Been there....

You haven't been a parent until you've had the pleasure of these kind of moments.

A Call to Anguish...

Probably the most 'prophetic" word...i've heard in a very long time...I pray it messes with you as it does me.

The Sacred claim...

Jackie Pullinger was born in Britain in 1944. She had a great love for music even in her childhood. At 22, Jackie Pullinger wanted to become a missionary, but no society would take her on. So she went on her own to Hong Kong in 1970s and began a pioneering work among drug addicts and Triad gang members that continues today. Jackie still works among drug addicts and street gangs. You can read her about her journey in her book "Chasing the Dragon."

Mr. Roger's Missional Method of Cultural Engagement...or, not...

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." - Anais Nin

Mr. Roger's was the vanguard of missional endeavors...his secret, was simply...being a good neighbor.

You can sell all your 'Missional books, dvds and conference tickets'...and just watch and embody the above video intro of his show and get more wisdom for community care and impact than all the other stuff combined. I learned this the other day...

I was interrupted during my writing time, the other morning by a knock on the door. I opened it and it was a man from the neighborhood that I have been developing a slow growing friendship with. He's lived in this area for over 15 years and he is in his 50's and has a mental disability of some sort. I've been fond of him, since I first met him and his family when I was prayer walking with my guitar in the first days of our church plant. Since that meeting, I've consciously sought to be his friend...even though for many years, He has kept me at a distance, kind of like an interested but aloof cat.

He's turned down countless invitations to this or that church activity or services. He's never come to one of our Community Dinners and rarely lingers in conversation around my fence for more than 5 minutes. Yet, he always crosses the road and ask's me "What Im doing" when he finds me outside. Our short conversations usually center around mowing the lawn...because he is a expert in yard care...that's how he makes extra cash to supplement his state checks. We talk mowers, rocks, blades and possible folks to hit up for a yard job...most of my tips, he lets fall to the ground as soon as I say them...I've never appeared to important to him. But, I still talk.

Some times I give him rides, just a few blocks, or to the store...or we run into each other at Freddie's...he usually has a bag of lunch meats from the deili...because he mostly eats Turkey sandwiches....he's extremely picky. I've taken him gifts at Christmas....dinner plates after meals, treats from events...and mostly, he has seemed disinterested. But I've just continued bothering him nonetheless...mostly because, I have a God given heart for the lonely, forgotten and sometimes odd folks. I have a deep inner pain for those who I know are very isolated and longing for companionship but often just dont know how to be a friend...or are simply unattractive, smelly, old or poor and don't appear to have much to offer the "Fast & the Furious" of today's up and coming world. I've felt that way too...and there are many memories of feeling forgotten and not good enough.

These are the type of people, I was assured we couldn't "build" a church with in this neighborhood...and maybe that's true...but they are the people, we can "BE" the church for...and in many ways, that's much more the way of Christ in my opinion.

My friend at the door...sat down on my porch railing and simply said:

"I'm lonely...I don't have any friends...what are you doing?"

It was in that moment, that I was granted the gift of friendship, expressed. It was a precious moment to me. We ended up going to my favorite coffee shop and shared some good coffee and cookies together. As we sat down at the table in the crowded room, he said he wanted to pray. I bowed my head and he led us in a simple but heartfelt prayer for each other, the troops and the food.

When he was done, he asked me "How did you like my prayer?"; I smiled and told him I thought it was a really good prayer.

He sipped his coffee with ice and cream and then said: "I like having coffee with someone who is a friend...do you like having coffee with me?

Yes, I do...I replied..."I really enjoy it."

He then told me he could beat me at Monopoly....

I guess, that will be another day's story from the Neighborhood.

Resting between His shoulders....

""Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." -Deuteronomy 33:12

I've been ruminating on a few verses of late that speak of resting and being still in and before the Lord. The passage in Deut. 33:12 pictures someone being carried by the Lord between His shoulders and I thought this piece by Fritz Eichenberg captured the spirit and truth of the passage.

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." is another passage of Scripture that fed me like bread from ravens this morning. It's found in Psalms 37, as well as a number of other meditations that invite us to "delight ourselves in Him". I sensed an internal ache in my spirit as I dwelt among the lilies of those verses. The fragrance and beauty of them soothed my long distracted soul.

As I was greedily sipping of their healing ambrosia...a deeper longing was awakened. Seasons of visitations...remembered. These reflections cast light on a present but unnoticed thirst. This is often the case...we move through life at a pace that most of the time deafens us to the internal pleadings for fresher air, more still waters...and pastured presence.

Nurturing a faithful life is the continual habit of a God dweller. Doing good as the saint and poet says, but never losing the fascinations and preoccupation of the Divine delighting. Waiting...the art of being present and accepting what is..instead of postponing pleasure for some future possibility. Learning to be full in our poverty is a secret of saints. It is so true..."The little of the righteous is better than the abundance of the wicked."...why do we forget that and pursue the abundance of things that never truly satisfy the hunger within?

As I sit in this moment, among these eternal whisperings...I remember...and in remembering, I am made a little more alive as I rest between His shoulders.

Art by Fritz Eichenberg

Garden delights...

"I have great faith in a seed...convince me that you have a seed
there, and I am prepared to expect wonders."
-Thoreau

Prayer is the one thing that can conquer God...

In the past prayer was able to bring down punishment, rout armies, withhold the blessing of rain. Now, however, the prayer of the just turns aside the whole anger of God, keeps vigil for its enemies, pleads for persecutors. Is it any wonder that it can call down water from heaven when it could obtain fire from heaven as well? Prayer is the one thing that can conquer God. But Christ has willed that it should work no evil, and has given it all power over good. -Tertullian, early church father (ca.160 – ca.220 AD)

A thought worth pondering....

Not a face-lift...

"It is impossible to get from preoccupation with behavior to the gospel. The gospel is not a message about doing things. It is a message about being a new creature. It speaks to people as broken, fallen sinners who are in need of a new heart. God has given His Son to make us new creatures. God does open-heart surgery, not a face-lift. He produces change from inside out. He rejects the man who fasts twice a week and accepts the sinner who cries for mercy." Tedd Tripp

KKK VS. the power of humor and love....

The repentant former KKK leader Johnny Lee Clary explains how Reverend Wade Watts, an NAACP leader, disarmed him by being cool, funny and brave, engaging in some first-rate psy-ops. Be sure to listen through to the end for the chicken story.
via BoinBoing

Avatar...

Avatar...wow.

Dont mess with Betsy....

This chick is awesome...

The Wolfman cometh....

The Wolfman....this looks like creepy fun....

Micah's drawing of me

Aung San Suu Kyi....rightful leader of Burma

This is my artistic meditation after reflecting on the my post and link to the documentary on the aftermath of cyclone Nargis. The answer isn't political alone...but democracy is desperately needed in Burma and until the international community stands up to the illegitimate military Junta of Burma...true justice and peace are mere words.

Eyes of the Storm....

Eyes of the Storm...Uncensored news from the heart of Burma is scarcely reported and this documentary is a must watch for everyone who loves the people of Burma. This news piece made me rethink of how I spend my life and how I use my resources.

As a church that took the missional name of Jacob's Well as a description of our life and mission; I see the imagery of a well, as a mobilizing directive. We are people of the living water and as those who have been revived by these eternal springs of restoration, renewal and resurrection; we are compelled to overflow into the parched and dead places of this world. Our internal springs of life, given by the grace of our Mission hearted God; are meant to quench our thirst as they spill out and over the deserts of these fallen lands. He has chosen us to be His living extension of His ongoing work on Earth.

"The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, And their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them. "I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water And the dry land fountains of water. -Isaiah 41:17-18

This year at Jacob's Well, we commissioned a second Vision & Values painting to express our commitment to the mission of God among the nations of the world:
As I watched this documentary and was haunted with the sense of "Where are you God" in this horror...the answer is always returned...In YOU....and then the question becomes...."Where am I".

I pray that this year will be one of increased involvement and action in the work of love among the most needy of this God loved world. I pray we all will be able to answer the Lord with a humble and obedient response that reflects His heart in response to the needs of this age.

One of the best fight scenes ever...Matrix Reloaded

Heads of gold...and empty pockets.

Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. -Jesus (Matt 7:15-20)

This article (Believers Invest in the Gospel of Getting Rich) chaps my hide. A ministry that takes in $100 million annually...really? I was made aware of a recent group of local pastors that have special monthly clergy rates at a local Golf Club that nearly exceed our monthly budget as a church. The issue is growing and the damage to the credibility of the local church is ever expanding. The slick hair, crest strip teeth, the flashy clothes and sports cars and sooped up Motorcycles, not to mention the expenses accounts, helicopter transportation and a host of other gross misuses of hard earned cash is atrocious.

It makes me ashamed to be called a pastor at times.

This "prosperity gospel" feeds upon peoples unmet needs, it promises the moon while it pit-pockets your shorts. It's a delusion that weaves itself into the legitimate hierarchy of needs. It's a bait and switch like the professional street thieves use...they get you looking at one thing while they pull a fast one on you. So they are walking off with your cash and you are left scratching your head.

The prophet Daniel saw a statue that embodied all the fallen kingdoms of this world...and guess what the head of this statues was made out of...yes, you guessed it...gold.

When will we ever learn....we are such suckers.

The evolution of the garden...

"May the LORD bless his land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below; with the best the sun brings forth and the finest the moon can yield; with the choicest gifts of the ancient mountains and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills; with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwelt in the burning bush." -Deut. 33:13-16LeeElla and I spent some of the evening working in the church garden. We were able to connect with 3 neighborhood families as we worked. We shared food, planned watering, reconnected with someone we have not seen for awhile and prepared the harvests for sharing tomorrow. It's a gentle but renewing activity that brings people together.

Jacob's Well Church Community Garden: Before...

Jacob's Well Church Community Garden: Now...

Today's pickin's for Sunday distribution: Squash, Onions, Potatoes, Carrots, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, some kind of cabbage root, hot peppers, strawberries

Colombia River Gorge

The Worst Group of Cannibal Campers Ever...

Our church group camped up at Farragut St. Park in Idaho last weekend. We brought around 75 people and a lot of them were teens and kids. Of course if you know teens, particularly teen boys...the woods means climbing trees, making weapons and adventuring. All of these activities are forbidden by Johnny Camp Law, we found out...a fact that doesn't seem to bother young men and boys. So over the weekend, our campsite was visited by numerous men and women deputized by Smokey The Bear, Treebeard and David Henry Thoreau! Of course when they were greeted by dirty wild boys wielding 5 foot club hammers, spiked staves and spears sharpened to a cutting point...I'm sure they held their tongues about their major complaints for fear of their lives.
Needless to say...our group earned the "Worst Group Ever" epitaph...from a disgruntled grounds keeper who had to clean up someone's crap out of the men's bathroom sink! Which by the way was present when we arrived at the camp...of course there were a couple Jacob's Well campers there before our main group arrived...(you know who you are...)...but I digress. In fact the deputized park ruler...called the pernicious poopers...."Cannibals"...Yes, you read it right...human flesh eating tent dwellers!

So that makes Jacob's Well Church: "The Worst Group of Cannibal Campers Ever" at Farragut St. Park!!!
There has to be a T-shirt in there somewhere...

But no worries for next year...because we just told all the staff, we were from LifeCenter.