2011 Memorial Day/Birthday Cook.Out.
Posted: Saturday, May 28, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Memorial Day, RVA, Southern Barton Heights Comments Off on 2011 Memorial Day/Birthday Cook.Out.Nearly every year since I have moved into our house, I have had a Memorial Day Cookout. Since Louis and I met, he now loves to do it…more than I do…because my birthday falls around Memorial Day (and the Greek Fest for that matter) each year. So, if you don’t have something going on and especially if you live in the Northside and would like to meet your neighbors in the community, stop on by. Would love to see you. Bring a side dish, if you can! Here’s last year’s post (Cook.Out.).
ps. I know you must love my DoodleBuddy piece of art. Just started playing with it on the ole iPhone…havin’ some fun. How did I do?
The Wait
Posted: Saturday, May 21, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: David Crowder Band, DCB, Francis Chan, Jeremiah 29:11, last tour, New Hope Haiti Mission, waiting Comments Off on The WaitYou know…there is nothing better than doing what you were called to do….what you were made to do. Sometimes this is a life-time calling. Sometimes it comes in seasons. I admire people who are led by the Spirit to shift from one calling and into another….even when they don’t know exactly what the new calling is…for sure. But, they walk away in faith trusting God. To some people…that sounds like craziness. To us as human flesh…it does sound foolish! Take 2 recent examples who were at the top of their game (based on American standards)…popular, huge, well-known, probably wealthy, and successful. To me…they are encouraging! 2 examples of leaving “success” behind and headed out in trust and faith for the “unknown”.
I do want to lay down my life….in my flesh I don’t. I want to cling to what I know…but God is calling us out and we can’t deny that….Pray for us…as we take a step of faith….but the Holy Spirit has said differently.
Then, today….the David Crowder*Band announced that this would be their last album and last tour. You can read their announcement here. In this announcement, they tell what led them to this decision. They aren’t breaking up. There isn’t a feud. It’s just time. In following the leading the Holy Spirit, it’s time for them to do something else. A new thing. Their letter states…
None of us is sure what’s next, but we’re not afraid. We’re, in fact, really, really excited!
But, there is nothing better than being right where you are supposed to be…and how desperately we want to be there…NOW. I think of our friends and heroes, April and Scott Salvant (link: Salvant Seven). The Salvant family wants nothing more than to be in Haiti working in the orphanage – New Hope Haiti Mission. Although they have already acquired a new home in Haiti, they are waiting desperately for their house here in the Richmond area to sell, so they can be on their way. (If interested in a beautiful home, check out this link.) The wait has been painful for them at times, as they desperately long to be “home” in Haiti.
Why is it that we have such difficulty in the “wait”? Waiting is doing something, right? I am often reminded of the Exodus scriptures when the Israelites followed the fire by night and the cloud by day. The fire and clouds weren’t always moving. Sometimes they were still. The scriptures also refer to them camping out. Sometimes, that is what we do….we camp out and wait for the cloud or fire to move. I need to learn to find joy in the waiting. But, what is it that we should be doing while we wait? We could sit…and look up at the cloud/fire….and say “It hasn’t moved yet.” or we can spend time in preparation. What does it look like to prepare? For Chan and his family, it was traveling and exploring. It was spending time in prayer and the Bible.
Louis and I also I feel like we have been called to do something new. I know some people think it’s foolish for me to leave the bank, but it is what we have been called to do. We have been in a waiting period for quite some time. Waiting for the burning bush…the writing on the wall…the cloud/fire to move. It can be so frustrating!!! I have to remind myself that in the waiting God has been preparing for what is next. We also have taken practical steps..
- by strengthening our marriage and our lives together.
- by praying together and individually and seeking prayers from our prayer warriors.
- by investing time and resources in reading and learning more about what we feel God has called us to do. This includes reading the Bible, although I confess I have often let reading books replace reading the Bible. I need to fix that!!!
- by learning to say “no” to things that aren’t God’s best. Good is the enemy of the best. I still struggle with this one!!!
- by getting our finances in order. God has blessed us in so many ways!!! We continue to look for ways to trim our spending.
- by learning to relax and recreate. We need to schedule more downtime in our lives for rejuvenation. Our lives are so full of ministry, that we don’t get a lot of time to kick back.
- We also need to learn to live a “simpler” life. Not exactly sure how to do that! Luke 10 tells the disciples to travel lightly and simply. He also basically says don’t get distracted. These are 2 areas we still are working on…making things more complex than they need to be and allowing distractions get in the way. We need to wage war against those 2!
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Jesus in Matthew 25:23.
Change of Date: Waiting for ‘Superman’
Posted: Saturday, May 21, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: documentary, public school, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Virginia, Waiting for Superman Comments Off on Change of Date: Waiting for ‘Superman’Please note the change of date due to illness…..
“WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” is a film that we made for and about kids who are struggling to get a great education and their parents who are doing everything they can to ensure that they get it. As you know, this is a dauntingly complex problem. There are many factors that led to the current state of our nation’s education system and there are many ways to put it back on the path to success. Reform will look different in each community, and it will take a variety of actions at all levels of society to make lasting change.”
Davis Guggenheim, Director and Lesley Chilcott, Producer
You are invited to view and discuss this documentary at our home. Let’s talk about how we can make a difference in the lives of the kids in our community. Here’s the 411:
Saturday, May 21st Saturday, June 25
6pm – 9pm
Miss Marti’s House 2101 Barton AveContact: Shonda Harris-Muhammed foxinthebox1908@comcast.net
Look forward to seeing you! Remember to RSVP to my friend and neighbor, Shonda Harris-Muhammed at the email address above.
Mom….I’m bored!!!!
Posted: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, missional, Northside, RVA, STEP, summer activities, Triumphant Baptist, urban ministry, VBS 1 Comment
Mom....I'm bored!!!!
I was talking to a couple of parents and grandparents about activities their kids could get involved with this summer. So, now…we are making a list of activities to keep kids from getting “bored” this summer! Let me know if you are aware of other activities. Be sure to provide the details. A detailed list will be provided…Dates, Time, Location with address and phone number, and other comments (like snacks, transportation, etc.) If you want a copy of the list, just subscribe to the blog…and you will get a copy when it’s posted!
These free or very affordable activities need to in a healthy and safe environment that fosters inclusion, encouragement, with high morals/values.
Here’s a sampling of the list for Northside kids. It’s still a work in progress.
- 6.27-7.1 9a-12n VBS Triumphant Baptist on Lamb (provide snack)
- 7.5 – 7.29 8:30a-1p Mega Sports Program Triumphant Baptist on Lamb (provide breakfast and lunch) (need to get in early…it’s fills up quickly!)
- 7.11-15 3p-6p VBS STEP @ Eternity Church on Chamberlayne ( provide snack and I am working on transportation if kids will go)
- 7.18-22 9a-12n VBS Commonwealth Chapel (my church) (provide snack) (last year we had transportation. i am verifying for this year.)
- Monday TBD Weekly Missional Community (bible study, crafts and service component)
Jesus, We Remember
Posted: Friday, April 22, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: cross, Good Friday, Jesus Christ, John 19 Comments Off on Jesus, We RememberI’m letting the Word speak for itself today. Thanks, BibleGateway!
John 19:1-37 (New Living Translation)
Jesus Sentenced to Death
1 Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. 2 The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. 3 “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. 4 Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.” 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!”
6 When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
“Take him yourselves and crucify him,” Pilate said. “I find him not guilty.”
7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.”
8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters[a] again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”
11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
12 Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’[b]Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”
13 When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people,[c] “Look, here is your king!”
15 “Away with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!”
“What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked.
“We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back.
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew,Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth,[d] the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. 21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”
22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice[e] for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”[f] So that is what they did.
25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus
28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”[g] 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. 31 It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was the Passover). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe.[h])36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,”[i] 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.”[j]
- John 19:9 Greek the Praetorium.
- John 19:12 “Friend of Caesar” is a technical term that refers to an ally of the emperor.
- John 19:14 Greek Jewish people; also in 19:20.
- John 19:19 Or Jesus the Nazarene.
- John 19:24 Greek cast lots.
- John 19:24 Ps 22:18.
- John 19:28 See Pss 22:15; 69:21.
- John 19:35 Some manuscripts read can continue to believe.
- John 19:36 Exod 12:46; Num 9:12; Ps 34:20.
- John 19:37 Zech 12:10.
The Story
Posted: Thursday, April 14, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Jesus, view the story Comments Off on The Story
Have you ever wondered…
How did the world begin? Why is it the way it is? How will everything end? Is there any hope?
or, why is our world full of pain, disease, poverty?
It wasn’t always this way.
Now you can learn the answers to these questions and more! View at this link The Story or click the picture above. If you have questions, let me know!
Peace!
immersion…aka “a dunking”
Posted: Thursday, April 14, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: CCDA Immersion, Christian Community Development, Dr John Perkins, mission, Training Comments Off on immersion…aka “a dunking”
As you know, Louis and I attended the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Institute’s Certification Training called Immersion, but some fondly referred to it as a “dunking” instead of an immersion. We received so much great information in a week’s time. In addition, we met a lot of great people from across the United States. We had A LOT of reading to do for the class, but I only have 2 books left to read…and I brought a couple more home with me, too! If you are interested in the list of books, check out my post 1276/27=47.259259.
Some of you have asked…What is CCDA and what is immersion? Thot I would just share a little about it. Taken from their website….
CCDA’s Mission
Mission
The mission of CCDA is to inspire, train, and connect Christians who seek to bear witness to the Kingdom of God by reclaiming and restoring under-resourced communities.
Vision
Wholistically restored communities with Christians fully engaged in the process of transformation.
Statement of Faith
The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s son, redeems us through His death and resurrection and empowers us by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is God’s Word and through it we are called to live out justice, reconciliation, and redemption. The church nurtures God’s people gathered in a community to carry out God’s Word.
Purpose
- To strengthen existing Christian Community Development organizations.
- To encourage new Christian Community Development efforts.
- To promote Christian Community Development through regional training.
- To educate and mobilize the body of Christ at large to become involved in Christian Community Development in their area.
- To sustain, enable and inspire those
CCDA’s History
CCDA is so rich in history. Founded by John Perkins and other like-minded leaders in 1989, CCDA began with one purpose in mind…
expressing the love of Christ in America’s poor communities, not at arms length, but at the grassroots level.
CCDA’s Philosophy
CCDA’s philosophy is based on what are called the…
The Eight Components of Christian Community Development Revised 11/07/2011. CCDA has recently updated their website, and these links may not work. You can learn more about the components at this link> CCDA Philosophy.
- Relocation: Living Among the People
- Reconciliation
- Redistribution (Just Distribution of Resources)
- Leadership Development
- Listening to Community
- Church-Based
- Wholistic Approach
- Empowerment
Click on the links above to read more, but I will take time to write on each of the Eight Components…some of what I learned and how I think we can apply this within our communities in our city. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what you read, from CCDA’s website and from my posts. Louis and I have begun talking to CCDA about bringing the training here for weekend sessions…starting in the fall. This is still in the development stages, but I would love to know if you or your church would be interested in participating in this training. Initial thoughts would be to bring the “Three R’s” (Relocation, Reconciliation, and Redistribution) first. Let me hear from you!
Our lives have been changed…and yours will, too.
Peace.
You’re Invited: Waiting for “Superman” Movie Viewing and Discussion
Posted: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: discussion, Waiting for Superman Comments Off on You’re Invited: Waiting for “Superman” Movie Viewing and DiscussionCome watch the movie and join in the discussion….be sure to RSVP to my friend and neighbor, Shonda.
1276/27=47.259259
Posted: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Beyond Charity, bob lupton, CCDA Immersion, Generous Justice, John M Perkins, Mary Nelzon, Tim Keller 4 CommentsLouis and I are leaving for Chicago in 27 days…to earn our Christian Community Development (CCD) Certification while attending CCDA Institute|immersion (click the link for more information). As I previously posted in Go to the people…, we were told that we would have 10 books that we would need to read. I started reading one ~ thinking it would be on the list. GREAT BOOK! I got about 1/2 way through, when I learned it was not on the reading list. So, that one has been placed on a shelf for another time. Actually…I’m lending it to a friend while I read the 10 books by our deadline. Over the last 2 days, they have been hitting the mailbox with quite thud. Here’s my reading list for the next 27 days…1276 pages in 27 days…averages 47.259259 pages a day. I guess I better get busy!
- Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor by Robert D. Lupton, 136pg
- Beyond Charity: The Call to Christian Community Development by Dr. John M. Perkins, 192pg
- Theirs is the Kingdom by Robert Lupton, 144pg
- Communities First by Jay H Van Gronigen, 112pg
- Real Hope in Chicago, by Wayne L. Gordon and Randall Frame 224pg
- Generous Justice by Tim Keller, 256pg
- Reconciling All Things by Emmanuel Katongole & Chris Rice, 116 pg
- Empowerment Toolkit by Mary Nelson, 96pg plus a dvd that came with it!!
Although this is all a bit overwhelming…I’m excited about being stretched….learning more…and discussing what I learn with others. OK…my 47+ pages for the day are waiting to be read…so, I’m out!
Deuces. ✌
a widow who ALMOST sells her 2 sons into slavery
Posted: Monday, March 7, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: 2 kings 4, slavery, sons, widow Comments Off on a widow who ALMOST sells her 2 sons into slaveryThis is a true story that has been speaking to me a lot! Actually, it was brought up in 3 different aspects of my life from 3 different sources on 3 different occasions within 3 different days. That usually means there’s something in it for me. I’m still reading it time and time again….gleaning all kinds of good stuff out of it.
What does it say to or about you? Would really like to hear your thoughts…
2 Kings 4 (NIV)
The Widow’s Olive Oil
1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”
3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”
5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
Miss Marti's House 