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Homeless Adventure #2

This past Sunday after helping with church tear-down, our family decided to go to Erik's Deli for lunch. I parked the car and was explaining the pagan symbols of Easter to the kids as we walked towards our destination -- right past a homeless guy sitting with his cardboard sign. Inside the restaurant, I told Kay, "I'm going to give that guy a few bucks," and walked back out.

I greeted him, squatting down to get onto his level. I handed him four dollar bills, saying I hoped it would help him. "Oh yeah," he said thankfully.
"My name's Jon," I said, extending my hand.
"I'm Richard," he said. Still holding my hand, he looked intently at me. "Are you a Christian?" he asked.
"I'm trying to follow Jesus, so yeah, I guess so," I replied.
"I thought so. I could see it in your eyes. I'm a Christian too." Then he added, "That makes us brothers."

Homeless Adventure #1

I have to thank our Mexican-American neighbor for taking me one day to his favorite haircut place. The price is cheaper than anywhere else. All of the workers are Vietnamese. And for some reason it is a favorite hangout for gang members; most of them wait outside while their buddy gets his hair trimmed to perfection. Every time I go, I set foot outside my familiar world of the highly-educated tech worker.

As I was walking in a few weeks ago, I noticed a couple of guys hanging out in the parking lot. Freshly shorn and having just paid in cash (instead of using my card), I was walking back to my car with small bills in my wallet, when I saw the same two guys. "Hey," one of them said, "can you give us a hand?"

"How can I help you?" I asked, walking over.
"Can you spare any change?" he asked.
"Sure, what's up? What do you need it for?"
"Aw man, we're homeless. Anything helps."

Technorati Tags: homeless

Dream come true?

A couple of months ago, I had a dream that Kay & I decided to start up a home group again. We had only told a few people about our first get-together, but more and more people kept trickling in, until we had a dozen people. I was amazed. One mysterious person even came by to say, "I can't stay tonight, but I wanted to come by to encourage you." How did people find out about the meeting, I asked. The mysterious person said, "Word got out, because this is a big deal."

Tonight, for our first get-together, I was expecting only a handful of people. But people kept trickling in. I looked around our circle, and counted a dozen people besides myself.

And so it begins (take 2)

Well, here we go. Potluck at our place, this Saturday evening, 6:30. Let me know if you want to be added to the select list.

This week, we will devote ourselves to the following text:
Wow. SPs, they'll just read about them in the history books. I just go through that tech, literally. It's not how to run from an SP. It's PTSP — how to shatter or confront oppression. You apply it, then boom. — Tom Cruise

Prayer to begin

It's time.

++
How long before I get in
Before it starts, before I begin
How long before you decide
Before I know what it feels like
Where to, where do I go
If you never try, then you'll never know
How long do I have to climb
Up on the side of this mountain of mine

Look up, I look up at night
Planets are moving at the speed of light
Climb up, up in the trees
Every chance that you get is a chance you seize
How long am I gonna stand
With my head stuck under the sand
I'll start before I can stop
Before I see things the right way up
++

Coldplay - Speed of Sound

God is a jerk

People can stop blogging suddenly for any number of reasons: too busy, or nothing to say.

Me? I had it out with God on Friday, November 9th. My complaint: Why do you give me visions when I can't do anything about them? Do you sprinkle inspiration around, see who it hits, then see who is able to do something with it? Where does that leave me, stuck with the inspiration, powerless to make it happen? Am just I a pawn in your stupid game?

All this time, I've read Hebrews 11 as "the heroes of the faith". It even says, "All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised." Ha. More like suckers of the faith.

I turned off my 10:02 alarm. Why should I continue to pray for the mission, when the only thing it accomplishes is to frustrate me?

Maybe others are called to reform existing churches. But I am tired of playing the prophet. All I have done is annoy others. For now, I have shut up and am going with the flow.

But damn it, now I'm stuck with this dream inside of me.

Technorati Tags: missional

Serve: School Makeover

Yesterday, we didn't just "have church" — we "did church". We worshiped so hard, I ache today.

Instead of getting together to sing songs and listen to a preacher, our whole church worked for hours on a makeover of a local public school that badly needed work. New landscaping, new paint, new furniture, and more.

Kay & I are so used to leading in churches, that when we aren't leading, we don't quite feel like we're fitting in yet. But maybe we're not here to lead at all! Maybe our job right now is to learn. For all my talk of PEZ, here is a church that was founded with Service as one of its three core values.

I wish I could have seen the reaction this morning of the students and staff. I know that the two rooms I helped with were utterly transformed. I am amazed at the creative energy that went into the planning, preparation and execution.

Blessed are those who ache.

Explore: Reflect on the past year

At The Journey yesterday, everyone was given a card that looked like this:

My Pas•sage | December 31, 2006

1. What events/transitions/risks/accomplishments do I have to celebrate this year?

2. What did not go well this year? What do I wish I could have done differently?

3. In what ways am I different from this time last year?

4. What word or phrase would I use to summarize 2006?

I was going to just start writing about my own stuff, but I thought I should first open it up to everyone. Reflection can be intensely personal—you may or may not want to share here (though it would be cool if you did). But I encourage you to print this up, and take it to an environment that helps you center your thoughts. Take a pen along, and write out your answers. Reflect. God may have something to say to you.

Serve: AIDS Relief Benefit Breakfast

I love a church that cancels its regular worship service! On Sunday the 17th, come join us for a breakfast that will make a difference. Here's what the morning looks like:

9:00 - show up at The Sainte Claire Hotel
9:30 - breakfast
10:30 - program
11:30 - work together to prepare 500 caregiver kits for workers who go from house to house in Africa caring for those dying of AIDS
12:00 - conclusion

Yes, the plan is to make 500 caregiver kits! And each kit costs $17.50 which is more than the $10 ticket, so come prepared to give $$ as well.

We will be buying tickets for our family this Sunday. Let me know if you want a ticket or three! I am looking forward to a good morning together.

Technorati Tags: AIDS

And so it begins

I am starting preliminary gatherings of my new cult! We will begin with a 6-part learning party I call "Rethinking Church" where we will listen to Michael Frost and chew on his thoughts. And whither then? I cannot say.

Part 1 is this Sunday, 3:00-5:00 here in San Jose. Send me a note if you'd like to join us.