urban disciple

God's Mission - Part 1

2008-10-21T06:34:00.002-05:00

Ever since humans fell into sin, God has been on a mission. That is, to restore them to Himself. Adam and Eve made their own decisions apart from His will and He had to correct them. At the same time, He pursued them with His love and grace. He could have simply destroyed them and decided to mold some more humans. At that point, God started His mission to save humanity.
God said to His people Israel in Jeremiah 31:3 “I love you with an everlasting love. So I will continue to show you my kindness.” God’s love for humanity has no bounds and no limits. It isn’t limited to certain neighborhoods and doesn’t stop at the border of any country. There are no individuals who God doesn’t love and wouldn’t pursue. He follows people wherever they go, patiently waiting for them to hear Him.
Just as God doesn’t love one person more than another, He doesn’t love one group of people over another. He says in Romans 9:25, “Those who are not my people I will call my people. Those who are not loved I will call my loved ones.” He desires to make all people His own, to show love to those who are far from deserving it.
For those of us who have spent much time in the church, this message isn’t exactly revolutionary. For the world around us, however, it is. Most perceive God’s mission as punishing them or making them stop having fun. God’s mission, in reality, is to restore the world to Himself by His love and grace that He poured out on us through Jesus Christ. We forget just how powerful a message we have to share with the world. What is stopping us from doing this?

Ike Ice

2008-09-19T22:17:00.005-05:00

Today in the midst of organizing our volunteer and distribution for Southeast Texas, we helped the YMCA distribute a trailer load of ice on at our main site as well as two other trailer loads at the High School across the street. We also ran our van around to different apartments who still didn't have electricity. We had some help from members at St. John's Lutheran in Cypress and got the job done in no time. After haggling with the police for about 30 minutes about whether we would cause a traffic jam at the intersection, we were finally released to distribute the ice to those who needed it.

While some of us were doing that, members from Centro de Fe y Esperanza were getting a whole trailer load of food from a warehouse to their church for distribution tomorrow (by loading pickups and driving the food to the church.) I think that doing the ice was easier than what they had to do.

One mistake that we made is accidentally sent Iris' personal cell phone number out on a flyer announcing food distribution at Comunidad de Gracia tomorrow. I'm sorry Iris, it wasn't me :-). Maybe next week it will be safe to turn your phone back on.

Ikes!!!!

2008-09-13T21:21:00.002-05:00

Last we enjoyed the excitement of hurricane Ike as it blew through Houston. About 4 million of us are without power and might be for weeks. It's not so bad, my family and I are sitting around a candle telling jokes. After moving a tree that was in the middle of our street, I drove around to a couple of our churches just to prove that my SUV could go through water over the front grill. I played chicken with another truck who saw me coming and yet decided to start driving down the middle of the same flooded street that I was on. That was fun for about two seconds. I was able to asses the damage in each location with nothing but downed trees and some roof damage.
I haven't been able to get ahold of all of our staff, but I assume they are all ok. Thank God no one I know of was hurt. Now we will see who in our neighborhoods is without food, etc over the next few days. Once we hear from the Food Bank we should be able to start picking up food for distribution. Assuming we can find gas, the generator will keep our stuff running like refrigerator.
God is good, it looks like it could have been a lot worse.

Another funeral for Comunidad de Gracia

2008-03-13T08:34:00.002-05:00

Just got a call that the drive by shooting last night on the news was the son of one of our church members at CDG. We were just driving on that street yesterday commenting about the craziness that happens everyday, and how it's important to stay in the community to effect change. God, work through us to make a difference.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

East End/Third Ward News

March 12, 2008, 10:23PM
HPD: One dead in east Houston drive-by

Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

A teen was killed in a drive-by shooting in east Houston Wednesday evening.

Police were called to the 100 block of Super near Canal about 5:20 p.m. and found the body of a man, dead from a gunshot wound, in a grassy area near the Harrisburg hike and bike trail.

The unidentified victim was walking with another man when a car made several passes by the area and then shot at the pair, said Investigator D.R. Daniel, HPD Homicide.

The victim died at the scene.

Police recovered the vehicle believed to belong to the gunmen several blocks away.

"And we're still searching for at least two weapons," Daniel said.

The Kingdom of God

2008-01-03T07:46:00.000-06:00

Over the next few months I am doing research on the Kingdom of God and how our view o God's Kingdom affects our ministry.
I believe that the role of the church within our greater society has become something other than what God intended. Our apathy for the world around us is defended by the doctrine of the Two Kingdoms. I am not arguing that there shouldn't be a separation between the kingdom of the right and of the left. However, I believe that they are so separated in our minds that we don't see any connection between Word and Sacrament ministry in the sanctuary, the Great Commission and our social responsibilities as citizens in the world. Why the disconnect? Why are we as a church so weak in our community impact?

Part of the reason is because ministry to the saints has become the end, not the means. We are to build up the body of Christ, so that the church can have greater impact on the world around us through the Gospel.

What do we really mean when when we say "Thy Kingdom Come?" Are we willing to see God's Kingdom come not only to us, but also through us? Are we willing to allow God's Kingdom to radically change our life's direction and focus so that our whole focus is God's mission? I know, for me, this is a very inconvenient prayer.

New Year's Day

2008-01-01T09:41:00.000-06:00

Not so much a chance to start over as much as the ideal of a clean slate. The mistakes of last year still have to be dealt with and corrected. What I really look forward to is the new opportunity to deal with myself, who remains the same person as in 2007. I will find little ways this year to be more disciplined in areas that will pay long-term dividends. I will pay daily attention to my faith and faithfulness to God.

Things I dedicate myself to do in 2008.
1. Place my wife and family first on my schedule.
2. Communicate with God everyday.
3. Respond to every email and phone call within 12 hours.
4. Meet individually with each of my direct staff once a week.
5. Maintain a daily task list.

These might not seem like monumental things, but for me they are challenging. God, give me the strength to fulfill your mission in my life.

the gift for someone who has everything

2007-12-04T15:16:00.000-06:00

still impacted by NY

2007-11-04T14:33:00.002-06:00

I was in New York a couple of weeks ago. Believe it or not, it was my first time to visit. Don and Pat were honored for their contributions to our church body. I don't remember when I've been more impacted by visiting a city. I absolutely loved it. The crowdedness, the diversity, the dirtiness, the busyness etc.

I know how Jesus felt when he looked upon the crowds with compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd. All the pressure that comes from living in New York must weigh heavily on peoples' lives. All I can do, for now, is pray that God would send more workers into the New York harvest field. Maybe in the future He will allow me to do more. For one, Francisco, one of our Hispanic workers is moving back to New York. I pray that we will be able to continue to work together even though he's there. At least that would relieve my appetite for the Big Apple for awhile.

I just have to remember, "Houston, It's Worth It." And besides, this is definitely where God has called me. Houston is where my mission field is, for now, until we realize our plans for total world domination. Thanks to Niel and Carol for letting me sleep on the couch in your basement. It was 100% better than a hotel room.

I don't want to live like this!

2007-10-31T14:48:00.000-05:00

Francis Chan from Cornerstone Church in Cal.

my least favorite tv show

2007-02-27T16:56:00.000-06:00

Everybody loves Grey's Anatomy, except me. I can't stand to watch it. I think that a MADD TV spoof summed it up best in this line where one of the Drs says "I've been so focused on relationships that I've forgotten how to practice medicine." In walks House MD to save the day. I think that that's the problem I have with it, it is so focused on the affairs, loves, love triangles, etc of the doctors and nurses that I tune out. Does that make me insensitive?

I think that is what makes me often tune out of church as well. We focus on all this stuff that doesn't really make a difference for the Kingdom of God. Honestly, how will another committee meeting or political squabble in the church get us closer to fulfilling our mission? Sure, it's juicy. Sure, it feels good to get inside information and choose sides. I think that our line could be "We've been thinking about power and politics so much we've forgotten how to be the church that Jesus began." Who gets the most pie? Who gets the recognition? Who gets to sit on the right and left side of Jesus?

Matt 20:23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

How do we fix it?

Let's not worry about non-essential things while people around us die. We have the life-giving Word, the Means of God's Grace right in our hands. Let's not forget how to use them.

talking to the people who don't go to church

2007-02-01T07:37:00.000-06:00

Explain what you mean. When we ask the unchurched why they don't come to church, the number one complaint is they can't understand what's going on or what preachers are saying. We try to make no assumptions about what visitors will understand, and we work hard to talk the language of those unfamiliar with church.

Explain why. Postmoderns resist directive-type communication. A sermon that starts off with an authoritative statement about how people ought to behave turns them off. I've found it works better to speak persuasively, sometimes taking twice as long to explain a point. "If you believe this, so-and-so occurs; if you believe that, such-and-such happens."

From the book Growing Your Church Through Evangelism and Outreach.

a little luck?

2007-01-29T21:15:00.000-06:00

I was walking out the grocery store tonight and I noticed an older man playing that game where you try to pick up a stuffed animal with a claw. My daughters love the game! The thing that struck me is that this man was standing there with a cart full of groceries (if it were me the ice cream would be melting) playing the game with a smile on his face. Was this game being played for purely for his enjoyment? Does he have a sweetheart at home that he wanted to surprise with a new stuffed animal? Or does he have a granddaughter he was fighting against all odds to make happy? If either of the above are true, wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to go the dollar store and buy a toy without the chance of losing money?

It made me think. What are the things in my life that I do simply because of the thrill of possibly not winning? Why do I do certain things that are uncertain, vs gaining the same thing by a predictable and certain means? For example, I could get to a meeting on time by leaving early, but I choose to wait until it will take a miracle to get me there on time? I could save money little by little to pay a tax bill, but I would rather put all the pressure on at the last minute and hope I have enough. Why do I wait for an emergency to pray about a situation rather than bathing it in prayer every step of the way?

I guess the ultimate clawdrop game is going into eternity not know if you've done enough to earn God's favor. Yeah, it would be easy and certain for someone to trust in Jesus for their salvation, but it wouldn't be as exciting.

Why? The answer lies somewhere in the smile on the man's face as he played the clawdrop game.

Prov. 21:17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man.

Urban-based birds 'learn to rap'

2006-12-28T17:04:00.000-06:00

Birds living in cities are performing a type of "avian rap" while their rural counterparts are sticking to more traditional sounds, a study shows.

Dutch researchers found that urban species of birds sing short, fast songs rather than the slower melodies of countryside birds.

City birds also sing at a higher pitch and will try out different song types.

Experts said city birds have adapted to counter background noise and increase their chances of finding a mate.

more

Something to remember this season

2006-12-21T09:27:00.000-06:00

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done. - Proverbs 19:17

anticipation

2006-12-20T12:54:00.000-06:00

I am not usually one to get into the spirit of the season. I don't get all anxious about Christmas coming, preparations, etc. I don't get the itch to go buy lots of presents. Something, though, has been deeper this Advent season. I have anticipated Christmas more simply because of the image I have in my mind of our family being together. There is nothing I want more than to sit on the living room floor with my daughters and talk to them, play with them and tell them how much I love them.

There is nothing better to me than to be able to sit with Natalia and simply share a moment. It is such a blessing to have this hope, that everything will be perfect for awhile.

I am beginning to have little bit of the same feeling as I read the prophecies in Isaiah about the coming Messiah. Everything will be perfect when He comes. Evertything would be that way all the time if I didn't keep running Him off.

Taco Town

2006-12-09T09:45:00.000-06:00

OK, maybe this doesn't have anything to do with urban ministry, but for the followers of the SNL religion, it may have some theological significance.

Shocking, no...sad, yes

2006-11-18T11:27:00.000-06:00

Last night we went the see Happy Feet at the theater. There was a sign on the box office window that said something like "No child under 6 allowed in R movies after 6 pm." My first question is, who are the parents bringing their 6 year old kids to the R movies before 6 pm? My second question is, who are the parents bringing their 7 year old kids to the movies after 6 pm? I shouldn't be shocked at all, but the simplest things still amaze me about our culture. Imagine a young child watching some of the horror movies out, or the ones that barely make the R rating.
The sad thing is, that these movies are probably nothing compared to the violence that some of them see in real life in the home or on the streets outside their home.
Mark 9:42 “And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck."
God, keep me from leading any small child into temptation by my words or my actions. Help us to work to help those children who are brought up in homes where domestic violence, gangs and drugs are a daily experience. Help us work to bring grace and peace to those who need it.

Keep going

2006-10-20T20:52:00.000-05:00

One of our ministry coordinators talked to me today about how hard it is to see people do the same thing over and over. Ladies come in almost every week with bruised faces and bodies from domestic violence. They want help, but won't take the next step and tell the authorities. A lot of the women keep going back to the same man, over and over again. Sometimes it does feel like going backwards, especially when we choose to minister to those in situations where they don't feel they have any hope. It breaks my heart everytime I hear a story from one of our volunteers or staff. I know that Jesus' love is the answer, but to keep showing it without seeing quick results is hard. That's what we are called to do, though, over and over until it becomes believable.

legos tell bible stories

2006-10-19T22:30:00.001-05:00

Thebricktestament.com

Genius!!!

weird al does it again

2006-10-18T07:47:00.000-05:00

Some could argue that this is our beloved Synod, but I wouldn't dare make that argument. After all, I'm a little white and nerdy myself.

sometimes......

2006-08-18T08:39:00.000-05:00

Josh. 24:15 But if you don’t want to worship the LORD, then choose right now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you’re living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you’ll worship their gods. I won’t. My family and I are going to worship and obey the LORD!

Sometimes I have no idea what I am doing. I make decisions that were the wrong ones, simply because I didn't take the time to think or talk something through. Other times I sit still because I don't know which direction to go in a certain area. I am sure glad that God is the one who is responsible for getting His things done through me. I am growing in so many areas, but much too slowly for my liking. I find it easy to make up my mind to serve God, and even easier to lapse into service myself.

To worship and obey the Lord is more than a Sunday service or working in the ministry. Just because I give my time to the poor and those in need doesn't mean I'm serving God. Is everything I do worship? I pray that someday I'll truly get to that point where I don't have to think about it (yeah right). Right now, I depend on Christ to carry me.

new school

2006-08-15T08:25:00.000-05:00

My daughters are now students at Travis Elementary. It's quite a change from the private school they were at before. They talk about how big it is and all the friends they have. My daughter Jessica told me last night as we were about to eat, "Daddy, we don't have to pray before lunch at my new school." It was a great teaching moment as we discussed praying at all times, even when we aren't made to.
I have also met some of the parents and they are pretty cool. One of them said "There are actually people here that I would like to get to know better." Her daughter had been in a Lutheran School. For some reason she saw the parents and staff at the church as people she didn't have anything in common with. I hear this comment more and more as I'm in the community. What makes the church so stand-offish to people? How do we remedy this so people feel comfortable talking with us?
Anyway, I am happy to have the chance to meet more parents who don't go to church.

Mission work according to Rob Bell

2006-08-07T22:36:00.000-05:00

It is searching for the things they have already affirmed as real and beautiful and true and then telling them who you believe is the source of all that. "I am here to tell you where I think it comes from ..."

And if you do see yourself carrying God to places, it can be exhausting.

God is really heavy.

Some people actually believe that God is absent from a place until they get there. The problem with this idea is that if God is not there before you get there, then there is no "there" in the first place.

Man's prophetic actions offer lifestyle of fun

2006-08-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — In May, Alan Barrett, 26, began performing prophetic acts to send messages from God to the church.
"My calling is like Ezekiel and Jeremiah's," he says, referring to prophets who acted out messages from God.
But Barrett's prophetic acts have afforded him a lifestyle of leisure, friends say. For example, he went to Disneyland "as a prophetic act to communicate that the church is living in a fantasy world," he said. While there, he interceded for the church on Peter Pan, Splash Mountain and various other rides.
He convinced his parents, with whom he still lives, to pay for a cruise to Mexico to indicate that "the church is adrift and must chart a godly course."
Back home Alan sits around his parents' house to indicate that the church is uninspired and lazy. He often drinks Starbucks Frappuccinos as a prophetic statement that God has "a sweet future" for the church, if people will repent. He goes to bed early as a prophetic act to say that "Christians are asleep on the job" of winning the lost.
For breakfast he demands that his mother buy him Lucky Charms, so he can warn the church that "many of their sermons are sugar-coated fluff," he says. He shares his prophetic insights during testimony time at church.
Alan's father says his son has "an unusually pleasant mission," and that he should get a job as a prophetic act that the church "must work harder and start paying its own bills."
But Alan's mother is happy to support God's work in Alan's life.
"I always knew he had a special calling," she says. •

time for everything?

2006-08-04T09:32:00.000-05:00

I have been struggling more and more with my humanity. Previously I never gave a thought to how much time it would take for a new project I wanted to start. I was like a man who didn't count the cost before building a tower. As I get older (34), and especially this last year, I am thinking more about my time and how it is spent.

With the patience of my wife and the help of Ruanne, I am carving out family days and thinking about others' schedules when I plan mine. My tension is to do this and yet be ready to jump in and help someone who needs it, even when it invades my personal time. Many times Jesus went away by himself, or with his disciples. By doing this, he shows me that I have a need and permission to take time for spiritual renewal. For someone who is always busy doing something, this is a hard thing to learn and practice. Sometimes I fear that I'll become lazy and not accomplish anything, but I guess Jesus accomplished quite a bit so I can to, even with an occasional day off.