It was Monday afternoon that I received an email from Jim at Share Media. It was simple and nothing really set in stone. By the end of the day I was clearing my schedule from November 16th, 17th, and 18th. On there dates I have been asked to join two other guys to host a three day fundraiser for Compassion on a network of stations in Kansas.
Today I am booking my flight and rental car and at the same time humbled that I have been chosen to do this great work. The folks at Compassion have been great at arranging my travel for me.
Our purpose is to raise money for water filters to provide clean drinking water for Rwanda. My prayer is that we would fulfil God's purpose and at the end of the week he would get all the glory.
Please pray and if you would like to donate to the cause please do so. I will keep you up informed as the information comes in.
The following was taken from Compassion's Blog. Please sponsor a child today by going to Compassion's Website.
Part of what forms our definition of poverty and our holistic approach to ministry is the recognition that poverty can be an internal condition resulting from an external message of oppression.
“At its very core, poverty is a mindset that goes far beyond the tragic circumstances. It is the cruel, destructive message that gets whispered into the ears of millions by the enemy Satan himself: ‘Give up! You don’t matter. Nobody cares about you. Look around you: Things are terrible. Always have been, always will be. Think back. Your grandfather was a failure. Your parents couldn’t protect or take care of you. Now it’s your turn. You, too, will fail. So just give up!’” — Wess Stafford
The internal condition of poverty is one of disempowerment, fatalism, hopelessness and lack of initiative. The person in this condition will often be a victim of his circumstances rather than an agent of positive change in his community. That person’s extremely low self-view will translate into a low regard for others and likely into damaged relationships. Damaged relationships then reciprocate and reinforce the message of worthlessness.
The belief that “it won’t get any better” may undermine initiative. It may not matter how many opportunities are created, because the effort of striving, risking and capitalizing on those opportunities requires a belief in the possibility of a better future. The majority of individuals in that state are incapable of transformational development. To sum it up in one word, they lack hope, and hope is a major engine of growth and wellness.
The marred identity includes a self-view of powerlessness, of being victim to circumstance, of not only low self-esteem but also a projection of low value on others in the community.
When one sees poverty as having its root in human identity [self-concept], then it profoundly impacts the strategies chosen for development. When one defines poverty primarily as an internal condition resulting from external devaluing messages, it holds significant implications for poverty-fighting strategies. One must ask:
How and when did the internal condition become entrenched?
How can “the lie” be exposed and the person freed from its oppression?
Can we prevent it from being heard or being believed?
It also becomes clear that when the lie is deeply entrenched in adults it is difficult to reverse. However, intervening early in childhood offers the best opportunity to reverse or prevent the lie from gaining traction in the identity-shaping stages of human development. There are pivotal moments in human development, defining moments, that shape long-term self view and identity. Those pivotal moments must be won by truth and not by “the lie.”
The lie speaks in abuse; the truth must protect.
The lie speaks by ignoring; the truth must listen.
The lie criticizes; the truth must praise.
The voice of truth must carry throughout the early and most vulnerable stage of human development to break the power of the lie.
The statement “poverty is a lie” is not meant to deny the reality of poverty. Poverty is absolutely real. Nor is the statement meant to imply that overcoming poverty is as simple as a change of mind. And the statement certainly does not mean to blame the victim in the sense that they were the person who chose to believe the lie. Rather, the concept conveys the idea that we are surrounded by false messages about who we are — about our nature, power and value. These messages mask the truth of our identity:
We are people made in the image of God, granted unique talents by God and capable of receiving the Holy Spirit. We are dearly loved by God.
All of us believe “the lie” to some degree, but for the poor it is debilitating.
For the next couple of months I will be working with City Connexx in planning our Mission Trip to Denver CO. I am supper excited about this trip and pray that God will use our students to reach those we serve. I also pray that God will teach our students, leaders, and myself how love people the way he loves people.
We do not have all the details set in stone just yet, but around the first we will start rolling out the details. We will make a visit and tour or Compassion International. Plus we will have a few surprises for our students.
Please pray for us and pray that God's will is done.
The Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, LA is one of the largest and historically one of the most bloody maximum-security prisons in the USA. In 2009, Desiring God and John Piper were invited to Angola to learn about prison life, hear from men who have been radically changed by the gospel, and minister to many of the 5,000 inmates.
In this documentary, be confronted by the realities of men who have squandered their lives and whom society has deemed a waste. Hear firsthand from those who have ruined others’ lives and lost their lives of freedom, yet today are no longer wasting their lives. Be challenged by inmates who seem to have a greater grasp on eternity than those on the outside.
I have plans to show this to my youth group after I watch it. Many times when we screw things up or make mistakes we believe that life is over. I have a good friend that lost his ministry a few years ago after making several mistakes. Infact his ministry was just one thing he lost. His family, friends, and at one point his purpose. I have an email from him still in my inbox....
Nick please pray for my family and my purpose, I know I am called to youth ministry. I am not sure what is next.
At a person lowest point our calling is to go in and bring hope. My friend is back in ministry, remarried, an author of a new book, and understand more now than ever his calling. We have to believe in one another and we have to be able to tell people that God has a calling on their life despite what they have done.
The word hero is a word that we throw around when we speak about our military, public servants, or anyone that does something that is extreme. All of those are actions and jobs that should be noticed, but I want to spend some time showing how we all can be a hero to someone else.
It's amazing to how God places the wrong people to do a job that they are not equipped to do. Maybe lack of skills, knowledge, or will power. God will take that person and give them a task that they can only do through the strength of God.
Nehemiah was no different, he was a cupbearer to the king. His job was to test the wine to make sure their was not any poison in it. What could God do with this man. Chapter one we read his prayer and plea with the Lord.
Chapter two is the most beautiful to me for many reasons. What I find is a real hero, this is a guy who is really not all that much. But this guy didn't allow his status to stand in the way of his heart and he was able to go to the King to get permission to go and be the person to help rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. His wish is go and help these people see something that seems impossible to most.
11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
Nehemiah 2:13-16 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.
I love the fact that he went first and then after verse 16 he gives the vision to the people and even though not everyone was with him he went ahead and used the people to build a team to change the world as we know it. Chapter three goes through all the people that helped rebuild this wall. You read about business men, families, priest, and others make repairs to this wall and help rebuild this wall.
This reminds me of what is taken place in Haiti right now. Also what took place in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. We saw cities go town with in just moments and people questioned is this the end. Sometimes we think as Americans our job is to go in and fix the issue. That can be so far from the truth. Our job as people who love God is to go in and use them to rebuild whatever has been taken down.
I have this deep concern at times for our way of thinking. Many times we see the issue but yet do nothing about it. We will encourage Godly people to move out of neighborhoods, put our children into christian schools, or look for Christian jobs. When we do that we separate ourselves with those who have lives that have been knocked down by drug abuse, anger, family issues, or whatever else. We can't be the person to rebuild them back to what God wanted, but we can be the person that gives them the vision of what God has for them.
So here is what I believe a Hero is, someone that is the most unqualified person taking the job to help rebuild someones life. He/she sits quietly in the church, he really don't have role but they see and need and it breaks their heart. Because of the broken heart they take action. I believe we need more people like that in the world.
But we have to keep in mind that this is not always popular. Tomorrow we will learn that people became upset and said it wouldn't work. But God had other plans.
After my last post and thinking allot about the "Great Commission," and how we believe as people. Today once again we watch the news about another earthquake and asking God why? Now I am not believe that God creates the earthquake, however I can't help but be admire by God and how he shows himself. You see there was a huge difference between Hatti and Chilii in many ways. Chilli is a location that is prepared for this type of event. If I understand right this is the 6th largest earthquake in history. So me being me I always want to no more about the people and what they believe. i was a bit surprise at their life style and what they believe.
Facts and Statistics Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru Capital: Santiago Population: 15,980,912 (July 2005 est.) Ethnic Groups: white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2% Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL% Language in Chile
Spanish in the official language of Chile. There are also quite a few indigenous languages such as Mapudungun (spoken between the Itata and Tolten rivers) and Aymara (spoken in the mountains of the north). Chilean Culture & Society Religion
. Most Chileans are Roman Catholics.
. The religion has played a large role in defining social and political life.
. Religious instruction in public schools is almost exclusively Roman Catholic.
Abortion is actually illegal due to the influence of the Church.
. Divorce was illegal until 2004.
. Most national holidays are religious in nature.
. Chileans of more mature generations still celebrate their saint's day as much as they do their own birthday. The Role of the Family
. The family occupies a central role in Chilean life.
. Extended families are very close and will frequently congregate for major occasions and celebrations.
. Family and business are intertwined to the extent that nepotism is seen as a positive concept.
. Many small firms will be 100% family run. Class Structure
. Chilean history has had a large influence on modern day class lines.
. Generally speaking, class in drawn along financial lines.
. Today's wealthiest class are more or less the same land owning families of before.
. A middle class has developed of late and now accounts for nearly a half of the population.
Classes are fluid and it is possible to move either upwards or downwards depending on your salary. Social Profiling
. Due to class structures it is commonplace for people to try and deduce another's position in the social rank.
. This is primarily done through external appearances, i.e. dress, etc.
. As a result they present themselves in the best possible way.
As I read that I was amazed with how this location is similar to our lifestyle in America. There are some differences for sure but at the same time they carry allot of the same traditions. This is starting to show me that God is more about people and not what condition they are in. I believe events like this change more then just life, it changes what we think or believe.
Mark 10:17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother."Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it isto enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!""I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Could it be with rich man that the injustice in his life would be his money and stuff? We focus so much on injustice being the poor, but what about the rich man? Be honest with yourself, do you not find yourself happier when you have all that you need. It's amazing in America around income tax time people have a change in moods. They buy stuff that they have wanted! Then we run out of money and we are right back to where we were at.
In Chile the mood about the earthquake was way different from haiti. I jumped online to see if anyone posted anything on facebook about praying for Chile and I didn't see much. My question is why?? Because we are still talking about human life aren't we? Think about it the TV media get it, they are still wall to wall reporting. I am learning more and more WE MUST BE CAREFUL! Jesus minister to the rich man and when he heard that belongings would not save him he was upset. Why do we think that the Great Commission is only reaching out to the poor and believe the rich are okay.
I am praying that we understand the "Great Commission" has more to do with us obey what Jesus had to say to us. Also I believe that God wants to give us the same lesson has the rich man. We must understand that God loves all, not just ones we can give stuff.
As I contiue blogging about my prayers for our trip to New York today I am going to talk about seving those who are the least of these.
Romans 12:14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
My prayer is that has we go through this week that I learn to love in a way that I have never loved before. I feel that many times I tend to myself above different groups of people. I believe it is something we all do, however we need to make sure that we understand that God has a love for all. In this world it's so hard to understand that because of what the world tells you. As we work with kids, the homeless, and church leaders in New York my prayer is that our Egos and opinions stay out of the way and we serve the body of Christ.
I also pray that we all have a better understanding of the homeless and we try to make a bigger impact in our home city. many times we tend to stay in our comfort zone and forget that they are people as well.
My prayer is that we will also understand that God has created us all different and that is all of his purpose and Glory
Also I pray that we do not go with the mindset that we are going to changes the lives of people in New York, but with the mindset that together we are going to allow The Father to change us for his glory!
I am going to contiue to pray and ask God to give us his words!
Well It's hard to believe that we are just four weeks away from going to New York City. Four students, three adults join several other churches in Abilene to attend this spring break. I am going to start posting more and more about the trip. First I am going to tell you about the people who are going with us and how we selected the students to go. As youth pastor and the season we were in as a youth group I didn't feel it would be healthy or the right thing to make it open for everyone. I didn't want this to just be a vacation, but I wanted it to be an experience that the students wouldn't forget and they would learn the art of giving back to the world. So we selected 13 students to take this trip but with a twist. The deal was to turn in your deposits and to fund-raise. Along with that students were asked to give back to their community in service projects. At the end four stuck with it and they are now on their way to New York.
Most would look at that and say "that's not fair" and you might be right. But the point we wanted to make was that going for God's will takes more then just signing up and going. Following the will of God mean working hard and having faith. Because until now all I have done is giving a few students fund-raising packets. They have been gathering donations from family and friends. At the same time we are going to take them to places in New York so they can have an experience like never before. Some are afraid of the flight and others fear getting lost. As we get closer and closer the more they look forward to the trip.
My prayer is that God will use all of on this trip.
Here is some of what we will be doing.
St. Johns Bread and Life (www.breadandlife.org) is a homeless ministry in Brooklyn. There is a soup kitchen and food pantry and many other volunteer opportunities at this facility. This is one of the largest soup kitchens in New York City.
“The Soup Kitchen, Mobile Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry are the heart and soul of the daily work we do at St. John's Bread and Life. St. John's Bread and Life is the largest emergency provider in Brooklyn, second largest in New York City, and we feed 1,000 people every day as Christ would, no questions asked. Beyond the nourishment of food, we offer respect and support to our needy community, including legal and medical referrals, nutritional counseling and single stop social services.”
NYC Rescue Mission (www.nycrescue.org) this is the oldest rescue mission in New York. This is located in Manhattan close to China Town. The work here will include cleaning, cooking, and eating with those who visit.
“The objective of the New York City Rescue Mission (NYCRM), America's First Rescue Mission, has remained the same since its founding in 1872: to provide spiritual hope, food, clothing and shelter to people in crisis in New York City. This model has been replicated by 300 rescue missions throughout the country.”
At Urban Impact (urbanimpactny.com) we will work at the South Asian Learning Center where we will have the opportunity to teach ESL to Asian Immigrants living in the Jackson Heights neighborhood (also known as Little India). Since many of these people are Muslim and Hindu, classes are separated by male and female. You will teach English to these people who do not yet or who are in the learning process of learning English as a second language. We will also work at the African Friendship Center at there after school program for students. Also there is a possibility for some small construction work.
“Urban Impact is an outreach ministry to unreached people groups here in New York. Most of the people we minister to come from closed countries where missionaries and evangelism are not allowed. Presently, we are oversee two evangelistic ministry centers: one geared toward Muslims from West Africans, and the other center which evangelizes and serves Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs of South Asia.”
