Youtube galore! Stella has become obsessed with youtube. Every time I open up my new laptop (thank you generous donor!) she wants to watch manamana...here we are...doing what we do many times a day...
And here's the real thing...
It weird, we can get lost in this stuff forever! Last night, we found some bugs bunny and just kept going...
Oh, and here's a real one from Amie's dance concert this past week...this is from a practice but you'll get the idea if you weren't able to make it.
And the other thing we've discovered is hulu.com...have you been there yet? REally weird...you can watch and embed whole movies. Like, uh, here...watch "Ice Age"...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
YWAM Modesto Newsletter
Hey all, thought I'd let you know our new newsletter is done! I know newsletter can conjure feelings of boring statistics and a long commitment, but not this one...it's a five minute read about good news. Go ahead...
Download it here!
Download it here!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Jesus
I was in borders a couple of weeks ago and I was looking in their religious section. So much has been written about Jesus. So much has been done in his name, on his behalf. So many people with very strong feelings about him. Jesus, really Y'shua...a form of our "Joshua." I'm told that Jesus is a kinda badly strained Greek version of his name. Joshua is better for English meaning "God (or 'YHWH') saves". Gayle Erwin points out that on Palm Sunday which recently passed, the people were shouting "Hosanna!" which means "Oh, save!" or "God, save us!" They were shouting "Save us!" to "God saves." Pretty cool.
This week I read the gospel of Luke...it's a good one. I couldn't help but notice how practical Jesus is and it's got me thinking. Over the years, we've added a lot of stuff to his message and acts. I wonder what he thinks about all the stuff? I wonder what Christ really thinks about our buildings, programs, courses, books, seminars, plans, fund-raising and services? Really. The real Jesus, not just our idea about him. Michael Card once sung, "We've made you in our image so our faith is idolatry." How much of that is true in my life?
On this past Good Friday...case in point, we call it Good Friday cause that's the day Christ laid down his life, then, it was just the day they killed people for robbery and treason and the like...anyway, I went to the best "Good Friday service" I have ever been to simply because it wasn't really a Good Friday service. It was a community Bible study at a West side ministry drop in called the Vine house that me and the guys happened to be leading. It wasn't the best because we were leading either. We were quite unprepared.
There was coffee, there was singing, there was a Bible reading, there was sharing and there was prayer all done in a small circle. While we were sitting there I thought, "Wow, this is it. This is what Jesus meant when he established his church." All of the other stuff is extra. Not really bad extra necessarily, but extra none the less.
For all our fanciness, this is how Christ's church in most of the world thrives. This is the Chinese church that no government could take down. I get the feeling sometimes that our western churches would all but fold if we lost the ability to use our tithes as a tax deduction! How can I deduce that these simple circles are really what Jesus meant? Because it's what the Christians did right after they had been with Jesus..."They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42)
I met some great YWAMers last month that are helping people learn how to plant churches with this new but really old idea of "the simple church". It has me hungry and looking for more (by looking for less?). But our meeting at the Vine house was really, the basic idea...there was coffee and just being together, we sang (which is a kind of corporate prayer) and prayed, we heard from the apostles by reading scripture, we responded to the scripture and to each other. And that's it. This is what changes lives. What more do we need?
Ah yes, authority. Well that was there too. Everyone in the room was submitted and growing. And instead of creating false authority, this kind in our little circle happened through friendship. Sure there's things to work through, sure there will be confrontation and dealing with junk...if there are people, it gets messy. But we must get used to a little bit of mess and committed to routing it out of our own life with God's help. That what friends are for.
I'm not leaving my church because we have a building and a sound system. But I am committed to be the real deal at my church. To know people better. To share my life with them. To eat with them. To pray with them. To hear God's word with them. It's the only thing Christ meant...
John 15: 9-17 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."
This week I read the gospel of Luke...it's a good one. I couldn't help but notice how practical Jesus is and it's got me thinking. Over the years, we've added a lot of stuff to his message and acts. I wonder what he thinks about all the stuff? I wonder what Christ really thinks about our buildings, programs, courses, books, seminars, plans, fund-raising and services? Really. The real Jesus, not just our idea about him. Michael Card once sung, "We've made you in our image so our faith is idolatry." How much of that is true in my life?
On this past Good Friday...case in point, we call it Good Friday cause that's the day Christ laid down his life, then, it was just the day they killed people for robbery and treason and the like...anyway, I went to the best "Good Friday service" I have ever been to simply because it wasn't really a Good Friday service. It was a community Bible study at a West side ministry drop in called the Vine house that me and the guys happened to be leading. It wasn't the best because we were leading either. We were quite unprepared.
There was coffee, there was singing, there was a Bible reading, there was sharing and there was prayer all done in a small circle. While we were sitting there I thought, "Wow, this is it. This is what Jesus meant when he established his church." All of the other stuff is extra. Not really bad extra necessarily, but extra none the less.
For all our fanciness, this is how Christ's church in most of the world thrives. This is the Chinese church that no government could take down. I get the feeling sometimes that our western churches would all but fold if we lost the ability to use our tithes as a tax deduction! How can I deduce that these simple circles are really what Jesus meant? Because it's what the Christians did right after they had been with Jesus..."They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42)
I met some great YWAMers last month that are helping people learn how to plant churches with this new but really old idea of "the simple church". It has me hungry and looking for more (by looking for less?). But our meeting at the Vine house was really, the basic idea...there was coffee and just being together, we sang (which is a kind of corporate prayer) and prayed, we heard from the apostles by reading scripture, we responded to the scripture and to each other. And that's it. This is what changes lives. What more do we need?
Ah yes, authority. Well that was there too. Everyone in the room was submitted and growing. And instead of creating false authority, this kind in our little circle happened through friendship. Sure there's things to work through, sure there will be confrontation and dealing with junk...if there are people, it gets messy. But we must get used to a little bit of mess and committed to routing it out of our own life with God's help. That what friends are for.
I'm not leaving my church because we have a building and a sound system. But I am committed to be the real deal at my church. To know people better. To share my life with them. To eat with them. To pray with them. To hear God's word with them. It's the only thing Christ meant...
John 15: 9-17 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."
Monday, March 03, 2008
Movies and a miracle...
U23D
Was a lot of fun. If it's still playing around you I'd recommend it (if you like U2 that is). Bono gets a little rock star preachy but, hey, he's a rock star. What I love is that he knows that and sometimes a little tongue in cheek and other times a little nerdy, he goes for it. I know he's a little lefty for some of my friends and one recently told me that he thought God had gone out the window for U2. In 2006, Bono addressed the national prayer breakfast. For a good read or listen, Click here and decide for yourself. I dig it.
Once
We rented this movie on a whim because we heard the oscar buzz. Amie and Aaron actually saw the performance on the oscars. I was way too tired. The movie is beautiful. The music is the star. A wonderful piece about lives intersecting for a little while. If some base language upsets you, pass it up but it really is a wonderful story. The website is here.
And wonder of wonders, I actually finished a BOOK!
If you are a sucker for good fantasy, good action and great characters, go get this book. After a long lull, I actually sat for the better part of a day and finished this thing. So far, there are 3 more in this series and look forward to them. The Napoleonic wars...with dragons as an air force. Well crafted and definitely the redemption of Eregon. Here's Naomi Novick's (the author) website.
Fun stuff to come!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Barack Obama is not a Muslim
There have been a lot of internet rumors going around the Christian circles about Barack Obama being a Muslim. I am not at this point supporting him as a candidate, I just want us to tell the truth. Read this story from a trusted, prominent, Christian friend...
Read it here
Read it here
Saturday, February 16, 2008
OK, real quick...
We've been quite busy hosting and teaching the Discipleship Training School from Youth With A Mission, Pismo Beach. We have had a great week with them though and they ran into our outreach times together. This team was a breath of fresh air.
We taught on justice issues, but more about how justice starts with and ends with real community between us, God and the world around us...both with people and the earth itself. We shared together in the mornings and got to actually apply those things in community outreach in the afternoons. Sweet.
OK, all you need is 20 minutes. This is a great little video shown to me by my friend Dave...it's a very simple explanation of the interconnectedness of the justice issues facing us in our time. Some thought provoking ideas. Let me know what you think.
The Story of Stuff
Another team from Canada arrived tonight...off I go!
We taught on justice issues, but more about how justice starts with and ends with real community between us, God and the world around us...both with people and the earth itself. We shared together in the mornings and got to actually apply those things in community outreach in the afternoons. Sweet.
OK, all you need is 20 minutes. This is a great little video shown to me by my friend Dave...it's a very simple explanation of the interconnectedness of the justice issues facing us in our time. Some thought provoking ideas. Let me know what you think.
The Story of Stuff
Another team from Canada arrived tonight...off I go!
Friday, February 01, 2008
You won't regret listening...
Hey, my good friend Aaron gave this to me to listen to the other day and it's a good perspective. It's a talk Donald Miller gave at Mars Hill church about "Story" and how stories relate to life. The book is scheduled for May I heard. Good stuff...
Download it here
Download it here
Monday, January 28, 2008
Saturday was the first wedding from our YWAM Modesto community. John and Rhiannon, along with family and friends put so much work into the day to make it special. The word special really falls short. Magical is better but still not quite there.
There is so much mundane preparation that goes into a wedding. The busyness can eat up your ability to see what's really going on. Here they are, just kids really. They barely knew each other for two years and most of that time was spent doing separate YWAM training. Not much money and no real natural reason they should have met. But they came together around compassion and community. They bumped into each other while walking toward Jesus.
So after everything is in place, the women have run around checking and double checking and the men have been careful to do what the women say. The crowd gathers, the ladies sparkle, the men are resolved, the music plays and transformation happens. No longer a kid with no money, but a king backed by the men of God at his side and coming into his own. No longer a girl, but a queen, untouched by time like some sort of immortal beauty from Tolkien's world. We cheer at the coronation. They turn to us and bless us. For a day, our lost nobility shines. They are gracious to share kind words with their guests and we toast their union and bask in their grace.
And whether we realize it or not, we cry because we are hungry for the ultimate wedding to come. The king will rise to take his own, the glorious bride without spot or wrinkle will shine in his light, resplendent in traditional dress, tribal markings and henna designs. He will say "I do" with a voice like rushing water and she will respond in a thousand different tongues. We will come together around ultimate compassion and participate in ultimate community. We will be truly known. We will truly rest. And together, we will make a home.
And then we dance.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wow...I actually took an internet quiz.
This was kinda fun...it's funny, they're right! My religious roots are Weslyan!
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.
|
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Loving your neighbor
We must make every effort to rid ourselves of thoughts, speech and acts that do not allow others to be wonderfully complex, beautiful and in process with their Creator. This is a step on the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Excellent article
I was reading my friend Beth's blog today and she linked to a great article about the North American church's unnecessary fascination with "Excellence". Click here to read.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Gratitude is the ground floor
Journaling is a good way to track your spiritual life. I recommend it to every one that is seriously wanting to develop in their own discipleship. It may not be the answer for every one but it sure has helped me. Here are a few of the positives...
-If you find concentration in prayer difficult, the act of writing can focus your thoughts. While quiet contemplation is something to be desired and growing in our lives, writing can be a means to that end. It doesn't have to be flowery, just honest and as private as you want it to be.
-It creates an automatic chronicle of your spiritual life and the ways that God is speaking to and leading you. It is very beneficial for review. It can also be a way to help you remember those things you discern God challenging you to work on.
-Prayerful journaling can help you process your life instead of blindly existing in it. It's a way to help you make sense of what's happening day to day, ask questions about the hard stuff and remember the things that shouldn't just fade away.
In a "new years resolution-y" kind of way, I wanted to be a bit more faithful to journaling. So I began January with a new journal and I have been writing in it a little each day. But I started to feel that pressure already to really write and get a lot out of it. Just in the first few days of the year, my new resolve became more like an assignment that I HAD to do.
Then I remembered some really good advise that I have heard from a few sources (one of them was Oprah but let's not get into it and the other was a course I took called Space for God...awesome!) about keeping a gratitude journal. To intentionally sit down in the evening and list at least five things you are grateful for that are specific to that day.
It's best to not make them general things like checking off a foregone list...wife, kids, place to live, friends, food. But to be as specific as possible. For instance, here's mine from today and obviously, in my own journal, these things are way more specific but you'll get the idea...these are all things I experienced, noticed or thought about today.
"I'm grateful for...
-The way Stella dances in our musical worship times at church. It reminds me of how I long for freedom like that...to not care what others think and just naturally respond to God.
-For a lazy afternoon with family and the game of 'Clue' that Sam won and all the fun we had with Grandma finding out she actually committed the crime in the lounge with the wrench.
-For the way I see community happening right in front of me...friends gathering to pray for one another through difficult times, friends supporting and encouraging a young couple about to be married, friends giving to each other out of their poverty, friends getting together and laughing their heads off.
-For quiet time
-For my hilarious boys, Joshua's quick wit and Sam's silly heart. They're killing me lately."
This has revolutionized my journaling time. I feel silly keeping a diary, just chronicling the events of the day in the order they happened. But to look back on my day through the lens of gratitude helps me see God's hand even in more difficult times.
A good friend once told me that before all the proper theological thinking, before all the stuff we think makes us good Christians, before it all, there is gratitude. It is the way we come to God. It's our first step in moving toward God. If for nothing else, for the gift that we have that we could not have given ourselves, life. When we realize that all we are and all we have is grace, the most fitting response is thankfulness. Gratitude is the ground floor of our relationship to God. It's the way in.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4
-If you find concentration in prayer difficult, the act of writing can focus your thoughts. While quiet contemplation is something to be desired and growing in our lives, writing can be a means to that end. It doesn't have to be flowery, just honest and as private as you want it to be.
-It creates an automatic chronicle of your spiritual life and the ways that God is speaking to and leading you. It is very beneficial for review. It can also be a way to help you remember those things you discern God challenging you to work on.
-Prayerful journaling can help you process your life instead of blindly existing in it. It's a way to help you make sense of what's happening day to day, ask questions about the hard stuff and remember the things that shouldn't just fade away.
In a "new years resolution-y" kind of way, I wanted to be a bit more faithful to journaling. So I began January with a new journal and I have been writing in it a little each day. But I started to feel that pressure already to really write and get a lot out of it. Just in the first few days of the year, my new resolve became more like an assignment that I HAD to do.
Then I remembered some really good advise that I have heard from a few sources (one of them was Oprah but let's not get into it and the other was a course I took called Space for God...awesome!) about keeping a gratitude journal. To intentionally sit down in the evening and list at least five things you are grateful for that are specific to that day.
It's best to not make them general things like checking off a foregone list...wife, kids, place to live, friends, food. But to be as specific as possible. For instance, here's mine from today and obviously, in my own journal, these things are way more specific but you'll get the idea...these are all things I experienced, noticed or thought about today.
"I'm grateful for...
-The way Stella dances in our musical worship times at church. It reminds me of how I long for freedom like that...to not care what others think and just naturally respond to God.
-For a lazy afternoon with family and the game of 'Clue' that Sam won and all the fun we had with Grandma finding out she actually committed the crime in the lounge with the wrench.
-For the way I see community happening right in front of me...friends gathering to pray for one another through difficult times, friends supporting and encouraging a young couple about to be married, friends giving to each other out of their poverty, friends getting together and laughing their heads off.
-For quiet time
-For my hilarious boys, Joshua's quick wit and Sam's silly heart. They're killing me lately."
This has revolutionized my journaling time. I feel silly keeping a diary, just chronicling the events of the day in the order they happened. But to look back on my day through the lens of gratitude helps me see God's hand even in more difficult times.
A good friend once told me that before all the proper theological thinking, before all the stuff we think makes us good Christians, before it all, there is gratitude. It is the way we come to God. It's our first step in moving toward God. If for nothing else, for the gift that we have that we could not have given ourselves, life. When we realize that all we are and all we have is grace, the most fitting response is thankfulness. Gratitude is the ground floor of our relationship to God. It's the way in.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Family day pictures...
Monday, Stella had a doctors appointment to check on her repaired palate. All is well. We decided to make a day of it but high tailed it out of the city as soon as we could. We headed for the ocean. On the way, we stopped at the boy's idea of heaven...a KFC/Taco Bell hybrid. Here they are munching on the greasy variety...
Josh really loves KFC.
Next we stopped at the ole "Sea Bowl", the coolest bowling alley I've ever been to and with an ocean view!
And with perfect form...
We heart Sea Bowl!
Then it was off to Pigeon Point Lighthouse to see if we could spot some whales...
We didn't see any but there were some Sea Lions hanging out...
Then we watched the sun set at Bean Hollow beach. At the lighthouse, there was a banner hanging up in the little museum that said something like, "if there's magic left on our planet, it's in the sea" I believe it.
Josh really loves KFC.
Next we stopped at the ole "Sea Bowl", the coolest bowling alley I've ever been to and with an ocean view!
And with perfect form...
We heart Sea Bowl!
Then it was off to Pigeon Point Lighthouse to see if we could spot some whales...
We didn't see any but there were some Sea Lions hanging out...
Then we watched the sun set at Bean Hollow beach. At the lighthouse, there was a banner hanging up in the little museum that said something like, "if there's magic left on our planet, it's in the sea" I believe it.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
You say you want a resolution...
Did you know that if you read (starting today) four chapters of the Bible a day (not including Psalm 119...you can read that one by itself) you will finish it before next Christmas?
Some suggestions...
*Don't feel like you have to read it in the order it's in but do stick with one book at a time. If you want, read 3 chapters of a book and one Psalm...this will last a little less than half a year. Proverbs would work too but only for a month.
*The best advise I ever heard about which translation to use is from an old preacher in Florida, "The best Bible to read is the Bible you read". Most translations have their strong points and weaknesses but unless you're planning on brushing up your ancient Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew, get one you understand and I would suggest a Bible that is unencumbered by lots of stuff around the margins written by other people telling you how you should think about it. Don't read a study Bible. Study a study Bible. Read a plain 'ol Bible.
*Respond. Ask God to speak to you through His Word and He will. Write down insights He gives you while reading. Write down questions you have about things that don't seem to make sense. Write out prayers of response.
Do you have some Bible reading thoughts? Post a comment...
Monday, December 17, 2007
Thailand Pictures
Hey, hey,
Our website has some new stuff on it. Explore here...YWAM Modesto
And here's a little slide show of our trip to Thailand...have fun!
Our website has some new stuff on it. Explore here...YWAM Modesto
And here's a little slide show of our trip to Thailand...have fun!
 |
| Thailand |
Monday, December 10, 2007
Official YWAM statement
A lone gunman entered a Youth With A Mission training center in the Denver,
Colorado suburb of Arvada early Sunday morning, opening fire and hitting
four members of the staff. All were taken to local hospitals and two later
died of their injuries.
The two wounded remain in serious condition. The gunman has not yet been
apprehended, and police are continuing their search for him.
The deceased have been identified as Tiffany Johnson, 26, from Minnesota,
and Philip Crouse, 24, from Alaska. Both served as staff members at the
Youth With A Mission Arvada campus. The third victim, Dan Griebenow, 24, has
a bullet in his neck and is listed in critical but stable condition. The
fourth victim Charlie Blanch, 22, suffered gunshot wounds to his legs.
Peter Warren, the Director of Youth with a Mission Denver says they had just
finished a Christmas banquet when the suspect arrived and asked a
22-year-old woman from Minnesota if he could be housed for the evening. When
she told him they could not house him, that's when, Warren says, the suspect
opened fire with an automatic handgun, hitting four people. Police say they
do not know whether the shooting was random or if there was a motive.
Warren says, "The young man - I don't know who he is; I don't think [the
victims] knew him - but he must be going through a lot personally in his own
life to do something like this. Our belief is that only God is the judge and
our place is to forgive and that's a difficult thing to do, but really, I
think it's the right thing to do," said Warren.
There are about 80 people living on the Arvada campus and they have been
transported to the group's mountain campus near Golden, Colorado where they
will stay while the murder investigation is processed at their residence.
Warren says they are trying to deal with this situation as best as they can.
"There's no blueprint for this," said Warren. "You know, we're just going to
be honest, we're going to pray with one another and cry with one another.
These kids were like our kids, you know. It's just such a tragedy, but who
knows what's going on in this young man's life."
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is an international and interdenominational
Christian movement with operating locations in 171 nations. Launched in 1960
as a means for young people to get involved in short-term missionary
service, it now has over 16 000 staff working in 1180 centers and trains
over 25 000 people each year to be involved in the organization' s primary
goal - to know God and make Him known. YWAM is hugely varied in its
approach, operating such ministries as drop-in centers for street children
in South America; hospice care for AIDs victims in Africa; literacy and job
creation programs throughout Asia; and is well known for its quick response
and long-term commitment to global disasters, such as the 2006 tsunami.
YWAM International Chairman Lynn Green released this statement: "We feel a
deep sense of loss today and we grieve with the families and those who were
very close friends of the victims. Our surviving students and staff are
being well cared for and we have total confidence in those who are
responsible for the training program in Arvada to care for those who have
been subjected to this assault.
"Those who lost their lives had dedicated themselves to serve and we feel
the sorrow of their absence. Yet we take comfort from the assurance of
everlasting life for those who follow Christ in loving service to others.
"It is a great tragedy that our culture seems to produce so many deeply
troubled people who express their frustration in violence. We forgive the
assailant and we rededicate ourselves to serving young people in the hope
that we might bring healing to other needy youth."
Colorado suburb of Arvada early Sunday morning, opening fire and hitting
four members of the staff. All were taken to local hospitals and two later
died of their injuries.
The two wounded remain in serious condition. The gunman has not yet been
apprehended, and police are continuing their search for him.
The deceased have been identified as Tiffany Johnson, 26, from Minnesota,
and Philip Crouse, 24, from Alaska. Both served as staff members at the
Youth With A Mission Arvada campus. The third victim, Dan Griebenow, 24, has
a bullet in his neck and is listed in critical but stable condition. The
fourth victim Charlie Blanch, 22, suffered gunshot wounds to his legs.
Peter Warren, the Director of Youth with a Mission Denver says they had just
finished a Christmas banquet when the suspect arrived and asked a
22-year-old woman from Minnesota if he could be housed for the evening. When
she told him they could not house him, that's when, Warren says, the suspect
opened fire with an automatic handgun, hitting four people. Police say they
do not know whether the shooting was random or if there was a motive.
Warren says, "The young man - I don't know who he is; I don't think [the
victims] knew him - but he must be going through a lot personally in his own
life to do something like this. Our belief is that only God is the judge and
our place is to forgive and that's a difficult thing to do, but really, I
think it's the right thing to do," said Warren.
There are about 80 people living on the Arvada campus and they have been
transported to the group's mountain campus near Golden, Colorado where they
will stay while the murder investigation is processed at their residence.
Warren says they are trying to deal with this situation as best as they can.
"There's no blueprint for this," said Warren. "You know, we're just going to
be honest, we're going to pray with one another and cry with one another.
These kids were like our kids, you know. It's just such a tragedy, but who
knows what's going on in this young man's life."
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is an international and interdenominational
Christian movement with operating locations in 171 nations. Launched in 1960
as a means for young people to get involved in short-term missionary
service, it now has over 16 000 staff working in 1180 centers and trains
over 25 000 people each year to be involved in the organization' s primary
goal - to know God and make Him known. YWAM is hugely varied in its
approach, operating such ministries as drop-in centers for street children
in South America; hospice care for AIDs victims in Africa; literacy and job
creation programs throughout Asia; and is well known for its quick response
and long-term commitment to global disasters, such as the 2006 tsunami.
YWAM International Chairman Lynn Green released this statement: "We feel a
deep sense of loss today and we grieve with the families and those who were
very close friends of the victims. Our surviving students and staff are
being well cared for and we have total confidence in those who are
responsible for the training program in Arvada to care for those who have
been subjected to this assault.
"Those who lost their lives had dedicated themselves to serve and we feel
the sorrow of their absence. Yet we take comfort from the assurance of
everlasting life for those who follow Christ in loving service to others.
"It is a great tragedy that our culture seems to produce so many deeply
troubled people who express their frustration in violence. We forgive the
assailant and we rededicate ourselves to serving young people in the hope
that we might bring healing to other needy youth."
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Who do I think I am?
I'll never get caught up with telling you the unfolding story of our life. I guess I really can't live with that pressure. You, faithful readers and every-now-and-then peruse-ers do not put that pressure on me. That's not the point of a blog. I've had a hate/hate relationship with the inter net lately. I'm not good at keeping up and then this blog, the podcast, my website, etc looms over me and even checking email starts to feel like work. Well, no one pays me for this blog and it should be a pressure release rather than a pressure um...putter on-er. So with that said...I blog...
Last month, our friends took a collection and gave us a little trip to Disneyland...something for which we have been praying. It was so awesome when I finally got to go to AAA and lay the money down for a full 2 day package. We have never gone away to do something like that as a family. Our vacations are always to go see relatives (which we love and would never want to change) and getting away on our own seemed a bit impossible. But it wasn't because with God, working though a beautiful community of sacrificing friends, yes, it can happen. Even something frivolous andunnecessary. Ok, lesson learned. If it's a good idea to God, he can make it happen if we ask AND leave it to him. That's also part of the deal...being willing for it to not be a good idea and accepting that. But this time, it seemed a good idea. Great! Life, peace, freedom, excitement and experiencing God in new ways as with mouths wide open at something we could have never made happen on our own steam.
Even fuel and food were covered! So there we were, on our first day in the park and we took a break for lunch. Having enough for one food splurge a day, we went to Red Robin, a great burger place with a nice atmosphere and refillable fries. We had our meal and Amie and I were waiting for the boys to come out of the wash room when a homeless man with a distressed look on his face rounds the corner coming toward us.
My thoughts began to race..."Oh boy, here we go. He's going to ask me for money. What's my position on this?" And then you start to go through the pro/com list..."Well, money will make him just go away...what's required of me? This is my vacation. What's he going to use it for? Isn't it wiser to give some kind of food? That's what we always tell mission teams when they come to work with us. I don't have time to get quick food. Better just go with the standard line..."
This man makes his way over to us and cannot really speak. All he can muster is some mumbling and then, "dollar?" And then, without too much thought (just a lot of presuppositions) I give the standard, "I don't have a dollar for you, sir." Respectfully, with a smile. See, the operative word is "FOR YOU. Oh, I have a dollar for me and my family. We're having a good family time together and I don't want topropagate any of your bad habits so I have no money FOR YOU."
Crisis averted, the man shuffled away. And I heard God, through my conscience, clearly speak. "Who do you think you are? Here you are at Disneyland through the sacrifices of others and you don't have a dollar for this man?" I couldn't believe myself! I quickly looked around for the man but he had walked away, nowhere to be seen. Conviction hit me like a ton of bricks. I mean, in a way, the man and I make our income in exactly the same way. I ask people to support us so that we can be free to pursue God's calling on our life. He had no guile, he was not conning me, he simply, very simply, asked for a dollar. Here I am, a "street worker" and I don't have time to fish a dollar from my wallet padded with the beautiful sacrifices of brothers and sisters. I had to repent then and there. God help me.
We did have a great time. On our way home, we stopped for one last hurrah at the Home Town Buffet (I know, I know but it our boys favorite place) in Bakersfield. As we left the perfect, beautiful facades of the whole Disney scene (there are no homeless on main street USA) and descended once again into the central valley we got the sense that the fantasy, however fun, was over. We parked behind Hometown near the dumpster, the cracking cement and dirty smell indicating that something is definitely wrong with our way of life.
In front of the store there was an older woman standing under the awning out of the rain and crying, begging for money. Her story was that she needed $10 for a bus ride to get to her daughter. I've heard it many times before. And in came the pros and cons. And so did my fumbling words, "Uh, well, I don't know if I have ten FOR YOU...", knowing full well what was in my wallet. And then, peace as I opened to my ten, lifted it out and pressed it into her hand as so many have done for me. "God bless you." She cried and thanked me. I went in and had a disgusting buffet with my family, out of the rain.
I am not responsible with what people do with gifts I freely give. Who of us doesn't pamper themselves a little when we have come through a stressful situation. Who doesn't long for the comfort of their bed, a hot coffee, a little extra money or the distraction of a TV show or movie? Or what about our legal, expensive therapy or pills. There is no policy of being human. We are more than a set of standards. We have a beating heart and a will to choose but we lock our hearts away behind false policies of "we only give food" or "they will only use it on drugs".
Yes, there are cons...I've been gotten by the best of them. Yes, there is discernment and sometimes giving is not the best. But we must move out of our ear being pressed close to the Father's heart and when we feel it swell with compassion, we respond.
"Freely you have received, freely give" Matt 10 : 8
Monday, November 05, 2007
Vacation, birthdays and tricks or treats!
Wow, what a busy time! It's been difficult to get into the bloggin' habit since our staff retreat in September. With trips, hosting mission teams here in Modesto and lots of family stuff going on, it's been hard to find time to write. I'll get 'er though.
Here's some pictures and videos to let you know what we've been up too...
First of all, our community here pitched in and gave us a trip to DISNEYLAND! Here's Josh and Sam at Toontown...
And here's Sam drumming along to High School Musical...
And here's a little slide show of all our recent adventures...
So that's that...off I go again! Hope to post soon!
Here's some pictures and videos to let you know what we've been up too...
First of all, our community here pitched in and gave us a trip to DISNEYLAND! Here's Josh and Sam at Toontown...
And here's Sam drumming along to High School Musical...
And here's a little slide show of all our recent adventures...
So that's that...off I go again! Hope to post soon!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Wake up
Sing to the tune of the traditional Doxology...
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.
By influence of the Light divine
Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways
In ardent love, and cheerful praise.
In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.
Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.
All praise to Thee, who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.
Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art,
O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.
Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.
Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.
I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
-Thomas Ken
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