Theology on the Ground Reminder – TONIGHT!

Posted: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10, One Church. One Richmond. | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Theology on the Ground Reminder – TONIGHT!

REMINDER….this is tonight!  Hope to see you there!

Urban Ministry Forum

“Theology on the Ground”

Wednesday, April 7th from 7-9pm

Union Theological Seminary

You will hear from urban ministers, whose work in Baltimore, DC, and Richmond are truly rooted in building community, empowering the marginalized, and helping people at their point of need.

  • Rev. Dr. Anthony Hunt will be discussing how he’s been creating ’shalom’ zones in some very poor parts of Baltimore;
  • Rev. Dr. Roger Gench will be discussing what it’s like to be an urban parish minister and how collective action among churches can accomplish change; and
  • Richmond Hill’s Rev. Ben Campbell will describe how spirituality and prayer create ecumenical bonds which then forms concrete social action to help transform this great city.

Union understands that effective ministry means opening one’s doors, offering radical hospitality, and creating relationships to develop the ‘beloved community.’

See the attached flyer for more details>Theology on the Ground and refer to their website Union Theological Seminary.

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A Call to Action

Posted: Monday, April 5, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10, Louis and Me! | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Call to Action

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There seems to be a theme.  This is a summary of what the Lord has been speaking to me at the end of Lent…

FIRST >

Thursday night…Maundy Thursday…Joe Torrence from Embrace Richmond spoke at Commonwealth Chapel on the scriptures around Luke 22 specifically ~ Do this in Remembrance of Me.”  What are we suppose to remember?  Remembering requires ACTION! Then, He washes their nasty, gnarly, yucky, dirty, stinky feet!  Even to the point of washing the feet of the guy who He knows is going to betray him.  He models for us what to do…and how to serve.  So the question is…WHO are you going to serve and how? John 5 speaks directly to this…v.20 – For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.  So, we are to do what Jesus has done…which is what the Father has done….think about the adulterous woman, the lepers, the Samaritan woman, the prostitutes, the thieves, etc.

So, how do we respond to that?  In John 13:34-35 Jesus states that our new mandate/commandment to love one another as HE has loved us. So that all will know we are HIS disciples.

A Call to ACTION…Love

So…I’m thinking…who do I love on and why?  What is my motive? What am I remembering? Do people know that I am HIS disciple?

SECOND >

Louis and I started our retreat day Friday…rushing around trying to be “on-time” for our retreat.  Although we decided that we’d aim to be at Richmond Hill @ 9am, it didn’t take long for us to chill.  It wasn’t an appointment we were late for…it was a Sabbath Day….a getaway.  So, we slowed down and took our time.  The Lord obviously was still going to be there if we were an hour later than what we had planned, right?

At the corner of Broad and 18th there is a Mickey D’s where we stopped for a breakfast sandwich.  You wonder WHY things happen like they do.  Why we run late….and why the line was long.  And why Louis just ran inside instead of waiting in the drive-thru line.  On his way out, a 54 year old veteran man (who looked about 70) asked Louis for some money to get something to eat.  Most of us are like…yeah right…..and look the other way and ignore the person.  Roll the window up.  Pretend like we don’t see or hear him.  Whatever.  But, on this day….this Good Friday…we took the time.  Louis explained that we don’t give money out, but we’d be happy to buy him something to eat.  Louis and Jerry Lewis (or wonder if it was Louis?) Martin (yes…that is his real name) were able to chat a few minutes.

So, our day started with me thinking about…Matthew 25:31-46…the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats…specifically when Jesus says…

35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’   37″Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  40″The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

A Call to ACTION…provide food and drink, invite the strangers in, clothe the naked, look after the sick, and visit the prisoners.

THIRD > (but not the last, I am sure!)

Then, we found ourselves sitting in the Garden of Richmond Hill.

Our Morning Corner of Richmond Hill

We started our day with reading Jude.  Specifically, vs. 17-23 – A Call to Persevere.

17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.  22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Call to ACTION…Persevere


Jude - The Call to Persevere

Jude also refers to Enoch in v. 14.  There’s not a lot in the Bible on Enoch, but I sure do like the sound of him.  Genesis 5 reviews the long lineage of Enoch.  The only other scripture I can find other than is lineage is in what is known as the Hall of Faith – Hebrews 11.

5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Now imagine that…the only thing you were known for…the only thing that truly ever mattered was “he was commended as one who pleased God.”  It really puts it all in perspective.

Call to ACTION…Please God.

It begs answers to the following questions…

Can this be said of me? What in my life is pleasing to God?  What am I willing to do to please God?  Am I ready to go ALL out?  Am I ready to accept the Call to Action?

These are the feet of Jesus…belonging to a pastor and his wife…willing to serve…willing (and WANTING) to please God.

Where shall You send thee?

De’ Andre

Posted: Thursday, April 1, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: , , | 1 Comment

I am helping one of my kids…Miss Marti’s Kids…De’ Andre Mitchell, AKA Dude for those of you who know him.  He’s 16 years old and is active on the John Marshall Football team.  He really wants to go to a football camp scheduled for mid-April (yeah…he waited a bit late to start working for his money!) in Charlotte, NC.  He has a partial scholarship, but needs to raise the about another $500 to cover the rest of the camp and travel expenses (one of the biggest expenses).

Dude, his mom and I decided that it would be best for him to earn his money versus taking donations.  So, if you have any jobs that need to be done….please give him a call.  He’s a really good and trustworthy kid and a hard worker.  But…he is a teenager and will need some guidance.  In addition, he will also need a ride if it’s not on the bus route.

If you don’t have odd jobs to do, but would like to sponsor him in another way…there is another opportunity.  Dude has committed to completing an online financial course on www.handsonbanking.com.  I will monitor his progress and test his learning.  This is a great chance for him to learn the life skills needed to manage and budget his money. If you are interested in helping in this way, shoot me an email at missmartishouse[at]me[dot]com.  I will tell you how you can assist!

Thanks for reading and considering!

Keep reading for a letter that he has written to you….

De'Andre aka Dude 4.1.2010

April 1, 2010

My name is De’ Andre Mitchell, I’m a 16 years old student athlete at John Marshall High. I play football for John Marshall since 2008. I’m a hard worker and team player on and off the field, and class’s group projects. Also, I’m a good person to hang out with in school and out school. I’ll make you laugh when you around me I’ll make you feel good around me.

I would like to attend this camp called Football University, to help me at the running back position to help my football teammates and coaches that they can trust me in the backfield. Because I use to play QB for John Marshall last year but I wasn’t that good at the QB position not in games but also in practice. I would like to do it because I’m a football player that would like to gain my yards by running the ball in the backfield.

I will do anything to raise the money for me to attend Football University Camp. I’ll cut the grass, help moving things from a place to another, help you build something, anything that you would like me to do, because I’ll really like to attend this camp to help my teammate and myself.

I’m willing to work next week 5-8 and plus the weekend. I need to have the money by April the 16th. You can reach me on my cell 804-909-2608.

I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

De’ Andre Mitchell

The Next Day Part 3

Posted: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k8, Frank, Louis and Me! | Tags: , , , , , , | 3 Comments

You may want to read The Next Day Part 1 and Part 2 before this one!

After spending the afternoon talking to the neighbors and kids, Louis and I went up to the hospital to visit with Frank’s family.  Because this was being treated as a trauma and a needless to say a crime, Frank’s personal information was being withheld.  The operator would tell you nothing about Frank…not even a room number.  But, we were persistent and made our own way to the trauma ICU to see what and who we could find.

That was it!  We found Frank’s friends and family overflowing out of the small 8’x12′ waiting room.  I admit I was a bit hesitant and felt a bit intrusive, but the Lord had directed us to go.  There appeared to be some hesitancy on their part too.  Not sure about us and our agenda.  But, we were there to….again..just be present….to pray…to read scripture…to be the feet of Jesus.  No agenda.

We learned that Frank was not conscious.  He had been shot 9 times.  Upper right chest, left shoulder, left thigh, right hand and 5 times in the gut.  Frank had survived surgery that repaired the extensive damage to his gut and other injuries.  Geraldine (Frank’s mom) and Vicky (Frank’s girlfriend) were there.  Although only 2 people could be there at any time and only a handful were allowed on the list to visit at all, Louis and I were permitted to see him.  Admittedly, I was nervous.  I wasn’t sure what I would experience.

Because of Frank’s serious condition, we obviously didn’t stay long…just long enough to pray.  We also prayed with Geraldine and Vicky.  This became a daily occurrence for Louis and me.  We would head to MCV – sometimes together, but sometimes separate.  After a couple of days, I think they finally realized that we weren’t going away….we were there for the long haul.

We are soo thankful for the many people that prayed with and for us.  The folks at Tuesday Night Prayer Service at Commonwealth Chapel regularly lifted all of us up, and we are so grateful for that.

Louis and my relationship went from basically 0-60 in just about 24 hours.  I went from barely liking the guy to seeing him every day!  We all still laugh about this now.  But, Vicky and Geraldine knew we were getting married before we did!  During that first week, they regularly asked me (when I was there without Louis), Where’s your husband?  I would repeatedly tell them, we aren’t married.  I barely know the guy.  We are still getting to know one another.  I just met him 4 weeks ago, etc.  But…they kept asking me where my husband was and Louis where his wife was.

Then finally, we were there together.  I was at one end of the room getting to know one of Frank’s friends, Anthony.  And Louis was at the other end of the room talking to Vicky and Geraldine.  When Geraldine asked – so….when you goin’ to marry her?  It’s written all over your face!  You’re in loOoOoOve.  I (obviously) was ½ listening to the conversation and glanced at Louis out of the corner of my eye, when I saw that Louis had turned a deep shade of RED!

This was a lovely time of bonding, sharing, and communing with Frank’s family.  It didn’t take long before we were hugging each other as we greeted and as we said farewell.  We were 2 vastly different groups of people in every way possible with very little in common brought together by a tragic event.  Now, over 2 years later, we are sharing life together…birthdays, holidays, etc.

Although I am SOOO sorry that all of us had to experience this event, I am thankful for the friends and dare I say family that is now the result!

But challenging times weren’t far off….

Theology on the Ground

Posted: Monday, March 29, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10, Community Announcements | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Theology on the Ground

I’m excited to share an event I was just made aware of…

Urban Ministry Forum

“Theology on the Ground”

Wednesday, April 7th from 7-9pm

Union Theological Seminary

You will hear from urban ministers, whose work in Baltimore, DC, and Richmond are truly rooted in building community, empowering the marginalized, and helping people at their point of need.

  • Rev. Dr. Anthony Hunt will be discussing how he’s been creating ‘shalom’ zones in some very poor parts of Baltimore;
  • Rev. Dr. Roger Gench will be discussing what it’s like to be an urban parish minister and how collective action among churches can accomplish change; and
  • Richmond Hill’s Rev. Ben Campbell will describe how spirituality and prayer create ecumenical bonds which then forms concrete social action to help transform this great city.

Union understands that effective ministry means opening one’s doors, offering radical hospitality, and creating relationships to develop the ‘beloved community.’

See the attached flyer for more details>Theology on the Ground and refer to their website Union Theological Seminary.

STEP = Strategies to Elevate People

Posted: Saturday, March 27, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10, Community Announcements | Tags: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on STEP = Strategies to Elevate People

In January of this year, I was nominated for and accepted a board member position with a non-profit ministry serving Richmond’s inner city called STEP (Strategies to Elevate People).  If you are interested in learning more about, serving with or giving to this deserving organization, check out their newsletter by click this link > STEP March Newsletter.

Here’s a little more info about STEP….


Mission Statement

Develop strategies to meet the needs of the urban poor in Richmond.

Vision Statement

Defeat poverty in the lives of our urban neighbors.

Our Goals:

Build vital relationships through effective Christian community and

Mobilize resources of the church to serve the poor in the City and

Empower organizations and ministries seeking to reach our urban neighbors in order to

Minister to the urban poor by sharing the love and hope of Christ

Our Core Values:

The Church

We serve as an arm of the Church, upholding its role in ministering to the needs of the poor (Eph. 4:11-12)

People

We believe that every person has a valued place in the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-15, Ps. 8:4)

Relationship

We are called to be in community with other believers to support God’s Kingdom work (Heb. 10:24-25)

Education

We enable others to be educated in order to produce opportunities and enable them to more effectively steward the gifts with which they have been entrusted (Prov. 23:12 & 24:3-4)

The Work

We enable others to work so that they can in turn give to others (Titus 6:17-19)

Thanks for reading and considering.

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