The One Here With Me

 A song for Good Friday
 

"Peter said to him...

 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.'

 And He said, 'Come!' 

And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'

 Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'" Matt 14

 I think Jesus says this to me a lot. In our life, work and community, a sure way of knowing that something is going to work out is if I am afraid that it won't. My wife and friends are always helping to reassure me. They have spoken on behalf of Jesus to my fearful heart so many times.

 This may sound like Jesus is being negative here, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?", but when I read it, it sound comforting and gracious (maybe said with a smile? or a "I could'a had a V8" style hand to the head). When I take a risk in order to walk with Jesus in impossible places, even if I fearfully fall, he will catch me and set me to rights again.

 Chris

 P.S. for an even better reflection on Peter and his tendency to "step out without knowing" go HERE to the lovely Malcolm Guite's sonnet for today.

The Old Country Band

More Canadians in Modesto!

Just over a week ago, we hosted a team of leaders from Global Youth Volunteer Network, an international organization of students and others who seek education and connection with people involved in justice issues around the world.  Every year, we get a leadership training team from universities across Canada.  This year's team sought to understand our city and hear the voice of the homeless here.

Homemade cookies and coffee at the library

They had a beautiful, hospitable idea on a colder rainy day last week to bake oatmeal cookies, make coffee and take it to the library where many homeless people go to get out of the rain.  It was awesome to watch them spend time with the community, work with them to solve problems (we got kicked off of the actual library property) and create ways to learn from and share with them.  They put up 3 poster boards with questions for people to weigh in on.

Community is: sharing, helping each other, "it's always good for God to show that He loves us", connection/friendship, inclusive, everyone, "full of good people that need to not give up (and) better our people...coming to make this place a better place to live.  To be in peace and live the right way, that's what God puts us here for", giving a hand to those you don't know yet.

What I would like to see in Modesto: Homelessness to end, nobody deserves it, more live music, "I'm pretty happy with my Modesto", less mannequins and more bikes (?!) and more Canadians, me(not), People with more things to do with their spare time so they have no time to think or do any bad, more prayer.

Faith is: Committing to something you believe is truth, whatever you want it to be, hope & love, love & peace, keeping on, tied to hospitality, Leaving it up to God to give you what you want because you love what you see and can't live without it.  It's too beautiful to leave, "I believe in God and also believe that people who feed people in need are people of God. So, from my heart, God bless everyone of you boyz and girls. That's what's up, from Jaime".

A few girls on this team helped one of the guys sign up for an email address at a job search organization.  We just received word that he got a call back from one of his applications and was scheduled for an orientation for a new job.  Friendship changes the world!

Making Lemonade for 9th Street

BBQ on 9th