What we do with teams

We're hosting a team this week and I thought you might like to know what we do with 'em. We have taken a different tack with teams - often, urban mission destinations will give a team busy work with organizations in the city (soup kitchens, clothes closets, work projects, etc.) as a way to help those groups do projects they cannot normally do with regular staff and to let the team catch a bit of missionary vision by osmosis through interaction with different agencies. We've done this but have begun to grow in a different direction.

Following YWAM's model of training then outreach, we have designed every day of a team's week to be educational with practical application. We start out with an orienting tour that tells the story of YWAM Modesto's beginnings and the issues in the communities in which we work.





Each morning is spent in worship, prayer, reflection and debriefing together plus a teaching from one of our staff members.



Early on, we provide a wide event like a community BBQ or another way to just plant in an area for a while to meet the people we want to be with throughout the week. We let the team meet the people on the street and then debrief with them to see what they would like to do with these new friends for the rest of the week.



Then we follow the team's lead to help them make the things on their heart possible. This leads to all kinds of creative ideas...some are possible and some are not but the team gets a good idea of what it's like to engage a community and try out creative, compassionate ideas with their friends.

This week, we helped a couple of people with simple but overwhelming yard projects...



... we spent quality time creating safe spaces for people to be refreshed and out of the weather...



and we threw a party on the street...



We want our teams to leave with a passion for going back home and doing something similar...putting yourself out into a forgotten community, meeting the people and letting friendship and compassion lead you into engaging that community with the good news through listening, learning, serving and celebrating.

And of course we take them for the always important cultural experience, the taco trucks!

Highlights from Josh's shots of Modesto's Grafitti day...

With commentary by Josh and Sam...

Sam: "This car was cool"

Josh: "Sweeeeeeeeet"



Sam: "awesome"

Josh: "Grease, starring Sam Travolta"

Sam: "Just like my wooden car (Awana pinewood derby)"

Josh: "ahh, I'm hungry!"

"Taxi!"

Josh: "duna nanana duna nanana BAT SAM!"

Sam: (said in a french accent) "Here we have on our menu - Le Bat on Le Bat Mobile"

Josh: "Here comes Global Warming - dootindoodoo"

Josh: "It's looking at me...it just keeps staring at me!"

Sam: "I've been arrested!"

Josh: "Don't mess with the law."

J & S: "Isn't it beautiful, Son"

Hobos.

What do you get an admitted hobo for his birthday? A chicken leg in ice cream of course. Just in case you wondered.

Happy Birthday Sam!

Sam's 9 today...I can't believe it. These are pictures from the traditional Whitler birthday roll...

Family Newsletter...

June 6, 2009

Just so you know, the Whitlers are carrying on (in more ways than one) here in Modesto. Here's some snippets of our life and work...

Family stuff - Amie and the kids are finishing out the year's education in the next weeks. Josh is 13 and about an inch away from being as tall as me (Chris)! He loves reading, gaming and hatching plans for his next movie. Sam is turning 9 (on the 9th) and is into softball, game shows and getting his school work done as early as possible. Stella is 3 & 1/2 and likes pink things, purple things and purple and pink things. Amie and I are celebrating our 16th anniversary next week!

YWAM stuff - Our team of 7 is reaching out and continually searching for better ways to do the things God has called us to do. We are regularly downtown visiting friends we have made on the street, supporting them with listening, prayer and education about resources. We are actively mentoring a group of about 18 "at risk" kids who live in gang infested neighborhoods. This year has provided much opportunity to partner with other outreach groups and churches for training, sharing resources and support. We are not the answer, but are determined to play our part.

Church stuff - Amie has been training some young women in dance at our church, New Hope Christian Fellowship and I continue to head up the worship team. I also serve as a deacon and work with a team to facilitate the youth group. Our church has been able to send 10 members out on international missions this year and continues to be a major blessing to our work in town. We are getting ready to move into a new neighborhood at the end of the Summer and are excited about this new season of ministry for our congregation.

Thailand stuff - We continue to partner with Compasio, a relief and development organization in Mae Sot, Thailand. Folks from our team, church and community have traveled to Thailand this year to work with our friends on the Thai/Burmese border helping the street kids and vulnerable families. I am serving on the American board for this organization and hope to travel back to Thailand in the next year or so.

Global stuff - I also serve on the leadership team for Global Youth Network, an international education organization that provides opportunities for university students (and other youth) to travel and learn about the world from the perspectives of faith, justice and community. I'm managing a blog and podcast for them (you can look at that HERE) and we receive a Global team in Modesto for leadership training every year. In April, I traveled to 2 orientation camps (Vancouver and Ontario) to help train teams for their trips.

Future Stuff - This Summer, we are hosting teams from Ohio and Canada for missions here in Modesto, we are doing 2 camps with inner-city kids, traveling to Vancouver to help with a camp for native kids, and sending staff off for short term work in Thailand and working with a couple of local youth groups for local outreach. Please keep us in your prayers!

Keep in touch (we'd looooove to hear from you!) -

cwhitler@gmail.com - http://cwhitler.blogspot.com - http://ywammodesto.org - http://ywam-modesto.blogspot.com

If you would like to support our work financially, all donations are tax deductible when made out and sent to: YWAM / P.O. Box 3000 / Garden Valley, TX / 75771-3000. Our name must not appear on the check but include a separate note stating the gift is for the Whitlers in Modesto, CA. Thanks!

Recent events and thier sub-standard phone photos...

Our kids club is still going. We had fun Saturday with 12 of the younger kiddos. We're sad that this is our last little bit with with the seniors from the Bible club at Downey High. They have been a big blessing to us and the kids...they really love them...



Last week, we were honored to lead a confirmation retreat with about 56 eighth graders at Our Lady of Fatima church in Modesto. The theme was "light, oil and meal" ...explaining our christian life like a meal shared with family.



This was our object lesson for the day...adding place settings as the teachings progressed from "us and God" to reaching out to the world...



Rhiannon and John are great teachers!



We're still faithfully on 9th Street...every Friday we set up the 9th Street Cafe at the bus stop by "The Brave Bull" bar and guests come for bread, coffee, tea, water and a sweet snack. We have chairs, shade, music and friendship to go around. Arlie has been helping us with this for some time now and he's taken to even feeding the ants in the cracks of the sidewalk : ) St. Arlie of Assisi...



A couple of "youth groups" ago...Aaron had a vision for "Grid Night"...



We started with human battleship which was novel enough at first but a little "lay around-y" and therefore kinda boring. But with some persistence we found our stride with human checkers...



And finally, here's Stella with Al the Almond, one of the mascots for the Modesto Nuts. They finally won in the 12th inning...longest game ever but..Go Nuts!

Children of God

I just finished a 2 book series by Mary Doria Russell - "The Sparrow" (which I picked up at "The Dusty Cover") and "Children of God". These sci-fi books tell a heartbreaking story of a Jesuit mission to make first contact with the population of another planet. The stories are told with a eerie realism that has sweeping and intimate consequences. I loved these books. They are not "christian" mind you...Russell was a Roman Catholic turned atheist and 2/3 through writing "The Sparrow" she converted to Judaism. So it's all over the place which gives the books and characters a lot to talk about. Very good questions without leading to any easy answers. If you don't mind some graphic language and situations (redemptive mind you), then I would highly recommend these books. They have made the rounds in our little community here to rave reviews.

On a side note, as I write this I am listening to something I learned about today...the Golden record. Here's some of the Wikipedia..."The Voyager Golden Record is a phonograph record included in the two Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977. It contains sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth. It is intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form, or far future humans, that may find it. The Voyager spacecrafts are not heading towards any particular star, but in about 40,000 years Voyager 1 will be within 1.6 light years of the star AC+79 3888 in the Ophiuchus constellation."

Listening to the different selections included (Glonk here), we really are aliens. I'm listening with the awareness of someone completely different than us hearing it for the first time...we're totally aliens! Awesome.

Poor in Spirit.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Jesus

It's been a while since I've been in a christian bookstore...I really can't remember the last time. We have one of my favorite used bookstores right here in town so I rarely have to go anywhere else. But I can recall a sentiment regarding our vast access to resources and spiritual knowledge as a sign of God's blessing on our nation. It seems this sentiment did not come from Jesus.

Have all our self helps, translations, and nifty stuff changed anything? Maybe a bit but did we need it for change to come? No, of course not but it seems that God uses what is at hand. Paul tells us that creation tells us all we need to know-

"...what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Rom 1)

Need a new Bible? Buy a used one and give that extra $30 you saved to Wycliffe Bible Translators to fund a Bible for a people group that have none. Need advise? Turn to your community...ask your own pastor (he might just faint) instead of some famous guy that wrote an expensive book. Are you waiting for that perfect thing or amount to come along to make a ministry happen? Walk down any street and make a friend...it's free, simple and the only thing that does anything.

You cannot buy the kingdom of heaven...you enter it by becoming poor in spirit. We'll never be poor in spirit until we get rid of all our spiritual wealth. Come back (Oh my soul) to the simplicity of the gospel and life in Jesus. He's all we need.

People from Fresno rock!

Over Easter break we hosted a team from Fresno...the youth pastor had a great idea for a mission trip. Instead of going abroad, they came to Modesto (2 hours away) and spent 3 days with us...learning how we reach out in our valley city. Then they went home to Fresno and implemented what they learned from us in their own valley city for the rest of the week.

This was one of our best high school teams...very eager to learn, jump in and go for it. This picture is them serving food on south 9th St. in the rain. Not one complaint and lots of laughs. Laughter and rain cleaned 9th Street a bit...and we had some great burger dogs (we got a donation of hot dog shaped burgers...weird and really good)!

Living in the Story - Lent #40, 2009

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' " (Mark 16)

No commentary to add...just "Amen and Hallelujah!"

Living in the Story - Lent #39, 2009

"...the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle." (John 19)

The link below is to a good article about a great song for Easter time over at the Rabbit Room. Click the link and scroll to the bottom of the article to listen...happy Good Friday!

High Noon - CLICK HERE

Living in the Story - Lent #38, 2009

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4)


"As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20)

Living in the Story - Lent #37, 2009

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."

They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"

Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"

Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." (Matt 26)

Our friend John from Canada is touring his show "Alive - the Easter Report" around our area. I was with him for two performances today (4 more to go) and this passage is included in the presentation. In his inflection, he highlights the fact that Judas calls Jesus "Rabbi" which means "teacher" and not "Lord". That's an interesting nuance.

Is Jesus just a giver of good advice? Is he only a great man? Good teacher? Does he just have good things to say about peace and love?

Or is he Lord? Have you given yourself to him? Have you thrown in your lot and put your future and plans and hopes all on him?

Living in the Story - Lent #36, 2009

Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"

Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."

Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."

Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!" (John 13)

Our mighty declarations, the things we know we can do, our proud work, our plans, procedures and programs have to fail in order for Jesus to do his greater work. Then, broken and humble, we can follow. He ALWAYS has something different, better and more complete in mind.

Living in the Story - Lent #35, 2009

"You will always have the poor among you..." (John 12)

This verse has been used as our excuse to not engage the poor. That is wrong. That is not why Jesus said this. This was a response to Judas' false concern for the poor. Jesus was setting him straight. He did not say this to excuse us for all of time from considering, befriending and being with poor people. In fact, part of his point was that we would have plenty of time to be with the poor.

Tonight, I was with a group of young people that are getting it. They are going to be church leaders, mayors, business people, parents and a whole host of possibilities. But I know that whatever they do, they will remember the poor and that gives me great hope. We can get it right too.

No excuses, no false concern...we can do it.

Daybreak

This is Amie's recent entry in the choreographer's showcase at Modesto Junior College. This was Amie's first year to just focus on the movement and not actually be in the dance. She did a great job with these girls...it's so fun to see her in the creative process and I love the finished product. Enjoy! (If you're reading this in facebook, glonk on "view original post")

Living in the Story - Lent #34, 2009

"...many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him." (John 11)

Two weeks ago, at a local high school, after a year of prayer, some friends from our local youth pastors network working with students from the Christian club at the school hosted a week of evangelism meetings. Rough estimates report 1300 kids attending the meetings and at least 45 giving their life to Christ.

Friends introducing their friends to Jesus still works. Who do you know that needs to hear about, see and encounter Jesus? Why not just talk to them about it?

Pray for opportunity. Look for the door to open. Humbly be yourself. Share Jesus.

Living in the Story - Lent #33, 2009

"...Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed and many people came to him. They said, 'Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true.' And in that place many believed in Jesus." (John 10)

The gospel readings this year during Lent have focused quite a lot on those stories where the people get so mad at Jesus they want to stone him or throw him off a cliff or plot to kill him. I don't think I realized how often this happened. There are so many places where Jesus just isn't welcome.

I loved this scripture...having just been persecuted with death threats, Jesus goes back to a place he had been "in the early days."

Jimmy, Arlie and I hiked the river trail today to look for homeless camps. We were looking for someone in particular but being down there made me remember the early days when Aaron and I had no clue what we were doing. We were banking our whole lives on the fact that friendship is the thing that makes a difference in the lives of the poor. We used to go down with snacks or cold water and soda, we'd take information and sit and talk with people. We would be and do what we could. Here now, years later it seems that God is bringing us back to that...but not in a "going back" kind of way...more like going forward toward completeness.

Remember your first love? Do you remember when you first fell in love with Jesus? Do you remember the electric air and bursting heart entering a whole new world? Do you remember wanting to soak it all up? Do you remember how clear his voice was? Prayer was spontaneous, worship infused with life...repentance brought joy. Was there ever a time when evangelism wasn't a chore or something to feel guilty about?

Let's return.

Living in the Story - Lent #32, 2009

"If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me." (John 8)

There is a great talk by author Donald Miller (you can find it here) about stories. In a nut shell, he says that the things that make good stories also make good lives...we are co-authoring our lives along with God.

As I read Christ's words this morning, they made me remember a part of that talk. One of Donald's points is that no hero of any story can think that he is better than others. Jesus was accused of arrogance and exalting himself, and the world, even his own students, didn't understand that he came to serve. He left the Glory up to his Father. Jesus was and is very secure.

I love Dean Sherman's definition of Biblical humility..."an honest evaluation of the way things are." If I play the guitar well, it is not humble to say that I don't. If someone thanks me for a job well done, it is not humble to say, "no, no, I give the glory to God." while pointing up to the sky. If I screw up, it's not humble to spin a bunch of excuses..."I'm sorry, please forgive me" will do.

Today, how can we be more like Jesus? We can speak matter-of-factly, with no dramatic exaggeration or arrogance. We can be ok with the good gifts he's given us. We can leave the glory to God. We can live grateful lives.

Living in the Story - Lent #31, 2009

"...if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8)

"He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners..." (Luke 4)

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
(2 Cor 3)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Gal 5)

"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
(Eph 3)

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom..."
(James 2)

Living in the Story - Lent #30, 2009

"Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him." (John 8)

I was in a meeting this morning that made me very sad. It was all about the California state budget that was recently passed. We've been in trouble for quite some time and will be in trouble for quite a while still. And the ones to suffer most are the poorest, most vulnerable. I know, this is always the case but it was hard to hear.

As the presenter showed us chart after chart the outcome seemed to get drearier and drearier. As she spoke, I lost my faith in politics. Our leaders wrote into the state budget...like in the budget that we're counting on...trusting that the lotto will bring in double the amount as last year (a snappy new add campaign needed). Mental health and education are both being cut severely. The presentation was called "uncharted waters."

Talking to co-workers today, we all agreed that we are sick of the word "economy." As the doom say-ers speak, we lose faith.

We need to hear Jesus. We need to hear his voice. 24 hour news and talk radio need to burn. Let's listen to Jesus. Let's put our faith in him.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." (1 John 4)

Living in the Story - Lent #29, 2009

I'm posting twice in today as I missed yesterday's gospel reading...but I love this story and did not want to skip it...

"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

"No one, sir," she said.

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
(John 8)

Today, Jimmy and I drove up and down 9th street about 6 times looking for a prostitute who, in her heart of hearts, wants to leave her life of sin. First, she needs a photo ID, then the stamina to get into a recovery program (it's not as easy as it sounds ...lots of overwhelming red tape to fight through). Then she needs to get free from the poison her body craves. Then she needs strong friendship to see her through the inbetween times. She needs the heart to stick to clean and sober living. She needs a family around her. She needs dignified work, a marketable, healthy skill set, affordable housing...she needs a whole new life. It starts with her willingness and a photo ID...and friends.

We didn't find her....the abandoned house she was living in was raided and is being auctioned off next week. We'll try again tomorrow.

Who do you know that needs to hear that you do not condemn them? That Jesus does not condemn them? Love is the best motivator to leave our life of sin.

"...God's kindness leads you toward repentance..." (Romans 2:4)

Living in the Story - Lent #28, 2009

"No one ever spoke the way this man does" (John 7)

Living in the Story - Lent #27, 2009

"...they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come." (John 7)

I was in a prayer time with local youth pastors yesterday and I read the passage from Psalm 100..."the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations." It occurred to me that this is cause for great security and rest and at the same time a call to go and do.

Jesus did not fear these crowds when they got so mad at him...we read a while ago that one group tried to throw him off a cliff but he "went his way". Jesus knew that his time was in the Father's hands and that was a cause for security. Jesus knew that his time was in the Father's hands and that was also a cause for walking, teaching, healing, sharing and going toward a goal.

God is good, his mercy is everlasting and his truth endures to our generation...and beyond. Let's rest in that. Let's work in that. Our times are in God's hands.

Living in the Story - Lent #26, 2009

"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (John 5)

Come to Jesus. Consciously come to Jesus, O my soul, and let him give you life. Stop running. Just be with Jesus. Sit quietly. Listen. No agenda, no lesson sought after, no requests, no lists. Don't refuse. Life is with Jesus, not all these things. Go to him. Live.

Living in the Story - Lent #25, 2009

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. (Luke 1)

I couldn't say anything better than the video below (if you're reading this on facebook, you have to click 'view original post' to see it).

Living in the Story - Lent #24, 2009

Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. (John 5)

I have never seen a miraculous healing. I know it happens. I know people it has happened to and through and I believe them. I have just never been there to witness one...not a documented, "no shadow of a doubt" healing. I really want to, I do not want to lose hope that it can happen.

An old friend of mine once pointed out that there is a big difference in ministering healing to people and praying for people to be healed. Jesus ministered healing. He didn't pray "Oh God, please heal this man!", he said to the man, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."

I know what you're thinking, "...but that was Jesus and..." The Apostles also administered healing in this way, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

Scripture does talk about praying for the sick in James 5..."Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." This is the community of faith gathering around a sick brother or sister. We rarely do this too.

Jesus said he only did what he saw the Father doing, he only said what he heard the Father saying...he had no fear about placing his hands on people and telling them to be healed. He saw and heard the Father doing it. Jesus didn't have to pray, "Oh please, maybe if you could, I'd appreciate it if you would..." No, Christ's ministry started and ended with intimacy with God and knowing His heart for people and walking confidently knowing what the Father was doing and hearing what the Father was saying.

Can we be like that? Can we walk in that kind of intimacy? Can we see the sick healed? Can we see the lost come to Jesus? Can we preach good news to the poor? Can we speak freedom to captives? Can we know what the Father is doing and hear what the Father is saying?

"Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." (John 14)

Living in the Story - Lent #23, 2009

"The man took Jesus at his word..." (John 4)

When you read his words, when you hear the story, when you look with the eyes of your heart at his face, his acts, his way...deep inside, you know it's true. Let's walk in that today.

New news!

Hey folks, YWAM Modesto's new Spring letter is available as a free PDF download...

GLONK HERE to enjoy!

Living in the Story - Lent #22, 2009

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

(Luke 18)

Eastern Christians for centuries have used this story as a means to daily prayer in a liturgy that is called "the Jesus Prayer" or "Prayer of the Heart". Slightly modified, they promote this prayer that the tax collector says in this form...

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me"

The thought is that in this little prayer is the entire gospel. From the Wikipedia entry..."The Jesus Prayer is composed of two statements. The first one is a statement of faith, acknowledging the divine nature of Christ. The second one is the acknowledgment of ones own sinfulness. Out of them the petition itself emerges: 'have mercy'."

Orthodox Christians have also held this small prayer as a way to fulfill the call to "pray without ceasing". There is a great story chronicled in a book called "The Way of the Pilgrim" by an unnamed Russian Christian who walks across Russia, reciting this prayer over and over.

While some of the Orthodox conclusions about this prayer may not seem to fit my evangelical American culture, this is still a nice little prayer to keep in your pocket. So often we feel that "prayer" has to be some long, drawn out thing and for me, many times making up my own words in prayer feels like I'm reaching and searching for ways to say things God already knows. Sometimes a simple "have mercy" or "Our Father..." is all you need.

Prayer is not for God. We are commanded to pray because God knows we need to pray. It is the place where our heart can acknowledge God and acknowledge our need for God. Prayer is the lens we need to see the world through otherwise, all is despair. So much more than mere ritual and exercise, prayer is the very place we find our relationship with God - this is life.

Living in the Story - Lent #21, 2009

"'Well said, teacher,' the man replied. 'You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.'

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.'" (Mark 12)

This is an exchange between a teacher of the law, a religious leader and Jesus. These conversations usually end with Jesus calling these guys names...snakes, vipers, hypocrites, tombs filled with dead bones, etc. But not this guy.

"You are not far from the kingdom of God."

And he wasn't far...not just in his answer but in his proximity. He was standing right next to Jesus...the embodiment of the love that gives definition to God's Kingdom. In fact, the only distance this teacher had to cross was going from knowing the answer to living in that love and the object and example was right there in front of him - Jesus.

We Christians cast blame on the Jews for missing it. But don't we miss the point just as often? We too can make the promise of a Savior about power, position, fame, association, systems of rules and national pride.

But there is Jesus, just Jesus, pointing the way to the Father, sending us his Spirit and opportunities to love neighbors abound all around us.

Let's not hover near the Kingdom of God...let's step into it today.

Living in the Story - Lent #20, 2009

"...and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matt 1)

Yeshua was Jesus' real name (in English, Joshua)..."Jesus" is the Greek translation. "Christ" is a title meaning, "anointed" or "chosen"...the Greek translation of "Messiah."

Yeshua Ha-Mashiach

Jesus Christ

Joshua, the Anointed One

God's Chosen Savior

The name actually means "God Saves!" I heard a teacher talking about this once in reference to Palm Sunday...as Jesus was entering the city the people cried "Hosanna" which means "Oh, save us!" and Jesus himself was the answer to the cry. He still is.

"Oh, save us!"

"God saves."

Living in the Story - Lent #19, 2009

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 5)

Jesus made this really simple for us (not easy, simple).

If you can, take your Bible in your hand right now. Now separate the Old Testament from the New. Now, look at that thick bulk that is the Old Testament. That's the law and the prophets. We should not do away with these but every word in here, Christ summed up in one statement..."Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as your self." That's it.

We can look to Jesus as the fulfillment of the law...how did he move, act, react, speak, forgive, serve, give? That's what it's supposed to look like. He is the deep place from which we can live our life.

People want to see someone who practices what they preach. And we can point them to someone who does...Jesus. And we point the way to Jesus by being like Jesus.

Love God, love people.

Living in the Story - Lent #18, 2009

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Don't even think about doing the math...the point is to keep on forgiving. What can I let go of today? How can I tangibly show it?

Living in the Story - Lent #17, 2009

"All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way." (Luke 4)

These were people from Jesus' hometown...they grew up with him, they felt they knew him...yeah, Jesus, Mary and Joseph's son.

But here he was in their synagogue, telling them that there was good news for the poor and that he was the fulfillment of prophesy and that the good news was for more than just their race...it was for everyone. They tried to throw him off a cliff.

Do I feel I have Jesus all figured out? Do I feel others aren't worthy of good news? Do I have prejudice against other races? Do I look away? Do I not go to their side of town? Am I afraid of them? Do I feel I have nothing in common with them?

Jesus will always break through our perceptions that try to keep him figured out...he will always break through that part of us that wants to throw parts of him out...he will always go on HIS way. He is the Lord.

Living in the Story - Lent #16, 2009

"...his father came out and began pleading with him..." (Luke 15)

The father of the prodigal and faithful sons didn't care about broken rules, procedure, probation or being "fair". He did not hold either son at arms length. He watched and wept for the wayward son. He pleaded with the faithful son. He wanted them to see that it was these relationships that mattered most. They are cause for gifts, provision and celebration.

God, help us be faithful to work and to join the celebration. To get up from our pigsty and return. To fall at your feet and let you lead us to the dance. Plead with our stubborn hearts. Don't let us miss it.

Living in the Story - Lent #15, 2009

'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes' (Matt. 21)

And here it is, at the heart of the universe, at the center of everything is the old Hollywood cliche that still sells thousands of tickets, books and songs...

The unlikely, rag tag, pure heart, poor, nothing special underdog wins the day. It is still marvelous in our eyes.