The Value of Improvisation

While not an official foundational value of YWAM, "Improvisation" should be on the list. At YWAM Modesto, for instance, we can't afford to rent a building for an outreach cafe, so we just make one up on the street.

And usually, our improvisations include that white van back there. It was miraculously provided for us a few years back and, while it's had it's moments on the side of the road...

...it usually comes through in a pinch. I think of the rare repairs as "rental fees." But this week, the YWAM van really outdid itself. You see, Jimmy and I are both song writers. Jimmy is using part of this season to finish a recording project of his music and has encouraged/pushed me (Chris) to do the same. With a little creativity and some good software, you can do some pretty cool stuff. Our puzzle in this project has been where to find recording space as we really can't afford studio time. We've had an open invite from a congregation downtown to use their building and so we've been there a bit but we've really struggled to find a proper space to record the drums. We needed a smaller, enclosed space where we wouldn't disturb families, neighbors or church office workers. Enter YWAM Modesto's new drum studio!

What? Me? Pose?! Never!

We'll keep you posted. Some good music is coming soon to a CD or MP3 download near you courtesy of a little creativity, improvisation and a certain white van.

Whitler World Tour, 2011 - Going Home

This is the last in the series of videos that Joshua made from our family trip there and back again in May of 2011 (a whole year ago!). You can see all the posts here on our blog of the National Parks (HERE), New Orleans (HERE), Our time in the car (HERE) and our trip through the North (HERE). Enjoy!

Get on your bikes and ride!

This past week, because of a last minute cancellation, I was asked to put together a band for our local gospel mission's motorbike rally/fundraiser in the Sierra Nevada foothills.  We thought this a fitting song for them to arrive to...

Cosmos

This video will remain on Amie's dance page but I thought I'd share it here on account of tonight's giant moon event.  Did you know that tonight the moon will be huge!  It will appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter.  And it looks like we get a front row seat here on the west coast.  It also looks like the west is due for an annular solar eclipse later this month.  So in honor of all that, here is Amie's award winning entry in our local college's choreographer's showcase - Cosmos.  Amie says it was inspired by our family's love of laying on blankets and watching the stars...

The Whitler World Tour, 2011: The North

Behind the Scenes With Amie!

A l'il video of Amie behind the scenes at MJC's Choreographer's Showcase. Her piece this year placed 3rd in the Celebration of the Humanities competition. If you're local and want to see it, it's being performed one more time tonight at 7:30pm at MJC Cabaret West ($10 general/$8 students)

Music and friendship on 9th Street

Our Time In The Car

Part 3 of the Whitler World Tour Chronicles from May, 2011...

Sam's the best! Around.

The story of Sam's 3rd place ribbon today at the 2012 AWANA Bible Quiz in Stockton, CA

Whitler World Tour Chronicles,Part 2: New Orleans

The Whitler World Tour, 2011 - The National Parks

Group Game!

Hey, hey...here's a new game I learned from the Canadians of Global Youth Network.  It's kinda like telephone but you write and draw instead of whisper.  GLONK HERE to see how it works.

All we need

For the past several years, we (YWAM Modesto and some partnering agencies) have been picking up day old bread and pastries from a local grocery store.  This has been a great resource for us as it has given us a touch point with which to meet people.  This pick up has served recovery homes, a drop in center, a couple of community food pantries, multiple congregations, bread lines and our own little 9th Street Cafe.

Sometimes there's been little and sometimes there's been a lot but we've tried to be faithful to pick it up and not let this resource, that would otherwise be thrown away, go to waste.  This has been a topic of some discussion for our team.  Is taking food to people enabling poor choices?  Are we just another bread line in the eyes of the people we serve and are trying to get to know?  Do they know that we value friendship more than free food?  Is the cost of picking it up worth what folks get out of it?

We have chosen to keep picking the bread up as it truly does bless the South 9th Street community.  We have done our best to let people know that the Cafe we set up most Fridays is about more than the food.  We seek to understand.  We want to listen.  We want friendship.  And we want to bring things that will refresh, ease the hardship of life and be a source of comfort.

We've even made a popular game out of the "too hard for human consumption" bagels.  Who doesn't like a good old fashioned game of bagel toss?

This past week, the option to pick this bread up came to an end and I must admit, I was nervous about how our Cafe friends would take the absence of free bread and pastries.  I wondered if coffee and us would be enough.  My fears were quite unfounded.

First of all, we had plenty of things to share today.  I thought I'd help a little by making up a simple pot of hot oatmeal to serve with brown sugar and raisins from our pantry.

It doesn't look very appetizing there in the pot but let me tell you, it was good and people ate it up!  A few friends donated some clothes for us to give out...

And other friends brought about 5 boxes of bread and homemade brownies and muffins to share!

As it turned out, no one missed a thing.  I was reminded of a line from a song off the soundtrack to "The Prince of Egypt" that says, "When all you have is nothing, there's a lot to go around."  Everyone brought something from home to share and there was more than enough for all.  There were full bellies, happy conversations, prayers offered, needs met and friendship in abundance.  And if the time comes when all that's in the van is us, that'll be enough too.

Songs from Kentucky

Hi ho, Chris here on the road with my good friend Jimmy. We've been in Ohio and Kentucky, hanging with friends and family. It's been a trip of meetings, prayer, discussion and lots of laughter. Some of that laughter was had last night at an impromptu recording session with my sister, Christianne and my nieces, Ally and Grace. So, as we run out the door to sit with a Burmese family and sample some traditional treats, here's our music from last night. Thanks to Jimmy, our producer extraordinaire. By the way, you can download and/or subscribe to all audio for this blog and thefirebowl.net HERE. Enjoy! This is "I dreamed a dream"...my nieces covering the song from Les Miserables...

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And this is my song "Pillar of Fire" sung by me and my sister, Christianne...

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Love is the river - on Psalm 1

I (Chris), for almost every year of my education, attended a Christian school.  We were not super wealthy but my folks worked 4 jobs between them because they felt it important we go to a smaller Christian school.  I am grateful for this.  It has added to who I have become and there is not a day that goes by that I don't pull something up from the files of my time in Christian school that is helpful or, at the very least, funny to remember.

Like the film we made for the Fall fair fundraiser called "Fatman and Blobbin" about two overweight crime fighters trying to defeat the evil "Slimfast".  I digress.

Also, Christian school is why you rarely see me in a tie...I wore one as part of my uniform and think that was quite enough.  Ties nowadays are saved for funerals and weddings only and especially those I am officiating.  I did wear a tie to my Mother's funeral because she told me she would haunt me if I did not.

At the beginning of the almost every school year, I was required to memorize the 1st Psalm.  Because of this repetition, as I went to read it today, I realized that the new year has become for me like the first day of school.  It's a resetting, a start over and Psalm 1 just seemed a proper way to begin the year.  I also realized how deeply all those repeat memorizations have imprinted these words of warning, promise and instruction on my mind.

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sits in the seat of mockers nor stands in the path of sinners.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in this law he meditates day and night.

And he will be like a tree, planted by the rivers of waters that brings forth fruit in season.  His leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does will prosper."

I have always wondered how in the world you could meditate on scripture day and night.  And as a kid, I really felt short of the mark in the "delight" area.  Oh yes, I could read and memorize the Bible as a chore or assignment, but who actually delights in this stuff?

But as I was reading today, I realized how to delight in God's law.  Jesus gave us the key.

“‘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

This is a way to wrap our minds and hearts around meditating on God's law, even delighting in it.  All we have to do is think about, ponder, plan and enact love for God and love for others in our day.  To live our days and nights in love is to constantly meditate on God's law.  I have only had small tastes of this but I know that this is a delight.

Picture in your mind a big tree on the banks of a river.  It is serene, healthy, vital and active with life.  There is quiet strength emanating from the roots up through the trunk and out to the branches and leaves.  It is a place where birds and other creatures find shelter and sustenance.  Do you want to be like that?

Then live a life of love.  Love God, love others.  This is God's delightful law.

Merry Christmas from the Whitlers!

You can look at our short little Christmas greeting letter with some links to more holiday pics by GLONKING HERE!

Mystery Christmas by the Rap Stars!

(repost from the Fire Bowl)As so many around the world have come to expect, Christmastime means a new offering from everybody's favorite seasonal rap group, the Rap Stars!  They have generously agreed to let us post the newest piece here.  You can download this song and the other Rap Stars holiday raps for free in a brand new Christmas 3-pac!  Just GLONK HERE!

The Whitlers...in truck stop animal hats!

I need a montage.

I wish I could be in a montage. I really need one right now.

You know, when you’re backed up against the ropes, everything is a mess, there doesn’t seem to be a way out and all you have is a small group of friends and a crazy idea that will only work if you get the timing just right.  But the only way to get from point A to point B is if that really encouraging music starts playing.   I feel like it should start to play any minute now.

What encouraging music?   You know..the montage music.  As soon as it starts to play, me and my friends will kick it into high gear.  Yep, we’ll work together to build stuff, we’ll exercise, someone will do some welding, we’ll have some minor set backs and maybe even a few laughs.  But by the end of that awesome song, we’ll have it pretty much figured out.   It only takes one song to lose weight, get in shape for the big fight, figure out the main problem or build that thing that’s going to (with a little luck) get the job done.  Heck, with the right song, we might even could build a house!

I just need to figure out how to get it to play. In the meantime, I’ll just sit here.  Geez, I hope that music starts soon.   I could use a good montage about now.

Or maybe...

A PSALM OF LIFE by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN SAID TO THE PSALMIST

Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem.

Life is real ! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,— act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.

Pumpkins, Dr. Who, the Little Mermaid and Big Foot!

This year, we discovered pumpkin templates...they were a bit more work than we're used to but we got some great pumpkins out of them.  This is Stella's "kitty bat".

Sam went for the free style design.  It looks like the mouth but no, my friend, that is a moustache.  The mouth is making an "o" underneath.

Back to the templates with Amie's "two spooks"

I free styled this design but it was inspired by a template of an alien.

And finally, Josh's "Hunger Games" logo...pretty sweet.

Happy Halloween from Dr. Who, The Little Mermaid and Big Foot!




Here's my song again about Amie's favorite holiday...enjoy!

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Sci Fi Country - a new song by Chris

For the past few weeks over at the Fire Bowl, we've been exploring stories and lessons learned from crossing cultures and this is our last entry on the subject.  You can enjoy this original song by me right here by clicking on the player.  If you would like to download the song, listen to more music or subscribe to future Fire Bowl and Whitler audio, just GLONK HERE.

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Fall Mini-Harvest!

A cool thing about living in California is that we get 4 harvests in a year...new kinds of produce every season.  This year, we decided to try a Fall time garden so we're growing lettuce, radishes, broccoli (which I've heard is impossible), onions and carrots (that take a really long time).

Our pastor spoke this past Sunday on seeds.  "Seeds are like the unseen life of God."  They sprout and grow to provide nutrition, beauty, fresh air.  Some even grow to cast refreshing shade and provide a place of refuge for birds and other creatures.  It's a mystery as to how the soil and water activate that seed and tell it to sprout but it does and it is good.

We had to thin out the lettuce a bit as we had gotten a little seed happy when we sowed them.  But that didn't stop us from having a  mini early harvest salad with the baby greens...

An Evening of Justice and Worship

YWAM Modesto proudly presents "An Evening of Justice and Worship" from Steps of Justice, an educational, inspirational and practical initiative from Youth With A Mission.  Come join us for a night of music and challenge with Phil and Amy Cunningham and Chris and Jenna Wilson.  They will be with us on Tuesday night, October 18th at 7pm at New Hope Christian Fellowship, 300 Trask Ln. in Modesto.  This night is open to all.  A free-will offering will be taken to help support these families on the road with a most important message.

You can find out more about the tour, hear some music and read about Steps of Justice over at their website...CLICK HERE.  If you have any questions, call Chris Whitler at 209-404-4027

Honey, I shrunk the Whitlers!

Our life in a bag.

If you know me (Chris) and are around me for any time, you probably know that I carry a purse.  This has been the object of much humor at my expense but you know, purses come in handy.  Even Jesus told his disciples to take their purse with them on the road.  Mine is a reproduction of a WW2 map carrier's case.  Very manly.

 I thought I'd show you some of it's contents to let you in on what we're up to these days.  So, here we go...

First up is my Youth With A Mission (YWAM) journal and daily planner where I try to keep track of meetings and activities.  I have bought one of these little books for many years now from YWAM publishing and it is super helpful.  This week, it tells me about meetings with our little YWAM team here in Modesto, prayer gatherings with pastors, friends and other Christian workers in the city and it helps me remember stuff I've promised to do...visit or call folks I'm building relationship with, find furniture for a struggling family and help someone obtain their birth certificate.

Next there is a little note book I keep with a list of helpful numbers in the back for people I may encounter.  Numbers for the Modesto Gospel Mission, Salvation Army, a community housing service and Advancing Vibrant Communities, a great resource in our city for people with needs and one of the simplest and most beautiful ideas I've ever encountered.  I often give these and some other numbers away to people I meet on the street who are looking for real help from the community.

And the other book there (the one covered in Mickey Mouse comics) is a journal for thoughts about scripture, life and the future.  It is often the seed for blog posts like THIS ONE.

Next is a collection of stickers from my friends at Steps of Justice that I passed out today at our local Youth Pastor's Network meeting.  I was letting them know about an event we're hosting on Tuesday, October 18 called "An Evening of Justice and Worship".   It's at 7pm at New Hope Church in Modesto (300 Trask Ln.)  This is a great night of music and stories to challenge us to take a next step toward justice for the poor and oppressed peoples of the world.  Come and join us!

Next are some packets of seeds that I will be planting with Josh and Sam and our friend Bob in his back yard.  We educate our children at home and this will be one of our projects this year.  We are growing a salad...lettuce, carrots (which I am told take forever), radishes, onions and brocoli (which I am told will take a miracle.)  We're headed out this afternoon to get our hands dirty!

And finally, this is a poem that was handed to me by my friend Patrick.  We met him at our 9th Street Cafe that we host every Friday morning.  It's a cafe we set up on the street as a way to build relationships with the people that live there.  Through this time and getting reconnected at church, Patrick has rediscovered his faith and has been a wonderful addition to our cafe community.  He is quick to sit and listen to others and offer kind words and comfort to the broken people that come for a cup of coffee and friendship.  He is also very bright and quite fun to talk politics, religion and culture with.  I have re-posted his beautiful poem describing life on 9th Street at the YWAM Modesto website HERE.

Of course, nothing in my purse tells you about Amie dancing at the Modesto Junior College and teaching Stella to read or about all the kids starting up Awana and our new season of youth group at New Hope church or about the Fire Bowl that is a new communal blog I am hosting and me traveling to Canada in October to teach in a Discipleship Training School in Winnipeg.

Thanks for reading and for prayers and support.  Life, for all of us I'm sure, is a juggling act.  Please pray that we can be faithful to all we're called to.  How can we pray for you?

If you would like to support our work financially, send me an email and we can go through the several options there are to give.  cwhitler@gmail.com

"Seek..His Kingdom and His Righteousness..."

 Matt 6

In Psalms, it says that our heart tells us to seek God's face.  Jesus instructs us to seek God's Kingdom and righteousness.  To search it out.  Life is a quest to find God and His work wherever it is hiding.

This tells me that the Kingdom of God is not obvious.  It is not necessarily with the loud ones on the street corners (proverbially speaking, of course).  It's quietly tucked away and it's up to us to look for it.

It's out there right now hiding in unseen sacrifice.  It's a mother who gives her children the only mattress on the floor.  It's the faithful in prayer closets pouring out their heart.  It's the gentle who take a friend's arm to go into the recovery meeting.  It's a wildflower by the road that is overlooked and dressed better than King Solomon himself.

It is for us to look for it, to seek it out and live in it's radiance.  And Jesus promises that God himself takes care of the rest of our lives.

Lead us, O God, to your Kingdom and the things you say are right - in lives and stories and homes and around tables and music and friendship and prayer and nature and laughter and sorrow and in a million other ways and things.

Help us see, help us hear, help us remember.