakes, restores, creates and builds up. Only he can make an instrument of death into a symbol of hope. Only he can make a grave a place to laugh.

Happy Easter!

Living the Story #39, Good Friday, 2011

"They shall look on him whom they have pierced." - John 19:37

Thorns on his head spear in his side
Yet it was a heartache that made him cry
He gave his life so you would understand
Is there any way you could say no to this man?

If Christ himself were standing here
Face full of glory and eyes full of tears
And he held out his arms and his nail printed hands
Is there any way you could say no to this man?

How could you look in his tear stained eyes
Knowing it's you he's thinking of
Could you tell him you're not ready to give him your life
Could you say you don't think you need his love

Jesus is here with his arms open wide
You can see him with your heart if you'll stop looking with your eyes
He's left it up to you, he's done all that he can
Is there any way you could say no to this man?

How could you look in his tear stained eyes
Knowing it's you he's thinking of
Could you tell him you're not ready to give him your life
Could you say you don't think you need his love

Thorns on his head your life in his hands
Is there any way you could say no to this man?

- Julie Miller

Living the Story #38, Lent 2011

"...when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." John 13:1

LISTEN HERE

Living the Story #36, Lent 2011

"Will you lay down your life for me?" - Jesus (John 13:38)

Living the Story #35, Lent 2011

"When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Laz'arus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Laz'arus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus." John 12: 9 - 11

Because nothing will put you on the enemy's radar more than living free and like one who is back from the dead.

"...present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead..." Rom 6:13

"So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ."

Col 3: 1 - 4 (The Message)

Living the Story #34, Lent 2011

"...the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council, and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on thus, every one will believe in him..." John 11: 47 & 48

It is Christ's nature to heal, fulfill, challenge, cleanse, instruct, bring hope, give perspective, sacrifice, love, bless, discipline and go all the way to real life. Let him go.

Release him from your fear, plans, structures, systems and false sense of control.

Let him go on and be who he is.

The road won't be easy but it will be the true way.

Living the Story #33, Lent 2011

My small attempt to be like my good friend Aaron...



The adrenaline of having escaped worked it's way through his veins and he felt a flash of panic followed by a kind of anger. But anger that reveled itself through a swell of tears. They all had stones in their hand and it was rare but this time he had chosen to engage.

"If you don't believe me, at least believe what I'm doing. You can see it with your own eyes!"

But even the grace he witnessed coming from his own hands was not enough to satisfy the hungry, blind stones. They wanted blood.

As the angry crowd pushed toward him, everything slowed down. He didn't have the full picture in his mind of how it would all end but he did have the keen sense that it would not be today.

And then, he wasn't there. For all the crowd knew, he had slipped around the corner in the push of people headed to the market.

But he was by a river. Then, he recognized the place. Not a river, the river. He was standing at the familiar little crook. The water was quiet here. He was alone. Not alone but alone.

He sat down and drank in the calm. This was the very spot. And the voice, at once familiar and alien, called out in his thoughts again. "This is my son whom I love. I am so pleased with him!"

His anger melted to a kind of sadness which melted into a kind of peace which built up into a kind of energy. It was a resolve to keep trying.

He had recently had a good idea for a story about a father watching down the road for his son but he hadn't had the time to develop the details. As he sat there by the river, more of it came to him.

It wasn't long before some people recognized him sitting there. Soon the word spread and a little group had gathered around him. He tried his new story out on them. It seemed like this was going to be a good one.

(John 10:31-42)

Living the Story #32, Lent 2011

"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of my own accord, but he sent me." John 8 : 42

Jesus is no stranger. He is no aloof god who is unfamiliar with our life. One of the beauties of the Christian story is the incarnation. Christ came to live with us as one of us in order to "be touched with the feeling of our weaknesses."

If you're following this blog everyday for Lent, you'll notice, I missed another day. I blame this on busy-ness but also a debilitating pain I am experiencing right now. Since I was about 25, I have, about twice or three times a year, a very painful flare up of gout, which is a type of arthritis affecting the joints in the feet, ankles and sometimes knees. This is affected somewhat by weight and genetics. It's a little embarrassing (I have to walk with a cane if I can walk at all), it gets tiresome to explain and it just plain hurts. Right now, it feels like a spike is sticking into the joint between my right big toe and the rest of my foot. The pain doesn't let up if you get off of your foot. It just hurts and when it's happening, managing the pain is all I can think about.

Today is the last day for a group study/experience that I am a part of called Steps of Justice. The 30 day guide asks us to put ourselves through a few days of discomfort in order to feel what some of the poor and suffering feel around the world related to several issues of injustice. We've gone a day without water, without the ability to purchase things, without food, without a shower and without shoes. All this to fuel our ability to pray for those who do not have these comforts.

From both the pain I am experiencing and the Steps of Justice exercises we've done, I know ever more clearly that our society and life is geared to reward the healthy and the wealthy. Poverty, lack and pain does so much more than limit your options, it steals your focus and ability to deal with the day. If you are in pain, if you are thirsty, if you are hungry, if you can't easily get around, get to the bathroom and have limited access, it drains your energy to deal with life the way that healthy people can.

Quite a few years ago, I read the book "City of Joy" by Dominique Lapierre. In it is described the life of a poor family in India. What struck me is the description of how difficult it was to get to a place to use a toilet or "take care of the body's needs" as the book so delicately puts it. Just this one thing steals quite a bit of the day. How easy it is for most of us to just walk into a nice, clean, available toilet. Just this one thing makes us rich beyond compare to most of the world.

Historically contributed to several sources is the saying "Be kind, everyone you know is facing a hard battle." It's so true.

Jesus came not just to deliver a message, he came to walk with us, to know us and feel what we feel. Every step Jesus took on earth was a step of justice. He cried tears of sadness, he knew pain like no other, he was weak and thirsty and hungry and lonely and grieving. He even knows what it feels like to have a spike through his foot.

Compassion for all our poverty, pain and weakness is what drove him to the cross. The joy of the kingdom come, the relief of suffering and destruction of evil through his love and the community of his family the church is what made him able to endure it.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Heb 4: 14 - 16

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4: 16 - 18

"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Heb 12:1 - 3

Living the Story #30, Lent 2011

"When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him."

As he spoke thus, many believed in him.

John 8 : 28 - 30

Living the Story #29, Lent 2011

Early in the morning (Jesus) came again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him.

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.

And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."

And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.

But when they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.

Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

She said, "No one, Lord."

And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again."

John 8 : 2 - 11

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You've got to admit, Jesus has style.

Living the Story #28, Lent 2011

Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?"

The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!"

John 7 : 44 - 46

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking wrote a book in the late 80's called "A Brief History of Time". In it, he spells out some very complex ideas about the nature of the universe. It was meant to introduce physics, Einstein and quantum theory to the common folks. The problem was, it was too much for many to wrap their heads around.

So, partnering with Leonard Mlodinow, he wrote "A Briefer History of Time" to create a more accessible version. You know, with pictures and sci-fi references. That's the one I read. I still didn't get it all.

The second book contained all the intricacies and complexities of the first, but put in a way that we all could grasp...kinda.

There is a movement out there called "The Red Letter Christians". This is a group that identifies themselves mainly with living out the things Jesus said. Not discounting the rest of scripture, but realizing that Jesus' words are most important for us to major on.

This idea has fallen under some criticism as some are afraid that a majority of scripture is being ignored.

But Jesus? No one ever spoke like him. If the old testament is a "brief history of God", then Jesus' words and actions are the summation of all the intricacies and beauty of God's message to us.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matt 22 :37 - 40

Living the Story #27, Lent 2011

"...I have not come of my own accord..." John 7:28

When you take a Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With A Mission, one of the major teaching requirements is a subject we call 'the Father Heart of God' and over the years, it's gotten so common that it sometimes seems like a throw away statement.

"Well, what do you learn in DTS?"

"Oh, you know, some basic things about missions and evangelism and like, you know, the father heart of God and..." You get the idea.

But God having a father's heart is more than just a week of teaching in YWAM or a nice thought. It is the very essence of the good news. Jesus came into the world on behalf of the Father.

I was raised in a church that subtly told me that God was angry and Jesus was the good guy that saved me from God's anger. That Jesus is the one that gets in the way of God's wrath and holds it back through his sacrifice. It was in reading John Dawson's article for the Last Days newsletter (read it HERE) that I first began to understand that this is a less than worthy understanding of God.

Jesus is the full expression of who God is...he did not come on his own, God, the Father sent him. He did what he saw the Father doing (healing, blessing, helping) and he said what he heard the Father saying (teaching, comforting, correcting). Jesus even said, if you've seen me, you've seen the Father. What's God like? He is like Jesus.

Living the Story #26, Lent 2011

"You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." John 5:39 - 40

I listened to a podcast sermon today. The teacher said something to the effect of, "If Christians start to really look at what Jesus said in the gospel about how he wants us to live, it could get dangerous."

Doesn't this line in verse 40 just make you want to run to Jesus? Let's go to him. Only he can give us life.

Living the Story #25, Lent 2011

"...as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will." John 5: 21

"Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." John 5: 25

Let's turn our backs on the culture of death today. Let's be quiet a while and listen to Jesus. Only he has the words of life. The hour has come. Hear him and live.

"Turn off the television
Turn off the radio
Listen to your own heart beating
Listen to the wind blow
Feel the sun on your face
Feel the tears in your eyes
And dare to believe that Jesus loves you"
-Randy Stonehill

Living the Story #24, Lent 2011

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Beth-za'tha, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years.

When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?"

The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me."

Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the sabbath.

So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet."

But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, `Take up your pallet, and walk.'"

They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, `Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place.

Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the sabbath.

John 5: 2 - 16

Love, love is the new Sabbath.

Josh sees a face too...

Not only does Sam (Click for #1 and #2) see faces, so does Josh...

Living the Story #23, Lent 2011

...at Caper'na-um there was an official whose son was ill. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

Jesus therefore said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe."

The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live."

The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."

The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live"; and he himself believed, and all his household.

John 4: 46 - 53

The different ways Jesus chooses to heal always surprises me. To some he says "be healed", for others he heals remotely, for others he spits and rubs mud on their face...you get the idea. You can't lock Jesus into a formula.

May it be said of us as it was said of this official..."The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way." To get a clear word from Jesus, act on it and marvel as he responds by doing things in our lives we never dreamed possible.

Living the Story #22, Lent 2011

`God, be merciful to me a sinner!' Luke 18: 13

Orthodox believers teach this prayer (that is a variation of what we read in Jesus' story in Luke 18) as containing the whole gospel. It speaks of Christ and his position. He is the Son of God. He is Lord. He is Christ, the Messiah (or anointed/chosen one).

It speaks of our position before God. We are a people in need. We so easily lose our way. And the only hope we have is, with empty hands, receiving his mercy.

This prayer, "the Jesus Prayer" as the Orthodox mystics call it, is a nice little prayer to tuck into your heart.

You can READ HERE for more on the Jesus Prayer and it's variations. Also, I would suggest a great little book about this kind of praying called The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen. You can check it out HERE.

Living the Story #21, Lent 2011

...one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?"

Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." - Mark 12: 28 - 34

We tend to think of Jesus' relationship with the religious scholars of his day as a bit less than amiable. There are accounts of Jesus calling these guys names and calling down woes and in the end, it was the religious establishment that plotted to kill Jesus.

But if Jesus loves all people, then he loves all people. His angry communication was not personal, he was trying to wake these guys up to the reality and beauty of the kingdom of God. And here we see Jesus and a scribe agreeing and Jesus' affirmation of the scribe's thoughts.

We can tend to look at religious establishment and organization today through the grid of "modern day Pharisee-ism". We feel that people involved in religious institutions just don't get it and have turned Christianity into a set of rules. It can become easy for evangelicals to speak arrogantly against people in mainline denominations, older churches or even bigger churches like they aren't free and don't have the "real christianity" and that they just don't get it.

And suddenly, we're Pharisees.

Jesus loves the poor and broken and the proud and the rich and the religious and the homeless and the sick and the intelligent and the professionals and students and the humble and the jerks and rulers and left and right wings and the moderates and soldiers and foreigners and everybody. He loves people.

He was willing to talk to anybody, have open debate, speak compassionately, argue, heal, turn over tables, share a meal, spend the day teaching and hang from a cross, all to show people the way to relationship with the Father.

It's hard to be like Jesus. But I think it's less about trying real hard and more about yielding in the moment to him and letting him live his life and love through us.

Living the Story #20, Lent 2011

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." -Luke 11: 23

Let's be with Jesus. Even our best efforts and deeds, if they are not done with him, will have the opposite effect.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5

Living the Story #19, Lent 2011

"Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them." Matt 5: 17

At our new place, my desk is now sitting in front of our bedroom window that faces east. There is a municipal golf course and park across the street. Right now, I can see a man tending one of the putting greens and the little rolling hills of the course that lead to a small line of trees and just beyond that, the rising sun. Pretty sweet, huh?

Right now, in this beautiful, serene scene, laws are being fulfilled. There is the law of gravity that helps us make sense of most of the universe. This law keeps our earth spinning around the sun and the golf course guy firmly in his tractor and me here in my seat to see it all.

And then there are the laws of thermodynamics. One of which states that energy can neither be created or destroyed, it can only change form. The sun, right now in space is burning white hot (it only looks yellow because of our atmosphere). The energy inside it is transferred into light which travels to me right now filling my room, warming my face and warming the earth to a habitable temperature.

Light follows it's own set of laws. And we could go on and on to explain the intricacies of what's happening just outside my window. But really, what's important to me about this scene is not finding how it all works, but resting in the wonderful fact that these laws are real and can be counted on as I observe them being fulfilled right in front of my eyes. It's fun to know the laws of how stuff works, but it's better to behold the beauty of them being fulfilled and give thanks.

Hung up on the intricacies of how the christian life works? Just look to Jesus. He is certain as the dawn.



If you're reading this on facebook, you can watch the video of Amie's dance posted with this entry at http://thewhitlers.com

Living the Story #18, Lent 2011

Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?"

Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."

"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'

And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'

He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.

Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt.

So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Matthew 18: 21 - 35

Jesus' teachings are not complicated. They are beautifully simple. They are not easy, but they are simple. If we all took just this one story to heart, it would change the world.

Living the Story #17, Lent 2011

"Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country." Luke 4:24

Sometimes, you gotta get away.

This week, I'm teaching a Discipleship Training School from Youth With A Mission in Pismo Beach (thus the reason for the lateness of my post today). They've come for a week of training and outreach here in Modesto. This kind of school is a great tool that God uses to draw young people to relationship with him and share with them who he's created them to be and what he's wired them to do.

Some of the students today shared that they needed to leave home (if even just for a time) and come to this school in order to understand things they have heard all their life at home or in church. To see more clearly, sometimes you have to look from a different vantage point.

Jesus had many followers but chose 12 to walk with him more intimately. And they walked. From town to town, through the country and in villages, these students of Christ learned on the road and through doing.

That's what we're doing this week, walking with Jesus and paying attention to the opportunities he sends our way and doing our best to respond in the way he leads.

Is there a routine I'm stuck in? Am I locked into a mindset? Have I boxed others into my perception of who they are?

Walking with Jesus will always lead us down strange and creative paths. Let's welcome him.

Living the Story #16, Lent 2011

Luke 15

Living the Story #15, Lent 2011

You may notice that I skipped a day. Let me just tell you that yesterday, nothing happened the way it was supposed to...well, almost nothing. It ended well but I was just not able to post. And then I thought I'd get all fancy and link yesterday's reading with today's reading but that doesn't really work. For a creative take on yesterday's reading, might I suggest this post...CLICK HERE.



Today's reading is the story of the angel coming to Mary and letting her know that she will miraculously conceive and bear Jesus into the world. Mary has questions but the angel reassures her. Her simple response of faith is a beautiful legacy to us.

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
- Luke 1:38

You are probably not a person of great influence. You are probably very limited by your circumstances and hang ups. You are probably insecure and worry about what others think of you. You probably fear the future. You probably worry over money and time.

Nevertheless, God wants to use you to bring Jesus to a dying world.

Let it be to us according to his word. Amen.

Living the Story #13, Lent 2011

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matt 20: 25 - 28

We are hosting a team this week from a native community in Canada. Mostly high school kids on Spring break and some community leaders with them as well as a couple of old friends from YWAM. We are having a great week.

For everyone to serve, of course, at some point, you have to let yourself be served. This team served me yesterday in a way that is humbling and beautiful. They helped me move.

A few weeks ago, my former landlord let us know that his house was in foreclosure. He is 71 and his wife is 68 and they just lost everything to the bad economy. They needed our house as they were losing theirs. And they needed it quick. Within a week we had found a suitable rental near the new location of our church and then we had just over a week to pack up the house. Then, the team came.

We didn't quite make it as far as packing but this team served us with happy attitudes and very hard work. They helped us pack up, clean up and unload at the new place, all in about 5 hours! It was refreshing to our hearts, helpful beyond my ability to define it, and a wonderful picture of grace to me. Sometimes, "thank you" just doesn't cut it.

Jesus came to serve. Can you let Jesus serve you through the grace of others? Jesus wants to serve you. Do you see that in the reading today? He came to serve. That means, we have to let him.

So often we rush ahead to "I have to be like Jesus and serve!" But first, you have to let grace wash over you. Let him serve you. Receive help. Be weak. Let him minister to you through prayer and the help of others. He longs to have you sit with him and for you to let him refresh your heart. Let go of your lists and sit with Jesus. Let him wash you and love you.

Then, after Christ has served you, how can you be like him for others today?

Living the Story #12, Lent 2011

Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice." Matt 23: 1 - 3

I recently read a book that talked about about orthodoxy. That's a big word that just means "right belief." Orthodoxy is important. Believing rightly is a big deal.

There is a certain preacher out there under lots of fire these days from the "christian community" (two words that really are the opposite of what's happening these days as the hateful, prideful things being said in the name of Jesus and his community or "common unity" are hardly represented). People are upset at him as they perceive him straying from "right belief".

I won't comment on what I think of it all here. I haven't read the new book yet. But this book I read talked about orthodoxy as well as "orthopraxy" which is a word I think the author made up but he defined as "right practice." These two things are as important as one another. Our practice or actions confirm our beliefs.

If we're worried that someone has left orthodoxy and publicly and pridefully dismiss them through silly things like blogs and social media, then we have missed the point. The scripture tells us that if we're concerned about someone, we should go to them lovingly with a heart to restore.

And in the mean time, the people of Japan and Haiti and Burma and the streets of any city in any country all around the world really don't care right now whether a new book is theologically sound or not. They are waiting for us to do the right thing.

Living the Story #11, Lent 2011

"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
Luke 6:36 - 38

Living the Story #10, Lent 2011

"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, 'Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.' And he said to them, 'How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'

And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them." - Luke 2:48 - 50

Losing track of a child is really scary. Mary and Joseph had been searching frantically for the boy Jesus for three days. When they found him, they were immediately relieved then it seems, immediately exasperated.

We think of Jesus' answer here as surrounded by angelic music, a small light shining down on his face. I think, as a parent, this answer would have sent me through the roof. But Mary and Joseph don't react. Relieved, they take the boy home "and his mother kept all these things in her heart."

Twelve long years ago, Mary and Joseph had been visited by angels and had been sure of their calling to birth and raise the Messiah into the world. They were willing to endure discomfort and difficulty for the sake of that call. But then that calling became keeping house, making money, paying bills, cooking and eating and observing routines.

How easy for us to forget the plot in our routines. I think Mary and Joseph don't get angry here because realization hits them in the face. "Oh, right. Angels, star, mission, Messiah, wise men...he's not just another boy. He's Jesus."

Later on, others who had walked with Jesus, seen miracles and heard him speak would be distraught for three days. In their grief and disappointment, they forgot their hope. They found Jesus too, right where he said he'd be.

You have seen miracles. You have been sure of a calling. You have been full of faith and willing to take risks and face difficulty for the sake of bringing some good into the world. What's happened? Have you lost your edge in routines? Have you forgotten where you come from and where you are going? In grief and disappointment, are you robbed of hope and joy?

Remember. Repent. Return.

Jesus is alive.

Living the Story #9, Lent 2011

"...if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Matt 5: 23, 24

As important as giving, singing, prayer and attending meetings is friendship. In fact, relationship comes before all of them. Our giving, our sacrifice, our time, our talent, our activity has no authority or integrity unless we are right with one another.

It is not our working, organizations, statements or associations that shows the world we follow Jesus. It is our love for one another.

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jn 13:35

Living the Story #8, Lent 2011

"...whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." - Matt 7:12

A group of us in Modesto are going through a 30 prayer and action guide this month called "Steps of Justice". This is a YWAM ministry dedicated to helping connect the church to issues of justice around the world concerning the poor, oppressed and disenfranchised.

It hit me in this morning's reading that this simple phrase from Jesus should be our definition of justice. Wrapped up in our needs and desires, we can find our calling in regard to others.

When I am in a time of crisis, I want people to rally around me and help. I want them to give generously when I have a need. I want to be heard and understood. I need times of refreshing. I want to be part of a community of friends. I want to feel like I'm contributing to something worthwhile. And there's a lot more.

Jesus' calling for how we should live is simple to find if we can pin point our basic human needs and good desires.

I can pray for the people of Japan and Haiti in their crisis and give a little extra at the grocery to the red cross. I can take extra time to listen to people and give them my eyes and seek to understand where they are coming from. I can give space and share the load with friends that just need a break from their routine. I can create opportunities for people in my life to contribute gifts, talents and resources to worthy causes. I can show compassion and understanding when others make a mistake that affect me negatively.

I could go on. How can you be more on purpose to live like this today?

Living the Story #7, Lent 2011

"The men of Nin'eveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here." Luke 11:32

When I was a kid, I remember I somehow got my hands on a copy of "The Wittenburg Door" which was a Christian satire magazine. There was a comic in there that I looked for today but couldn't find. I'll just describe it...

• Panel one: First century Christians are huddled together getting ready to face hungry lions in the colloseum and they are praying together something like, "Lord, give us strength to glorify your name through our death!"
• Panel two: Cold War era Christians in the eastern block are hiding from soldiers and praying together as well for strength to face their oppressors.
• Panel three: An American Christian sits in his car in the driveway with a concerned look on his face and he prays, "Lord, the Audi's been running a little rough lately..."

If you're reading this on facebook, you can see the video posted here at our website http://thewhiters.com

Living the Story #6, Lent 2011

"And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matt 6: 7 - 15

March's song of the month - Hosea 6

I failed to post a song up in February and here we are in the middle of March. This is the most recent song I have written. Well, I wrote the tune, the ancient prophet Hosea wrote the words and they can be found in the beginning of chapter 6 of Hosea in the Old Testament. So much of Hosea's book is about returning...returning to God after long absence, returning to the relationships that matter most. This has been right where I am and I wrote this tune to go with this personal season of remembering and returning.

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Living the Story #5, Lent 2011

Today's gospel story would be best told by Keith Green...



If you are seeing this on facebook, you can see this video at http://thewhitlers.com

Living the Story #4, Lent 2011

And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:30 - 32

For most of my life I've been really good at doing things to people and not so good at doing things with people. It seems the problem the Pharasees have with Jesus here is the "with". There is no recording of anybody having a problem when Jesus fed the crowds. It's when he ate with them that caused trouble.


One of Jesus' names is Emmanuel or "God with us".

Today, you will encounter all kinds of people...a cashier, your waiter, a neighbor, a homeless person, your kids, your spouse, a friend...heck, you may even go to H & R Block and meet a tax collector! How can you be more with the people you're with today?

Living the Story #3, Lent 2011

"Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?" Matt 9:15

Last night, we hosted two families at our home for a wedding rehearsal dinner. This weekend, I will be the celebrant of my first ever wedding. Amie is the coordinator of the ceremony. Pulling off a wedding is a bit stressful but in the middle of it all, there are these celebrations...showers, dinners and parties.

Some of these folks in our home last night were meeting each other for the first time as the groom is from England and the bride from here in the valley. It was fun to host this meal and be able to witness these two families get to know one another. Together in some way for the rest of their lives because of the love between the bride and groom.

The scripture above is from a story in Matthew where John the Baptist's disciples are trying to figure out why Jesus' disciples are so happy all the time...eating and drinking and hanging out with friends. And this was Jesus' way of saying, "It won't always be this way, sad days are ahead but while we're here, while we're together, let's enjoy it."

For sure, sad days are ahead for our bride and groom. When you marry someone, you sign up to share each others joy, heartache, laughter and struggle. But you walk through it together.

The Bible tells us that Jesus endured the pain of the cross for the joy that was before him. That joy was for sure being reunited with the Father but not just that. The joy in front of Jesus that made him able to choose the cross was you and I. Reunited with the Father and bringing a whole family with him.

And hard days are still ahead but while we're here, while we have each other, let's enjoy it.

Living the Story #2, Lent 2011

"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23



Walking by Aaron Alford

The young man sat in the shade of a small tree. It was the heat of the day, on a day that felt as thirsty as the dogs that lay panting in the nooks and slivers of shadow. A sparrow lit upon a ledge, its tiny beak open, too tired to sing. Few people were busy about the small town. Three men sat under the awning of a shop’s front door, not speaking, keeping an indolent eye on the street.

A man walked wearily toward him, a lone figure in the empty avenue. He was a foreigner, a soldier. The three watchmen blankly followed him with their eyes, somehow giving the impression of both contempt and apathy. The young man could see the soldier’s face shining with perspiration. His shield was strapped to his back, and over his shoulder he carried a large tent pole. With it was a simple wooden cross frame, his bedroll tied across the top and from which dangled a large pack and sundries. A metal canteen and a small cooking pot clanked noisily with each step, echoing down the silent street.

Read the rest of the story HERE...

Living the Story #1, Ash Wednesday, 2011

For the season of Lent, I'll be sharing some thoughts here from the daily liturgical gospel readings...

"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Matt 6:1 -4

Denise was driving home from a community meeting a little over a year ago. The meeting she had attended served food and the organizers offered here some of the left overs to take home. On the way, she saw several homeless men and women in a park and she quickly decided to pull over and offer them some of the food. It was Sunday.

The folks accepted the food with joy, telling Denise how hungry they were as there was no charity that brings food to the homeless on Sunday. Denise was a little taken aback. She decided that no one should go hungry on Sunday.

Denise works all night. Saturday morning she goes home, gets a little sleep, wakes up and starts cooking. She takes food from her kitchen out to the park every Saturday and Sunday.

She has no organization. She has no 501c3. She has no website. She has no funding. She shares her own food with the poor. Her little beat up van is stuffed with tables and chairs. She loves relentlessly and oozes joy. She trusts God to enable her and take care of her and the friends she has made. Everyone is welcome at her table.

And the community of the homeless and poor have responded. Some guys donate a portion of their recycling to Denise to help buy the food. Others who receive food stamps buy her meat at the grocery. Some put nickels and dimes into a small collection can at the end of the table.

Denise will never sound a trumpet for herself. But maybe it's ok if I do. If you want to know more, contact me and I'll let you know how you can support her mission.

But if you want to be like Denise, look around, see a need and quietly trust God to use you to meet it. Beautiful things will happen.

Global girls...

This past week was our annual visit from Global Youth Network, a justice education and action organization in Canada. And continuing with a popular trend, they sent me a team with 9 ladies and no dudes (7 were vegetarians unlike last year :). This was my first time hosting a Global team on my own and without knowing any of the group that was coming to boot. This was a great team. It was a tiring week for all of us but so rewarding.

Some highlights...

Games - Global teams love to play games. It's just part of their DNA. I think it comes from being stuck in airports, train stations and other uncomfortable places for undetermined amounts of time. So we played a lot...at my house, with my kids, in our host church, with the youth group and our airport kids group. Leave Global alone for a few minutes and games will ensue.

Day out in the city - We usually send teams out for a little day scavenger hunt in downtown Modesto. The girls split in two groups and went about downtown talking to folks, making new friends among the homeless and learning about our community from them. One group took some new homeless friends on the tour through our historic McHenry mansion. They gave these guys the gift of dignity. It seemed like all had a great day being with the people on the street.

Partners and friends - I got to show off some of the great (and quiet) things happening in our city, taking them to meet friends at The Vine House, City Ministry Network, Advancing Vibrant Communities, Jeff in the Airport neighborhood and Denise who feeds (and loves!) people at Tower Park every Saturday and Sunday.

Day out in San Francisco - We usually take visiting teams for a little tourist day in the city. Josh went along this time to give me a little male companionship and we all had a great time seeing some history, some tourist spots, the golden gate bridge, the ocean and awesome Indian food.

Surprise (again!)- Every year with these teams, I sit in awe at the beauty of simple friendship and the magic that happens when we just take a little time to stop, notice people, listen to them and care about them. It changes our whole perspective. It changed me once again and I want to live that change more every day.

Thanks girls!



P.S. the late night run to the emergency room after an impromptu wrestling match was quite a hoot as well. Let's just say Global Youth Network has a funny way of deciding who's going to be the leader :)