From the Modesto Bee's "Every Monday Matters"

by Matthew Emerzian

FACTS

61 percent of low-income families have no books in their homes.

43 percent of adults with the lowest level of literacy proficiency live in poverty.

Only 4 percent of adults with strong literacy skills live in poverty.

55 percent of children have an increased interest in reading when given books at an early age.

Children with a greater variety of reading material in the home are more creative, imaginative, and proficient in reading. They are also on a better path toward educational growth and development.

There is only one age-appropriate book for every 300 children in low-income neighborhoods, compared to 13 books per child in middle-income neighborhoods.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

1. Go through your bookshelves...

Read more here

Some pics from South 9th St.

Every Friday we spend the morning on South 9th Street in Modesto. Well, it's actually between Modesto and Ceres in a kind of no man's land. 9th Street used to be Hwy 99 and the little motels there used to actually host travelers. When the freeway was built, this stretch of street in our town became dilapidated with junk yards, little mechanic shops, industrial supply warehouses and the motels are still there, but they are now residential rooms for the addicted, prostitutes, handicapped, alone and stuck. It's a kind of catch all for those who fall through the cracks.

We go down, set up and hang out. People come by for something to eat, a hot drink, company, prayer, whatever. There are others there other days of the week. It has become one of my favorite times of the week. Here's some pictures from a couple of Fridays...



This past week, it rained the whole time. We set up a little covering and huddled under there all morning. It was cold but folks still came out for a great bowl of beans (Arlie's recipe - chorizo, ground beef, beans, onion and garlic...mmm!)



This is "Arrow"...a dog that belongs to nobody. We think she is an angel. She just belongs to 9th Street. Everybody feeds her and loves on her and she just brings a bit of peace in a hard place. She often comes by to say "hi" while we're there.



This was a couple of weeks ago. We presented our visitors with a little challenge. An old, stale bagel, a metal folding chair - instant 9th St. ring toss. This is Jimmy trying.



Bob gave it a try and came in second only to...



Jeff who was the first to ring the bagel around the chair leg! Congratulations Jeff.

Pray for 9th Street. Pray for us and others who regularly go to 9th Street. Sometimes a listening ear, a bowl of beans or a silly game can make all the difference.

A Hobbit Named Frodo

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You should get this book.

If you have never heard of Andrew Peterson, you need to get to know him. He is a singer/songwriter from the Nashville area who has been hailed as the heir apparent to Rich Mullins. His music is some of my favorite being produced in these days of homogeneous Christian pop. He brings the depth of good theology and a wistfulness that is impossible to fake. His latest CD is called "Resurrection Letters Vol. 2" (Volume 1 is forthcoming) and would be well worth checking out.

He has also published a great first novel called "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness." This is a work of fantasy that kids and adults will enjoy. A great story wrapped in an imaginative world. It's very funny and made me cry...on an airplane ...next to a very prim and proper older Canadian lady. I didn't want to make a fool of myself but I couldn't put it down.

Well, the audio book is on sale right now in itunes for a whopping $3.95. Just thought I'd let you know. You can get to know Andrew and the creative community around him at the Rabbit Room blog or at andrew-peterson.com

This Sunday Night!

Calling all Modesto locals...

We are hosting a band called "The Experience" on Sunday night...this Sunday night!!!, Jan 25, 7 pm at New Hope Church's Brunswick Hall (4204 Dale Rd, behind the new bank). This band's music and message is all about the human trafficking issue and how the Body of Christ can respond. Please come and bring some young people if you can. You can hear some of the music HERE. A love offering will be taken.

Come on out and bring some friends.

Chris M. Whiter
YWAM Modesto

Luke 15

Howdy folks, this is me sharing at our church yesterday. You can listen to it right here or download the MP3 directly at the bottom of THIS PAGE. Enjoy!


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Things overheard on our recent trip to L.A. to go to the Bonnie Hunt Show

To Amie at Trader Joe's: "Are you a casting director?"

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While standing in line to get in to the show: "Oh, look, it's the guy who's always Adam Sandler's friend in his movies...what's his name?" (We think it actually was Allen Covert.)

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Also standing in line waiting to get in: "I've moved half-way across the country and have gone through all of this, I'm so lonely all I do is drink."

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Guy getting out of his car on a cell phone: "OK, you gotta tell me what you want...do you want just like, you know, regular people or do you want 'model hot' people? Cause we can separate them and give you what you want..."

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People walking by our breakfast table at Pann's: "Well, if the script calls for it then that's what you have to do..."

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Bonnie Hunt, standing 6 inches away from me, looking right at me, making eye contact: "Thanks for coming to the show!"

Me and Amie: (stunned silence)

One last word on "Christmas all year long"...

“Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit allure thee, no persuasion move thee, to do anything which thou knowest to be evil; so shalt thou always live jollity; for a good conscience is a continual Christmas.” - Ben Franklin

I know I just posted but...

I found this over at the sojourners blog...

"When the song of the angel is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost — To heal the broken — To feed the hungry –
To release the prisoner — To rebuild the nations –
To bring peace among brothers and sisters –
To make music in the heart."

- Howard Thurman

3 reasons why christmas was insane...

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and all but come on people...



Santa with a hot babe on his motorbike.



A pre-decorated "Thomas Kinkade - painter of light" collectible tree. And...



This house is entitled, "The gang's all here!" Wowy. Well, hope your days were merry and bright. Happy new year!

A coming wave

I was dancing with my 3 year old girl, Stella in our living room. She had pure joy on her face as we danced, marched and twirled around.

A concept in Orthodox theology is that the trinity is in this state continually. They dance and invite us to the dance. This is life, stepping in time with the Trinity.

I took Stella's hands and we started to spin. Her smile widened and as I lifted her from the ground to swing her free, there was a tiny flash of panic and then sheer laughter...complete happiness.

That must be what death is like. We're learning how to dance in step with a loving Father and family. Suddenly abandon, trust, a flash of panic then laughter and light. We're all one step closer. Let's dance.

Maranatha!

O little town of Bethleham...interpreted by Josh

It's Christmastime again!

No one asked for it, but here it is...Chaz and Donald (pronounced t'onalt) serve up a steaming holiday classic! Enjoy...I think.


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Nothing says Christmas like playing broccoli

Stella's 3rd Birthday!

New Podcast!

I came from and still work with a relief, development and education organization in Canada called Global Youth Network. Recently, I sat down with Dave, my good friend and director of Global to talk about what's happening across Canada and beyond.

Glonk here to listen online or download.

I love Canada!

Canadians are nice. I've heard them described as polite and that is true but they are genuinely friendly. At least most Canadians I have met. Brenden really isn't this grumpy. He's very friendly and kind. I love the atmosphere up here...virtually free of guile.



And I get to go here every day. Sweet coffee and doughnuts and bagel sandwiches. No wonder Canadians are so nice...



And then there's the little surprises along the way. Like, you could say to yourself, "No, I don't have enough for a coffee, I just have a pocket full of change...oh wait, it's 7 dollars!!!!"



And it's not just Canada..I'm in Winnipeg, MB...just above Minnesota out here on the great, wide prairie. And where did I find myself the other day...but on the street Niel Young grew up on! Niel Young!!!! Bob Dylan was just here on this street...check this out!



And the Justice Discipleship Training School has been awesome. It has been a blast being with this team (I've been sharing this week on evangelism) that genuinely likes each other and are challenging each other deeper into Jesus' heart, into loving the neighborhood they are in and getting ready to join with the people in Uganda for a couple of months. We eat dinner every night at a local, co-op style cafe that was started by a church to bring life and enhance the culture of a needy neighborhood. Pray for them. They are cool.



All in all, it's been a great week. Only one down side to being here...

Puppy-Cam!

Howdy folks, only 3 more weeks to enjoy one of the most popular live video feeds of all time...Puppy-Cam! You can watch the puppies, read about the puppies and chat about the puppies. Puppies! Yay!

See the puppies here!

Adorable...and weird.

A 9th Streeet BBQ

Follow this link below to pictures from our BBQ on Sat night, Nov 8th

11/08/08 BBQ

The body of Christ

This is a picture hanging on my Dad's wall. Dad used to live in a 2 story house full of antiques and very dramatically decorated...our house was kind of like a museum (we even had an old chair with a rope hanging across it...you know...a "do not sit in this chair" rope). This is one of the paintings I looked at a lot growing up. It's sadness and beauty always captured me...even as a little kid.

Dad suffers with dementia and now lives in a small, low income apartment cared for by my two cousins Timmy and Denise. Timmy is mentally handicapped and Denise takes care of both Dad and Timmy day to day. My sister manages the house logistics and gives oversight and help to keep the little group going.

As I looked at the painting again on our recent trip back, it struck me in a new way. What's happening in this picture is what happens in that little home. As my cousins and my Sister faithfully bathe, soothe, feed and love my Dad, they are caring for Jesus. I seldom encounter such humility and grace. It is holy ground, sad and beautiful.

"Inasmuch as you did it for the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me." -Jesus