Igniting Vision

Do I believe that God is bigger than me?

2011-08-23T18:32:00.000-05:00

We are starting a new series next week at Grace Community based on the book Love Wins by Rob Bell. I have read this book a couple times. Read and listened to numerous of other point of views online and am currently reading Francis Chan's new work Chasing Hell which contradicts Bell's work.

What I am finding online in most of other people's opinions is a fear of the unknown and a fear of their own personal "Biblical World View". I think what Love Wins does well at is raising the question. To get people thinking and looking into scripture and what it really says. Too often we just take for granted what we have been told to believe, but we fail to grasp and to own our own beliefs, convictions and understandings of God and His ways.

I admit that God is way too much God for me to figure Him out. That every time I pick of the sacred texts (Bible) or any other work I read my own beliefs, assumptions and preconceptions into it. We need to take a step back and read with new eyes, unbiased eyes and hearts for God.

See I am writing the entry now so I can distance myself from the work before me. Not that I don't want to do it. But I sense I am in the middle of it and don't want Scott to be the center. This is the place for God to be. I want God to be the center of this study. As the book it titled "Love Wins". That God in the end will get the last word, He in the end will signal the end; He is the one who calls the shots. Not me and not you.

What I am finding in my reading and studying is that often we have made our beliefs, our theology and our dogma about Us and really not about God. Even though through our beliefs and theology we are trying to describe God, we are actually just falling way short of describing or explaining God. It is almost as if we are telling God, "...this is what your are to me...this is who you are..."

So maybe through this study of Love Wins we will be able to see who God truly is? Maybe we will wrestle with our thoughts and beliefs and come to new and better conclusions. Maybe after this all is set and done we will realize that God is much bigger than you and I and that we need Him more than ever.

New study released on Teens and media

2011-07-06T15:41:00.000-05:00

This should be a wake up call to us who seem to take minutes or even upwards to 30 to 40 minutes to get our points across!

The article by Daniel Anstandig said this "Long-winded pitches and excessive ramp-ups to your point will result in losing the ear of your target. This is the first generation of consumers that speaks in bullet points. In 256 characters or less, a text message between two teens can plan an entire weekend. In 140 characters or less, a tweet can start a riot. Get your point across as efficiently as possible without sounding gruff."

I'm not avocating that we start to form bible studies, devotionals or even sermons into 140 characters or less, but we should be concious to our audience and those whom are are trying to reach. This study focused in on teens 13-17. And I don't have to remind us how crucial it is to reach people prior to even high school and certainly college.

I wonder how long it will take the church, us youth directors and pastors to catch on to what main stream media and marketing consultants are already doing. We as the church has lost this battle over the past several generations, maybe we can get a step ahead of the next and take back some ground from the main-stream America and see what God can do with the generation coming of age! I can only imagine the possibilities. This generation is smarter, more creative, has every tool we ever dreamed of having and so much more.

How will we "stand out from the norm" according to this article? How will we make a difference in their lives? What will help them grasp the Truth of God for themselves? This is one servant who is certainly open to exploring the possibilities of how we are sharing the Gospel, communicating to this generation and how we may interact on a more productive level.

Read the entire article about the Nielson survey here. The Class of 2011: How Teens Interact with Media

Preservation vs. Revitalization

2011-06-07T16:48:00.000-05:00

The Church in America has been on the side of preservation for quite sometime. We are guarded and aware that we are declining and loosing members and resources at a rapid pace. We have a generation that is coming of age that is anti religion and see the church as useless and waste of time for most. What are we going to do about this? We can blame our leaders, our ancestors and those who have gone before us. Or we can take ownership of it. We can proclaim and name the issues and then seek resolving this issue that plagues our churches and denominations.

In recent times there has been a push of campaigns that urge the church to refocus or may I say "Rethink" the purpose and practices of church. The United Methodist Church has made this central to it's publicity and communication. But have we really made a refocusing or may I say a revitalization of our churches, our ministries and our focus.

Too often we are consumed with preserving and entertaining our congregations. We are bottled necked and strangled by membership maintenance, facility demands and ministries "sacred cows". What if we were free to dream, be authentic and seek the guidance and thoughts of this generation? What if we really and truly began to not just rethink but re-church or undo some of the wasted resources, time and black holes of our churches.

Don't get me wrong. I am a true believer in discipleship and making disciples of Jesus Christ. I take serious our call by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 where he commissions us to daily "make disciples" in His name. To be about the building of His kingdom on earth today. This requires a commitment of resources, time and often a lot of prayer and work. But if we continue to try "to make" disciples in the same way we have been were going to fail miserably. Now more than ever before I see and experience such shallowness of spirituality and theology in what our faithful believe. Our actions and attitudes are aligned with Christ. They contradict the very word we say and are calling our people to.

So who do we blame? Who is responsible for this? Everyone of us who are in the role of leadership. Who has been called to lead should take a close look at themselves. All I see is that I blame myself. I take responsibility of falling short and creating a safe place where the faithful can be stagnate and shallow. Where they are not challenged to change but always reminded that they are loved. Yes we are loved and God will continue to do so. But there is much more to it than just that we need to be "loving" towards others. He isn't going to change or waver in that. However because of His great love for us we should and are compelled to do something in response.

We need to be in the business of our Father's business. God's business is not about protecting or preserving the Church but about expanding it. He is about opening the front doors and inviting anyone who wants to come in to do just that. We have been about keeping our churches safe and respectable. Were going to have to step our in faith and be uncomfortable. Were going to have to invite the un-respectable, unlovable and broken spirits of this world. Were gonna have to abandon the safe corners of our communities and coffee shops and walk across the room and talk, share and love those who don't look, act or think like we do.

If were going to survive and be the church that God is calling us to be we are going to have to revitalize our beliefs, opinions and dreams of the church. Were going to have to change. And that change ends with us talking about it and actually doing it!

The future of the church depends of us

2011-02-02T10:43:00.004-06:00

Read a recent survey by Lifeway which stated that 72 percent of Millennials identified themselves as "spiritual," but not "religious.". They went onto say that many didn't read the bible or any other sacred text. Seldom did they pray with others or go to church. Over half identified themselves as "Christian" but still didn't practice typical religious activity. And only about 40 percent felt a personal call or responsibility to spread the Gospel. (Survey found in Neuevemagazine Summer 2010 Issue)

Thomas Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources went onto to say, "The Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships."

So what does all this say about the future of the church? I just read an article today about Andy Stanley's church North Point in Atlanta Georgia has embraced the 3D technology in their Worship and Satellite campus sites. How cool is that! So we have churches that are growing and expanding as well as churches that are dying and closing.

Talked with a friend just the other day about their church is struggling because of its leadership. Usually you see churches that have members who don't want to grow or move beyond where they are, but here a church that from the outside looks progressive and growing. But in reality is stifled by its leadership.

As Church leaders and shepherds of the flock we need to be sure to not be apart of the problem. We need to be engaged with our congregations, involved in our communities, and leaders in spiritual practices. How can we ask and expect others to read the sacred scriptures, pray to the Almighty and be faithful church attenders (I suggest more than attenders but participants), when we don't even do that ourselves?

Our state of the church has a lot to do with its leadership, and I am one of them, so I am not pointing fingers but rather swallowing this myself. Is it really the Millennials fault that they see themselves "Spiritual" but not "religious"? Sure they have responsibility and are held accountable for their own behavior. But do I have some responsibility with or for them. How has the church embraced or pushed this generation further and further away. I have seen many personal friends and mentors fall in ministry. Have seen people leave the church over and over again. Many to their own follies and sinful choices. What example are we setting as leadership when we give up, close our doors and remain silent about these times were in.

I propose if we (I) as leadership start acting like leaders then things can and will change for our future. If we embrace this generation, their questions, their fear of the church we may actually find a generation that can take the church to the next level. If we as leaders fall back on what we know... reading and studying of the Sciptures, praying and loving those who need us. Then we will be the leadership that God is asking us to be. If we become as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:20-23 in which he became all things to all people in order to reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We have the ability to shape the future of the Church, the ability to redeem Her and steer Her back on path. I pray and ask you to join me as we rediscover what it meant to be Christan Leaders and to LEAD as Christ leads us!

Community

2011-01-31T16:04:00.007-06:00

Community what really is it? How do you create it? How to sustain it? Is it really something that can be grasp? Is it really something that I want to be apart of? These are all very good questions. I guess there are many different answers and levels to those answers for each question. When it come to the basic question what is community? I might consider the city I live in Shreveport is a community or maybe the neighborhood where our house is. That is community. Or maybe our Church, Grace Community, is a community. It should be it has the word Community in it!!! Or maybe the youth ministry, maybe the small groups or maybe the little pockets of friends all over the world are our communities? I guess the this just raises more questions about community. And what about the Internet and the creation of communities like Facebook and Myspace and now Twitter. There is a language and understanding within these communities that is foreign to the rest of the world.

For example I am sitting right now writing this Blog and Starbucks. The great coffee chain that has changed the way we drink, interact, work and socialize around a Billion dollar enterprise all at the center. Across the courtyard there is a group of young people I say mostly middle school students and few high school who have gathered after school. But these are not a group that is hanging out after school together. They have a leader and they are speaking their own language and interacting with each other as a community. Maybe a bit dis-functual but still engaged with each other. Yes its a youth group. I have been in the middle of such group before, but as I sit quietly and try to write and ponder this question of community I am barraged by noise and laughter and often the strange off the wall comment from a 12 year old. This is a completely different Blog and conversation. Let's get back to community. So I don't know about you but I think I am just more confused now.

Here is what www.Dictinary.com says,

Com·mu·ni·ty

–noun, plural -ties.
1. a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.
2. a locality inhabited by such a group.
3. a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists (usually prec. by the ): the business community; the community of scholars.
4. a group of associated nations sharing common interests or a common heritage: the community of Western europe.
5. Ecclesiastical . a group of men or women leading a common life according to a rule.
6. Ecology . an assemblage of interacting populations occupying a given area.
7. joint possession, enjoyment, liability, etc.: community of property.
8. similar character; agreement; identity: community of interests.
9. the community, the public; society: the needs of the community.

—Synonyms 1. Community, hamlet, village, town, city are terms for groups of people living in somewhat close association, and usually under common rules. Community is a general term, and town is often loosely applied. A commonly accepted set of connotations envisages hamlet as a small group, village as a somewhat larger one, town still larger, and city as very large. Size is, however, not the true basis of differentiation, but properly sets off only hamlet. Incorporation, or the absence of it, and the type of government determine the classification of the others. 8. similarity, likeness

So does that clear everything up? I suspect "NO"! So where do we go from here? How do we make sense of this much broader and loosely used word. It describes so much and quite frankly will mean different things to different people. So this is where I think we need to look. We need to rediscover what God's view of community is. What He is calling us to and what are our responsibilities when it comes to building and sustaining community? What power and life giving nourishment does community create for us? And what am I going to do about it?

I feel that these topics are to large for tackling all in one entry. So lets just look at a biblical picture of community first. I want to begin to look at the book of Acts and how Christian Community was formed and how it grew and was sustained. But we may have to backup and acknowledge that Christ had His own community already formed within the disciples. The 72 down to the 12 and even a inner 3 (small group) was formed. In Acts we see that Christ is immediately taken up before them. Peter and the rest of the disciples are left with each other. But that's the point. They are together. We see they already have common experiences, language, customs and understanding that links them together. At the center of their community is Christ. And soon they will have the Spirit of God resting on them. I want to jump ahead just a bit, past the anointing of the Spirit and Peter's great first sermon that brings in three-thousand people into this community. Picking it up in Acts chapter two.

"42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." -Acts 2:42-47 (New International Version, ©2011)

Here we see a few things that builds community and sustains their community. First they were devoted to the teachings and to their fellowship. The scriptures and the Truth of the Gospel were central for them. And they wanted to be with one another. They were devoted to each other. We can devote ourselves to all kinds of things. But what it means is that we take that serious, we are invested and that we are going to work at it. They made a commitment to each other that the other was important. I like the second part of vs 42 they broke bread together. They ate with one another. They share meals together. There is something special when we just simply do that. Think about the last time you had a meal with friends. The community and friendship that were strengthen around food. Like back yard barbecues or like us in the south Crawfish boils! And take for instance our holidays. What is one of the most central things in common with the celebration of our holidays? Yes, FOOD! We love to eat and share with each other. Then we continue to read that they had everything in common and looked out for each other. If someone needed something they provided by the selling of possessions to meet those needs. They didn't stop meeting together but continued that practice. Both large (temple courts) and small (homes).

Who knew that simply gathering together and sharing a meal would connect people. They had common experiences, customs, desires and were one. They continued to praise God and enjoy favor with each other. Now we could talk about what caused division among them and what splintered this community. But I think we need to take what is central here. So go and practice community. Have a meal together, spend time with one another, me of like minds and praise God for He is good.

You are the one who creates community. It takes initiation by you and others. It is sustained by you and the rest of your community. You must not neglect meeting with one another. Sharing with one another. Taking care of one another. And loving each other.

With that said I am going to go and share a meal with my Monday night friends at Grace and work at sustaining and building community. Need some friends? Maybe a warm belly? Join me at Grace Community tonight for a meal, conversation and some good ole Community building.

Be who you are

2010-11-13T10:29:00.001-06:00

"Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." Romans 1:5-6 (NIV)The Message says vs 6 like this, "You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ!"Do you believe this passage? Do you believe that you are called to be who you are? God created you to be you; He created you as His child; a beautiful creation all to Worship Him. Know this and proclaim this in your life. Speak it out loud and write it on your heart. Don't listen to the world that tell you that you are no one. That you don't have what it takes. Ignore the jeers and ridicule around you and fix your eyes on Jesus Christ. The one who created you and loves you. Its His Gift to you!I remember when I was young; full of feelings that troubled me, feeling of not liking who I was. I didn't understand why I wasn't like the other boys in my class. I struggled with how I saw myself and didn't like what I saw. But the truth was that I wasn't much different than the other boys, what I wanted was to be like them.The problem was that I didn't believe in Who God Created me to be. It has taken quite sometime to embrace and understand who I am in Christ. One who is loved, the child of the King, precious in His sight, created to Worship God and love those who He loves.Listen to God. He is speaking to you. He is saying, "You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ!"

Sarah in Haiti

2010-10-23T23:09:00.004-05:00

Check out all that Sarah is experiencing in Haiti. I talked to her tonight and she is so full of joy! I am completely jealous to not be sharing these moments with her. I can't wait till next month that we all go. God we pray that you will continue to work through Sarah, Britney and Hu as they plan, pray and be in relationship with our friend and family in Haiti. Give them rest this evening and prepare them for yet another great and wonderful day tomorrow. Help them to search you in all and work through the struggle and frustration that is so common in work and service of this type.

You can follow Sarah's time in Haiti on her facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=505155143

Also follow Britney Winn who is traveling with Sarah. Britney is the missionary working on behalf of First United Methodist of Shreveport. Her blog "Stories about Justice and Creativity and Haiti" http://www.britneyseesthekingdom.blogspot.com/

Haiti

2010-10-22T10:13:00.003-05:00

Sarah has made it to Haiti. She landed this morning and is making their way from Port-au-prince to Les Cayes. There they will visit some of the Orphanges that FUMC Shreveport supports. Sarah is there to scout our trip next month. They will visit with the Pastor who we will work on the school and church in the small remote village. Here is a picture of the poverty that I am sure is affecting Sarah as they travel today.

Why Social Media Is Good for Us

2010-10-05T14:47:00.002-05:00

Caleb Gardner writes a tech blog for RELEVANT about how social media and Facebook can actually help Christians communicate with each other and with God.

How much do we know?

2010-09-29T15:44:00.004-05:00

Atheists, agnostics most knowledgeable about religion, survey says - latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/
Survey finds nonbelievers know more, on average, about religion than the most faithful. Jews and Mormons also score high in the U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey by the Pew Forum. Evangelical Christian Protestants and white Catholics come next.

2010-09-21T16:54:00.002-05:00

Are we full of ourselves?

We had a great Parents' Night on Sunday with many of our youth and their parents. The discussion topic of the evening was on Facebook. Many good thoughts and discussion was had by all. And for all of you who missed it you should be kicking yourself now!

Since our discussion the other night I have been thinking further on the topic of Facebook, Twitter and all the social media that is out there. Is our society really becoming more Narcissistic, "which is is the personality trait of egotism, vanity, conceit, or simple selfishness." According to Wikipedia. Which again is the online the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

So the quesion still remains, are we becoming more and more selfish? Or are we as selfish as we have always been (human nature) but it just is precieved to be growing worse because of all the tools and ways to be self published? Like this blog for instance. Lets look at history of selfishness. Adam and Even surely demonstrated there need to promote self when they wanted to be as smart as God they did exactly what they were told not to do, eat the fruit. What about their children they were not any better. Cain even was so jealous and wanted more attention he killed for it. I think if one would look all through history they would find that humans have been pretty selfish forever. That we have been about self preservation and looking to make others like us, or now friend us and tweet about us.

This doesn't mean that we shouldn't be alarmed. I think we should be careful of how our online behavior can cause narcissistic behavior and tendacies. If we find ourselves clicking over to Facebook before sleep because we just won't be able until we get our fix on being up-to-date on everyones status or who comment on our wall. Then we sould be concerned that we are leaning towards the selfish and selfabsorbed side of our humaness.

Maybe for some of us we need to take a break from the traps of Facebook, Twitter and other social media. We may need to leave our cell phone off or at home for a day and just enjoy being disconected for awhile. Maybe we just need to grab a cup of joe and have a face to face conversation with a friend, enjoy sometime with the family and just be ourselves.

Well these are just some thoughts, I could be wrong. Now onto other things like cleaning up my inbox on Facebook!

Plastic Jesus

2009-10-19T15:11:00.002-05:00

I wonder how many of us are living a life un affected by Jesus and the church? Would love to hear from all of you on what you think of this video and that questions. How is Jesus making a REAL difference in your life?

Prayer

2009-09-14T11:40:00.005-05:00

We have been looking at prayer and what it means to live a life of prayer at Youth Am. If you are unaware of what Youth AM is; well ask one of our youth who participate. We have been wrestling with the concept of praying continually, making prayer a habit and beings generally interested in developing a stronger prayer life. But there are a few questions that bug me as we have developed this study and have begun to discuss and share with one another. First of all, does prayer really matter? Does it work?Are our prayers really heard by the all powerful God? If you can answer yes to these questions, great; but for us who are struggling to find answers or what we really believe we need to continue to ask and to seek.

Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

I don't think that Jesus was saying that every wish is His command. I think He was asking us for open and honest conversations with Him. Jesus is longing for us to engage Him in relationship; not just typical Sunday rituals, but rather life transforming encounters with the creator. Jesus is asking for us to pray, to seek and to take a proactive part in our communication and relationship with Him.

For me prayer often is something we just do. I say my words, sometimes repetitive and then Amen and hang up on God. I don't take the time to be still and listen for a response. To seek the heart of God and what He may be sharing with me in response. Why is that? Do I not believe that He will answer? Am I too selfish and inward focused?

Well I am not going to give up. There are certainly better days than others. But I am not going to stop praying, I am going to continue to struggle and build a better prayer life. To make a habit of being continuous about prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "pray continually". And then take the time to listen and allow God to speak back. To believe that He cares and wants to speak to me. I may not always like the answer, but I am going to engage!

John Wesley offers us much insight to the Christian practice of prayer. He wrote, "All who desire the grace of God are to wait for it, first, in the way of prayer." I don't know about you but often I grow impatient and want instant answers and action. But this isn't how God works. If you look over scripture you see that through the generations God worked in His timing and His timing alone. Many grew impatient. But it was the patient the steadfast that were rewarded and encouraged. Wesley also stated, "the most useful of all pastimes." When I think of pastimes this time of year I think of sports; particularly football. We certainly don't equate prayer with pastimes, but we also don't live lives as reckeless and with as much enthusiasm as John Wesley did. I wonder why not?

Coffee Make & Grinder took off this weekend

2009-08-26T13:05:00.012-05:00

So this weekend when Sarah and I were gone camping our Coffee Maker and Grinder took off on an adventure. The good news is that they have saftely return. I guess you shouldn't mess with other people's furniture? Here is a tale of their adventures. These are the excerpts that were e-mailed to us from coffeeandgrinder@yahoo.com

We are tired of you only using us to fulfill you basic morning, and occasional evening, needs. We are more than just appliances to be ignored. We need to break free from the bonds of Anniston. We are done with this place...We are GOING FOR A RIDE!

We never knew how much fun it could be to sow our wild beans. We have so much to do... It has been great enjoying the wind in our grounds and the sun on our knobs. Oh how we do enjoy playing around.

Man is it hot out there, playing around gets us all perked up. We need to take break from the fun and get a good cleaning. Nothing to fancy, but a refreshing dip can ready us for more days of fun. Krups can kiss our filters.

We have had so much fun on our first day out around town. Last night we met so many new friends. They were party animals! This morning as we hit the ground grinding. We have a big day planned. So much to brew and so little time to brew it in. Here are some other friends we met on our adventures.

Wow, this is a fine medium roast type of day. With all the great outdoorsy things to do, We may never come home. Check out our cool rock climbing experience.

Too much fun, leads to the occasional dash to the sketchy toilets. But, when you gotta drip, you gotta drip.

We have quickly realized our batteries are getting low and we needed to find a way to juice up for the fun yet to come.... We thought about haning around for job interview, but something tells me it we just couldn't grind it.

Nothing makes you appreciate one another more than a little time together. I am sure that since you have been without us, you have spent lots of time thinking about us. Well, we have been thinking about us too. And we think you should do more for us. You two are always doing fun things, and never, ever do you take us with you. You expect us to be there when you get back, be there when your gone lying in wait for your every caffinated command. We just wanted you to not take us for granted. We appreciate you and what you have done for us. Organic Fair Trade fillers warm us up and make life good, but so does a little TLC. That's what we have been up to.

2009-07-12T09:23:00.002-05:00

AHHH. . .
Summer is Crazy busy. But so much going on. Need to update and share about Project Noah, CCE, WOC coming up soon! And the many things happening at CGC in Cedar Grove! Wow one of these days will get it all done. Or not? I guess it is more about the adventure and process than the finsih?

Big-D this Weekend

2009-04-03T16:19:00.003-05:00

Am I ready? I think so. Sarah and I will be running the BIG-D Dallas Marathon this Sunday. You can watch our progress at www.texasmarathon.com Pray that it is good weather and most importantly is that Sarah's knee is good and healthy! We are looking to just finish this one. Well hope you all have a good weekend.

On another note we had staff retreat this week Sunday-Wednesday for our church. It went well. I think we all bonded in new ways and learned something new about each other. I am excited to see what happens down the road. We are sensing a re-awakening within our staff and congregation. These are certainly amazing times to be involved in the work of Christ. Pray for us as we pray for all of you in your area of the world.

Thanks be to God for all of you.

Knocking out Laziness

2009-03-26T13:01:00.005-05:00

This past weekend we knocked out laziness. We challenged the youth to identify areas of their lives that they were being lazy. Specifically we asked in the area of their FAITH, WORLD (Social Action) & FORGIVENESS. We challenged them to paint their shortcomings on three warnout broken lazy boy chairs we had. Then we gave these things to the Lord in an old fashion knock out. We took hammers, fits, and whatever we could muster up and destroyed these chairs as a sign that we are not going to be lazy. That we are serious about our Faith and growing deeper, that we are doing our part in the world and our community and that we continue to forgive and as forgiveness to those who we wrong or are wronged by. Check out the video we shot of them destroying the chairs!

2009-02-16T07:59:00.002-06:00

Well it is eight in the morning on Monday, February 16, 2009. We are almost 24 hrs into the 30 hour fast/famine. Last night with the youth we slept outside in cardboard boxes. The temperature dipped into the upper 30s but stayed plenty warm in my little cardboard house. Doing pretty good so far on the fast. Last night falling to sleep was the worst of it all. Wishing for just a little snack. My stomach turning and growling for just a bit of nurishment. But then I was quickly reminded of the thousands of children and people across the world that were going to sleep with nothing in their stomachs as well. But theirs was not by choice! Today we continue our famine projects as well as head to the local food pantry and our mission "The New Room" to serve. I think this moring will be the most difficult for the youth to focus and stay motiviated. Pray for them. This afternoon at 3:30 we break the fast with a communion service and then dinner. The 30 hour famine is teaching our youth how fortunate they are. They are making a difference in Shreveport, our congregation and the world by bringing attention to the many who suffer everyday. May we all remember the 26,000 children who died this past day due to hunger related diseases.

Thank you!

2009-01-07T15:43:00.003-06:00

Have you ever thought about how far a "Thank You" goes? Have you ever worked in the food industry? Waited tables, warshed dishes, cleaned-up after people? If you spend anytime in youth ministry you begin to realize that you do a lot of these things. Sometimes you feel like a short order cook, waitress or even a dish boy. And of course you do all this serving out of the part of your heart that loves these youth. But sometimes it feels as if no one notices. That the only time that they want or need anything from you is when their needs are not being met. But then low and behold a monet of time stops when one of them says thank you. It could be as simple as thank you for picking that up or getting us snacks tonight. Those are the times that are worth it all. Those are the times that makes what we do in youth ministry seem to matter. When the youth say, Thank You!

Just yesterday we were doing our typical homework help tutoring program in Cedar Grove. One of the girls that I have worked with all school year; trust me she is a handful, quite the attitude from time to time; but this time it was different. I had gathered up her homework sheets and placed them into her folder. The kids were getting ready to circle up for prayer and snacks and I handed the folder to her. She took it and turned away, but then stopped turned around and said thank you. I told her she was welcomed. A smile immediately came to my face and I knew that no matter how hard we have worked with her and how much more we would struggle with her I knew it was all worth it. It all seemed to matter now when she said those magical words.

May you remember that the next time someone does something so simple as throw away your trash or open a door for you. The next time you go out to eat and one of our local resturants. Remember to be appreciative and simply let them know by saying those magical words. Not to bring the glory to them or yourself. But just to simply let them know that you are Thankful!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T22:25:00.003-06:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This past week Sarah and I have had the priviledge to spend a week at NYWC (National Youth Worker Convention). I have been attending NYWC for about ten years. It is always a rewarding and eye opening time. We get the opportunity to worship, reflect, recharge, enable and learn. This year was no exception. God certainly opened our eyes and hearts and stirred in us things that have been festering in our souls for quite some time. We certainly look forward to returning home and continuing our conversation and pursuing God's Will and direction for ministry that He sees fit in the Shreveport area. LET'S GET RADICAL!

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall Fest at the White House

2008-11-17T16:03:00.007-06:00

Fall Fest on 68th Street
October 29, 2008

Cedar Grove

2008-11-17T15:46:00.002-06:00

Sarah and I have been immersed into Cedar Grove for the past several months. We have been helping with home work help at the White House on 68th street. We have also joined the Common Ground meetings on Thursday nights where we meet for a meal, join in the dreaming and discussion of mission in the area and study the bible together. With our busy schedule I was a litle nervouse about adding something else to our time. But the time that we have spent there loving on these children, rubbing shoulders with our fellow friends and loving this community have all been worth it. I am now struggling to see exactly what God wants to do there next.

For those of you that don't know much about Cedar Grove and that area, look at what I found on WIKIpedia site. "Cedar Grove (French: Bosquet de Cèdre) is a neighborhood within the confines of Shreveport, Louisiana. It is located to the south east of the downtown district. It is generally considered to be the area bordered by Hollywood Avenue on the North side to 85th Street on the South side; from Line Avenue in the East to Mansfield Road (US-171) on the West. It has a recent reputation as a dangerous, inner-city neighborhood, especially during the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, but since then the neighborhood has improved.
However, Cedar Grove has a much longer distinction as home to working class gin joints, brothels, and illegal gambling as far back as the 1930s."

Just to say the least, the neighborhood has been all but forgotton. Thousands of people that have been blessed so much drive around or over this neighborhood everyday. The White House on 68th street where we are currently running the homework help after school program and Wednesday eveing meals is only about five minutes from our church. Many of the kids we work with are the kids that no one else wants to work with or deal with. About every church or organization in the area have either closed their doors to these kids or just picked up and moved out.

I wonder what God has in stored for the future of Cedar Grove, 6th Street, the Whtie House and all the friends that we have made there. I know that God has great plans and He is certainly not finished with this neighborhood. He loves these people. He loves these children. And He has called us and a few other misfits to love these people!

Common Ground Ministry

Missions Home and South

2008-09-24T17:24:00.004-05:00

The Crew that went south last weekend to use some chainsaws!

You thought that getting dirty for a weekend and working hard would not be fun. But tell that to the bunch of youth and adults who went into Baton Rouge last weekend to clear trees and debir from elderly people's homes. They worked hard. Actully harder than the chainsaws! They burned a few up and dulled all ten chains. There is so much more work to be done in southern Louisiana and Texas. May we not forget about them. Also those who are still rebuilding after Katrina. We have been doing releif work for the past three years are still not finished with that.

THE WHITE HOUSE

For the past few weeks a few of us have been getting together to do homework help at a home in Cedar Grove. Here is a picture of Nikkita. She is in the second grade. I have been working with her on her math and vocabulary. You wouldn't believe how much of impact that this is having on these kids as well as those who go to help. We started up this fall when school started with a hand full of them. This past Tuesday we must of had 15+ as well as 5 youth who came to help. What would happen if just a few more people would dream and give to those who have been forgotten? How would it change the lives of those children, their families and ours? Well we really don't know what will happen. But it sure is good to be involved in that change!

Worm working on homework!

Auggi helps Winikka with homework.

Nikkita poses if front of me after working on the white board on our math.

Hurricane Gustav

2008-09-09T14:18:00.004-05:00

Hurricane Gustav...

We certainly have been living in Hurricane recovery mode here at Grace. We spent much of last week supporting two local shelters here in Shreveport. Thanks to everyone who volunteered in time, resouces and gifts of supplies. We were certainly able to accomplish much more as a collective group than as individuals. Also Sarah, Pastor Rob and I were able to travel to Baton Rouge and further south on Friday and Saturday. We set off on a video shoot to collect stories and asses the damage caused to our friends in the south. The destruction is much worse than what is being reported on the news. We witnessed the destruction and devestation from the wind of the storm. Many trees, power poles, roofs and complete homes were destroyd from the wind. There were spots of flooding. But the most distrubing aspects was the destruction of the poorer neighborhoods and the lack of communication of help to these people. However we did find communities and familes that were coping with their needs and situation. This storm was not going to ruin or take their hope. They were cleaning up and coming together to help each other in this time of need. We will certainly be sending groups into these areas for recovery, clean-up and rebuilding. Grace will be sending teams throught the UMCOR office which is working directly with the UMC Disaster Office. Due to the weather this weekend they have suspensed any teams in coming in this weekend. We are gearing up to go the following weekend. If you are interested please call the church office 318-865-2070 and talk with Sarah or Sione. (I will be upadating soon with pictures from our trip.)

Zacchaeus and the Sycamore Tree

2008-02-19T12:32:00.000-06:00

Luke 19:1-10

VBS story – we think it is just for kids, this great picture of God’s love and salvation. Remember the little cute song, “Zacchaes was a wee little man, A wee little man he was He. He started to climb a sycamore tree…AND STOPPED!”

Can you imagine if He didn’t climb the tree? Or if there was no tree?

Where I grew up, my parent’s back yard there is an old school playground with all the cool playground equipment, the old swings and huge slides and dangerous tee-ter-totters. But the place that my brothers and I would want to play as children was the big oak tree in the middle of the play yard. We wanted to climb that and explore its branches. To get a better view/perspective than ourselves.

Zacchaeus was looking for Jesus, He was searching for a savior.

Too often we as ministry leaders, try to build the church as if we are Jesus. If we build it, do it, or say it they will get it. But we are not the savior.

Possibly it is easier to be a tree than the savior.

Imagine if we are like that sycamore tree, able to lift people up to see Jesus. To let them see God for whom He really is. To step out of the way and let Christ do the redeeming. What a difference our ministries might have. What a difference our church might make in our community.

Jesus didn’t stumble by that Sycamore tree. It is as if it had a divine appointment. When Jesus had arrived at that point He invited Zacchaeus to come down. Not in a tone as if he was in trouble get out of that tree. But as an invitation to join in something greater than the entire world. He offered Zacchaeus peace, community and love in a way that he had never seen before. Salvation and forgiveness came to the home of Zacchaeus.

If we determine success by our numbers, how many pats on the back we get, or the seldom lost being saved. Or that retreat or event was great or wonderful food at the luncheon. Well then salvation will most likely not come to the homes in which we serve. Maybe we just need to be more like that tree. To hear people say, “I see him, and He sees me.” What a great thing that would be.

Invisible Children

2008-01-23T16:16:00.000-06:00

This Sunday

January 27, 2008

6-7:30 p.m.

Erin Moreno

w/ Invisible Children

Will be sharing along with youth worship band.

University UMC at Safe Harbor

Lake Charles, LA

I encourage everyone that can to attend this Sunday evening a great opportunity right here in our community. The youth of University United Methodist is hosting an evening with one of their very own Erin Moreno. She is serving with a great orgnization called Invisible Children. They work with reaching to kids of Uganda who have been at war for the past 30 years! Come and hear what God is doing in the country of Uganda and around the world. Also be led in worship by a local youth band. There will be a pizza party from 5:30-6:00 p.m With the actuall program coming after that. I will be attending at 6 p.m. with any youth from FUMC that would like to attend with me.

If you have questions or need more information you can contact Mik Brignac 337-477-2003 or mikeB@universitymethodist.com

Hope to see you all there!

Have you been lately?

2007-11-02T15:25:00.000-05:00

Have you been to youth lately? Have you been to Bible study small groups on Wednesday nights? Have you attended Sunday morning class? Have you been to one of our two worship services?

You might be able to answer “Yes,” to all, some, or none of the above listed activities, but does merely going make you a better Christian? Well I guess it really depends on how you define the word better. I would certainly agree that attending these things will improve your life and your week. But too often just attending will not allow you to grow to your fullest potential.

I might instead ask you if you have read your Bible lately? Have you spent time in prayer lately, not only talking to God but listening to Him as well. Have you taken the time to encourage, serve, or meet the needs of someone else? Have you personally found time in your busy schedule just to worship God in everything that you do?

Now this list is much more personal and is as important as the first set of questions. If you are going to make the most of your church going activities, you need to make the same investment in your own personal journey with Christ when you are away from church..

You might ask “Why?” You can not grow into what God is calling you to be with a mere hour or two a week within a Christian building. You need to be in community with other believers throughout your week, learning and doing life together. You need to be reading and expanding not only your mind of God, but your heart as well. God is asking us to serve others as we grow.

Also, when you are growing and deepening your walk with Christ, you are helping your fellow Christians. If you are more in tune with God’s Spirit before you walk through the doors of FUMC, the sharper you will be for God to use you to help, support, and encourage others.

Too often I hear people disappointed in their church, its activities, and its worship. Why is this? Maybe because they are not giving of themselves. Maybe they are concerned only with receiving and not giving.

We live in a very consumerist culture. And the church has become very consumerist as well. We expect God and the church to give us what we need for the week, and we expect it now!
The problem with this thinking is that God never intended this for the church.. When you look at scripture and the structure of the early church, you see a community of people living out their love of God in their community.

We, meaning me as well (guilty), program our lives into compartments. We do church here. We do outreach here. We serve on mission here. We give to the needy here. We learn and study here. Why are these things not just naturally incorporated into our daily lives and a part of the make-up of our families and who we are as individuals?
These are very difficult questions, and I don’t believe I have the answers to all of them. But coming early this next year, we as a church are going to be in a study called “Reconnecting”. I want to strongly encourage everyone to attend and be a part of what God wants to show us through this series. Join a small group, come to church, do your own personal study , and be a part of the Church! What great and wonderful things that God has in store for us. I am excited and hope you are too!

New & Improved

2007-11-02T15:23:00.000-05:00

If you haven’t been to the church website lately, you should. Click on over to the new youth pages. We have taken the time to update and improve the content on the website. It has just started to change and much more will follow. We want to create a place where you can get up to the minute info and also get connected with other resources. If you have any suggestions please submit those.

Besides the new website, I want to talk a little about the new you. You may be thinking, “What do you mean the new me? I wasn’t born yesterday!” How true those thoughts are, but how contrary the truth really is. You are new. You do have a new start.

Let me share with you this passage of scripture. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Did you know that when you accepted Christ you became something new; that the old ways of your life are slowly falling away and God is transforming you into His desired “You”. Yes God has a plan for you, and He has a way to change you into this new you. Well you might be thinking that you are not much different, or that you can’t remember what life was like without Christ. Trust me God is transforming you. You can’t escape His work in your life. Many people try avoiding Christ or even try running from Him. But it seems that Christ is always drawing us back to Him. I think that is what is so amazing about His love and grace. I know without His mercy I would be condemned.

It is so great to know that God is a God of second chances. Psalm 103:11-12 says; “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” God has forgiven us. He is transforming us into new people, and He is continuing to improve who we are. Start living a life of freedom, a life of forgiveness, and a life that has been given that second chance. What might God be asking of you? What might He be telling you? Listen and sense His forgiveness and His transformation in your life. Then live it out!

Easter & Forgiveness they sure are good!

2007-04-03T12:23:00.000-05:00

Well we are now in Holy Week in the church. Many people see Christmas as the big holiday of the year, but I think as Christians we miss that Easter is the more important holiday. As scripture says in Hebrews 9:22 "without the shedding of blood there cannot be any forgiveness of sins."

How true is that. Christmas Christ enters the world, but at Easter He accomplishes the whole reason why He came. This Easter as we remember the death and resurrection of our Lord may we truly honor and celebrate in a way that it truly deserves.

So we are about to end the Easter season and lent. I propose the question on how did you do this year? Did you give something up? Did you add something? How has your walk been with Christ over these past 40 days? Well for me I have had some up and downs. I don't know if I have really added any good habits to my spiritual life, but I think God has spoken. He surely isn't finished with me yet, never will that be till the day comes that He brings me home. But God continues to show me who I am in light of who He is. That is surely a bigger picture and a better one.

I praise God for His blessings and His continual forgiveness and restoration of my life. For without Easter and His Gift I would surely be lost and condemned! So as we celebrate Easter and then move onto the next big thing in our lives, may we take a little Easter with us into every part of our lives!

Giving Something Up?

2007-02-22T15:27:00.000-06:00

Have you ever given anyting up for lent. Well if you haven't been paying any attention yesterday was Ash Wednesday the first day of Lent. It is the 40 days prior to the Crucifixion and Ressurection of Jesus Christ. It is a time that many peopel enter a time of reverance and solomen reflection on what the season means and what will occur.

However for us Prostant Christians it is something that we struggle with. We either don't observe or we halfway observe. I find it so weird that people go around and ask each other, "so what are you giving up for Lent?" Then they work so hard to abstain from that one thing only to pick it right back up again after the six weeks.

This past week I was reading in Matthew 6:1 which states, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." We need to be cautious in our giving up and acts of righteousness this time of Lent so that we don't draw attention to ourselves but only that our attention in on Christ.

I this year am not going to give anything up for Lent. However I am going to add something to my life. And hopefully at the end of the 40 days that this might become a habit. It is a spiritual discipline between me and Lord. I encourage you to do the same. To find something that you need more in your life to help you grow in Christ or to serve Christ or to reachout with the Love of Christ.

Good luck! And may the next 40 days be our 40 days closer to Christ! Closer to the meaning of this season, closer to the cross and closer to the reason for our Hope, Jesus Christ.

What is Love

2007-02-06T13:43:00.000-06:00

"And so we know and rely on the love god has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in god, and god in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 john 4:16-18)

Have you ever known real love? We us the word everyday of our lives. We say we love someone, or we love something or we love the meal. We use the word so candidly and easily. But what is behind the word? What is our motives or intentions? What are we describing? Is it a feeling we get when we feel good or feel accepted? Is it a state of mind when things just make sense?

Love can be quite difficult. Actually there are many different levels and kinds of love. But let me throw out this question. Is it possible to know and give love without knowing the perfect love that Christ has for us? You might say, "Scott of course you can love without knowing Christ, look at all the people that aren't Christians but still love their spouses and family. What about them?" I would say of course. They are loving each other and having experiences and moments of affection or attraction with one another. I guess I should rephrase my question. It might sound a little leading, but I think it gets down to what we find in scripture.

1 John 4:8 says, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." It states here that God is love. Not that He has love for us. Or that God is capable of loving like you and I. Look a little closer. It says the HE IS LOVE. That you cannot separate the two. Where God is you find love and where love is you find God. They are connected. So I would reason from that those who know God have the ability to really love. That's my questions. Do Christians and those who have know God's love; are they more capable of loving and experiencing better love?

I think it is a fair question that one needs to unearth themselves. I encourage you to ponder this question, to wrestle with it and find you own answers. I have been alive long enough to know that there are several different kinds of love and choices when it comes to love. I have experienced the joys of love and the anguish of it as well. But what I do know is the surpassing Greatness and Perfect love that God has for me. I know that no matter how low I am or where I go, God still loves me. He desires for me to know him and to experience that great and powerful love He has for me.

I think when we begin to understand the vastness of God's love for us it allows us to love and accept others as God would want us to. Let's bask in the love of God and love the world as God loved it.

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

The End of the Beginning

2007-01-23T15:18:00.000-06:00

When it comes to something new or something different, how excited do you get? Do you become overcome with joy and tension all at the same time? Well that is exactly how I become. When I approach something new or different I get filled with this joy and tension (anxiety) all at the same time. It is quite an amazing feeling.

But them I am reminded that is what I want to latch onto. We need to take this sense that we feel in the pit of our soul and move with it. We need to embrace it and let it challenge us. When we come to something new or different something difficult or unknown we need to take it and work with it. We need to prod it, to stretch it, to even might rip it a little. But revelation doesn't come easy. It is somethign that we sort of start at the end and work back to beginning. Why am I here? Why am I feeling the way I do? What am I to do with all this? What might God be asking of me?

That is exactly what this space here at Igniting Vision is all about. It is just a springboard of ideas, thoughs and questions to challenge us to go to the next level. God is calling all of us to greatness. The question we have is what is that task or responsibility? What is that great adventure that He has for us? Well I really don't know what yours is. I am wading through my journey.
I am inviting you to wade
-----------------------trod-----------------------------------------------

---------------even possibly fall ------------------------------------------

------------------and fly--------------------------------------------------

with me as we search for what God has given us.

-------------What he has created. ----------------------------------------

---------------------LIFE-----------------------------------------------

Will you join me? Will you join Christ? As we search.......................................