REFLECTIONS

Two, Two, One

2009-06-15T12:56:00.001-05:00

I apologize for the long delay since last writing. However, I am in the middle of a major life transition and I had to make sure that certain people knew what was going on before writing anything here. This transition and the issues leading up to it have been the topics on my mind the past several months. I wasn’t sure that I could write anything without reflecting on these issues or the transition. Now all decisions have been made and all who need to be personally informed have been notified.

There were two dinners this past week that summed up the past several months. Both of these dinners had its own very different meaning. However, both pointed to the transition Amy and I are going through.

The first dinner was Thursday night. Amy and I invited the Wendel family from SouthPoint Church (the lead pastor’s family where we have been worshipping since the beginning of April) over for dinner. We had a great time. We sat around the kitchen table and talked well past 9pm. The kids played with the dog and watch cartoons on TV. I imagine that we could have talked several more hours had they not needed to go put kids in bed. Amy and I are excited about what God is doing through SouthPoint and the ways that he is already connecting us to that body through service and leadership.

The second dinner was Saturday night. All of the Memphis Urban Ministry staff had been invited over to one of my co-workers house’s for dinner. However, this dinner had a very different feel for Amy and me. Part of what was done that night was to honor Amy and me for our years of service with MUM (since 2001). We were given gifts and prayed over. I left that night knowing an era of my life was drawing to a close.

All of the issues that have led to this are too great to put into this post right now. I will summarize them all by saying the longer I stayed the more I felt life being sucked out of me. Although not diagnosed by a mental health professional, I felt that I was slipping into a slight depression. I saw how I was using food as a coping mechanism (I have put back on 45 lbs. of the 60 lbs. that I lost several years ago). The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. I was definitely practicing a form of insanity. I “woke up” and realized how unhappy I was and how little life I had. I knew that if I didn’t do something different things would just get worse.

I am not going to work for SouthPoint Church. That means that I am looking for a new job. I am now doing well with all of this. It has been a long time coming and I believe that it is for the best. Being completely honest, I probably should have made this move when I moved from Wonder City to the main MUM office in the spring of last year. However, fear of the unknown is a powerful motivator and hindsight is always 20/20. There is still some fear. I am still working for MUM, but a final day of July 31 has been set (unless I am able to find a new job before then). I have a couple of leads that I am working. Pastor Craig said yesterday that God loves surprises, but he often waits until it is a day late (according to our timing) so that we know it is him. I sure hope God does wait until after July 31 to provide a new job and source of income. However, one thing I do know is that he has always taken care of us in the past and he will do so in the future as well.

Two dinners, two different meanings, one major life transition. Praise God that he is in control.

On a different note – this is going to be my official last post to this blog. I set this up as a place to reflect on what God is doing in my life and ministry. Part of that was to keep financial supporters updated on what was going on in my ministry. Another part of it was for this to be like an open diary. I really don’t want or need that anymore. If I decided to continue blogging, I need to create something different. For me that means I need to start from scratch. I will check back here for about a week to read any comments you may want to leave.

So to use an old radio format, “This is Mack on Reflections Blog signing off…”

Straight Out of the Movies

2009-02-05T16:26:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, there was a scene straight out of the movies in West Memphis. Many of you may have seen it on the national news. I saw it this morning on Fox News' Fox and Friends show (although I knew about it yesterday shortly after it happened). A car bomb exploded almost killing a doctor who is also the chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board. The last I heard (at least that sounds plausible) is that someone planted the devise under or around the hood of the car and did something that lured him to the front of the car and then exploded the devise. It really was a scene straight out of a movie where someone was walking to his car only to have it explode.

I have several friends in the Marion and West Memphis area who know the him and his family. Last I heard he had lost his left eye and they were hoping to save the right one. I along with many in the area have been praying for the doctor and his family. I also pray they find the person who did this!

100!

2008-11-24T11:09:00.002-06:00

I noticed about a week ago that my next post (now this post) is my 100th post! Getting here has been a journey of almost three years. Even as I sit here and write, I can't help but think of all that has transpired in my life over the last three years. Most of the major events have made there way to this blog and are available for anyone in the world to read. Many of the smaller events and routine living of life hasn't appeared here. Most of that is very intentional. I tend to be private person. As I have done a lot of soul searching and personal discovery over the past 5 plus years I have learned that most of my outgoing nature was an attempt to cover my low view of myself and have people like me (so that I could feel good about myself). Now, I live a much more congruent life. I enjoy going home after work during the week and relaxing by watching TV with Amy (and keeping the house straightened up). I love just hanging out with my handful of friends. I love watching football on the weekends. I love that Amy puts up with my love of sports (and football in particular)!

Life is a journey. And I am discovering that it about living as the person God created each of us to be. Sometimes (many times) our culture tells us somehting different. That who we are isn't good enough. That we have to be something or someone other than who God created us to be. That is not what God intended. I believe that is what God is telling us through the proverb found in Proverbs 22:6 (from The Message)

Point your kids in the right direction—
when they're old they won't be lost.

This verse isn't about instilling the right morals in kids and when they are old they won't leave those morals. Instead it is God's instruction to parents to help their children discover who God created them to be and help start them on that journey. When I am who God created me to be--I won't be held captive by culture. I won't stray from who God created me to be just to please someone or have someone like me. Perhaps the reason we have so many people in our society who experience a "mid-life crisis" is due to the fact that they were never pointed in the right direction. So they get to a point in their life when they hate themselves and their lives--because they are not being true to who God created them to be. Sadly many have never discovered who God wants them to be.

I don't know where God will lead me in the future on life's journey. Even though there is a pat of me that would love to know God's master plan for me, I think it is more fun not knowing. But one things I do know. I intend to continue to live more congruently with who God created me to be and his will for my life every day--one day at a time.

When I sat down to write this post earlier, I intended to write about a ministry event from this weekend. However, these ramblings are what flowed from my heart. I'll write about the ministry event later...(maybe!) ;)

Tutoring

2008-11-14T16:11:00.000-06:00

Since leaving Wonder City last December I have not been as involved in direct ministry. Although I am still teaching and preaching, I am not doing these activities on a set regular basis. My ministry has been more through developing new relationships and helping out where needed.

Yesterday, I started attending “1 Up” as a tutor to elementary age kids. “1 Up” is Memphis Urban Ministry’s after-school tutoring program in the downtown community. This program was started earlier this school year. Although, I am needed, this will now become a regular part of my ministry with MUM post Wonder City.

I enjoyed yesterday. Although different from the after-school program we had at Wonder City, it was good to hang out with the kids and help them with their homework and subjects where they need to improve. Yesterday, I was helping Tameesha, a kindergartner, with matching and phonics. Her phonics homework involved looking at a picture, saying what it was, and writing the letter that made the final sound in the word (ex. one picture was of a fan and she needed to write the letter “n”). No matter what word I used to indicate the final, last, end sound of the word, Tameesha kept saying the beginning sound of the word. Eventually she got the hang of what she was supposed to be doing and finished her homework quickly.

So far “1 Up” is enjoying success. Yesterday the student brought their second report cards. All the students were able to improve at least one letter grade in most of their subjects. I don’t remember any student who had an “F” on their report card for this previous grading period. I believe this is due to the quality of volunteer tutors our Outreach Minister, Dorn, has put together and the one on one tutoring the students have been receiving two days a week. SAY YES! at Wonder City didn’t enjoy this level of success for a couple of reasons: 1) only one day a week and 2) 5 students to one mentor/tutor. I hope and pray that God will continue to allow us to see this level of success at “1 Up.”

New Neice

2008-10-23T20:58:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, about this time my sister gave birth to a baby girl. Her name is Nevaeh Marie (born 8:58 eastern; Oct 22nd; 7 lbs 3 1/2 oz). Her first name is Heaven spelled backwards. To be honest, I have mixed emotions about this birth of this baby. On the one hand I am excited and happy for my sister. I love her and will love this addition to our family as well. I was constantly checking my phone for texts and phone calls for updates on the status of the birth. On the other hand, my sister is 18. I have seen the consequences of teenage pregnancy and witnessed cycles repeated over and over. I am concerned for my sister and Nevaeh. I don't believe any child is a mistake. And I do believe that good came come of this. I do believe that God can take this situation and do things far greater than I know to ask or can imagine. My prayer is just that. "Daddy God, take this new life and bring glory to your name through it."

To my sister, "Congratulations! I can't wait to see pictures and met Nevaeh face to face."

Chiropractor

2008-10-17T10:05:00.003-05:00

For the first time in about 10 years I went to a chiropractor this morning. I was in so much back pain on Wednesday that I broke down and made an appointment. All of my back issues started when I was in jr. high and playing basketball at the YMCA. One practice, my team was practicing the 2 on 1 fast break. I was the player to put up the layup . When I did my teammate (playing the defense) undercut me to get in position for the rebound. I fell hard on my lower back. I saw a chiropractor from 1993 to 95 (went I left home for college). And I had a few additional adjustments when I was home from college on breaks. However, my back pain has never completely gone away. It is something that flares up from time to time and I have just dealt with. My new chiropractor took an x-ray this morning and my lower back still has the curve in spinal column that was there over 10 years ago. She adjusted my back and I left feeling much better. I go back Tuesday morning for another adjustment. This may seem odd, but I can't wait!

New Ministry Partner

2008-10-16T16:12:00.004-05:00

Part of my job in my role with Memphis Urban Ministry is to cultivate relationship with existing area congregations and find ways that they can partner with MUM to serve the poor in Memphis. Ross Road Church is a church in southeast Memphis. Southeast Memphis is an area of town that over the last couple of years many of the poor have been moving. As the City of Memphis has closed appartment housing complexs and dispursed the residents across the city many have found a new "home" in the neighborhoods aroudn Ross Road Church. This church that used to be full of young professionals has been in decline over the past several years as the community around it has changed. However, those who remain have a heart to reach out to those who have moved into the community. They are located next door to an elementary school and have partnered with the school. They have also hired a new minister recently from Texas who has been involved in urban ministry work (in particular drug rehab work). This congregation has decided this year to partner with MUM to give away the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner (turkey included) through our Turkey Giveaway. After Thanksgiving, they will also partner with us to provide toys to the neighborhood children through the Christmas Store. We are excited about this new partnership. This will give MUM an inroad into that community and church home to point the poor to in southeast Memphis.

Halloween Costume Shopping

2008-10-09T14:36:00.003-05:00

Amy and I had an interesting night last night. But let me back up to yesterday morning. Yesterday morning my neighbor won four tickets on a local radio station to our local corn maize for last night. She called and asked Amy and I if we want to go. We said, “yes.” So all day we were all looking forward to going last night and being out of the house in the evening. However, it rained for the first time in weeks here Tuesday and yesterday (Wednesday). So the corn maize was closed last night.

But none of us just wanted to do the normal be at home watching TV thing last night—especially after looking forward to being out all day. So we eventually decided to go shopping for Halloween costumes. We started out at Mr. Lincoln’s Costume Shop. This was pretty cool. It was a traditional costume rental place. This was the first time I had ever been in a place like this. Costumes hung on the walls with masks, face paint, fake blood, fake teeth, and all the other Halloween costume accessories. We left there and went looking for a place called Trick-R-Treat. When we eventually found it after much out of the way driving (by the way—we were in two vehicles with Amy and me following) it turned out to be nothing more than a fulfillment location for internet orders. So we left there and started back towards AR. But then we found another place that sold costumes for adults—Party City. So we doubled back and went to Party City. We had lots of fun at Party City, even though no one bought anything. Our neighbors each tried on a costume (his & hers) and we all had fun with the masks. We left Part City and started home for good around 8:30.

So why were we shopping for Halloween costumes. After all, Amy and I don’t have a reason to dress up—no kids, no Halloween party. I finally asked while we were at Party City when we would wear these. It turns out my neighbors have been invited to a costume party. The one costume party that Amy and I have been invited to in Memphis was lots of fun. It was a couple of years ago and I went as a judge. I hope they have a good time in a few weeks.

I don’t know if we will get to do the corn maize on another night (Wednesday night was the Radio Station night) or not, but it looked like lots of fun. I will post about the corn maize if we get to go.

Surprise

2008-09-25T13:49:00.003-05:00

What a surprise I had a few minutes ago. I received a phone call from Ryan S.--an old college friend and best man at my wedding. Ryan and I have had minimal correspondence since we both graduated with our bachelor's degrees in 1999. We spent about 10 minutes on the phone catching up and hearing about others we both have kept in communication with from our days at Harding University. We exchanged phone numbers and emails. Hopefully it won't be another 9 years before we talk again!

Christian?

2008-08-06T09:59:00.003-05:00

I have been reading a book recently titled The Big Idea by Dave Ferguson. The first chapter of his book is titled "No More Christians." He believes that true Jesus followers should no longer call themselves "Christian" and should stop encouraging others to become a Christian. Don't misunderstand--he is all for evangelism. He states that some 85% of Americans (or 247 million people) call themselves Christian. Dave then points to research that shows there is no differnece in the attitudes or actions of Christians and non-Christians. He asks, "If the contemporary concept of a Christian is of someone who is no differnt than the rest of the world, is Christian really the word you want to use to describe your willingness to sacrifice everything you have to see God's dream fulfilled?" He answers, "No way." He concludes the chapter by saying that Christianity "has been reduced to the expectation of niceness." He no longer calls himself a Christian, but a Christ follower--a disciple. One last quote, "I am a Christ follower. I follow Jesus step by step as his Spirit moves me in his community called the church."

I did a little research. The term "Christian" only appears in the NT three times. Compare that to "disciple" that appears close to three hundred times. I grew up in a Christian hertitage that prided itself on "calling Bible things by Bible names." Although I don't get into that, I do want people to understand that I am serious in my faith walk. In our society where it is acceptable to call oneself a Christian and not go to church but a couple times of year or even every Sunday but not be involved with the life of the church or growing more into the image of Christ--do I want to call myself by the term that is synomous with that lifestyle? So I have been going back and forth in my mind about no longer calling myself a Christian. I thought about adopting the either the term "Christ follower" (as Dave Ferguson uses) or "Disciple" to describe my relationship to Jesus. To be honest, I haven't made up my mind yet.

These are the questions I have been pondering--Should Christians who are serious about their faith walk with Jesus adopt another label such as "Disciple" or "Christ follower?" Should we continue to use the label of "Christian" but work to redefine what it means it our society? Is that even possible? Has the term "Christian" been so hi-jacked that the church is past the point of being able to redefine it back to what it originally meant in the NT? Are there/What are the advantages and disadvantages to using a new term or continuing to use the term Christian?

Ten

2008-08-01T16:43:00.002-05:00

Ten years today! Today my wife and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. As I have looked back over the past ten years today we have been through a lot--some stressful and tough but most of it good. We have lived five different places in our marriage. However, for the past seven plus years we have been in the Memphis metro area. Life right now is good. We both have good jobs. We love being in our house. We love our dog. We love our friends.

Although we could not afford to go somewhere special this weekend later this fall we will return to the site of our honeymoon for a marriage retreat. So, we both took the day off from work and have enjoyed the day together.

This morning we went to the Memphis Zoo. Amy loves the zoo. The Memphis Zoo is working on improving the quality of the living spaces for the animals. Over the past several years the zoo has added a China exhibit including pandas and the Northwest Passage for bears, bald eagles, seals, etc. Over the next two years two more new major exhibit areas will be opened. We enjoyed looking at the animals, but the temperature quickly rose to almost 100 degrees. So we stayed for a few hours and left around 1:30. We have been lazy around the house this afternoon recouping the energy the sun took from us at the zoo. We are now getting ready to go to dinner at Texas de Brazil.

All in all I am very thankful for my life and my wife. I don't know that there is another woman out there who would love me like she does. Ten years ago at our wedding I played Billy Dean's "If There Hadn't Been You" to her. Those words are even more true now. There is so much that I have done and I am where I am today because of her. I pray that God will give us many more years together.

Hair

2008-07-28T10:46:00.006-05:00

For several months now Amy and I have been having a discussion about my hair. I have very thick coarse curly hair. When I have gone to soemone to get it cut they often refer to just how thick it is. If I were to let my hair grow it would turn nice tight curly locks. However, I hate my curly hair (I know everyone hates their hair and wishes for soemthing different). For that reason, I have always kept my hair very short--often no longer on top than the thinkness of a persons finger. Amy on the other hand likes my long curly hair.

For a long time I had a hair cut similar to Russell Crowe in the movie Gladiator. In fact, one person even gave me a nickname of "Spaniard" because my hair cut resembled that one so closely. For several years now Amy has been the person to cut my hair. Which is nice for a couple of reasons--its free and no appointment is needed. But on the other hand we are very busy and sometimes my hair will go 3-4 weeks from the point it needs cut until it gets cut.

I have been in the mood for something different and something I can do myself. Understand I wouldn't mind going completely bald. But Amy says, "bald ain't beautiful" unless it is natural. When I mean bald, I mean I would go cream and ravor all the way down to nothing.

So about five to six weeks ago I took out the clippers, put on the #2 guard, and shaved my head down. Amy was furious. She did not like it at all. It was too short. She could see my scalp through my head. It is not attractive to her. I let it grow for a couple of weeks then did it again. This time she didn't say anything. Not much came off so she might not have noticed. Then about a week-and-a-half ago I put the #1 guard on the clippers and went over it. Again she was furious. The same comments as before. To me, it is my hair; I'm the one that has to fix it and wear it. But to Amy she is the one that has to look at it and she would like my hair to be soemthing that is attractive to her.

I love my hair. It is short and cool in the southern summer heat (99 today and 100 tomorrow in the Memphis area). I have received comments from both sides--some like it and others don't. Here are some pictures of me and my hair as it looks today (I took these on my cell phone camera so they are not the best pictures). I would love to hear what you think. And I promise not to mention what you say when Amy and I next continue our conversation about my hair.

New Job & Vision Dinner

2008-07-25T09:18:00.006-05:00

I haven't talked a lot on my blog about my (relatively) new job. I am now the Development Director for Memphis Urban Ministry (MUM). This is the same organization that I was very closely connected to for my seven years at Wonder City. MUM is one of the groups that helped start Wonder City and that still blesses the ministry at Wonder City. My role in Development here involves two primary tasks--fundraising and public relations. Of course, Amy and I are still involved in ministry. We have started attending worship at Raleigh Community CoC--another of the urban churches here in the Memphis area. We are both still adjusting and getting to know the people at Raleigh.

One of the Development pieces that was already being planned when I started this job was our annual (although we have missed a couple years recently) Vision Dinner. This year marks a big step in process for our Vision Dinner. For the first time all the planning is being done by a volunteer planning committee. I am the liason between them and the rest of the MUM staff. This year the MUM staff will not have to be the volunteer setup and clean up staff. Also this year the dinner is being moved out of one of our sponsoring church's gym/family life center. This year's dinner will be at Opera Memphis. I would love for as many of my blog readers as possible to come join us on Saturday, September 6th from 6-8 pm.

Worship

2008-07-24T13:05:00.004-05:00

I love worship. In fact, if there is any part of ministry that is my favorite it is worship. If you really want to hear me go on and on about a subject, just start talking about worship. I love planning worship. I love a well exicuted worship service that is tight and truly God-focused. I love worshipping. I love worship so much that this past Tuesday night I attended a worship service via live feed online.

I have come to really enjoy worship music. All I listen to now is Christian radio. If I am in my car, I am listening to K-Love (the national network of Christian radio stations that plays "top-40" in the lite rock/pop style of Christian music). If I am in my office or at home I am probably listening to Air1 online (the sister station to K-Love but plays more of the alternative style of Christian music) since we don't have a local station.

One of the songs that was sung this past Tuesday night was Hillsong United's "Mighty to Save." I have heard the song before this week, but it has really connected with me this week. Since Tuesday I have not been able to get enough of this song or get it out of my head. In fact, as I have typed this post I am now listening to this song for the third time!

Here is a video of the band leading the song in worship.

BTW--now listening for the 4th time!

Blog Potatoe

2008-06-27T14:35:00.002-05:00

I admit to being a blog potatoe. Part of that is the transitions my life has been going through and the things that I have been thinking about--most of which are not ready for this forum. Another part of it is that I haven't really believed that I have had anything worth writing about. I look at my sister's blog and most of it is about her 3 kids and the things they are doing. When kids are involved there is definately a lot of stuff to write about. However, when all I do is get up, go to work, come home to work and relax, go to bed, and do it all over again there isn't much there to write about (at least I think).

I have been on my job for 3 months now. Development and PR for a religious non-profit (not a 501(c)3 but a ministry of a church) is somewhat different from what I used to do but still very similiar. I have discovered that I am very good at project manangement. That is how I approached my last job as a minister (and why I needed to get out of full-time ministry) and it is how I am approaching this job. This job is much more about projects and deadlines--fundraisers, newsletters, events, etc. I am enjoying it.

For now I am signing off. I will do my best not to go so long between blog posts. God Bless

Grandmother

2008-04-09T11:24:00.002-05:00

Mom called last Monday (March 31) and told me that Grandmother (my Dad's mom) had passed. Those who read my blog regularly may remember that it was just a little more than a year ago that I also lost my Grandma (my Mom's mom). This passing was not nearly as hard on me as my Grandma was. I was never all that close to my Grandmother and I remember fewer visits to see her than to my Grandma (and Grandpa).

For the past couple of years she had been suffering from the effects of dementia. It has been sometime now since she remembered who I was. Her oldest son (and my uncle) said at her funeral on Friday that all she remembered of him was that "here is a good friend." This passing has been the toughest on my Dad. Dad is the youngest of Grandmother's four kids. Dad is also the one who has cared for her as she has slipped further and further away. Grandmother lived in an assisted living facility near my parents in GA, and it was Dad who took her to see her doctor, picked her up for church and family events, and regularly visited her. Because of my Dad's close interaction with her she still knew Dad. Please don't miss understand me. I will miss my Grandmother. She was a strong woman. I don't believe I fully appreciated her until after she passed last week. My uncle wrote these following words that helped me understand and appreciate my Grandmother even more. It was an email he sent out that with a simple title "We Lost Mom Today." (I know it is long, but I believe you will be blessed by reading it.)

---From my Uncle Ron (Dad's oldest brother)---

We received a call from our daughter early this morning to inform us that my mother passed away Monday night (Tuesday morning here [they serve as missionaries in China]).

Mom suffered a stroke about eight years ago and has had increasing struggles ever since. She was a strong woman who worked hard all her life to take care of herself and us. She had many heartbreaking experiences in life, but never complained about them much. Mostly she just bore the pain and worked to do the best she could with the situations she faced. I had been a grown man for several years before I really began to realize what all she had endured and to appreciate the grace with which she bore her hardships. She lived in faith and faithful quietness, enjoying the happy times and struggling through the painful ones.

I cannot imagine the agony a mother of four would experience when she became convinced that she could not provide for her children by herself. In the days when few social services were available to single mothers and women's work paid much less than the men's, few options were open to her. She could have married again after my father abandoned her and his children. Maybe there was not the hope or trust necessary to believe that another husband would be anymore helpful than the last. But the grueling work in the cotton mills day after day, and the incessant needs of four little ones, took its toll. Mom faced a future with no good options on the horizon. Others may criticize her choice. Likely they have never felt her fear for children she loved or for her own sanity. She arranged for us to live at Childhaven, a children's home in north Alabama, just two hours away. She moved closer so that we could visit often. Lee Brock, the superintendent's wife we have always called "Mother Lee," pointed out to me a few years ago what I had never realized: Of all the dozens of children that had lived there, no other parent ever came regularly to visit with their children. Mom came ever other weekend. My father came once during my twelve years. Some may think placing us at Childhaven was an act of self-indulgence. I think it was an act of self-sacrifice. She was not seeking deliverance for herself but salvation for her children. And she paid an awful price for it. But it worked. All of her children are Christians and have established stable, happy homes. The cycle has been broken. In that Mom found joy and some peace from the agony of being separated from us so much for all those years. As adults none of us has ever harbored any resentment toward her for the decision she made. We have always loved her and held her in great respect.

Having been blessed so much myself with a loving and supportive partner, I always longed for Mom to have had the same. But she experienced little of that. First my father, and later my stepfather, both of whom could be very pleasant fellows at times, took much more than than they gave to Mom. She never expressed regret, much less anger toward either of them, and wanted to appear that it did not hurt or sadden her. But it has always been painful for me to think of the stress she bore and the love she was denied in both marriages. The strength of her character and self-discipline kept her on a steady, non-complaining, responsible course. But I fear it was far more lonesome than you would ever get her to admit.

Before her stroke, when she had retired and moved back to the farm where she grew up. She seemed to find a contentment that had often alluded her before. She loved the country around Deason, a small crossroads farming community in middle Tennessee. Many of the people who had been young adults when she was a youngster were still living, though now long time senior citizens. But they were her kind of people and this was home as no place else had ever been. So when she the stroke made it hard, even dangerous, for her to live alone in the country, it was still the only place she wanted to be. These were the people she understood. They were the people with whom she was safe and loved. Only with the greatest pain and sadness did she finally decide she could not remain there alone. But from the first day she left the farm to live in the comfort and supportive environment of "assisted living" she never stopped saying she "just wanted to go home."

Now she has gone home where all the pain and struggle are forever behind her. At last she is in the presence of no one who will take more from her than they give. I look forward to being with her again and, as never before, seeing her completely happy.

Evelyn and I leave in a few hours to return join our family in the US for a few days of mourning and celebration. Funeral plans are still pending.

Where does the time go?

2008-02-03T16:04:00.000-06:00

Wow! February 3rd. One twelth of 2008 is gone. Where does the time go? It is amazing how quickly time flies even when one is not working full-time. After finishing my ministry at Wonder City at the end of the year, I have taken some time off from ministry for some much needed refreshment and renewal. One of the blessings and curses of this past month was being able to worship wherever we choose on Sunday. We have visited various churches and experienced some different styles of worship. It was a blessing to be able to worship and not have any responsibility for what is happening-just to be there and be able to worship. As someone who is the process of planting a church recently wrote it is the difference of attending worship verses doing worship. The down side of it was that Amy and I were basically visitors in a number of churches over the past month. There was no connection with those we were worshiping with. We were not really a part of that particular body. There was a vertical connection, but no horizontal connection. I have learned the value in being connected to a body of believers.

Being on this time of renewal and refreshment is not to say that I have been sitting at home doing nothing. (Despite what Amy may think-I only took one nap this past week.) I have been doing some work around the house. I have also already "started" my new job as Director of Development for Memphis Urban Ministry. Although I have not officially started the job, I am working 2-3 days a week from home; attending meetings, scheduling appointments, and doing whatever else I need to get done. This week I will be geting a mailing out, working on a document for the MUM staff meeting (Tuesday), and attending a couple of meetings. This coming Sunday Amy and I will reengage our leadership roles in the urban churches in Memphis-churches where we have both vertical and horizontal connections.

On a lighter note, the SuperBowl is tonight. New York vs. New England. I am going to enjoy the game, and in the first time in a couple of years not care who wins or loses. I would love to see history made and the Patriots go 19-0 humbling the '72 Dolphins. Even as I have been sitting here watching the pre-game this afternoon Fox has interviewed several members from the '72 Miami team and they have said they are actively looking for someone to beat the Patriots. On the other had, I would love to see Eli and the Giants win. I would love to see the underdog pull it out. My prediction is that New England will win by 10-14 points. Kickoff is now less than 30 minutes away, so I guess the outcome will be final in about 4 hours or so. For Amy, she is just glad football will be over!

Christmas Store

2007-12-18T11:39:00.000-06:00

We had our annual Christmas Store this past Saturday. The Christmas Store is an event where people from our community can come and purchase toys and gifts for their children at 25% of the regular cost. We receive our toys and gifts from our partnership with Memphis Urban Ministry. They receive them from churches and individuals across the Memphis area who care about the poor and want to ensure they have a blessed Christmas as well. We had 63 individuals come through this year and purchased gifts for 258 children. This outreach allows these families to purchase toys for their own kids at affordable prices without forcing them to accept another handout that strips them of their dignity. Here are some pictures from this past Saturday.

Growth

2007-12-14T13:25:00.000-06:00

The next couple of weeks I will spend some time reflecting out loud about my time at Wonder City. It is hard to believe that I only have two more weeks left at Wonder City after being here seven years. One of the things I that I have noticed the most over that time is the growth that has taken place at Wonder City. Seven years ago (back when I was a lowly apprentice) when Chris (the minister who founded Wonder City and whom I originally worked under) would bring up an issue with the church members to discuss they would usually automatically defer to whatever Chris thought. They had a hard time understanding and grasping that this was their church and they had ownership in the church. They had a right and a duty to help make decisions and shape the future and direction of the church. Now we have Servant Leaders. Spiritual ladies who help make decisions that affect the church. Even when an issue is taken to all the adults they don’t have a problem any more telling me what they think (without deferring to my judgment). An example is a couple months ago I had ordered some curriculum for the Wednesday adult class. After going through the first book, I had several adults let me know they didn’t like it and they thought it was under where they were. So I returned the remaining books and we started something different. This past Wednesday they let me know they like what we are now studying.

You may be reading this and not see anything significant about it. However, this is a huge step for the poor and depressed. They are used to having their lives acted upon and being told what to do. The government tells them where they can and cannot live, how much food stamp money they will receive, and the list goes on. As a result they lose any sense of ownership (even over their own lives). So when someone comes along and gives them a choice and sincerely wants their input, they don’t know what to do with that. Therefore they will usually defer to the one asking the question. Consequently learning the ability to regain ownership and no longer be a victim in one area (such as church) means they have learned a skill they can transfer into the other areas of their lives (schooling, housing, etc.). This is also a key to breaking the cycles of poverty. Adults who take responsibility and ownership of their lives can pass that trait and ability on to their children.

Wonder City has undergone tremendous growth over the past several years. This is just one example. There is not enough time or space to discuss them all.

C3 Live!

2007-12-13T11:55:00.000-06:00

Some friends of mine have started a Christian band and this past Saturday night they had their first concert. It Although it really wasn't a concert. However, they are not a worship band either. But it was worship; complete with worship videos and Christian messages (through the videos and songs). It is hard to describe what it was--and is. C3 is not the name of the band, but of the event. It stands for Christian Community Cafe. They set the place up like a coffee house and even had free coffee and cookies for everyone.

The guys who are in the group are from across various denominational lines. For their first show(and only six practices) it was great! For now they are planning on playing every first Saturday of the month. They are hoping to add more in the future.

Update on Jeremy

2007-12-03T11:52:00.000-06:00

Quick Summary: Jeremy Smith was transferred from the MED to a rehab facility in Truman, AR last week. However, he developed an infection in his feeding tube and was taken to the hospital in Jonesboro, AR. At this time he is being quarantined.

More Info: Jeremy has made some great improvements-including sitting up (ability to stay awake for extended periods) and talking. All glory is to God. I was with the family when the doctors told Linda (his mom) he would not survive and was brain dead. Although Jeremy has an infection (which they believe he contracted while at the MED) and is currently quarantined , they do not believe it is life-threatening. Because the infection is connected to his feeding tube, Jeremy has not be feed for three days. They don't know if the infection is just around the stomach or if it is in the stomach as well. Jeremy has still not started to eat anything by mouth again yet. All food is being given through the feeding tube. Please continue to pray for Jeremy and his family.

More Football Reflections

2007-12-03T11:40:00.000-06:00

I was shocked this past weekend when both WV and Mizzuo lost throwing the BCS into complete disarray (just one more reason why a playoff of some kind is needed). I expected OK to beat Mizzuo, but I did not expect WV to lose to Pitt! What a crazy college football season. I am glad to see that an SEC team is playing for the National Championship. Go Tigers!

Additionally, I did not expect (but very glad to see) Alabama get a bowl game. With so many SEC teams bowl eligible, I expected the Tide to get left out with a 6-6 record. I thought we would need at least a 7-5 record to go bowling. I will be watching on Dec 30th as Bama plays Colorado in the Independence Bowl. Roll Tide!

SEC Football Reflections

2007-11-29T10:40:00.000-06:00

Well, Bama did lose this past weekend. Oh well! I can't say that I am completely surprised considering the way the team has been playing recently.

On the other hand there were two things that have completely surprised me in the SEC recently. First, Arkansas beat LSU! I would have never predicted that. I thought for sure that LSU was going to come out focused and take care of business knowing that losing would end their national championship hopes. Let me say for the record that I hate the overtime system in college football. It may work well for other conferences and teams in the NCAA, but not the SEC. Every season there multiple games that go 3+ overtime periods in SEC play (both games LSU has lost this year were 3+ overtime loses). The SEC teams beat each other up and are just too good. Giving teams the ball on the 25 yard line practically guarantees a score each possession. I don't know that they need to play a whole overtime period equal to a regular quarter of play, but I do believe some kind of timed overtime period that is fully played (no sudden death) is what is needed. Maybe something in the eight to ten minute range with fourth quarter rules applying. Each team could receive 2 timeouts. If the game is still tied at the end of the overtime period, then allow the game to end in a tie. Ties could be factored into the BCS and would definately make the current system even more interesting (although I am also for a playoff system-but that is another post for another time).

Second, living in Arkansas I have constantly heard the dissatisfaction with coach Nutt and the desire of the fans to have a new head coach. There were some that doubted the U of AR would let him go since he just signed an extension (before this season if I remember correctly). Also, all he has done is win at the U of AR. He has not been a bad coach with a losing record. So, I was surprised when he resigned from the Razorbacks and headed to Oxford, MS to be the new head coach at Ole Miss. People around here are glad he is gone. I will be very interested next season when the AR-Ole Miss game comes up on the schedule. That rivalry will now be more intensive than ever.

Cool New Tool & Bama

2007-11-19T15:35:00.001-06:00

I like this new feature on blogger where I can put a poll out there and get everyone's feedback. I have decided my first poll will be a football poll. I am a big Alabama fan! I can't believe we lost to LA-Monroe this weekend. However, after two straight loses, redemption is coming this weekend in the form of Auburn--our arch enemy. The Tide will be hungry and looking to show everyone that we are deserving of a bowl. Tell me what you think and vote--will Bama beat Auburn this weekend?

The Right Time

2007-11-15T14:03:00.000-06:00

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 talks about how there is a time and a season for every activity on earth. It was the summer of 2000 when I was attending Harding Graduate School that I took the Urban Ministry class and was first introduced to Memphis Urban Ministry. That began the process for me (and Amy) to move from the boot heel of Missouri (where I was a pulpit minister) to come to the Memphis area and work at Wonder City. Amy and I moved here January 6, 2001 and began working at Wonder City on February 1, 2001. Although things were financially difficult for us for a while that was the right time for us. The past six plus years have been very rewarding for us and we would not give up this experience for anything.

However, now it is time for me to move on from Wonder City. This past September the elders at Missouri Street asked me to look at whether I was the right person to lead Wonder City long term considering it would only be a one person ministry for a while. After Amy and I both retook the Uniquely You personality profiles, had a couple of career consulting sessions and met with several other individuals along with much prayer, it was obvious that my gifts and personality would be best used by God in another role. Because of our love for Wonder City (and Missouri Street) this decision was not made lightly and was very difficult.

During this time I was also presented with the opportunity to become the Director of Development for Memphis Urban Ministry This new job will allow me to work more out my spiritual gifts than where I am currently as the minister of Wonder City. This new job will also allow me to continue to work for the future success of Wonder City (along with all the other urban churches) again by focusing my time and energy on those areas where God has gifted me. At this time there are still a few final steps that need to be taken to fully secure this new position, however, I fully believe this new position is God’s will.

The elders and I are still working towards determining an actual last day—probably at the end of the year. The work at Wonder City is God’s work (Eccles. 3:14). It was not my ministry. It is God’s ministry and I fully believe that he will continue to what he has been doing to reach those to whom Wonder City appeals and reaches out to. The elders have also reassured me and the Wonder City members that they are still very much behind the ministry at Wonder City and will work to find a new minister for Wonder City.

For those who financially support me in my work at Wonder City I will be contacting you within the next couple of weeks to talk with you more fully as your continued support will be a key to my success in my new role. To everyone I covet your prayers both for Amy and I and Wonder City during this time of transition. God Bless.

More on Jeremy

2007-11-15T13:44:00.000-06:00

The latest news from Linda (Jeremy’s mom) is that he is slowly improving. This past Sunday they medical staff had Jeremy up and in a chair for a couple of hours. That was the most he could tolerate before they had to move him back to his bed. They still have him somewhat sedated, but not as much as before. They are hopeful that Jeremy can be moved to a room where they will be able to visit him at any time (verses designated times only) soon.

Sorry for the delay with the news. I have been sick the past couple of days with a sinus infection. I am better today after going to the doctor yesterday.

Highs and Lows

2007-11-09T11:20:00.000-06:00

This past Sunday, Wonder City experience the high of a baptism. A 17-year-old young man who goes by A.V. was baptized. This baptism has been a long time coming. This young man has attended Wonder City for several years with his family. He has struggled with the idea of having to get his life together before giving his life to God. That is one of the biggest reasons I hear people give in the neighborhood for not becoming a Christian--having to wait to become a Christian until they take care of their sins. They have a hard time grasping that is what Jesus does when we give our lives to him. Finally a few weeks ago (just before Jeremy was shot) A.V. called me and told me he wanted to be baptized. Which we did this past Sunday.

However, this high was followed by a low on Monday evening when this same young man was arrested for shoplifting. His mom dropped him off at the grocery store to get some food and the next thing she knows he is being escorted out in handcuffs by a police man. According to A.V. the reason he was shoplifting was to get out of the gang which he belonged and this was what they required to get "jumped out." He spent Monday night in jail and had a court appearance on Wednesday morning.

Life is often messy in urban environments where the desire to do the right thing and peer pressure to do otherwise is often much stronger than anything I have ever personally experienced. I don't know what exactly is ahead of this young man as he deals with his legal issues, but I hope that he learns from this experience. I also hope that he is telling the truth and he was trying to get out of the gang since he had given his life to Jesus.

More on Jeremy

2007-11-09T11:17:00.001-06:00

I have not heard any news in the past couple of days. I am assuming that everything is about the same. The one new piece of information I have is that when the doctors did the surgery to remove his left eye they did not have to remove the whole eye. They were able to leave the part of the eye that allows movement. Therefore, should he survive and is fitted with a glass eye, it will be able to move and look more natural. I will continue to post new information as it becomes available.

News on Jeremy

2007-11-06T16:56:00.000-06:00

I apologize for it being a couple of days since I have updated the information on Jeremy.

On Friday, Jeremy had surgery to remove a piece of his skull. The pressure in his head had started to climb again so they needed to make more room for his brain to be able to swell and still allow the pressure in his head to remain lower. It was determined in that surgery on Friday that Jeremy was shot in the left eye as opposed to his mouth as originally thought. There was no damage to the eye lid itself indicating that the eye was open when he was shot. Reasoning that most people close their eyes if they are going to shot oneself seems to indicate that Jeremy was shot by someone else instead of it being a self inflicted gunshot wound. Jeremy was moved to the Neurological Unit where he will get even more and specialized attention than being in the Trauma Critical Care Unit where he was at.

Over the weekend the two major issues continued to be pressure inside his head and his temperature. Since being shot and entering the hospital both of these have fluctuated—sometimes wildly. Over the weekend his temperature was as high as 104 degrees and on Monday was at 102.

Today Jeremy was supposed to have another surgery to remove his left eye. The damage was too great to have any hope of saving his eye. As of this posting I have not heard any news today on his condition or how the surgery went.

The doctors have not changed his odds of survival—they are still 50/50. It is still a mater or time and prayer. They are doing all they can for him, but if he survives it will be a long slow road that he travels. Thank you for your continued prayers for Jeremy and his family. I know they appreciate them.

Update on Jeremy

2007-10-31T11:42:00.000-05:00

Jeremy had a couple of procedures yesterday. First, they moved his tracheotomy tube from his mouth to his throat. They are hopeful he won’t fight the tube as much. This will also allow them to see the damage to the inside of his mouth and try to start feeding him. Second, he was supposed to have a dye injected into his brain to see where and how much damage had been done. At this point I have not heard how either of these procedures went or any results.

The picture is of Jeremy this past June at Uplift.

Bring a Friend Sunday

2007-10-29T14:43:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our Bring a Friend Sunday. For several weeks I had been encouraging our church to pray for yesterday by running a cartoon of another church's misfurtune on their friend day.

(caption reads, "for all you visiting, let me reassure you that the overhead usually works, the lady who water the plants is just on vacation, and the lapel mike is never ordinarily misplaced...")

Well, we had that type of Sunday. Our volunteer teachers for our 3-5 year old class didn't show up. I had several audio-visual things planned-none of it worked. The worship leader changed a couple of songs mid-service with no words for the new songs. In many ways yesterday was not the day I was hoping and praying for. Amy says that God was laughing in my face for putting the cartoon in our bulletin.

However, at the same time when things don't go the way I planned it is for a reason. God is usually demonstrating that he can take something that looks like a train wreck and make something good out of it. We had two men at church yesterday who I don't know have ever been there. One of those men is the husband of one of our Servant Leaders-Ann. In fact, she had not invited him to come with her yesterday. However, she was completely shocked when he woke up yesterday and asked her what he needed to wear to church. Yesterday afternoon when Amy and I were at the hospital visiting Jeremy he was also there and he told me "good sermon." In spite of the train wreck that was yesterday's worship service, God opened his heart received the message from yesterday's worship.

Update on Jeremy

2007-10-29T11:31:00.000-05:00

God works a miracle. Jeremy made it through the night Thursday night and Friday made some dramatic improvements. Normal brain pressure is between 5 & 15. When Jeremy entered the hospital on Thursday his pressure was at 65. By Thursday night when I left it was down to 40. Friday the pressure continued to fall all the way back down to within normal range (where it continues to hold between 13 &15). Friday afternoon Jeremy started responding by moving his right eye (his left eye is severely damaged and will probably lose sight in it if he survives) and left side of his body. At 10:30 Friday night I received a phone call that Jeremy had woken up. The doctors put him on sedation meds to keep him calm and from exerting a lot of energy. They have now improved his odds of survival to 50/50.

Many prayers are still needed. There is still a long road ahead and it is still a wait and see situation.

At this time there is still no offical news on exactly what happened.

Young Black Men & Violence

2007-10-26T10:50:00.000-05:00

This week I intended to write about the Fall Retreat that 3 of our youth attended with our supporting church. It was a great weekend with over 150 youth attending. To read what the youth minister from Missouri Street wrote on his blog, click here.

However, an event occurred yesterday that preempted the other post. One of our 18 year old young men (Jeremy) was shot yesterday. At this point in the investigation the police do not know if the gunshot was self-inflicted or someone else shot him. He and his family are not doing well. The bullet from a “small caliber revolver” entered through the mouth and bounced around inside his brain where it remains. Although he still has too much function to be declared legally brain dead there is nothing more the doctors can do for him. According to the doctors “it is just a matter of time.”

Whether this was self-inflicted or not this event is just a grave reminder of violence in the lives of young black men. A couple years ago some young men from the neighborhood were playing Russian Roulette and a young man picked up the gun, spun the barrel and said, “What the *#@!, I have nothing to live for.” He then pulled the trigger and killed himself. Although we don’t know yet exactly what happened in Jeremy’s case, how sad and disturbing it is for a young man to play Russian Roulette because they don’t believe they have anything worth living for. When one has no hope of an education or a job or a decent standard of living, it can appear as though there is nothing to live for. Even if one wouldn’t be attempting suicide any other way, just sitting around and playing such a dangerous game with such a thought running through one’s mind blows me away.

Jeremy though did have something to live for. He had moved out of his momma’s house earlier in the year—a young man wanting his independence. However, just three days before this happened he had returned home. He had spoken to his mom about going down to the community college and getting his GED. He rode to and from church Wednesday night with me on the church van. At no time did he appear to be someone who was contemplating suicide. If this was a self-inflicted g.s.w. I have no idea what he could have been thinking—nor does any of his family.

On the other hand if he was shot by someone else, Jeremy has become just another statistic of black on black violence. One more scenario of a black man attempting (at this point) to kill another black man. What happened or what an argument could have been about is still unknown. Jeremy and another young man were alone in the back of a house where this took place. However, what is known is that we have become a culture that is desensitized to violence. Guns are too easy to get a hold of. It is time for the violence and the killing to stop!

Let me be perfectly clear, at this point it is still unclear exactly how Jeremy was shot. The police have not said one way or the other. However, I couldn’t help thinking about both scenarios and reflect about how many of our young black men in our society are “fated” to such a premature and violent death.

Busy and Exciting Times

2007-10-12T12:15:00.000-05:00

Wednesday I wrote that there are some exciting things awaiting me when I get back to Memphis. Here is a quick summary of some of those exciting things.

Last Sunday we had over 60 in attendance. Although I was out of town this past Wednesday night (here at CCDA) I heard there were quite a few there then as well. I know that it has been at least a couple of months since we have had 60 on a Sunday morning.
Next weekend we will probably have a few teens who attend the Camp Tahkodah Retreat with our supporting church. This has always been a great time for our teenagers. Each year I have been blessed at Tahkodah to have deep and meaningful conversations with some of teens about their lives and spiritual matters. Two years ago I even had the privilege of baptizing one of them at Tahkodah.
Next Sunday, October 21st, those who are at Wonder City will celebrate our 8th Anniversary. Eight years ago on the third Sunday in October Wonder City held its first Sunday worship service. (Of course the work began earlier in 1999 with a block party that spring that lead to a children’s church and a group that started meeting for a prayer and Bible Study on Wednesday nights.) Amy & I weren’t around on that first Sunday. We came in January, 2001. Although we are not planning any special celebration it is a major accomplishment to celebrate 8 years! It has also been a very interesting and fun ride for Amy and I over the past 6+ years.
The following weekend on Sunday, October 28th, we will have our first annual Bring a Friend Sunday. I am very excited about this opportunity for several reasons. First, this was not my idea. Nor, was it an idea of anyone from here at our supporting church. This was an idea of one of Wonder City’s church members that other church members bought into. Second, since our members have taken ownership with this idea I am excited to see how many visitors we have that Sunday. I am expecting several people who have never been to Wonder City to be there that Sunday. I am so pumped about this weekend that I have already started planning the worship service and my sermon for that Sunday.
The first full week in November we will have our annual Fall & Winter Clothing Giveaway. Although this is not my favorite event, I know that there are those in our community who need the clothes that we provide. I am also excited about trying to work with our supporting church and Wonder City on how we can turn this paternalistic event into one that is more of a partnership between our two churches to serve our community.
After the clothing giveaway we will make our turn into the holiday activities—the Turkey Giveaway and Christmas Store. Countless families and children have been blessed through these events that have brightened the holiday season that otherwise would have been much less joyful.

All of this means that it is a very busy time for us at Wonder City in addition to the weekly ministry that takes place. Please keep us in constant prayer as we seek to fulfill the Biblical mandate to bring God and people together.

Good Food

2007-10-11T23:20:00.000-05:00

I have to give props to a good friend of mine. Four years ago at the CCDA conference (2003) Matt taught me how to eat out when you travel to a city you are not familiar with. The key is to ask the hotel staff where you are staying where they (and the other locals) like to eat. A good place to start is with the concierge desk. From them you can pick up a map of the area (sometimes with the local restaurants already marked). That is exactly what I did yesterday when I got into St. Louis for the CCDA conference. The concierge told me that St. Louis is known for its Italian. That was a surprise to me. However, she told me about an Italian place call Charlie Gitto's about 2 blocks from the hotel. First, it wasn't listed on the map or dinning guide that I picked up from her. Second, it didn't look like a type of restaurant I would normally enter without a recommendation. I usually like the places that look professional. Third, it was very good Italian. So Matt, "Thank you!"

At CCDA Conference & Steve Harvey Video

2007-10-10T22:46:00.000-05:00

I am in St. Louis for the CCDA conference. This is my fifth year in a row to attend this conference. It is always a great time to get away and hear from others doing urban ministry. The worship tonight was some of the best in the five years I have attended the conference. The speaker tonight was from the Dominican Republic and has a great message about the way things are done in the Kingdom of God verses the Empire (the world). I know that come Saturday afternoon I have to come down from this mountaintop experience and reenter the "real" world. In some ways I am already looking forward to that. There are some real opportunities awaiting me back in the greater Memphis area. I will share more about those in the future.

I also wanted to share a video clip that was used to kick off our evening and worship tonight. It is of Steve Harvey introducing Jesus. It was filmed at Atlanta's Phillips Arena at Bishop T.D. Jakes Megafest and is entilted "Don't Trip...He Ain't Through With Me Yet. I came back to my hotel room tonight and found it online. (Be patient--it may take a minute to load. But trust me it is worth it.)

MUM Marriage Retreat

2007-10-04T15:24:00.000-05:00

September 28-30, Amy and I along with Troy and Linda Rodgers attended the 11th annual MUM Marriage Retreat in Gatlinburg, TN. While Amy and I benefited and enjoyed being there, the real story is the Rodgers. Linda Rodgers is one of Wonder City’s Servant Leaders and coordinates all of our mercy ministry. Troy Rodgers on the other hand rarely attends Wonder City or any church event. So, this was a big commitment for him to attend a marriage retreat over three days. I could tell on the van ride to Gatlinburg that Troy was a little nervous about it. Troy is quiet most of the time to begin with, but he was being extra quiet on the way. However, the games on Friday night loosened him up and he admitted that he was enjoying himself. The split session on Saturday’s was a “tear-jerking experience” for Linda and Troy. Both had to speak for two minutes and Linda had to admit that it was hard for her to be quiet during Troy’s two minutes to speak (which he started off by asking to be excused so he could blow his nose). However, when it came time for the couples to read their scripture it was Troy who read for him and Linda (because he wanted to read it). Amy and I spent some time Saturday evening with Troy and Linda walking up and down the main street through Gatlinburg—getting ice cream and fudge together. Both of them were very glad they came and were asking at the end of the weekend when the next marriage retreat is. Linda also said that she believes we will be seeing more of Troy around Wonder City.

Mountain Top Experience

2007-10-04T15:21:00.000-05:00

(the following was written by my wife: Amy)

This past weekend Mack and I had the pleasure of attending Memphis Urban Minsitry’s annual marriage retreat. We along with Linda and Troy represented Wonder City at the retreat. While I can’t tell you about the sessions or what was said (because what happens at the marriage retreat stays at the marriage retreat), what a wonderful time it was to be in God’s presence in the mountains at the retreat with the other couples.. In similar style to the song Have you seen Jesus my Lord, “if you have ever stood on a mountaintop looking at the majestic view – then I say you’ve seen Jesus my Lord.” For Linda and Troy this was their first experience seeing mountains and attending a marriage retreat. While I know Linda well, this was my first opportunity to spend time with Troy. I found out that when he is on the 14th floor of a hotel he gets nervous. That his quiet reserve keeps him laid back and peaceful. That once you get to know him, he opens up and shares some of his story. More importantly I found out that he loves to have fun, he loves beautiful scenery, and he truly loves Linda. In spending more time with Linda, I found that she loves looking at the mountains, she loves worship, and she prays for God’s purpose in her life and in her marriage. While I went to the marriage retreat to focus inwardly on my own relationship with God and my relationship with Mack, I found myself taking the time to continue to build relationships with my brothers and sisters at the retreat. This past weekend I experienced a 9 hour van ride to some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. I experienced what it is like for someone to face their deepest fear, and was able to help that person through my trust and faith in God. I experienced what it is like to see God in the beauty of his creation. I experienced what it is like to strengthen relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I experienced what it is like to be moved by the spirit in worship. More than anything I experienced a deeper relationship with God by taking the time to focus on him in my life. I have stood on the mountain, in awe of the power of God, and prayed to God that he will continue to be my guide on my journey to the Mountain Top of my life. I encourage you to take the time to be still, to admire God’s beauty in people and in your life, to strengthen the relationships with your Christian family and to focus on the opportunities that lie ahead of you to deepen your relationship with God in your service to him.

All Good Things...

2007-09-10T16:53:00.000-05:00

All good things must come to an end. Isn’t that how the expression goes? For the past two weeks I have been gone on vacation trying my absolute hardest not even to think about Wonder City or ministry. But here it is my first day back at work in two weeks. In some ways I am sad about that. I was enjoying my vacation and sitting at home doing absolutely nothing. On the other hand, I am glad to be back at work. Back doing what God has called me to do. Back to having purpose and direction for my days.

Someone asked me today if I have ever taken two weeks like that before. I never had. Almost ten years in ministry and over six years at Wonder City and I have never taken two straight weeks. That points to one of my issues—I am a workaholic. Not that I work 80 hours a week. But I will work multiple days and not take my days off. I will go and go and look back and realize that I have worked 28 out of 31 days in a month. That simply is not healthy. My workaholism comes out of a need for people’s approval. (“Look how hard Mack is working. He is doing such a good job.”) I am learning balance in my life and that I don’t have to be a workaholic to have people like me.

God created that balance. He gave Adam and Eve work (before the fall). Their job was to tend to the garden. But God also gave rest—he called it Sabbath. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” God knows we need rest. God knows that many of us will not rest unless we are made too. God had brought me to a place where I had to rest. I am thankful for that rest. I am also thankful for what I am learning about balance.

Paying Attention

2007-08-23T15:52:00.000-05:00

This week I have had several people asking me what happened to my head (I have sore right in the middle of my forehead). Sunday afternoon I was in Kroger picking up a few grocery items. I had just come from playing basketball with a group of friends from church. I was hot, sweaty, and very tired. One of the items that I needed was on the next to bottom shelf and on the back of the shelf. When I bent over to pick one up I banged my head on an impulse buy rack attached to the edge of the shelf a couple shelves up. It was clear hard plastic and I didn’t even see it until after it was too late. My head started bleeding and I quickly got what I needed and checked out. I was very thankful no employee asked me if I was ok, asked to fill out an incident report, or sign something stating I would not sue.

However, this got me thinking about how often I (and others) don’t pay attention. I can’t tell you how many times in a week I say the expression “if it was a snake it would have bit me/you” about an object right under my or someone else’s nose.

What I wonder most about is the number of things that God puts right under our nose that we miss. How many opportunities to practice some form of Christian service because we are only focused on ourselves, where we are going, and we have to get done? How many opportunities to share an encouraging word with a brother or sister who is down? How many opportunities to serve someone in need? How many opportunities to share Jesus with a non-believer? I truly hope that we are not so focused on ourselves that these missed opportunities come back to bite us (Matthew 25:31-46).

School Store & Denpendency

2007-08-17T13:37:00.000-05:00

This week we held our annual back to school supply giveaway. We had 125 parents come through and pick up supplies for over 350 students. The few leftover supplies were donated to Maddox Elementary School.

This week’s school supply giveaway—while a great service to our community—has allowed me some time to reflect on the subject of dependency. One reason is that I knew there would be people whom I never see except for at our giveaways who would walk through our doors yesterday. Additionally, we have had one of our founding families recently walk away due to the churches’ unwillingness to continue to support their dependency issues. It breaks my heart when I see people who are so dependent on others they will do nothing for themselves. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time to break the cycles of poverty and dependency. However, it is possible. While at the School Store on Thursday I heard a success story. A young lady who attended WC as a teenager (but hasn’t been around for about 4 years) will be entering her senior year at University of Central Arkansas (Conway) next week. She will graduate next spring with a teacher’s degree. She has also made it this far without having a baby. In fact her family member who was giving me this information told me that she said, “I don’t have time for a baby.” I don’t know to what extent the time she was at Wonder City has helped her achieve her life goals and break some of those cycles of dependency for herself (and hopefully her children). However, what I do know is that it is possible.

Young Men Stepping Up

2007-07-13T12:30:00.000-05:00

For the past couple of months a couple of guys have been coming on Wednesday nights and teaching our teen boys. This past week one of them informed me that they have been talking about leadership, specifically as it relates to leading in the worship services. This past Wednesday he went through each part of the worship service and asked which of our young men could lead in that area of worship. Most have already been doing things like prayer, scripture reading, and passing Lord’s Supper. So they had no problem saying they could do those things. However, when it came to the areas of preaching and leading worship our young men were slower to respond. However, eventually someone did step up and say that was an area they could lead in. As a result, we are now planning on our young men completely leading our worship service on Sunday, August 5th. We are also looking into them going to Earle, AR (about 15 minutes from West Memphis) and leading their evening worship service on a Sunday evening. Please be praying for our young men as they prepare and lead services, August 5th. I will let you know how it goes.

NACC, Live from KC

2007-07-09T12:30:00.000-05:00

Last week I attended the North American Christian Church Convention in Kansas City. This was probably been the best convention that I have ever attended. The Independent Christian Churches know how to do a convention. I learned so much from the classes. Even the exhibitors were great. I gained so much from them, including some new ideas to try in urban ministry.

However, the largest benefit from being there last week was the personal renewal. It was good just to be away from the daily routine of ministry, the pressures, the tasks, the crisis, and spend some time being fed. I came to the conference ready to leave full-time paid ministry. I was ready to transition to another career (I have been thinking education). However, even after the opening session on Tuesday evening I was hearing God’s call on my life to stay in ministry.

The amazing thing behind all of this is, that a few weeks ago, I started sharing with Amy about changing careers and investigating what it would take to get a non-traditional certification to teach Jr. and Sr. High Social Studies and History. She responded by saying something about my stress level and even burnout, having carried the load at Wonder City alone for the past 11 months. I don’t remember her exact words, but whatever they were it was not what I wanted to hear. I did not get the supportive wife that I was looking for. I wanted her to say, “Honey, if that is what you believe God is calling you to, then I will support you one-hundred percent. How can I help you?” Now I believe she was probably right (as much as I hate to admit that). In fact, there have been several times throughout our marriage that I believe she has been closer to the heart of God and in tune with what God wanted for us than I was. (For those of you who don’t know that is a hard fact for a pastor to accept).

I know that I will be right back where I was at in a very short time if two things don’t change. First, and most importantly, I have to change. I have to return home and do some things differently. There are many things that I have the ability to change, which have the potential to affect my sanity and stability in ministry. If I return to West Memphis and don’t do things differently then how can expect a different result. I have heard the definition of insanity as doing the same things over and over again expecting a different result. If I want something different, then I must do something different. And I want something different.

Second, I do need ministry help at Wonder City (and soon)! No matter how many things I change, ministry (and especially urban ministry) is not meant to be done alone. Jesus surrounded himself with twelve disciples. When he sent them out he didn’t send them out alone. He sent them two by two (Mark 6:7). I need my ministry partner. Thankfully, God has recently sent a couple of prospects my (our) way that I have engaged at various levels, for different roles at Wonder City. It is my hope that God will actually provide one of these individuals (if not two or more).

Thank you, Father, for this time of renewal and reflection. May you continue to bless me and Wonder City.

Uplift

2007-06-26T10:09:00.000-05:00

This week I am at Uplift (a Christian camp at Harding University; ) with teens from Wonder City and Missouri Street. It has been 11 years since I was last at Uplift. I came last (and for the first time) back in 1996 when I was a summer intern in south Arkansas. It was the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of college. I only brought 3 kids with me. This time it is a little different. Wonder City has 17 youth here this week. Combined with the MOST group there are over 70 teens and sponsors here. Needless to say, things are a little different.

However, our teens are having a blast. They are loving the free time and learning a lot. Like other youth groups we have had our nuckelhead moments. But it has been stuff that has been realatively minor.

However, the best part about Uplift so far has been the connection to the teens. Kyle (Missouri Street youth minister) told me several times about how it is the best thing he does all summer because of the way kids open up and talk about the junk in their lives and the sins they are struggling with during this week. I have been amazed at how true that has been with the Wonder City kids as well. This week (so far) at least three students have shared deeply with me from their hearts about stuff going on. This is stuff that they have NEVER shared with anyone else. Additionally, the kids have been sharing their angers and other emotions they don't get to share back at home. It has truly been a blessed week.

I have lots of pictures to upload when I get home and will share some of those and further reflections later this week.

Memphis Workcamp 2007

2007-06-08T10:52:00.000-05:00

I am continually amazed at our young people’s willingness to serve. This week Wonder City had 10 teens (plus my sister) who joined the 17 from Missouri Street by working in the hot muggy weather at Memphis Workcamp painting houses. Here are some pictures from the week.

Addicted

2007-05-31T10:40:00.000-05:00

Addicted is a word that is typically not associated with positive attributes. We typically associate addictions as harmful, negative, and devastating aspects of a habit that can not easily be reversed. Recently, I have been a witness to the positive side of being addicted. For a couple of weeks now there has been a ladies class on Monday night called “More than Sisters” at Missouri Street Church. Several Wonder City Members have become part of this class. While I have planned to attend, I have yet to have the opportunity. However, I have received phone calls about the “addictiveness” of this class. Phrases like “Oooh, you need to come to this class,” and “I can’t believe how I love going to this class,” are spoken as encouragement for others at Wonder City to attend. Last Wednesday night, the ladies that are attending were so pumped up, they were excited about being able to share, laugh, and learn about God in a way that is truly focused on Women in Christ, who struggle in today’s world. Linda even stated that she was going to hate missing a class, but in the event that she missed, she would get the materials from anyone who is willing to share. She even stated that she herself is “addicted” to this class. Being able to bring ladies, of all ages and backgrounds, together is an awesome thing. I know that every Monday night, God looks down and smiles because his power is creating an addiction that is positive and it is consuming the ladies at Wonder City who have made the decision to be “More than Sisters.”

Written by: Amy McFarland

-------------------------------------

One of the amazing aspects of this ladies class on Monday nights has been the Acts 2:42-47 nature of the class. It has been reported to me that one of the things the class hopes to do is take care of the needs within the class. Participants have the opportunity to write prayer requests and needs on a card. Then as the class has the means and ability to address the needs, they are taken care of. Last week—right as Amy and I were preparing to leave for vacation—the class facilitator called me and told me they were going to take care of a need that a Wonder City participant had. This is an older lady who lives in an old apartment that does not have central heat and air. Her window AC unit had gone out. She put on her prayer card that God would provide an AC. The group from the class found not one, but two units for her. When they called to set up delivery, they discovered they were too late. God had already provided two units through a family member. God showed up and he showed out! This is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have been hearing that God is doing through this group of ladies. True Christian community is being formed and is having an impact.

A Success Story?

2007-05-24T16:35:00.000-05:00

It is too early to know just how much of an impact has been made this past school year. Through the quiet generosity of several individuals a 2nd grader from Wonder City was able to attend West Memphis Christian this school year. Earlier this week we received a note from her teacher, telling us the great progress this student made academically. Her reading level has gone from 1.3 to 2.3! While she is still slightly behind where she needs to be—she has progressed a whole reading level during the course of a school year. She has also completed 13 levels on Math Facts in a Flash. However, I believe that her accomplishments academically pale in comparison to what has been accomplished spiritually. After school every day she has been coming to the church office to wait on her day care van to pick her up. For the past couple of weeks (at least that is how long I have heard her) she has been signing Christian songs like Sanctuary and Someday. Here is a young girl, singing “Oh Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary…” all on her own. She doesn’t care who is around or who hears her! This combination of education and love of Jesus is exactly what it will take to break the cycles of poverty in the lives of many served by Wonder City. Sadly, at this point this child’s mother has decided to return her to public school next year. It is my hope and prayer that God will take this one year and use it as a base that will propel her throughout the rest of her life. But, I am also praying that her mother changes her mind!

"New" Worship Space

2007-05-10T14:30:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, some men from Missouri Street's Just Brother's Monday night men's Bible study group came to Wonder City April 21, for a service project to improve our worship facility. I finally have the pictures together to share. Here are the before pictures of what the building used to look like.

These are the pictures from the men working at the building. (some pictures were taken with a disposable camera and are not the best quality)

Finally, the "finished" project (some things still need finished--however, it is much better than what is was before). A special thanks to Lyndal Dale, Don Hilburn, and David Arnold for coming down everyday the following week to finish up. Also a special thanks to the C.I.A. (Christianity In Action) group who came this past Sunday and did even more work.

Combined Worship

2007-05-03T14:52:00.001-05:00

Sunday, April 22, was a great day for Wonder City and Missouri Street—we held our first ever combined worship service. The worship service itself I can’t describe. This was not the first time I have been in a Church of Christ that has intentionally held services with a congregation of a different predominate race that sought to appeal to both cultures. The worship in that setting is something that simply has to be experienced. God was in the house that morning! I know that God is always in the worship of his people—but there are those days and times where you know it more than because that is simply what you believe, you know it because you experienced it. That is exactly what happened almost two weeks ago. We worshiped and enjoyed a fellowship meal together. Christians who normally don’t associate with each other from different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds were together worshipping their Lord and sharing life together. I still have not stopped hearing positive things about worship that Sunday morning from both Missouri Street members and Wonder City members. Praise God for tearing barriers down.

Web Page

2007-04-26T13:52:00.000-05:00

Take a minute and check out Wonder City's page on the Memphis Urban Mininstry website.

http://www.memphisurbanministry.com/WCCpage.html

Our website has been delayed due to the inability to find a volunteer who knows enough to put together and maintain a good website for Wonder City. In the meantime though, this website along with my blog here will serve as our source for web information about Wonder City.

Currently on this webpage is a short video I did for a church in Memphis about our need for a new facility to call home. (Actually, I didn't do any part of it. Someone came and taped me speaking and then went and put it together.) Check it out anyway!

Community

2007-04-19T10:13:00.000-05:00

This weekend is all about community. Specifically, it is about building community between Missouri Street Church of Christ and Wonder City Church. Reflecting on the shooting that took place this past Monday at Virginia Tech Larry James wrote about the need for community on his blog.

The purpose of community building and community development is to see that everyone has a chance to be connected in a meaningful, enduring manner to at least a few other people...Building community must remain our clear mission, informing everything we do in the city. Our work cannot be just about charity or compassion or "helping" people. It cannot be fundamentally about providing people volunteer opportunities. The basis of what we seek to accomplish is fundamentally not about feeding people, housing people, healing people or educating people. We must go further. While we may decide to use activities like these to do part of our work, and while such actions often will prove necessary, our goal must always be to connect people to one another for improved well being and for the experience of authentic, human community.

This weekend there are several activities that will be used to build community between parent and daughter church. First, a group of men from the Just Brothers men's Bible study is going to come on Saturday and work on our building to make it more of a place to worship and learn about God. Secondly, Missouri Street and Wonder City will have a combined worship service on Sunday-the first in the 7 1/2 years of Wonder City. It is our goal and hope that these activities will serve as a catalyst for community development and growth between these two communities. I will write more next week and let you know my impressions of the weekend.

Spring & Summer Clothing Giveaway Report

2007-04-04T16:54:00.000-05:00

On March 22, Wonder City served the community by giving away the clothes that were donated for our Spring and Summer Clothing Giveaway. 39 individuals came through and received clothes for 117 people. Part of what we do at any of our outreach service events is ask the community what they need spiritually from Wonder City. Options include prayer, to be picked up for services on Sunday and/or Wednesday, and an in-home Bible study. 35 of those who came through requested that Wonder City simply pray for them. One (other than current church members) also requested to have an in-home Bible study. Please take time this week and lift these people up to the Father in prayer. Their names are

Ellen Jones
Tammy White
Ovella Wilson
Domique Davis
Anna Duniquian
Torchee
Erinstin Tucker
Tomeka Duniqian
Francis Cheers
Mattie Miller
Delores Foy
Kawanna Sims
Estella Bennett
Annie Simes
Kiria Moore
Antony
Sharon Hall
Dela Tucker
Lattie
Beaty Bradly
Trisha Davis
Joyce Miller
Monica Watson
Veler Smith
Vella Smith
Ann Rodgers
Mary Ann Rozie
Jerrod McClure
LaShunda Foster
Jorcia
Lievia Ceaston
Johnny Davis
Barbara Andrews
Linda Long
LaShawn Williams

The one who also requested an in-home Bible study is LaShawn Williams.

Way Too Busy

2007-03-30T21:11:00.000-05:00

Life has been way too busy recently (part of the reason I haven't posted in so long). I sat down yesterday and was thinking about everything that I had to get done. Here is what I wrote.

Thursday morning (3/29)-It is Thursday and I haven't started my sermon for Sunday yet. I have several meetings today which will limit my time to work on it today. Tomorrow we are having internet installed at the house and our new bedroom furniture is being delivered. Amy will be gone on Saturday visiting her mother and attending a lady's day. However, there is a gathering of my friends on Saturday from 9 to 4 I want to attend. Saturday evening at 5pm I have a Just Brothers fish fry. When/How will it all get done?

Here it is Friday night and I think that I am not going to make my gathering of friends. I need to stay home and take the time while Amy is gone to work on my sermon. The problem is that this is how life has been for me recently. I am need to slow down. I need to learn to say "no."

Building Update

2007-02-08T12:45:00.000-06:00

Back in early December I posted about a couple of things that Wonder City needs to be able to grow. (Go to http://urbanminista.blogspot.com/2006/12/needed-for-growth.html to read the post). One of those was a larger facility. I mentioned that there was a proposal before the Missouri Street elders to purchase the First Church of the Nazarene as a new home for Wonder City.

At that time the elders were in the process of adding new elders and decided to wait until they were on board to make a decision. Two new elders have now been added and they are ready to move forward with making a decision. Although nothing is official at this point, everything looks positive. I have met with them several times to discuss the building and answer questions. I have also met with several of them individually over the past couple of months.

Please continue to pray that God’s will will be done. I am hopeful that we will be in our “new” building no later than middle July.

Depending On God

2007-02-08T12:42:00.000-06:00

This week I was speaking with a Missouri Street church member who was asked by another church member, “Do you depend on God in all areas of your life?” At first he answered, “Yes.” When pressed on the issue he had to admit that he didn’t. His wife had cooked his breakfast that morning and he hadn’t depended on God to provide for his physical needs. He had to admit that he only depended on God for the spiritual areas of his life. My guess is that is true for most middle-class Americans. Even if we live paycheck to paycheck we still don’t have to rely on God for our physical needs. We have our jobs and we know that we will have food on the table every meal. It may not be a fancy meal, but there will be food on the table, clothes on our backs, and roofs over our heads.

However, it is the opposite for those ministered to by Wonder City. They depend on God to meet their every physical need. The challenge for them is to depend on him for their spiritual needs as well. Many we minister to don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Many don’t know where they will sleep that night. I have even noticed this year how many people are wearing lightweight, early fall or late spring, jackets during these extremely cold winter days—because that is all they have. They depend on God for everything they have—from the shoes on their feet, food on their tables, and clothes on their backs (as one song we sing says).

However, for the poor to depend on God spiritually is another story. Addictions run rampant in our neighborhood. Addictions to drugs and alcohol are the most evident. But, there is also gambling and sex addictions as well. These are used as coping mechanisms for the daily struggles of life. When life gets to be too much to handle, many in our neighborhood turn to these vices to escape reality. The bottle or the joint becomes the spiritual answer to life’s problems—not God. Every Sunday we have a time for church members to stand up and say what God has done for them that week. Over and over again we here things like—“healed me, paid this or that bill, etc.” Rarely do we hear—“forgave my sins,” or some other spiritual answer. However, in my experience in more traditional church settings this is exactly the answer that is given, and rarely does someone answer “by putting food on my table this morning.”

As this distinction was brought to the forefront of my mind again, I realized that the struggle for each one of us to is put God first in all areas of our lives. Where we struggle is different for each of us based on where we are in life. Some need to hear the words of Jesus found in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (the physical needs Jesus spoke of in verses 25-32) will be given to you as well.” Others need to hear what Jesus said to the rich ruler, “Sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Lk. 18:22). The rich ruler needed to learn dependence on God for his physical needs and not rely on his wealth.

I would like to challenge your dependence on God, as mine has been challenged by this question. Do you depend on God in all areas of your life? Are there areas where you depend on something or someone, instead of God to fulfill your needs? As you ask yourself these questions, take note of the areas in which dependence on God is lacking, and strive to depend on God in every aspect of your life.

A Commitment Fulfilled

2007-01-18T16:19:00.000-06:00

Back in the summer of 2003, Amy and I didn’t know what God had in store for us. We had made the commitment to Wonder City to finish the year. By that time I would have also completed graduate school. But then what? We would be free to go anywhere in the country we felt God leading us. At the same time we weren’t sure God was calling us to leave. And we weren’t sure that he was calling us to stay long-term at Wonder City. So after praying about it and having several conversations, we made the decision to stay and go full-time with Wonder City in January, 2004. We decided that we would make a three-year commitment. We figured that would give us enough time to further seek God’s will, and would allow us to make necessary preparations if he was calling us to plant a church somewhere else .

The lessons that I have learned through this process over the past three years are patience and dependence upon God. There is a saying in the neighborhood, “God may not come when you want him, but he will always be right on time.” The first year-and-a-half was very tough for Amy and me. There was no financial backing to our full-time work from Missouri Street. I had to raise my whole salary. Things for several months didn’t look good. In fact, only a few people know that during the summer of 2004, I sent a resume to a church that was looking to hire an Outreach Minister. I didn’t see how Amy and I could make it the way things were looking. Nothing materialized out of that resume, and Missouri Street also stepped up with some money. We were making it, but barely. The three year commitment still loomed over us. Would we be able to fulfill it? Would we have to go elsewhere? We loved Wonder City, but also had to do what was best for our financial future and stability.

Then the news came in early June, 2005 that the Mauldin’s were leaving. That changed everything for us. The elders at Missouri Street asked me to be the Interim Director for Wonder City. With that came more compensation. Then in November, 2005, they asked me to remove Interim from my job title. Again, financially things looked even better for us. God was making himself known to us and what he wanted for Amy and me. It would have been nice to know what God’s will for us was back in 2003. But without the process, the ride wouldn’t have been as much fun and the lessons that Amy and I have learned would have gone unlearned.

As I was lying in bed Monday night, I realized that commitment we made has now been fulfilled. I haven’t thought about that commitment much since the summer of 2005 when the Mauldin’s told us they were leaving. We now know that God wants us here at Wonder City. How long, only God knows. But we are not looking to leave. We love being in Arkansas. We love being at Missouri Street. We love being at Wonder City.

The Pursuit of Happyness

2007-01-11T16:18:00.000-06:00

Amy and I are normally suckers for movies with inspirational messages. We love movies like Remember the Titans; Radio; and Akeelah and the Bee. So when we first saw the previews for the new Will Smith movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, we both immediately wanted to see it. However, after seeing the movie this past Saturday, I wasn’t thrilled with it.

There are very positive messages in the movie. Will Smith’s character (Chris Gardner) talks about not knowing who his dad was until he was 28 years old but that his son would grow up knowing him. Throughout the movie Chris is making sure he maintains his relationship with his son—even when his wife/girlfriend (the movie never really tells) leaves and moves across the country. There is also a scene in the movie where Chris has just told his son, who loves basketball, that he will probably not be any good at it. Chris’ son immediately puts his ball away and is ready to leave the court. He realizes what he has done and then tells his son to never let anyone tell him he can’t do something—even his own dad.

However, the overall message of the movie is what I disagree with. The message of the movie is that money is the key to happiness. Do whatever it takes to be successful—including cheating and lying. The movie teaches that everything is up to you if you are going to be successful and happy.

These messages are all contrary to the gospel message. Christ teaches that because of sin we can’t do it by ourselves. Doing it ourselves and our way and not relying on God has gotten us into the mess we as a human race are in. Christianity is not a “pick yourself up by your bootstraps” religion. We are dependent upon God, the blood of Jesus, and fellowship of fellow Christians to be “successful.”

Jesus teaches that we cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Those who have served money have stated how empty it left them feeling and no mater how much they had they always wanted more.

If the movie makers really wanted an inspirational story about the key to happiness they would have found one with a very Christian theme—forgiveness. According to a December, 2002, USA Today article “‘Materialism is toxic for happiness,’ says University of Illinois psychologist Ed Diener. Even rich materialists aren't as happy as those who care less about getting and spending. The article also quoted University of Michigan psychologist Christopher Peterson, who indicated forgiveness is the trait most strongly linked to happiness. Peterson said, ‘It's the queen of all virtues, and probably the hardest to come by.’ ”

Vacation

2007-01-08T16:23:00.000-06:00

Last week I was on a much needed vacation. I did abosulely nothing!!!

Well that's not entirely true. I read a book Amy gave me for Christmas--Clive Cussler's The Treasure of Khan. (Cussler is my favorite author and has written many books with a central character--Dirk Pitt. His Pitt novel Sahara was turned into a major motion picture.) I also watched as much of the 4th day of 24 as I could. I love 24 and Jack Bauer. I was hoping to watch all of season 4 and 5 before this season starts, but I don't think I am going to make it. I still have 2.5 hours of day 4 to finish. And lots of ESPN! But other than that--nothing. Just books and TV. It was great!

Yesterday, it was back to the grind though. Although, I was ready to get back to work. So here I am back at work. This looks like one of the busiest January and Februarys in several years. More on that later.

Honoring My Grandma

2007-01-08T16:17:00.000-06:00

Christmas week was tough, but God brought us through it. Now that a few days have passed I want to take a minute and honor my Grandma and tell the world why I love my Grandma so much. I originally wrote the following for the Missourit Street Church of Christ bulletin (Jan 7, 2007) slightly edited for the different context.

As the family gathered over Christmas week to honor and remember my Grandma several things stuck out to me. First, my Grandma was a person who deeply loved her family. This was demonstrated in many ways. She made it a point to be at anything that was important to her family. She was at both my graduation from college and graduate school and at my wedding to Amy. She did the same for my sisters. I heard other family members talk about their special events that she made it a point to be at. She also showed her love by sending us cards on our special days—birthdays, anniversaries, etc. She never missed one. In fact, my Grandma would mail over 1000 cards per year—all at her own expense.

Second, was her Christ-like character. She never complained. No one in the family ever remembers her complaining about anything. Even in her last days when she was in pain all she would say was, “God is in control.” When we were children running around her house, Grandma would never get on to us—Grandpa, that’s another story—but not Grandma. In fact, several of us made a decision while at Grandma’s celebrating her life that we were going to strive to follow her example more by not being complainers.

Why else did I love my Grandma. Well, simply because she was my Grandma! I will miss her. I will miss her enthusiasm for life and her humor. (Remind me to tell you the Y2K and “Happy New Ear” stories sometime.) I will miss her at all the important events in my life in the future. I will miss seeing Christ through her. However, I know that she is now with Christ, and I look forward to the day when I will see her again.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and my family over the past two weeks.

Christmas Shoes

2006-12-25T15:42:00.000-06:00

I have never liked the song "Christmas Shoes." I don't really don't know why. It may be due to the fact that Christmas is supposed to be a happy ocasion with family and friends and that song focuses on a more depressing event. However, I now understand that song with an understanding I wish I didn't have. To use the lyrics from the song...

My Grandma went to meet Jesus this morning.

I have cried a couple times today already and I am sure that I will cry some more. But as my mom said this morning when she told me, "Grandma got the best Christmas gift of all...she went home." I miss her already. I miss that she will never know her great-grandkids that Amy and I will have one day. I miss her warm smile and unconditional love. But I am thankful that she is not suffering. To borrow the lines from another song--I can only imagine the joy that she has right now. I can only imagine the peace that she has. I long for the day when I will see her again.

I love you Grandma!

Grandma Update

2006-12-22T14:30:00.000-06:00

I spoke with my mom a few minutes ago and she gave me an update on my Grandma.

It doesn' t look too good. The cancer has spread and is confirmed now in the pancreas, liver, abdomen (pressing against her small intestine), and lungs. She also has a tumor on her elbow and hip. The tumor that is pressing against her small intestine is not allowing any food to pass from her stomach and the reason she has not kept anything down recently. She is having a procedure today to put a stint in her small intestine that will not collapse as the tumor continues to grow.

They have made the decision to stop all chemotherapy. The two chemos she has taken to this point were the best for treating pancreatic cancer (where hers started) and they have not done anything. They are talking about radiation for the tumors on her elbow and hip. Those are the only one causing her any pain. If they can shrink those tumors they are hopeful to get her off morphine and not need pain medication until the end.

Although the doctors are not giving any specific time line, they are also going ahead and setting Grandma up with hospice care. My sister (who has her nursing degree) has said that in her experience patients who are expected to live longer than six months do not receive hospice care.

Please continue to pray for my Grandma, me, and the rest of our family as we go through the next several months that God will help us endure whatever he allows to come our way.

Christmas Store

2006-12-21T15:07:00.000-06:00

The thing I have heard over and over about this year’s Christmas Store from those who were there is that it was “the best Christmas Store we have ever had.” This is coming from church members, repeat volunteer workers, and community members. Officially the Christmas Store served over 100 adults who shopped for over 300 kids. That is over 300 children who will wake up Christmas morning with a gift under the tree to unwrap.

I need to take a minute and give out a special, “Thank You,” to all who made it possible for me to be away from the Christmas Store and be with my family. To Ann Rodgers (Wonder City Church member and Servant Leader) for running the Christmas Store. To Rodney Smithers, Phil and Barbara Clothier, and Sue Cash for coming down from Missouri Street to lead a hand. To Ryan and Emily Fowler for coming from Memphis Urban Ministry to lead a hand as well. To my wife Amy, who was unable to be with me in Indianapolis (although she wanted to be there), who took care a some last minute details and made sure that I was where I needed to be this past weekend.

I wish I had a story from someone from the Christmas Store about what it meant specifically to them, but I don’t. What I do have is a quote from Ryan Fowler (the Memphis Urban Ministry Administrator) who helped work the store. This is what he said.

Well, to me, the neatest part of the entire day wasn't necessarily all of the toys that were handed out. I found it even more special to see the Wonder City Church members who were there, some of whom could have easily been on the other side of the checkout counter, but instead were there serving their neighborhood and community by working at the store. The church members from Wonder City did an incredible job of running the store and making sure that everything went the way it needed to. And while Emily and I were happy to be there and to help out, there's just something extra special about neighbors helping out neighbors. That's why I appreciate Wonder City so much - it's a church that connects to the community that it is in, and that's something that all of our churches could do a better job of.

That is exactly what the Christmas Store is all about—connecting the church to the community. Serving those whom we are called to serve. Blooming where God has planted us. And isn’t that also what the Christmas season is all about—getting out of ourselves and giving. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:25). I don’t know that there has ever been a time in the nearly six years that I have been here that I have been prouder of Wonder City Church than I am over what they accomplished through this year’s Christmas Store.

Therefore the biggest, “thank you,” goes out to God. For loving us enough that he sent his son to earth. Born through a virgin. Whose “birthday” we celebrate in just few days. And for his continued work in and through Wonder City.

Merry Christmas!

Grandma, Grandpa, and New Memories

2006-12-20T13:18:00.000-06:00

This past weekend I was able to be in Indianapolis with my family for Christmas. I enjoyed being there and making new memories. Some of my fondest memories growing up are being at Grandma and Grandpa’s—especially at Christmas. I have shared how my Grandma has cancer and how this may be here last Christmas (for more information see my previous post Grandma).

Grandma isn’t doing too well right now. Her cancer continues to grow and spread—now confirmed in her pancreas and liver and likely in her lungs and lymph nods. My mom shared with me that when she and my dad arrived on Wednesday that my Grandma “looked like death.” She was in pain and could not keep anything down. It was reported to me that Thursday she was doing some better. By the time I arrived on Friday, Grandma was up and about helping get ready for the evening dinner and gift exchange as much as she could.

However, Saturday was not a good day. She was back in bed and could not keep anything down again. She didn’t get out of bed until around dinner time. She came out into the living room and enjoyed a movie with the family who was still there. I left to return to Memphis on Sunday morning in time to be back for worship at Wonder City. Sunday night about midnight they took her to the hospital. Yesterday, they drained 4 liters of fluid off her abdomen.

It is amazing to me how the day that all the family was there, she felt well enough to be up and be with the family. Before we had the gift exchange Friday evening my aunt asked the family to share their most memorable Christmas gift. The gift I shared was our new home (although we moved in several months ago). However, as I have had time to reflect on this weekend, I believe of all the gifts that I have received or will receive this Christmas or any other, that gift from God will be the one that I will always remember. The fact that he allowed my Grandma to have her one good day over the course of the weekend on that specific day—the day that all the family was together and the day we celebrated Christmas as a family—is a gift that I will never forget.

I know that many of the people who read this blog are people of faith and prayer. Please add my Grandma—Emma Colglazier—to your prayer list. She is a special lady to me. I don’t want to lose her. Selfishly I want her here for many years to come. However, I don’t want her to suffer either. So pray for me also—that God will give me the strength to deal with whatever he has in his plans.

Blog Reading

2006-12-06T10:02:00.000-06:00

Recently I have read several blog posts that need to be shared. The points made are too good not to be passed around. They were written by two men (Mike Cope and Larry James) that I have a huge amount of respect for (although I don't know either personally). In my opinion, these are two blogs that you (especially those in Churches of Christ) need to be reading on a regular basis.

Go to Mike Cope's Blog and read his posts titled Leroy, Richland Hills, and Instrumental Music and the one titled A Cappella Music.

Also, read Larry James' Urban Daily post titled Rick Warren and his critics.

Grandma

2006-12-05T15:17:00.001-06:00

My Grandma is a very special lady to me. I love her dearly. Earlier this year she was diagnosed with cancer. My Grandparents live in Indianapolis, IN, so I don’t get to see them very often. However, with my Grandma’s cancer and not knowing how much time she has left, it has become very important for me spend as much time with them as possible. So, back in October, I went and spent a couple days with my Grandparents. I really enjoyed my time there. I was able to relax, get a little work done, and just be there with my Grandma and Grandpa. They know how much I like Indian food, so they took me to an Indian restaurant for lunch one day. We watched TV together and were just present with each other.

Due to holiday availability of the larger family, the date for the Christmas get together was changed over Thanksgiving from Christmas weekend to December 13-17. Amy and I had planned on being there. However, she doesn’t have any vacation days to use for the new dates and this was also the scheduled weekend as our major holiday outreach—the annual Christmas Store. When I heard these new dates, my heart immediately sank. Who knows if this will be my Grandma’s last Christmas—and I won’t be able to be there for it. I even spent some time crying (something which is rare for me!). My sister recently sent out a holiday questionnaire asking some of her family and friends some of their holiday traditions and favorite memories. Some of my favorite holiday and childhood memories are the ones spent with Grandma and Grandpa. I spent some time grieving the loss of making more memories this year.

As I have shared these events and feelings with those who are close to me, everyone has said how important it is for me to be in Indianapolis for the Christmas get together. I am trying not to live in the future too much, but rather live in the present. But it is hard not to think about the possibility that this may be the last Christmas with Grandma. Even my Grandpa admitted in a family email that their time may be coming soon. It is a reality that has to be faced. So right now I am trying to figure out how I can get to Indianapolis for the family gathering—one more chance to make special memories. I have talked with several individuals about the Christmas Store and covering for me. I am looking at flights from Memphis to Indianapolis on Friday and returning on Saturday evening or early enough on Sunday to still be able to preach at Wonder City. All the details haven’t been worked out yet, but it looks like I may make it after all. Should I make there, I want to be there and enjoy the family and make new memories without thinking the entire time, “This may be the last Christmas,” but I don’t know if I can or not. Either way, I imagine that this will be one of the most difficult holiday seasons that I have ever gone through.

Needed for Growth

2006-12-04T14:37:00.000-06:00

God has done some wonderful things through Wonder City in the indigent community of West Memphis. However, Wonder City is in need of the following things in order for the church and the ministry to grow and be effective in the years to come. One is additional staffing and the other is a larger space to worship and conduct ministry.

Urban ministry is too demanding for one person to effectively minister alone. Every week I have to make decisions about what tasks will not get done or what visits will not be made. Sometimes these are easy decisions and sometimes they are difficult ones. Everyone who is in ministry knows that there is a certain amount of administration and tasks that need to get done. Unfortunately, ministry is not just being with and ministering to people. Bible classes and sermons are just one example of tasks that must be done weekly that take time away from being with people. There are also budgets, planning, organizing volunteers, and many other things that require time and attention. At the same time, ministry is about people. Urban ministry especially is about being with the people. One person can’t make sure adults are discipled, teens are taught and youth activities planned, families are ministered to, crisis are addressed (in urban ministry there is a crisis every week—real or perceived), sick are visited and evangelism takes place. More people are needed to make sure these needs are met.

The other area that needs to be addressed for Wonder City to grow is our worship facility. Our current facility is no longer adequate for the task of ministry. First, being in a storefront is a hindrance. Many in the African-American community do not view storefront churches as “real” churches. Despite all the good that Wonder City has done for the community, there are many who still do not see Wonder City as a real church because of our location in a storefront. Also, our location itself between a fish market and laundry mat is a hindrance. Imagine the smells that we receive in our space between those two businesses. However, the biggest factor is that we have simply outgrown the space. We need more space to adequately minister to individuals and the community. We have rearranged the walls inside our storefront space to add classroom space, but more is needed. We would like to offer our community a clothes closet, but there is no space. We would like to expand our after-school program—again lack of space. (Side note, we are not currently offering an after-school program due to a lack of staffing.) We would like to make Wonder City a safe place for teens to hang out after school off the streets playing games and listening to holy hip-hop, but we don’t have the space (or the staffing).

However, God is faithful and he has provided Wonder City with the opportunity to purchase the current facility of the First Church of the Nazarene. They have a 10,000 plus square foot church building with plenty of room to address all of our space needs. Two weeks ago (Sunday, November 19th), I presented the elders of our supporting church (Missouri Street Church of Christ) with a proposal to purchase the First Church of the Nazarene. They are actively discussing the purchase of the building as a group and with those involved with Wonder City. I will also be meeting with the elders in the coming weeks to discuss it with them and answer any questions they may have. I am hopeful and prayerful that the elders will approve this request and that Wonder City will be in a new home in the spring. Please be praying for this process and the decision that is to be made. Should you wish to donate to our building fund, checks can be mailed to

Wonder City Ministry Building Fund
c/o Missouri Street Church of Christ
1600 N Missouri St
West Memphis, AR 72301

Also, pray that God will be as faithful and provide additional staffing in the near future as well.

Amazing

2006-11-01T12:21:00.000-06:00

(I orginially wrote this post last Monday, Oct 23. I then left town on Tuesday to spend a few days with my Grandma and Grandpa before I got this up online. The events described in the post took place October 21-22.)

I have fond memories of my youth camp experiences growing up. They were always fun. In fact, one summer I worked a session of camp doing kitchen cleanup, so I could afford to attend multiple sessions of camp. Camp was a very important part of my spiritual formation.

With that being said, I work hard to make sure the urban youth, that I now work with, have the same opportunities to attend camp and make their own memories. When the youth minister at our overseeing church invited our teens to attend their fall retreat at Camp Tahkodah I jumped on the opportunity. Last year (the first year we joined with them) I took approximately 10 teens. This year, I took 18. There were a total of 140 teens from Missouri Street and Wonder City. We left West Memphis at 5:45 Saturday morning and returned at 4pm on Sunday. The two days were packed with activities—both fun and spiritual. Most importantly our teens learned just how AMAZING (this year’s theme) God’s grace truly is.

But this weekend retreat also provided a time of growth for Wonder City. This was the first Sunday since Nathan and Jenni left (August 1st) that I would not be there. Additionally, our Servant Leader that normally leads worship had to work and the only other individual who can drive the church van was also supposed to work. I had arranged for a guest speaker. I had coordinated with our Servant Leaders about worship. But it was going to take the church stepping up as a whole for worship to come together Sunday. People were going to have to find their own way to church and others were going to have to do things they were not accustom to doing. So, what happened? Our van driver thought is was important to be at church and took off from work to drive and be there. Worship also started 45 minutes late. But I was told that it went very well. Some of those who participated in worship, I would have never guessed would do the things they did.

This weekend has reminded me just how amazing God’s grace is. God’s grace is always amazing. It was amazing to me through my camp experiences. It was amazing by providing the opportunity for our teens to attend the retreat. It was amazing to our church as members stepped up and made sure that worship happened. God grace is also amazing to Wonder City as this Sunday was our 7th anniversary. Seven years ago this past Sunday, Wonder City held its first Sunday worship service as a church.

I am reminded of the psalmist in Psalm 136 who recounted all the mighty acts of God—all the ways that God had been gracious to his people. And after recalling each gracious act the psalmist states, “His faithful love endures forever.” God’s grace has abounded and will abound for all time. He is always working to show his grace in our lives.

Technology Woes

2006-10-09T11:27:00.000-05:00

Technology is a great thing…until it doesn’t work like you want it to. For the past two weeks I have not been a happy technology camper. Right before I left for 4 days to attend the Christian Community Development Association Conference in Philadelphia (Sept 27-30), my ethernet connection on my computer went bad. Thankfully, my computer is still under warranty. However, I needed to take my laptop with me, so I packed it up and carried my wireless card with me to Philly. Last year at the conference they had a wonderful setup with a free wireless area. So this year I was hoping (and expecting) for the same. I get to Philly and no wireless. In fact the Starbuck’s in the hotel lobby wasn’t even a hotspot. So as soon as I returned to Memphis, I called Dell. However, it was noon Thursday last week before my computer was fixed and I could check emails and do other business. In fact, for two days I had to use my secretary’s computer because mine was completely unusable.

Hopefully, now that I am back in business, my technology will continue to function properly and my updates will not be so far apart. See below for a new post—“Broken Doors.”

God Bless

Brooken Doors

2006-10-09T11:18:00.000-05:00

The following is taken from Tony Campolo’s book Revolution and Renewal: How Churches are Saving Our Cities with stories by Bruce Main (Louisville, Westminster John Knox Press: 2000), 16-18.

I once met a Catholic priest who had a fascination with doors. He believed that the front door was the most important part of a church. The door, he claimed, should be something that beckons people to come in. It should be something intriguing, something that “whispers the mystery that lies beyond it.”

The door of our church used to be white, shiny, and metallic, smooth and new looking; it could have graced the cover of a church supply catalog. The door was seldom used. As a matter of fact, the door reflected the church that existed inside the door—unused. With only a couple of hours of use each Sunday, the door had little chance to tarnish its beauty. It just sat there, not living up to its calling as a church door—that is something that used to allow people to enter a place where the mysterious Divine dwells.

But last week we had to replace the door. Since our rambunctious youth program arrived at the church three years ago the door had changed. The shiny, white metallic finish had been dulled by the continual touching and thumping or dirty hands. There were gouges, dents, and holes in the door created by kids who were late for events and needed to be heard. The bright brass trim around the mailbox had been ripped off. The inner core of the door could now be seen and had begun to spill its contents onto the surrounding sidewalk. Perhaps the brass had been stripped to be sold or taken off in an effort to rob the church. Whatever the case, the fancy trim was gone. All that was left was an ugly, roughly cut metal hole, through which the mail person could shove the mail each day.

Days before the door was replaced, it would hardly open. The only hinge connecting the door to the frame was the top one. And even that hinge had been reset a number of times. The other hinges had long ago been ripped out of their home and tossed in the scrap pile. As the door was opened, shut, slammed, a propped over the last three years by children, teens, and staff, the door collapsed. Finally the screws gave way, and the wooden door posts disintegrated.

So the door was replaced. The cost: eight hundred and fifty dollars to put in a new frame and metal door. Unfortunately the trustees in our church didn’t share in the same door theology as my priest friend—that a door should create a sense of mystery and intrigue. We got a new, white, shiny metallic door.

Although I grimace over this expense in our budget this year, I do have to chuckle over the fact that we wore out a door. Children broke the door! Not intentionally, but because they wanted to get into the church. Something was happening inside these walls that was calling them off the street to come into this place where God lives. The door began to serve its purpose. Despite its lack of ascetic intrigue, the door had began to live out its calling as the threshold leading to the one place where God dwells. What was taking place on the inside had become intriguing and a mystery to the little ones who desperately wanted to get in.

The more I thought about our door, the more I have wondered how many churches in America can boast over the fact that they had to replace a door because of the dents and holes made by young people trying to get in.

But if the church really lives up to its calling, should it not be replacing its doors more regularly? Wouldn’t it be exciting if churches across America all of sudden had to start ordering custom-made doors to replace all the doors that were being broken. Just think how wonderful it would be if churches had to start hiring special “door ministers” just to keep door knobs from falling off and hinges from snapping. Right next to Minister of Music and Christian Education Director in next year’s budget would be “Door Minister.”

Yet if the church really does become that “beacon of light on a hill,” those who surround her should be lured and drawn in through the doors. If the church becomes a vibrant and integral part of the a community and if spirituality does begin to intertwine itself with everyday life, doors should wear out. The church should become a place of traffic.

What changed in our case? Why did the church begin to change from a mausoleum to a beehive of activity? Why did children from the community start coming to a church that had lost its voice in the community? One of the reasons is that we started going to the community and extended an invitation to its people to come. But the invitation was not just to come and fill our pews for an hour on Sunday morning. Children were invited to come and express themselves through dance, play like creative children, study things that were fun and interesting, sing crazy songs, eat ice-cream sundaes, go on trips to out-of-the-way places, and produce their silk screened tee-shirts. In short, we tried to make what was behind the doors of the church intriguing. We tried to evoke the curiosity of our children and teens. Since 50 percent of our city’s population is under the age of eighteen, we decided to make children our focus. After-school programs, evening Bible clubs, computer classes, and dance class are just a few of the events we designed to make the church an appealing place to come. And they have come. And, Lord willing, they will continue to come. And, quite probably, a few more doors may be broken before its all said and done.

For anyone who has been to Wonder City’s building you can relate to what Bruce Main is relating through this story in Campolo’s book. Wonder City has replaced doors, repaired holes in the walls, and had to do other maintenance because of kids and teens in the building. I have to admit, I usually have gotten upset when damage is done. Like Main’s kids, I know they didn’t intentionally break it. But it is money that has to be spent. I used to look at the damage and just see kids and teens that needed to be corrected, trained, and disciplined. Yes, some of our kids need to learn some discipline.

But when I read this the other day, my whole perspective changed. I now look at the holes that still need repaired and I see the lives that have changed. Don’t ask me why, but Wonder City attracts kids and teens. Teens who attend Wonder City invite their friends—who come and invite their friends. It is not uncommon to have more teens in a church service than adults. I am glad they are there. I am glad that we are offering something that intrigues them. I am glad they are finding something at Wonder City they can’t find on the streets of West Memphis and they find it valuable enough to invite their friends to come and experience as well. Our building is not perfect and it could use some major work. While I would like to have a nice building to use that does not need repairs, I would rather be known as a church that is active and alive. I would rather be known as a place that welcomes those who are not welcome in other places. I would rather have some kids and teens that need to learn discipline accidentally doing damage to our building than have them running the streets. I would rather replace doors and repair walls than be a church that doesn’t welcome children (Mark 10:12-14).

Family Stories

2006-09-14T11:39:00.000-05:00

Several Wonder City families have recently found themselves in difficult situations.

One family of 9 lives in a small two bedroom house. Some go to other family members’ homes to sleep at night. However, those who do sleep there typically sleep in one bedroom—the only air conditioned room (with a window unit) in the house. 10 individuals (4 generations) lived in the house, until late July, when the patriarch of the family passed away from complications with his diabetes. Unfortunately, he was the main source of income for the family. His veterans and disability benefits paid the bills. Now that he has passed, the family has $300 a month in food stamps—and that’s it. I don’t know how this family is going to pay the rent or any of their other bills. To add insult to injury, the water line that brings water into the house has busted. They contacted their landlord who told them to have it fixed and take it out of the rent. As the mother/grandmother told me last night, when there is no money for rent, no one is going to fix it for free.

Another family was placed in a difficult situation when the husband of the family walked out on his wife and 4 kids just a couple weeks ago. Bills have gone unpaid for months. The family was in a rent-to own situation and the rent/mortgage payment alone was $2000 past due. Yesterday (9/13), the family left their house. They put most of their belongings in storage and left some with friends and family. Now there is a “For Rent or Sale” sign in the window of their old house and they are staying with family until they are able to get an apartment. The mother is partially disabled and doctors want her to undergo weight loss surgery. She does, however, receive some money through disability and food stamps, but it is going to be difficult for her to make ends meet on her own.

These stories are just the tip of the iceberg. Another church member is not sure about her job. Another works 2 jobs just to make ends meet. Another had to go back to work early off her unpaid maternity leave so they would have some money. These are the daily realities of life for most of those I encounter in this ministry. I can’t help but think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (NLT)

Our families do have enough to worry about today. Many struggle just to eke out a daily existence. Many have a hard time dealing with the trouble that today brings.

9/11 Reflections

2006-09-11T11:34:00.000-05:00

It is one of those moments in history that those who lived it will always know where they were when it happened. September 11, 2001. For me, I was in the shower when the first plane struck the World Trade Center. I came downstairs (we lived in a townhouse apartment in Memphis at the time) and had ABC's Good Morning America on TV. I watched the live shot as the second plane came into view and hit the other tower. I sat there frozen on the couch. I know I watched the images for at least a couple of hours. I don't remember anything else I did that day.

Six months later (March, 2002), I stood at Ground Zero. It was an overwhelming place to be. The makeshift memorials that were still up. Standing on the observation platform looking into that huge space where the towers once stood. Seeing the steel cross that had been found in the rubble and erected by the workers. Passing the little church just yards away that was the base of operations for the cleanup effort. Wanting to go in and knowing that I would not be allowed.

This morning I again was tuned into ABC's GMA. I again was in the shower at the moment when five years ago the first plane struck. I again was back in front of the TV when the moment of silence was observed at 8:03 (central time)--the moment five years ago the second plane hit the south tower. During that moment of silence I said a prayer. I prayed for all those who are still hurting, suffering, or grieving because of the events five years ago. Many are still hurting.

What I also saw this morning was a nation (and a city) that is healing. All the buildings surrounding Ground Zero that were damaged have been repaired. World Trade Center Tower 7 has been rebuilt and is open. The World Trade Center subway stop is reopened. They said that by the year 2012 (just 6 short years away) all the reconstruction at Ground Zero will be completed. But I also heard healing. Healing from the from those who survived. Healing from those who lost loved ones. Healing has been a theme leading up to this anniversary. Last week GMA brought America up to date on the kids who were born post-9/11 to dad's who died on 9/11. Some of those moms have remarried. Healing is taking place.

As you remember and reflect on the events of five years ago, please pray with me for the continued healing of our nation. Pray that we will never forget the One who does the healing.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord's favor has come.
(Jesus; Luke 4:18-19 [quoting Isaiah 61:1-2]; NLT)

May God Bless you!
May God Bless America!
May God Bless the world!

Blog Potato

2006-09-08T09:48:00.000-05:00

I have a couple of friends—and one in particular—that I have harassed as being blog potatoes. I must confess that I have become a blog potato over the past six weeks. And it’s not that I haven’t wanted to post or had things to talk about. Rather, it has been my extremely busy schedule that has caused me to put posting on the back burner. In fact, I now have a new respect for those who post regularly. I am astonished by guys like Larry James who post daily. Larry is a phenomenal guy with phenomenal talents and compassion for the poor. He is extremely busy and how he manages to make the time to post something of note on his blog every day is simply beyond me.

So let me quickly update you on what has been going on over the past six weeks or so. I promise to try to get more details up with pictures next week.

July 23-28—Youth Camp at Crowley’s Ridge Youth Camp
July 29-August 4—Kids Count Camp (our annual day camp for kids 3-12 years old)
August 6—Nathan and Jenni Bills last day at Wonder City (leaving me as the lone minister at Wonder City currently)
August 11—Closed on our home and moved in (this does not count all the inspections and meeting we had prior to our closing)
August 17—School Store (our annual school supply giveaway for kids entering K-6th grades)
August 18-20—Took 3 days off and went to Chicago (Amy was there on a business trip since the 13th)
Augsut 20-24—My parents were in town (and really helped us get our new home in order!!!)

Then for the past two weeks I have been trying to catch up and clean off my desk. So, I hope that you will forgive the lack of posts over the past several weeks. In addition to these events, there are several stories that I want to pass along. So check this space regularly the next couple of weeks for updates.

Camp Fun

2006-09-08T09:45:00.000-05:00

July 23 through August 5 were two very busy weeks for me and Wonder City. The first week was our annual youth camp and the second was our annual Kids Camp. Both weeks went very well.

During the week at youth camp, out teens spent time in Bible classes and worship learning about God’s Young Heroes. The last night of camp we offered an invitation allowing the teens an opportunity to respond to anyway that God has touched them through-out the week. Several teens took advantage and went and spoke to a counselor. Immediately after worship was over, one of our teens Kisha R. came to me and told me that she wanted to be baptized. Kisha has been coming to Wonder City longer than I have. I had no doubt that she knew the importance of the decision that she was making. We pushed back the rest of the evening’s schedule and I had the privilege of baptizing Kisha in the pool at camp. She called her mom and her mom was shouting “Hallelujah.” Kisha’s older brother was also at camp and as I took Kisha under the water he shouted out “Goodbye Kisha.” Both Kisha and her brother knew that Kisha was dying to herself and was asking God to live through her in that moment. Kisha in that moment became one of God’s young heroes. (Sadly, Kisha and Jonathon experienced a low in their life the very next day when their grandfather, who lived with them, passed away.)

Kids Camp also inspired many great stories. One kid always answered the question, “What do you have to do to go to heaven,” by responding, “Get bubbatized.” There were many kids at camp who used to attend Wonder City regularly with their parents but now for whatever reason their parents don’t come—so they don’t come. One of those is a 6 year old young girl that I have known since she was about 3. Every time I see her she would run to me and give me a hug, even though her family hasn’t been to church in over a year. On the last day of camp, all she wanted was a Bible. We give the kids several things to take home from camp, but all she wanted was a Bible. When she received her bag of stuff, she immediately tore into it looking for her Bible. (I now have a Bible to take to her.) She and her 2 older siblings who also attended Kids Camp were going to go home and ask their parents if they could start coming to church again.

Love for God and the desire to live for him—that is what both of these weeks of camp are about. Even if these two were the only ones who benefited from these camp (and believe me they were not) then they were worth it. These two weeks were stressful and tiring. But, I would do them all over again—in a heartbeat.

2006-07-23T10:02:00.000-05:00

Just to let everyone know, with youth camp this week and kid's camp next week I will probably not get anything posted until the week of August 7th. Amy and I are also supposed to close on our house on July 31st. I will get posts up about both camps and our house ASAP.

God Bless

Comments

2006-07-23T09:58:00.000-05:00

Unforntunately, due to some comment spam, I have had to turn on the "word verification" function in comments to help end the spam (blogger's suggestion). I still want to encourage comments and discussion about anything that is posted on my blog. I am just trying to keep the spam comments out of my inbox. Thanks for understanding.

Youth Camp

2006-07-21T10:42:00.000-05:00

Sunday kicks off two solid weeks of camp. Immediately following church Sunday our teens will leave for MUM Youth Camp at Crowley’s Ridge Youth Camp between Jonesboro and Paragould, AR. For most of our teens this is the only time of the year they are able to leave the city. This is the only time they spend in the outdoors (other than their yards). It is a time to relax and leave the pressures of the city behind. For some of our youth camp is “home.” Several years ago one of the teens at camp said that for one week of the year he was at home, and the other fifty-one weeks he was “visiting.” Camp is a safe place for our teens. For that reason, and many others, every year I am ready to step up to the plate and give whatever it takes to make youth camp happen. Youth camp is too important.

This year’s theme for youth camp is “God’s Young Heroes.” We will be looking at the young people in Scripture that God used to accomplish his purposes. People like young Samuel, Josiah, a young David, Daniel, Timothy, Queen Esther, Ruth, and Mary. Our teens will hear that God still uses young people today to accomplish his purposes in this world. Our young people will hear that God will use them, IF they will let him.

Please pray for us at camp this week. Here is a list of specific items to pray for.

God will meet us at camp.
For our Directors and counselors—have patience with the teens and get needed rest.
For our teens—that they will hear God’s call on their life, will have fun, and have a positive attitude all week.

Unemployment and Underemployment

2006-07-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

Weekly I hear people in the neighborhood talking about employment. Most of them are seeking a job, but I also know of several individuals who are working multiple jobs because one job just doesn’t pay the bills. Unemployment and underemployment (having a job that is insufficient to meet basic necessities of life) are chronic issues in our neighborhood.

The 1st problem is a lack of jobs in our area. There are not enough available jobs for all of the individuals seeking employment. There is an urgent need for new businesses and industries to come into our area. Thankfully, we are beginning to see signs that growth is coming (a new Toyota parts facility which they say will eventually be converted to full scale automobile production; a new inter-modal and warehouse facility; and several new restaurants.) While many individuals in the neighborhood are not qualified for jobs that require a certain level of education and experience—the simple fact is there will be a trickle down effect. As more businesses and industries open service sector jobs should also increase. This is where many of the individuals in our neighborhood will find employment.

The 2nd problem is with the jobs that are available. In many cases these are the lower paying type jobs with a high turnover rate—fast food service, hotel cleaning, etc. These jobs are providing work and income, but seem to have a detrimental impact. When an individual in our neighborhood finds employment (in one of these type jobs) their government assistance is drastically reduced -- to the point that the individual is receiving less money and benefits than if they had not accepted the position. They are “punished” for finding work. And with the way welfare is now structured, they are also punished for not finding work—again through the loss of benefits.

An answer to the underemployment issue is addressing the minimum wage. The federal minimum wage has been frozen since 1997! (See Larry James’ blog post Minimum Wage More than Frozen in Place--Part One) Thankfully several states are not waiting on the federal government to act before they take action. This includes Arkansas. Arkansas recently passed legislation increasing the minimum to over $6.00 per hour. However, an effort to amend the state constitution through a vote of the people to tie the minimum wage to inflation based on the Consumer Price Index was defeated. This is exactly the step that the state of Florida has taken to address the issue there. (For the results of what has happened in Florida since that law passed see Larry James’ blog post Minimum Wage More than Frozen in Place--Part Two.)

However, more must be done. As we all go through the remaining political eletion season, I want to encourage you to support canidates who support the poor. That includes a possition for an increase in the minimum wage.

Conflict

2006-07-11T14:44:00.000-05:00

I hate conflict. I really hate conflict! I tell people that my usual practice is to run from conflict like it was the plague. My motto is “Can’t we all just get along.” Unfortunately, this hasn’t always served me the best. Over the past several weeks I have been dealing with several issues that involve conflict—and require my leadership as the Director of the ministry and minister of the church.

The first is that two church “members,” who used to be best friends are not getting along. Their interpersonal conflict has spilled over into and has affected the life of the church. To me it is very much a Philippians 4 situation. We don’t know what happened between Euodia and Syntyche, but it was big enough that Paul knew about it—and he wasn’t even in Philippi. Paul told them to “iron out their differences and make up. God’s doesn’t want his children holding grudges” (The Message). While we knew the things that broke these to ladies apart, they seemed unable to work beyond them and iron out their differences. Unfortunately, we are still working to resolve this situation.

The other situation, which erupted last week, is too delicate to describe here and requires an investigation through the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Right now, I don’t see how there can be a happy ending with this one. People have been hurt and lives have been affected. While we are letting the authorities sort out the legal issues, there is a moral stand that must be taken by the church as well. In fact, our Servant Leaders made the decision last Wednesday (with my recommendation) to ask an individual to worship somewhere other than Wonder City, until the investigation could be completed and the results of that process were made available.

God must have some kind of humor. It has only been since the first of May that I have fully made the transition from the youth guy to the one leading the church. Right out of the blocks we have these two major issues. I wish I knew what God was doing! One thing is for sure though, I believe God is teaching and working on me just as much as others in these two situations. I believe that it is only through pain that we as individuals grow. When we are comfortable and things are going well, we have no reason to stretch and grow. It is only when life is tough and we are not comfortable that growth can occur. For me this has meant that I have had to fight my natural tendency to run from and avoid these issues. It has not been easy staying in the struggle. I wish I had the perspective on conflict that one of my good friends has. He views conflict as a sign of health. For him, the absence of conflict means that apathy has set in. But conflict means that people still care and are willing to work. Maybe one day I can have that view of conflict. But until then, I will fight. I will continue to fight the tendency within me to run from and avoid conflict. I will stay where God has put me until I have learned what it is that he wants me to learn. So pray for me. Pray that I will learn to value and accept conflict for the growth opportunity that it is.

And pray for those involved in these two situations. Pray that God will work them out to His glory!

Uplift

2006-07-11T14:32:00.000-05:00

Over a five day period from June 24-29, Nathan Bills (my ministry partner) took 11 teens to Uplift (a camp for teens at Harding University). The following is an article he wrote for the Missouri Street Church of Christ bulletin. Missouri Street made it possible for our teens to attend Uplift.

This past week at Uplift eleven Wonder City teens were encouraged to reflect upon different relationships—family, friends, the world, God. In our Tuesday night devotional when the group shared some reactions to the week, their comments demonstrated that they had indeed been reflecting. I asked them about their fears, successes, dreams, and weaknesses. They responded by talking about relationships. And I was reminded once again about how much negativity these kids experience in their lives.

The speaker on Tuesday night, though, spoke from a text that gives these kids a turning point: “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you…was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes…” (2 Cor. 1.19-20). God has said “yes” to these kids in Jesus Christ. I think that message encapsulates the week at Uplift for these kids. Many of them did not look forward to returning home in large part because their environment says “no” in more ways than one. Yet, this past week they were able to hear God’s “yes” in classes, activities, and daily worship. Missouri Street made this trip possible, and we want to thank you for being a part of God’s “yes” to us.

Workcamp

2006-06-29T16:21:00.000-05:00

Fist, I apologize for the delay on getting anything of substance up on the blog. I could give you a long list of reasons (read “excuses”) for why I haven’t had the time… Anyway, I am sorry!

For the second year in a row Wonder City youth participated in Memphis Workcamp, June 5-9. Workcamp is a week of service. This week teens from churches of Christ all over the Memphis area (and a few from other places) come together, to go into the hoods in Memphis to serve. Workcamp crews scrape and paint homes for those who can not afford to have it done and/or are physically unable to take care of it themselves.

Last year six teens participated. This year we had nine participate—with five returning participants from last year. Our teens love the time to get out and serve others. An interesting fact is that many of our teen’s homes are in worse condition, than the houses chosen for Workcamp. While they occasionally mention that fact, they talk more about the fun (that’s right—fun while they work) they are having. In addition, our teens are picked up from their homes about 6:45 in the morning, and almost without exception they are always ready to go when the van arrives.

Many people think that those in the hood are lazy and don’t want to work. Many believe those in the hood simply want to live off the hard work of others through their government check. However, these kids proved otherwise during Workcamp. These kids were ready to work. They wanted to work. All they needed was the opportunity. (If you are interested in learning more about/or having a discussion on the poor and unemployment/under-employment visit and read Larry James’ Urban Daily—see link to right).

Later this summer, our teens will have another opportunity to serve. August 12th will be the first annual Day of Service. Kyle Strickland (youth minister at Missouri Street Church of Christ) and I hatched this idea after Workcamp last year. On August 12th both Missouri Street and Wonder City will come together to serve in the hoods of West Memphis. We plan to do yard work and light general maintenance for individuals similar to those served through Workcamp. I have no doubt that Wonder City will be ready to serve—this time in their community.

Another house update

2006-06-22T17:54:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple more pictures of our house (taken today). They are saying we should close either the first or second week of July.

Senior Blues

2006-06-14T13:19:00.000-05:00

The following article was written by my lovely wife-Amy.
(Graduation was Friday, May 19.)

Over the past five years, I have not had the opportunity to witness one of the youth from Wonder City graduate from high school. This year was different. I was prepared to attend graduation, but I was not prepared for the lack of “senior pride.” For Brenae (our only graduating senior this year), graduation was definitely something to look forward to, but she missed out on many of the highs of graduating. She was unable to purchase her senior pictures, her Senior Book, and Class Ring. I know, I know, these are material things, but they are also rights of passage for a teenager in today’s society. I remember what it felt like knowing there was a good chance I would not have the funds for these things as a senior in high school. My Grandfather eventually purchased them for me, and I had to pay him back as soon as I was able. For many, there is pride in inserting a photo in a graduation announcement, and many people expect the photo to be there. I have heard the phrase “No photo, no gift,” so many times that I too expect to find a photo when I receive a graduation announcement. So I received Brenae’s announcement, opened it up, and what? There is no photo. I knew she had her pictures taken, but was not sure what had happened. So, I called her. There was pain in her voice when she told me she could not afford them. I too was pained when she spoke these words. Not because of what she could not afford, but because of what I was reminded of. I was reminded that we as a society take so much for granted, and that our expectations of individuals tend to be based on our own standards, financial ability and upbringing. While Brenae graduated with “Pomp and Circumstance,” I watched her with a case of the Senior Blues, knowing that I am guilty of taking the little things in life for granted.

A Divine Appointment

2006-06-05T15:27:00.000-05:00

On the way back (5/21) from a conference in California, I had to fly from L.A. to Atlanta (a long flight I don’t recommend). I sat next to an older gentleman and his wife who were traveling to Rome. We got to talking and I told him I was on my way home from a conference in Azusa. He was slightly puzzled. I told him about Urban Youth Workers Institute—a conference for those who were doing religious based urban youth work. He inquired whether I was involved with youths in gangs. “Yes,” I replied. At this point he revealed that he was a prosecutor, and he had prosecuted some gang members. What he relayed next continues to stick with me: he added that what I was doing (thus also others who are involved in the same work) is where the real and lasting difference is going to be made.

In other words, if real change is going to come about in our cities, it must involve the work of the church and blood of Jesus. All the government programs in the world may help, but they are missing the key “ingredient” that can sustain lasting change. In that moment I was extremely proud. What a huge privilege that God has allowed me to be apart of this ministry. Yet, I also felt overwhelmed. What a huge responsibility! There is so much work to be done. Jesus said it this way, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Mt. 9:36-38; NIV). If the church is the answer to the problems in our city, the change this prosecutor was pointing towards will only come about if we all answer Jesus’ call to go into the harvest field. Will you?

Apnointing Leaders

2006-05-22T15:26:00.000-05:00

What a great day Sunday, May 7th, was at Wonder City! It was a day that I have been anticipating in general ever since I have started working at Wonder City and more specifically since this past fall. It was the day when, for the very first time after six plus years, Wonder City Church has officially recognized leaders from the community. This does not mean that we have not looked to the members for leadership. It does not mean that important decisions have been made without considering the church’s input. But, now there is a recognized group of individuals from the church who we can go to for ministry and important decisions.

The process started this past fall when we preached through the book of Judges. Our tag line for that study was “God’s Search for Faithful Followers and Legitimate Leaders.” We talked about what it means to be a faithful follower of God and what God is looking for in his leaders. Then in December, based on the voice of the congregation, we put forth 3 ladies who would become our Servant Leaders. These three ladies—Ann R., Linda R., and Linda L.—then went through a lengthy more in-depth study on what it means to be a leader. These ladies took a profile that helped them identify their spiritual gifts and several discussions about how they can work well together based on their gifts. This 8 month process culminated Sunday, when we apnointed (appointed and anointed) these ladies as our Servant Leaders.

Ladies recite their commitment as leaders to the church.

Ann signs the Leadership Covenant as Linda L. waits her turn to sign.

Church gathers around our new leaders and prays for them

We continue to look forward to the day when God provides others, men in particular, who will join these ladies as leaders. We also continue to look forward to the day when we have men who are spiritually mature to become elders. Please be praying that God will bless these ladies and the leadership they will help provide to Wonder City. Pray that God will use them in ways we can’t even imagine. Pray that God will provide others, especially men, who will join these ladies as leaders.

Combined Worship With Downtown Church from Memphis

2006-05-17T10:38:00.000-05:00

Several months ago our church members decided they wanted to invite the Downtown Church (another urban church plant located in downtown Memphis) to come worship with us. The date of April 30th was agreed to by both congregations. Since April 30th was a 5th Sunday it was also Everybody Bring Something Sunday (EBSS). EBSS is based on 1 Corinthians 14:26 which says, “What shall we say then, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” So we encourage all of our church members on the 5th Sundays to bring something to praise God and strengthen the church—a song, a scripture reading, a prayer, a word of encouragement, a poem, a Christian hip-hop rap, etc.

So on April 30th, over 100 from the Downtown Church (DTC) and Wonder City came together for a rousing Spirit filled worship service. It started with a time of worship lead by two men from the DTC in which the church was “transported” the throne of God. Nathan delivered a short message from the book of 1 Corinthians on using our gifts to glorify God and strengthen the body which was followed by our time of members from both churches standing and sharing what they had prepared to glorify God and strengthen the church. The pictures below are from some of the members sharing their gifts and words of encouragement through song, skit, and testimony. This was followed by a time of response where the church could ask for prayers for struggles in their lives. Here is what Anthony Wood wrote about the response time.

I was blessed to lead the response time. Some made general confessions and requested prayer, while others blessed the church with good words. But, one lady in particular stood to confess a very specific sin, "I’ve got a problem with cussin’, and I need God to help me quit!" Her resolve and determination shocked us all, and I said, "You know there’s a difference between cursing and cussin’ someone. Cursing is saying words you shouldn’t say, but cussin’, that’s different. When you cuss someone, you have evil intent, and you mean harm. You know the difference. Our sister has blessed us with a good confession, and I know there’s got to be someone else who wants to confess their sin of cussin’."

At that point, nearly everyone in the audience raised their hands, quickly, with vigor. Then a lady said with a loud voice, "Well, I guess we got us a cussin’ church here." The church roared in laughter, not so much at being a "cussin’ church," but because we could be honest and believed that God would bless our confession and repentance. He does, and because of the blood of Jesus and His resurrection, we can continually be forgiven, and renewed.

It truly amazes me at what God does when his people in honesty and sincerity “confess their sins one to another” (James 5:16). After this time of confession we were able to take of the Lord’s Supper as a family who was right with God. We had laid ourselves bare before him and we were allowing the blood of Jesus to cleanse us.

The time of worship and fellowship was concluded by a meal together where everyone enjoyed visiting and the continued words of encouragement. But as my ministry partner said, “Our real joy left of the conviction that our guest of honor, the Lord’s Spirit, showed up. And we were built up.” It was truly a blessed Sunday.

Update on House

2006-05-12T07:22:00.000-05:00

Here is one of the latest pictures of our house. As you can see through the garage, the sheet rock is hung and most of the exterior work is done. We are currently being told that we should be in around the middle of June.

Kevin's Story

2006-04-25T09:54:00.000-05:00

Meet Kevin (not his real name). Kevin is 16 years old and is unable to attend school. He started the year in the 9th grade (already a year behind). However, he had trouble making it to school on time and was usually about 15 minutes late. Instead of marking him tardy and sending him to class, the office would tell him he had to go home and try again tomorrow. Now he has missed too many days and will not be allowed to pass to the 10th grade. He was also told that he would have to re-register in order to complete the school year.

Kevin though, is not dumb. He is one of the smartest teens in our youth group. He is emerging as a strong leader among our teens and is a positive example to our younger kids. He almost always knows the answers to the questions in Bible class. He knows how to be a regular teen and can hang out, goof off and have fun with the rest of the teens. However, Kevin knows when it is time to be serious and pay attention (something others his own age have not yet learned). Kevin knows he doesn’t have to show out to gain the attention and approval that all of our teens desperately want and need. Kevin is willing to do anything someone asks him without complaining about it. A lot of the times he will volunteer to do the “dirty” work just to have something to do and someone to hang out with. (This is definitely not typical of a 16 yr old boy.)

I was thinking about all of this Wednesday night on my way home after church. I nearly started to cry—it broke my heart. Here is a young man with so much potential. Yet, like so many young African-American men, he is being pulled down by societal forces around him. Sure he could have made some better choices, like getting out of bed earlier or not falling back asleep. But couldn’t we all have made better choices growing up! Here is a young man who needs someone who can step up and advocate for him. Be the voice that fights on his behalf. Unfortunately, there is a limit to what many of us can do. Not being his parent or guardian, there are many places (including schools) that are not willing to discuss Kevin with me, or even begin to work out a solution that is in the best interests of this young man. I want to fight for Kevin. I want to scream and shout, “This isn’t right!” There are many Kevin’s in our neighborhood. Please pray for Kevin and all the young men and women in our neighborhood just like him.

Growing Leaders

2006-04-13T13:48:00.000-05:00

Being in a ministry long term at the same location allows you to see all kinds of stuff—people coming and going (all for various reasons); people struggling with the same issues over and over; friendships in the church going south; etc. But one of the most rewarding things to witness in long term ministry is watching people learn and grow. Wonder City is now just a few weeks away from appointing our first group of leaders. I sat down with two of these individuals Wednesday night after church to discuss a mercy ministry request. (A requirement to be a leader is that they have completed our financial literacy program.) That is an awesome feat in itself—that I could sit down with two of our members to discuss such an issue! More importantly, I was able to ask these ladies if one of them would be willing to visit with this church member about her financial situation. A couple of years ago it would not have been possible for me to do this. What surprises me even more is that the one who volunteered is currently going through some financial difficulties of her own. The most exciting thing about this is that the volunteer, having been through our financial literacy program, knows what to do when in a tight situation. What a blessing to have leaders who can, and are willing, go and minister to a brother or sister in need!

Update on House

2006-04-04T13:31:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday framing started on our new home. Here are a couple of pictures.

A Wardrobe Full of Clothes...

2006-03-30T11:26:00.000-06:00

The following was written by my current ministry partner, Nathan Bills, about an incident that took place in church on Sunday, March 12th.

We jump-start every Sunday worship service with a time of testimony, confession, sharing, and prayer. This period is an opportunity for the church to get honest with itself about the struggles, the victories, and the places where God’s hand is at work (or needs to be at work). I never know quite what to expect, but we often have church members bring a range of emotions—joy, grief, anxiety, thankfulness—peppered with supportive “hallelujahs” or “help’em Lords.” It frequently becomes something of a faith rally for many of our members who feel burdened and beat up by last week’s events. We aim to give each other encouragement and comfort, especially to those whose self-esteems have sustained deep wounds. Yet, it was during this period of time a few Sundays ago that I had to laugh at a church member who began to self denigrate herself.

“I can’t hang,” she said as she launch her self assault. She went on to narrate an embarrassing experience that teenage girls would deem a nightmare. She had decided, with another church member, to put on some new clothes (i.e., get fresh) and find a club in Memphis where the duo could hang out on a weekend night. Now, West Memphis has it share of clubs, but these two ladies, like two kids sneaking out of the house against parental consent, both reasoned that by going to Memphis they would remain in cognito, avoiding the potentially awkward situation of explaining their little Christian lights in a nightclub (all around the nightclub scene, I’m gonna let it shine!). They had no intentions of participating in questionable behavior while at the club. They just wanted to hang out. They merely had a hankering to hang out…like they used to every weekend years ago.

The daring escapade was a disaster. They discovered they could not “hang.” The two felt so out of place that they retreated to their car soon after they arrived. Before declaring defeat, they discussed attending a club in West Memphis, but they could not muster enough courage even to venture into the parking lot. So, in an act of surrender they raised their white flag and went to Waffle House. There they sat, two women decked out in their finest passing each other the syrup. Not exactly the hot spot in West Memphis!

After lamenting her experience to the congregation, we all laughed. I like laughing with church members who are no longer in vogue, no longer hip, in the words of our youth—“lame.” She ended her statement by praising God for changing her. It was not too long ago, she recalled, that she lived for that kind of excitement. However, God is doing his work in her life, and she has found her previous lifestyle to be unfulfilling, to be nothing compared to “hanging” with the Christ. She is being transformed, and her fleeting flirtation with her old ways just confirmed for her how “out of this world” her life has become. But this has created a new problem for these ladies: they now have “a wardrobe full of clothes and nowhere to go,” as they phrase it. I disagree…they have clothed themselves with Christ and are set foot on the narrow road that few find.

Different Sights

2006-03-30T11:10:00.000-06:00

If you were driving around West Memphis last week you may have seen some unusual sights on Wednesday and Thursday (March 15-16). Both days there were almost 30 individuals who were out in neighborhoods on the east side of town going door to door knocking and simply asking those at home if they could pray with them. Thursday afternoon if you drove by the park at S. 14th between Polk and Broadway around 4:30pm you would have seen 25 young white individuals hanging out playing games with kids from the neighborhood. If you drove by the Wonder City building about that same time you would have seen about 30 people lined up outside waiting to come in and receive clothes from our annual spring and summer clothing giveaway (a total of 66 families came between 4:30 and 6:30).

These different sights have several things in common. First, they were all possible because a group of college students from Oklahoma Christian University gave up their spring break to come to Memphis and serve in the MUM church plants. Second, they all showed the community that we (Wonder City) are in their community and we care about the community. We care enough to come to your home and sit down, listen to what is going on in your life, and pray for you. We care enough to go to your park and hang out with the kids from your neighborhood and play with them. We care enough to provide clothes for those who don’t have the clothes they need.

That is exactly what Jesus did. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood” (The Message). He moved into the neighborhood because he and the Father care about the neighborhood. We are in the neighborhood because we care about the neighborhood. Nathan (my current ministry partner) and I were talking the other day that all many people want to know is that someone cares about them. We were able to do that on a larger than normal scale thanks to OCU kids who gave up their spring break. I challenge you to reach out today to someone who may think no one cares about them and let them know that you do care specifically about them?

I Need to Rant

2006-03-14T15:21:00.000-06:00

About two weeks ago a couple of events were brought to my attention that absolutely floored me and made me very angry. What is sad is that both of these events involve the same basic type of situation and age “appropriate” (read inappropriate) consequences. Neither of these events was just nor helped the individuals involved.

First, I was told about a four year old who was suspended from pre-school for four days for scratching another kid. The situation was basically this. A little boy in the pre-school class had been picking on one of our member’s daughter. At one point a couple of weeks ago he bit her. This day he was pulling on her arm. She retaliated by scratching him. For that she received a four day suspension from school! What!?!?! Do we not expect kids to be kids anymore? Do we not expect little children to not retaliate when they are being picked on by other children? Do we now as a society expect four year olds to be perfectly behaved little people? I am not saying there should not be consequences for actions. But I don’t remember kids being suspended for days when getting into trouble when I was in school—especially being suspended for something like scratching another kid.

The other event involved an older teen student. This young lady I was informed spent a few days in jail a couple weeks ago for fighting at school. I have not heard most of the details involving this situation, except that she was arguing with a teacher. The problem I have with her revolves around this specific young lady. She is currently staying with her aunt. Her mom’s boyfriend was sexually abusing this young lady and mom took the boyfriend’s side in the matter. To top it off she is pregnant and there is a chance that the baby is mom’s boyfriend’s. I can’t imagine being in that situation. I can only image how much anger is inside her that she has to work hard at every day to keep under some kind of socially accepted control (many times she doesn’t do a good job). Please, someone tell me how jail helps her situation? She doesn’t need jail. She needs counseling—lots and lots of counseling. She needs love, grace, mercy. She needs men in her life who will not take advantage of her. But instead of those things, when her anger explodes out, she is sent to jail!?!?!

A fellow minister hit the nail on the head when I was talking about these events to him. He said, “Common sense has become uncommon!” That couldn’t be any truer. It seems in many areas of society our answer to situations is not to deal with them. We push them off on someone else (suspend from school or sent to jail—“anything so that I don’t have do dig deeper and find out what is going on”). We ignore the deeper problems hoping they will go away on their own, and all the time they are tearing individuals, families, and society as a whole apart. What we need is some more common sense. What we (Wonder City, the church, society) need is caring individuals who will look beyond the outward signs of anger. We need people who are willing to dig a little deeper and find out what is really going on and then get the appropriate help. Next time you encounter a difficult and angry person, please don’t just brush them off and pass them off to someone else. Please take a minute and show some care and compassion. That’s what Jesus would do.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

2006-02-21T10:11:00.000-06:00

Those letters spell respect. Defined as “to consider worthy of high regard” by Webster’s online dictionary. We have all heard that respect is something that has to be earned. In the poor African-American community one way a young man earns respect from other men is by fighting. When someone disrespects you, puts down your momma, or does something else that offends—if you want respect—the proper street response is to fight. Believe me one of the things African-American men want and need more than almost anything else is people to respect them. Therefore, if someone does disrespect you and you don’t challenge that person to a fight, you are only inviting more disrespect and names like “weak”, “whimp”, etc.

This past Wednesday night at church, one of my older teen boys was not himself. He was quiet and withdrawn. He had a look of anger on his face. After class he immediately went outside and distanced himself from all the other teens. I walked over to him and asked him if he was ok. He replied that he was. I told him he didn’t look ok, he looked angry. He told me some of the other teens were talking about him behind his back (even some that he has been relatively close to in the past) and that he was ready to “click” (fight; go off; etc.). He told me that if one of them came over and said one word to him he would snap. I affirmed that I heard that he was angry. And I told him that I was proud of him and respected him for not clicking. I told him I respected him for walking away and cooling down.

What I did was flip the script (give opposite of what is expected) on him. He did exactly what we have been teaching—not to respond to those situations like the world says to respond. And what I am sure he expected to hear was how weak he was for backing down—and he may have heard that from others later. Instead what he heard from me (at least I hope) was that for making that decision he received respect.

We're Moving

2006-02-16T16:24:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read the title correctly. Amy and I are moving. Surely none of you expected us to stay in Memphis forever!

OK, Enough sarcasm. We are moving…to Marion, AR. For those of you who don’t know, Marion and West Memphis are two neighboring communities. We are not leaving Wonder City (we may stay here forever if God allows us!). However, God has blessed Amy and I to have a house built about half-way between West Memphis and Marion, about 6-7 miles from the neighborhood of Wonder City. So far everything has gone smoothly, and we believe that the entire process has truly been blessed by God. Surprisingly, Amy and I have had very little disagreements—from floor-plan, to carpet, to colors. Right now our lot is nothing but dirt. Our agent told us that we would see construction starting this week. We are looking forward to moving sometime this summer. Take a look at the photos to see what our floor plan and house will look like when completed.

Super Fun

2006-02-09T14:58:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday night over 40 members from Wonder City gathered to have fun and enjoy watching Super Bowl XL together. The Super Bowl Party has become an annual tradition for Wonder City. As always there were individuals pulling for different sides and harassing each other at every turn. However, we always leave that evening closer as a family having enjoyed a good game, food, and fellowship. Here are some pictures from the event.

Enjoying the game and the food!

Everyone watches intently as Pittsburg scores a TD!

Just Hangin'

Giving Honor

2006-02-06T16:00:00.000-06:00

We at Wonder City have always encouraged our members to read the Bible at home on their own. However, it wasn’t until last year that we gave them a concrete way to approach reading the Bible. For 2005 we suggested that our members read one chapter of the New Testament (N.T.) every weekday. By doing this they would complete the N.T. in a year. This also gave our members the freedom to miss a day without becoming too discouraged.

Nathan and I knew of one lady who was faithfully reading through the N.T. She would call one of us whenever she had a question. It was also evident in her life. Everyone could really tell a difference in her.

The surprise came at the end of the year, when we asked the church who had completed the N.T. Not one, but three ladies reached the goal. After confirming each of them, we decided to honor these ladies and encourage them to continue studying, as well as encourage the church to follow their example. We decided to purchase these ladies leather N.I.V. Study Bibles with their names engraved on them. We presented the Bibles during worship services on Sunday, January 1st (unfortunately, we were unable to have their names engraved since they had just arrived in the mail). So, on Sunday, January 22nd, we re-presented the Bibles (complete with names). Below is a picture of two of the ladies (Renee H. [left]; Corrie T. [right]. Jennifer C. was unable to be present for the photo.)

As I was working on cropping the picture for this post, Corrie called me. She was so excited about her new Bible. She told me that I wasn’t going to be getting any more phone calls with questions, since she has her study Bible she can look things up for herself. Of course, I told her I always welcomed her phone calls. She is so excited to have that Bible and be using it.

This year we are again encouraging our church members to read the N.T. on the weekdays, but we have added Psalms and Proverbs on the weekends. I hope that as this year draws to close we will have many more who are reading the Bible at home.

An Encouraging Message

2006-01-23T15:03:00.000-06:00

I had a rare experience last Monday night. In fact, I don’t remember it happening before Monday night. It started about 9:45 as Amy and I were heading toward bed. My phone beeped indicating I received a text message. The message read “remember God loves you no matter what.” The problem was, I didn’t know who sent it. I didn’t recognize the phone number it came from (I didn’t have it stored already in my phone) and the sender didn’t sign it. Through a series of text messages back and forth I found out it was one of our church members.

I can’t tell you how much that lifted my spirits. Our church members often pray for us (the ministers) at church. But that was a first for me in the five years that Amy and I have been at Wonder City. For the first time someone took a moment to let me know they were thinking about me outside of church. For the first time someone took a moment to encourage me. For the first time the encourager became the encouraged.

Winter Jam

2006-01-19T14:34:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday night I and several other adults took 17 teens from Wonder City to the Winter Jam concert. I don’t know if it was the mood I was in that night, or what. But I was disappointed for my teens. With the artist I knew would be there I was hopeful for an upbeat show that my teens could connect to. I knew going in the lineup was short on hip-hop style music, but Toby Mac looked promising. When we arrived, the youth ministers were asked to attend a “Youth Leader’s Reception” where we would be joined by some of the artist “to pray over the concert and your youth.” It was really a time for World Changers to get our mailing address and to give us some information about how they were going to do the “alter call” (their words). While we (the youth ministers) were in that “reception” the first act was on the stage. For me, it went downhill from there. Every time, there was some momentum built with the acts and music something would be done to kill it cold. The speaker came out and spoke 10 minutes about giving before a “love offering” was taken up. One of the members of Newsong came out and spoke 10 minutes about sponsoring orphaned and abandoned kids in foreign countries. And they had a 15 minute intermission. It appeared that my kids were just as disappointed and frustrated as I was. Many of them were up and down throughout the whole thing. Several asked me if we could leave at intermission (we stayed because we knew Toby Mac was up next). It was one of those events that as I left I said to myself, “Glad we came, but don’t think I will do it again.”

I don’t think I would have been frustrated by all that stuff had my teens not been there. During the fall I had taught a series of lessons on Wednesday night using holy hip-hop. We would listen to a song and talk about the themes in the song and look at appropriate texts. I wanted to show my teens that there is music that they would like to listen to other than the junk that secular hip-hop artist put out. Here was an opportunity to get my kids even more exposure to and excited about Christian music. However, it just didn’t work. Something like this may have worked for many more sub-urban churches and youth, but it just didn’t work with my urban kids. To top it all off we had taken three new teens with us that night (none of the three had been with us for more than 2 services).

At least, that was how I was feeling when I left the concert. When I dropped off six girls at the same house, they all said how much fun they had and the two new girls that had gone with us said they were going to start coming to Wonder City. Then, I was pleasantly surprised at Bible class on Wednesday night when I asked what they thought about it. Several indicated some of the same things that I mentioned. But at the same time, they all had something good to say about the concert. They all found one act they connected with. And some of them enjoyed watching me “rocking out” (one of my teen boy’s words). I am a little more hopeful as I write this than I was earlier. God can take something that looks like it fell on its face and totally work something out of it. Praise the Lord for that.

It Broke My Heart

2006-01-17T14:15:00.000-06:00

An event, during last Wednesday night’s Bible Class, reminded me how much work there is to do in our community. Two brief facts to help you visualize what happened. First, our store-front church is next door to a laundry mat (we highly discourage bringing laundry to do during church, but it happens from time to time). Second, the way our “building” is laid out the teenage (jr high and high school) class is right by the “front” door.

Sue (not her real name) is a single mother with three children (6, 3 and less than a year.) Sue herself is no older than 20 years. Last Wednesday she brought laundry to do during church. So during class, she is back and forth between the laundry mat. Each time she is carrying her infant daughter and her 3 year-old son is walking behind her. Upon returning the last time she opens the door to the building about half-way or less and enters the building with a bag of clean laundry on her shoulder. Her son is trailing far enough behind her that the door shuts before he enters the building. Instead of stopping and letting him in, Sue keeps walking and says, “Bye.” The child is outside and crying. One of our teens gets up, opens the door, and picks up the child.

I was very disturbed by what I saw and it broke my heart. I spoke with a couple of our leaders after church about how best to address the situation (after all I am a “rich” married white male with no children, and she is a poor, African-American, single mother). They suggested that since I was the one who witnessed the event that I speak to Sue and tell her that this could not happen again. When I went and spoke to Sue, her response to me was, “He didn’t come in.” This child is 3 years-old and in her mind he is already responsible for himself.

Not only are the gospel and the grace and forgiveness of God desperately needed in this situation, but so much more. Parenting classes are just a start. But more than that, hope is needed. You see, Sue is hopeless. She displays it in all of her actions. She rarely has a smile on her face. She often walks with her head down. She has not finished school (I’m not even sure she made it to high-school). She does not have a job. She is the victim of sexual abuse. There is no life in Sue. Sue has no hope. No hope breaks my heart. It breaks God’s heart.

Pray for Sue and her family.

Bringing God and People Together

2006-01-10T15:38:00.000-06:00

A Vision for Wonder City

This past Sunday I preached a sermon at Wonder City recasting our vision and purpose for our congregation. My goal was to rekindle the dream of what Wonder City can be within our vision. Here is a short summary of what I preached.

Wonder City’s vision or purpose statement is “Bringing God and People Together.” When I look at this vision statement I can’t help but think of two types of reconciliation. The first type, and the most obvious, is reconciliation between God and his creation. We all know the effects of sin in our lives and the separation that it brings from God. We are in the business of helping people get right with God. We are about reconciling individual lives to God. But we are also about reconciling whole groups and systems to God. The word “people” in our purpose statement is intentionally plural. Each one makes the decision to turn from God on his or her own. However, when multiple decisions are added together the effect is disastrous, turning whole groups of people and even systems away from God’s will. Families are affected for generations. Systems within government, business, and society at large become broken and continue to enslave rather than liberate. We are therefore in the business of reconciling these groups and systems to God and his will for them.

The second type of reconciliation is person to person. The words “and people” are not just plural because of groups and systems, but humanity needs to be reconciled to itself. Sin drives barriers between and separates not just people from God but from each other as well. We all know people who have been torn apart by sin—people whose sinful and selfish behaviors tore relationships apart. Jesus said you can’t be reconciled with God if you are not reconciled with your brother (Mt. 5:23-24). So we are in the business of helping restore and repair broken relationships.

I believe we have a clear picture of what these types of reconciliation look like in the words of Jesus. He said (speaking of the greatest commandment), “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mk. 12:30-31; NIV).

Of course, the implications here are many. First, it means we are about sharing, teaching, and preaching the word of Jesus. Second, it means continuing our after-school program—so kids can love the Lord their God with their entire mind. Third, it means we speak up when we see and hear about things in the political system that will hurt the poor—because that is loving our neighbor as ourselves. There are many other ways in which we can fulfill these commandments and our purpose. These are but just a few examples.

Our request at Wonder City is that you pray for us this year as we set about our vision and purpose of “Bringing God and People Together.”