Mourning and Celebration

Yesterday morning, my Father, Albert Whitler, passed away from this world into the light of God. He finished his course. 

He has been lovingly cared for by my sister, Christianne and her children in their home for many years as he suffered through dementia and physical deterioration. He was surrounded by the ones he loved and who loved him so well as he passed.

Our family will be joining them in mourning and celebration this week. Pray for safety as we all travel and take care of preparations. There are a lot of details and timing that need to work just right. Pray for grace and provision.

Already a few things have come together that hint at the Strong Hand of Love helping us through this time.

We are grateful for your support and friendship.

For all us Whitlers,

Chris

Thoughts after viewing "The Nine"

Last night, our YWAM Modesto team went to see the local premiere of the documentary film "The Nine." This has been a much anticipated release as its subject matter is the South 9th Street community of our city. Photographer Katy Grannan and her team have made a beautifully shot, shocking glimpse into life around and under the 9th Street bridge in Modesto.

A friend texted me this morning asking me what it was like. Here is my short response..."Profoundly sad, very well done, uncomfortable, beautiful and terrible all at the same time. A very vulnerable film. Not much commentary, just an observation of an addicted prostitute's life on 9th Street."

Those words, "addicted" and "prostitute," are not the only words that define the films principle subject,"Kiki." She is also kind, hopeful, despairing, sad, lonely and beautiful. Grannan lets us see complex people in difficult situations without a lot of heavy handed narrative. This is a film shot by a photographer. There are long stretches of stillness that are poinagnt and uncomfortable.

When I heard someone was making a documentary about South 9th Street, where we host our twice weekly Ninth Street Café, I was hesitant. Who is this film maker? Are they going to exploit people's brokenness? Are they going to romanticize "the poor?"

This film was made because the film maker engaged in friendships with a few on S. 9th Street while working on a photography project. She cares about them and told their story with humility. Humility isn't always easy. It can be defined as "an honest evaluation of the way things are" and that's what this movie strives to do.

There are moments that come across as set up. There are scenes that could be trimmed. Some of it seems to go on too long. There are times when I felt like Kiki was too vulnerable, an intimacy not meant for me. But mostly, it gives dignity to the suffering people of 9th Street by showing their real lives. 

I was glad to hear Grannan say that this was not a story about Modesto, it is a story about America, an America that is often hidden and ignored.

There were a few ill informed questions at the Q & A for which the producers, Kiki and a few others pictured were present at the end of the evening. A few good questions too. But all of those interactions were made beautiful by Kiki herself and the obvious love there between her and Ms. Grannan.

This is not an exposé on "the homeless problem" or "the poor." This is a movie about real people. People we've shared coffee and bread with. We watched the movie with those real people in the room with us. They went home that night back to their lives that we had just witnessed. It was full of raw vulnerability and forced our community to take a hard look at a way of life only blocks away that most of us would just as soon ignore.

If you see it, you should know that it is hard to watch. It is unrated but if it were, it'd be rated R.

http://TheNineFilm.com/

Cover of Andrew Peterson's "While Shepherd's Watched"

Merry Christmas!

Cover of Larry Norman's "The Great American Novel"

This is a cover of Larry Norman's 1972 song. Well, actually, it's a cover of Steve Camp's late 80's cover of Larry's song.

This has come to mind quite a bit during this strange season. I resonate with some of the questions and most of the heart cry in this song. And I must admit, I can't offer more than Larry does in the way of a solution.

A Coffee Stained Prayer

This is a prayer book that I think I stole from my Dad. I don't really remember how I got it but I remember it on his bookshelf and it was always attractive to me. It's called "Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book," compiled by Angela Tilby. I like little books.

It's quite a simple (and ancient) idea. To mindfully read through some passages of scripture, to read them as prayers, to meditate on scriptural phrases and set your mind on the best things...love, forgiveness, truth, peace, rest, Jesus.

At some point in our life and work together, we began praying the "little office" before going to 9th Street. Over the years, the spine has broken, you can see a coffee stain there on the first prayer. At one point we had two copies. I don't remember what happened to the other one (do you have it, Jimmy?)

I was looking at the coffee stain today before the café and thought of the people we go to meet on 9th Street and what our little café really is, what we truly desire it to be. It's a coffee stained prayer for a broken world.

We go twice a week to meet with people that are living unbelievable lives, people who suffer through some of the worst things imaginable, people who are holding on to some of the thinnest strands I know. The #NinthStreetCafé is a coffee stained prayer that creativity and compassion can make community even in the most difficult of places.

​Come pray with us. ywammodesto.org​

The Heavens Proclaim - A poem by Chris Whitler

Inspired by Psalm 19

This shaft of light 
Warming my face
Has come millions of miles
Through the darkness of space

Its a word in season
Spoken to me
An apple of gold
To a heart that’s weary

And morning by morning
His mercies are new
He awakens my ear
To what my heart knows is true

Oh the heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The glory of God

And galaxies turn
And gravity pulls
And pushes us on
Further up, further in

And the suns collapse
Falling on their face
And they rend their clothes
And the fabric is pierced

And worlds collide
Mighty cataclysm
And storms recite
The great catechism

Day after day
Pours forth speech
Night by night
Secret knowledge is preached

Oh the heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The glory of God

And the strings dance
“Let there be”
Is still resounding
Inside you and me

And particles spin
The stuff of stars
The heavens proclaim
In my very heart

All of the cosmos
Is traveling on
Riding His wave
Riding His song

Who kindled the flame?
Who taps the baton?
And the universe plays
And is singing us home

Oh the heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The glory of God

A new song - Thanksgiving

An unorthodox thankful song. Feel free to download and share.

Monday Morning Music: Evidence of Good

This song was inspired by Paul's message to the people of Lystra in Acts 14. They saw the wonderful things the Christians could do and began to call them gods. In The Message translation, Paul, to convince them otherwise, says, "...He (God) made a good creation, poured down rain and gave bumper crops. When your bellies were full and your hearts happy, there was evidence of good beyond your doing.” 

 In JRR Tolkien's "The Silmarillion", he talks about water and how people still get quiet around water as it still carries with it traces of the song of creation. That rings true to me. 

 Enjoy this song! It's a part of my album Rushing Waters (produced and musically enhanced by my very talented friend Jimmy Sustar​). The whole collection of songs is teasing out different ways we can hear the voice of God. Available for a free download at http://noisetrade.com/chriswhitler

Monday morning music: a new take on Psalm 23

This psalm has been interpreted so many times into beautiful music. Just adding my take here. Some of the phrasing was inspired by the Roman Catholic daily mass lectionary.

You can listen here and, if you want, download too! You can hear and download my two original albums at http://noisetrade.com/chriswhiter and go to http://soundcloud.com/chriswhitler for demos, fun stuff and archives.

Psalm 131 - Chris Whitler

I've always loved the simplicity of scripture in song. As a teenager, I discovered the beauty of John Michael Talbot's music. Simple, pure and both ancient and new. I wrote this song years ago, inspired by those early scripture songs. This was my first attempt at setting a tune to a passage.

My Dad talked about once seeing John Michael Talbot in concert. He told me of a simple, humble man coming out with a guitar and starting to sing. He said you could almost hear evil running in horror from the room.

And that is what the Kingdom of God is like. Strength and power is not with the strong. This is an upside down kingdom where strength comes through weakness. Where the still, small voice is the one we need to hear.

More and more, I have the desire to leave the great things of this world to the great ones of this world. The call comes to still and quiet ourselves. That's the place from which truly great things can happen.

You can listen here and, if you want, download too! You can hear and download my two original albums at http://noisetrade.com/chriswhiter and go to http://soundcloud.com/chriswhitler for demos, fun stuff and archives.

Pillar of Fire - Chris Whitler and Christianne Buehler

This is my sister, Christianne, and I singing one of my songs in her living room in Owensboro, Kentucky.

My sister breathes harmony and I love singing with her. She's got such a beautiful and unique voice. I'm glad to say I've been singing with her my whole life and look forward to more in the years (and ages) to come.

You can download this track at https://soundcloud.com/chris-whitler/pillar-of-fire

Cover of "Your Love Broke Through"

I'm posting this on Epiphany 2016.

Epiphany just means "revelation." Specifically today, the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi coming from the east to worship Jesus.

But I've been thinking of epiphany or revelation as a life long pursuit. There are many times we drift and need waking up. This song has been on my heart and mind approaching Epiphany and I thought I'd take a stab at a cover.

This was written by Keith Green, Randy Stonehill (two of my favorite singer/songwriters in the world) and Todd Fishkind. It was recorded by many Jesus Movement artists in the early days of CCM. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

“The Lord bless you and keep you!

The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!

The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!”

-Numbers 6: 24-26

This is the blessing that came right from the mouth of God for the Old Testament priests to use for the people. This blessing was God’s idea. This is His desire for you and me…to bless and keep us, to let His face shine on us, to be gracious to us, to look on us kindly and to give us peace. How comforting! This is a blessing we can claim, speak over one another and hear Jesus, our great high priest, speak over us.

This is God’s heart for you.

Happy New Year!

You Did Not Have A Home

This is a recording done fairly early on in our work here in Modesto. This is a cover by Jimmy, Aaron and myself of the late Rich Mullins' song "You Did Not Have A Home" from The Jesus Record. I don't quite remember why we wanted to record this song (maybe for a fund raiser of some sort?) but it's a recording I have always enjoyed. Hope you do too. And be sure to listen really carefully at the end :)

Silent Night

Sam performed this for our congregation this past Sunday, Silent Night on the ukulele...

A 9th Street Christmas Song

This song was written and recorded quite a few years ago not long after we came to Modesto. A friend, Josh Davenport (who you'll hear on the track) was making an impromptu Christmas CD for his family as a gift. We were recording some standard Christmas songs together and Josh asked me if I wanted to include anything in the collection.

I told him to give me a minute and I went out into the next room and wrote this little song in about 10 minutes. Listening now, it sounds a bit like I wrote it in 10 minutes. But there are a few things that commend it.

I love how the chorus worked out. And I also love Josh's improv of the bridge.

This is a good snap shot of where my heart was in this time. Once, I came up on a woman's room in an old run down motel on 9th Street here in Modesto. I was going to let her know we were there to share food with the residents. This is a woman I see and have some interaction with every week to this day. She was passed out from drink in a fitful sleep on her bed.

I realized that I had a certain image of this woman's life just based on my small interactions with her for maybe an hour a week. But she lives in a hovel on South 9th Street all the time. She is still there when I am not.

But I have also come to realize that God is there whether I am there or not. The Christmas story is that God enters our reality and brings His healing and grace through our broken systems and "realities."

I suppose this song doesn't have anything new to say in the way of Christmas reflection. But, sometimes, saying the old thing is good enough.

"He has mercy on those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones

and lifting up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty."

~Mary, from Luke 1

Holding on to hope - by Chris

This is taken from a talk I gave to our congregation this past Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent...

On our Thanksgiving road trip to Oregon, we listened to C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The children in the book discover a new world, Narnia, where an evil witch has cast a terrible spell over the land. It is always winter and never Christmas.

But the resisting forces in Narnia, the woodland creatures, keep telling one another that Aslan, the Great Lion, the true King, is “on the move.” The name and this news lifts the children’s hearts, even though they have never met Aslan face to face.

Then Father Christmas visits the children and gives gifts for the upcoming battle with the witch.

Then the animals begin to celebrate and have meals together.

Then the snow begins to melt.

Then flowers and green patches begin to appear.

Then, the river starts to run.

And everyone, though a great battle lies ahead, begins to have hope

Just before we left Oregon to head back home, my brother-in-law said, “I hate it how the sun sets at 4:30 these days!” And my sister-in-law, as an encouragement, said, “Just watch everyday how it starts to grow later! How the time for sunset moves back a little bit everyday.”

And, of course, she’s right. I checked…online. 

Today, December 2, the sun sets at 4:45pm in Modesto, 

December 20 - 4:46pm

December 21 - 4:49pm

December 23 - 4:50pm

December 25 - 4:51pm

December 26 - 4:52pm

January 1 - 4:56pm

January 6 - 5:00pm!

Easter Sunday, 2016 - 7:22pm

The change is slight, so small we barely notice.

This gradual change is exactly why the Advent and Christmas seasons are where they are in the year. So much more than Jesus’ “birthday,” it is all about His arrival in history, His arrival in our lives and His return.

With that in mind, here are some thoughts (Italicized) on this past Sunday’s gospel reading… 

Jesus speaking in Luke 21

25 “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, 

Is there dismay among the nations of our world right now?

in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 

Is there perplexity at the roaring of the sea? Are folks wondering and worried at rising tides, environmental upheaval, and strange storms?

26 men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; 

Are people fainting in fear of the expectation of things to come? Are futures unsure? Are people afraid by what they see on the news?

for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 

27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to take place, 

straighten up 

My Mother used to use this phrase to get my attention. It was always shocking when she said it. “Chris, straighten up!” And I would. She had my attention.

and 

lift up your heads, 

Recently, my daughter Stella wrote an argument paper for school titled, “Why Children Should Be Allowed To Have Cell Phones.” I have no idea why she chose this topic. *ahem* Anyway, in the paper, she had to include an argument from the other side. She said that one bad outcome of children having cell phones is that their heads are always down.

Perhaps that’s a bad outcome of all of us having cell phones. News feeds consume our lives. Fear, worry, envy and political arguments are only a finger swipe away. Jesus calls us to be people who lift up our heads because…

because your redemption is drawing near.”

Verse 34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with 

dissipation - energy trailing off.

and 

drunkenness - escape of our reality with false support 

and the worries of life - anxiety 

and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

An old African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

We can’t do this alone. If I’m going to get there, it’s with the community in which God has placed me. 

We read the Bible personally, as if Jesus is talking right to us. And He is. But this passage of scripture, most passages of scripture, are written to the community. Jesus is speaking to a group here. He is not so much speaking to you as He is to “you all.”

You all be on guard. Don't let your hearts, all of your hearts, become weighted down with failing energy, escape or anxiety. You all keep on the alert. You all pray for strength (for one another) to get through and to stand before Jesus.

What if your congregation is exactly the congregation, the people that God wants you to be with? What if God has called you with these people, with your gifts, to be used to further the mission of His Kingdom? You can’t do it alone.

The way we hold on to hope is by journeying together, worshiping together, praying together, eating together and reaching out together. 

Don’t dissipate, don’t escape, don’t get caught up in the anxieties of this life.

Christmas is coming, the light is returning, the day is getting longer.

Let’s hold on to hope. Let's hold on to one another. Let's hold on to Jesus.

My friend James

James Flaherty was one of the first friends we made on the street in Modesto. On hot days, Aaron and I used to walk the parks with cool drinks to share. In a way, it was the first version of the Ninth Street Café. A simple act to foster relationship. James was the first one I recall sitting, staying and talking.

We connected first through our mutual love of singing and playing guitar. James had been to one of our early BBQs and remembered me playing. I soon learned that James’ talent on guitar far surpassed my ability. He was good. He loved to write songs. He was happiest when he was singing.

James was a regular fixture in our lives for a season. He talked about how life on the streets was so discouraging. How good it was to meet up with Christian friends to share, talk and just do things together. We had lunch together every Tuesday for a while. James loved a good Chinese buffet. Well, James loved food.

James worked. For a while he worked at a local church as a janitor. He aggressively pursued recovery from addiction. He built a website for his friends on the street to tell their story. His concern was that many homeless people pass away and no one knows about them. He wrote and recorded music. He had been in a few bands. His last record he recorded with us at our church building.

James had problems. He had a mental illness that sometimes controlled him and made him act in a way that did not represent his true heart. We had to work things out between us more than once. Even in this, he was a good friend.

Several years ago, James made the choice to return east where most of his family live. He was able to reunite with some of them and build new relationships. It’s also a lot less expensive than California.

James passed away this last May. I think of him often, his cheerful (loud) greetings, his infectious smile, his heart to worship and his heart for others. This is a song he wrote from the album “Hi, I’m Homeless,” recorded at New Hope Christian Fellowship in Modesto. This is the first song he played for me and has always been my favorite.

Fall Update 2015

A year of work, fundraising, praying and anticipation has finally culminated in Josh getting off to his Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With A Mission, Holmsted Manor in Sussex, UK! It was hard to let him go, and we miss him terribly but he is having a great time learning and growing in a new community. Thanks so much to all who gave and helped with our fundraisers. Josh went to his school fully funded!

We enjoy our weekly skype chats with him. We've met most of his room mates (from Spain, Germany and India). The school will travel together after their training for 2 months of ministry in South Africa. Please keep this time in your prayers.

We had a surprise team at the end of this Summer. Plans fell through for the "Rise" Discipleship Training School in Vancouver, BC for the end of their outreach and we were asked to host them for 2 1/2 weeks here in Modesto. They worked with us on 9th Street and all throughout our community. You can read about their time with us from their perspective HERE and HERE and HERE.

Stella was able to rope the Rise DTS with some of her friends for the 2nd initiative of the "Save America Club." They worked for the morning cleaning up litter along the Dry Creek Trail in our neighborhood. We removed 8 bags of trash and 2 shopping carts! The club is dedicated to feeding the hungry, cleaning litter, removing graffiti and helping the animal shelter

We worked together with the Modesto Youth Pastor's Network to put on the annual Nor-Cal All Nighter. And yes, it's exactly what that sounds like. 190 students and leaders gathered at New Hope for worship together and a message then we played all night all around the city. And, once again, yes, we're insane. It was a lot of fun.

I (Chris) had an opportunity to go and share with another YWAM DTS led by good friends Matt and Steph in Fort MacMurray, Alberta, Canada the last week of September. My topic was Evangelism (literally "doing the good news") and it was a great week sharing with these students...3 First Nations, 4 Samoans, 1 Swede and 1 Jamaican. I love getting to travel and teach. It recharges my desire to get home and "do the good news" here in Modesto. And yes, we went to Tim Horton's a lot.

And, of course, our Café is still going strong Tuesdays and Fridays on South 9th Street with a community Bible study at a local donut shop on Thursday afternoons. Much friendship, laughter, coffee and community building comes from this simple time together.

You can find out more about YWAM Modesto at our website HERE

Thanks for interest, prayer and support!

The Book That Transforms Nations

I (Chris) have a whole section of my book shelf called "promises, promises." These are books that people have loaned or given me to read and I have said something like "Well, there are many books in the way of this one but if you don't need it for a while I'm happy to check it out." Thus, the shelf full.

I enjoy reading. I think reading is important. And, I'm quite busy. And, I generally prefer to read fiction. And I like audio books, fiction audio books.

It took me a while to get around to reading "The Book That Transforms Nations" by Loren Cunningham and Janice Rogers. It's not the kind of book I'm naturally drawn to but I'm so glad a friend pressed it into my hand.

Written in 2006, this is a wonderful overview of how the Bible has had a profound impact on nations around the world. Loren is the founder of Youth With A Mission and has literally travelled to every nation on earth. Think of the passports!

Reading Loren is a pleasure. He brims with hope and optimism. He does not gloss over the difficulties around the world. He speaks openly and honestly about the many challenges facing our world but he speaks of them from a place of hope. That makes a big difference. He holds fast to his belief that the Bible and the God it reveals are the hope of our world.

I would heartily recommend this book. You will learn things and hear stories you never knew. You will be inspired. And the biggest take away for me is how precious the Bible really is and what a miracle it is that it has come to us the way it has. When I finished this book, I wanted to immediately go and read the Bible.

You can pick it up at YWAM Publishing HERE and it's available on Amazon