Here are some highlights from this past week for you all...
1. I found this amazing coffee ship in Montrose called Agora. Really good coffee and the place looked like a huge wooden cabin/pub in the mountains. We need one of these in Wichita...
2. I have been seeking the Lord so much lately. My faith has already grown so much since being in Houston...
3. Getting to talk to my group leader Dan a lot last week was a blessing. He is definitely someone I will keep in contact with after this summer. As the group was leaving he told me that if I ever come back to Houston I have a place to stay and a church to go to. How incredible...I'm so thankful for him.
4. I had the best cake ever last week. Paul's wife made it and it was a strawberry cake with pureed strawberries in the mix...so good...
5. I've been reading psalms every day. I love the way the Lord encourages me with His Word.
6. I got to talk to my boss/mentor Paul for like 30 minutes in the car while it was pouring rain one day. He's so wise and I love talking to that man every chance i get.
7. Yesterday I spent all day at the beach in Galveston. I got burned all over. It hurts but it was a good time..
Thanks for reading, my friends.
Here are some prayer requests that you can pray for if you feel led:
-Pray that I would give God all the glory for the way He works. Sometimes I try to take credit for some awesome things that happen but its all the Lord...He gets all the glory. I am just a vessel.
-Pray that I would use my free time to glorify God and to spend intentional time in the Word and in prayer.
-Pray for my energy and that the Lord would do great things with my group this week.
-Tyler, CSM Houston Summer 2011 City Host
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Houston!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Networking on the Streets
CNN recently published an article about how Twitter is revolutionizing the way our homeless neighbors find resources. Check it out!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Such a small thing…
“We can not do great things. We can only do little things with great love.” -Mother Teresa
“Little by little does the trick.” –Aesop
We recently had our last day of school-year programming for BTH Club, and are heading into our summer program which runs till August. I also just returned from an overnight sleepover trip with 3 of my 6th grade girls from the Club (an experience which turned into a fun time and held some answered prayers! Thanks for joining me in that!).
As last week came to a close I began to reflect on my past 9 months of working with the BTH ministry…and was reminded what a mixed bag of emotions a season’s conclusion brings. With such transitions I can look back and praise God for all the wonderful opportunities and growing experiences He gave me, and I can remind myself of all the things I want to continue to lift up in prayer!
I don’t know about you, but there have been many times when I seek to do something for others that seem to go unnoticed, unappreciated, or simply wind up feeling insignificant in the greater expanse of the situation. Have you ever felt that way? It can be discouraging to have such things happen. We may think, “What’s the point?” “Why do I even bother with this?” “Have I done ____ for nothing?” “Have I really made a difference?”
As I look back at many of the ministry endeavors I’ve pursued, including my time with BTH this year, I can remember the moments of feeling that way. And then I must remember for Whom I am really doing what I am doing. And I remember that my God is so big, and so great, and so powerful…and that I should not underestimate God’s sovereignty over all things…including things that seem small in this world.
Isn’t My Father the one who created mankind out of dust? Tiny, little, insignificant, trampled on, disregarded dust specks that we sweep away with our old socks or rags or brooms when we clean…taken from the earth and blown into with the breath of God Almighty became a beautiful creation emanating His image! Tiny dust specks can become something glorious to marvel at if the breath of God is in it.
And then you think of other “small things” such as: the one drop of paint that begins an artist’s masterpiece, or the one music note that begins the orchestra’s serenade, or the tiny pixels that compose the bigger picture…
We can think about the fact that God took a tiny, vulnerable, easily unnoticed baby boy…born in a tiny, unpopular community, in an overlooked stable, with no one else around, and “yet in that dark street shineth the Everlasting Light, the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.” How cool is our God to pack so much power and authority over all generations for all time in such a small thing?
Jesus said, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)
Even a cup of cold water…such a small seemingly insignificant gesture, and yet our God will not neglect to notice, appreciate, and reward it.
Some of my kids have begun to learn the art of gratitude, and will say ‘thank-you’ or show a sign of appreciation to those of us who seek to love them, serve them, and help them grow. Other kids never seem to get their fill, and even when you buy them things, take them places, and show them exorbitant amounts of grace…they still don’t get it. They still don’t think to show a heart of thankfulness.
But it doesn’t matter. At least we should seek to make it not matter to us. We should seek to not let it affect our heart or motivation in loving others.
Maybe some of my kids at BTH will forget what we have taught them this year, and they will forget the acts of kindness and divine love expressed to them at the Club…but some kids will not forget. Some kids will remember the smiles, the hugs, the laughter, the conversations about their day and what happened at home, the words of Truth during Chapel and Bible Study time, the lessons about value and purity that Ms. Meagan taught them in Girls Group, the time I showed up at their court appointment, or spared them from being suspended, the new experiences and acts of generosity, the perseverant spirit of gentle love and steadfast discipline…the consistency of people investing in their life.
Even if I have laid only 1 brick down in the foundation of a child’s life, it is still 1 brick in a house where every brick counts once the building is finished. Even if my legacy is only 1 action, 1 word, or 1 prayer in a million for those kids, that staff, or that neighborhood…it’s still 1 in a 1,000,000 where without such it would only be 999,999. Right? Get the idea? Each small thing adds up, each ripple echoes into the next.
God will use each and every speck of dust, drop of paint, musical note, and cup of water that was given to those He loves, by those He loves. He will be faithful in “carrying it (the good work) on to completion” (Philip. 1:6). Let us be encouraged in our ministries as we remember Who it is we are serving, and the fact that nothing we do in His Name will go to waste in the vast story of someone’s life.
-Meagan, CSM Chicago Apprentice
“Little by little does the trick.” –Aesop
We recently had our last day of school-year programming for BTH Club, and are heading into our summer program which runs till August. I also just returned from an overnight sleepover trip with 3 of my 6th grade girls from the Club (an experience which turned into a fun time and held some answered prayers! Thanks for joining me in that!).
As last week came to a close I began to reflect on my past 9 months of working with the BTH ministry…and was reminded what a mixed bag of emotions a season’s conclusion brings. With such transitions I can look back and praise God for all the wonderful opportunities and growing experiences He gave me, and I can remind myself of all the things I want to continue to lift up in prayer!
I don’t know about you, but there have been many times when I seek to do something for others that seem to go unnoticed, unappreciated, or simply wind up feeling insignificant in the greater expanse of the situation. Have you ever felt that way? It can be discouraging to have such things happen. We may think, “What’s the point?” “Why do I even bother with this?” “Have I done ____ for nothing?” “Have I really made a difference?”
As I look back at many of the ministry endeavors I’ve pursued, including my time with BTH this year, I can remember the moments of feeling that way. And then I must remember for Whom I am really doing what I am doing. And I remember that my God is so big, and so great, and so powerful…and that I should not underestimate God’s sovereignty over all things…including things that seem small in this world.
Isn’t My Father the one who created mankind out of dust? Tiny, little, insignificant, trampled on, disregarded dust specks that we sweep away with our old socks or rags or brooms when we clean…taken from the earth and blown into with the breath of God Almighty became a beautiful creation emanating His image! Tiny dust specks can become something glorious to marvel at if the breath of God is in it.
And then you think of other “small things” such as: the one drop of paint that begins an artist’s masterpiece, or the one music note that begins the orchestra’s serenade, or the tiny pixels that compose the bigger picture…
We can think about the fact that God took a tiny, vulnerable, easily unnoticed baby boy…born in a tiny, unpopular community, in an overlooked stable, with no one else around, and “yet in that dark street shineth the Everlasting Light, the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.” How cool is our God to pack so much power and authority over all generations for all time in such a small thing?
Jesus said, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)
Even a cup of cold water…such a small seemingly insignificant gesture, and yet our God will not neglect to notice, appreciate, and reward it.
Some of my kids have begun to learn the art of gratitude, and will say ‘thank-you’ or show a sign of appreciation to those of us who seek to love them, serve them, and help them grow. Other kids never seem to get their fill, and even when you buy them things, take them places, and show them exorbitant amounts of grace…they still don’t get it. They still don’t think to show a heart of thankfulness.
But it doesn’t matter. At least we should seek to make it not matter to us. We should seek to not let it affect our heart or motivation in loving others.
Maybe some of my kids at BTH will forget what we have taught them this year, and they will forget the acts of kindness and divine love expressed to them at the Club…but some kids will not forget. Some kids will remember the smiles, the hugs, the laughter, the conversations about their day and what happened at home, the words of Truth during Chapel and Bible Study time, the lessons about value and purity that Ms. Meagan taught them in Girls Group, the time I showed up at their court appointment, or spared them from being suspended, the new experiences and acts of generosity, the perseverant spirit of gentle love and steadfast discipline…the consistency of people investing in their life.
Even if I have laid only 1 brick down in the foundation of a child’s life, it is still 1 brick in a house where every brick counts once the building is finished. Even if my legacy is only 1 action, 1 word, or 1 prayer in a million for those kids, that staff, or that neighborhood…it’s still 1 in a 1,000,000 where without such it would only be 999,999. Right? Get the idea? Each small thing adds up, each ripple echoes into the next.
God will use each and every speck of dust, drop of paint, musical note, and cup of water that was given to those He loves, by those He loves. He will be faithful in “carrying it (the good work) on to completion” (Philip. 1:6). Let us be encouraged in our ministries as we remember Who it is we are serving, and the fact that nothing we do in His Name will go to waste in the vast story of someone’s life.
-Meagan, CSM Chicago Apprentice
Monday, June 27, 2011
Keeping Watch with Jesus
Our final challenge this past week was founded on Matthew 26:36-45; Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, before He went to the cross. This passage stuck out for me as a host this week, because it is one that calls Jesus disciples, all of us, to ‘watch and to pray’. What am I watching and praying for?
The disciples were tired, so tired that they couldn’t stay awake a few hours to pray with their good and faithful friend; a friend that had taken them on a journey towards salvation for the past three years. Jesus was waiting to be taken away, tortured, falsely accused and crucified and he needed His friends. He needed them to watch and to pray, both over Him and for Him as He was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” So He says, “Stay here and keep watch with me”, to three of his disciples that were especially close to Him: Peter, James and John.
Possibly, the reason these three couldn’t stay awake, was because they were unaware of what was about to happen. They didn’t get what Jesus was going through, or what He was about to face. Instead of being there, and watching over, and pray for their friend, they were distracted by there own weariness, unable to see past their own situations. They should have been watching, they should have been praying. Could they have changed the circumstances of Jesus’ life and ministry, particularly His death on a cross? Probably not, but they could have sat up all night with their friend, listened to His prayer and attended to His needs.
This is the kind of ministry that I believe CSM is all about: Being present, in the moment, and watching and praying about what Jesus is leading us to experience about Himself. Jesus is always about to do something in the lives of his people. As a host, it is my job to prepare teams to watch for Jesus and what He is about to do in their lives and in the lives of others; and challenge them to see things the way God sees them by bringing them to a point of prayer, to partner with Jesus work in the world.
But, what am I watching and praying for?
I am watching a praying for the same things, but in a more focused way. I can become tired, VERY tired, and be very distracted by the schedule and workings of my visiting team, that I’m not watching and praying for our hosting team. Hosting can be quite demanding at times, sometimes we can become overwhelmed and sorrowful.
I have a great team here in Toronto, who is especially close to me. Men and women, who love our Lord Jesus, and want to serve Him with deep passion and conviction. This past week, our hosting team has been able to meet for sharing and prayer after most of our days. I see this time as watching and praying for one another, for what God is doing in each of our lives and visiting teams. Jesus is about to act, and in many cases, is already acting and moving mountains. We get to be a part of these Jesus things! We get to stay up a little later, even though our eyes are heavy, have things to get ready for the morning, or have had a hard and challenging day, and be there for one another, watching and praying as we journey together.
My prayer is that these times together will continue, that we will be able to maintain this very special time of love, support and care for one another through the summer; that our eyes will not grow heavy, and that we will not fall asleep during our watch to pray. We are always alongside Jesus, being challenged to carry our crosses, waiting for Jesus to act, waiting for Him to reveal Himself to us and our visiting teams. We need to keep watch and pray for each other, that we will not fall away, but care and support each other in ministry. I am thankful for my team, I thoroughly enjoy watching and praying over and for them, and watching Jesus lead and transform them, and ever so grateful that they are watching and praying over me this summer. May Christ be glorified in Toronto!
-Adele, CSM Toronto Summer 2011 City Host
The disciples were tired, so tired that they couldn’t stay awake a few hours to pray with their good and faithful friend; a friend that had taken them on a journey towards salvation for the past three years. Jesus was waiting to be taken away, tortured, falsely accused and crucified and he needed His friends. He needed them to watch and to pray, both over Him and for Him as He was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” So He says, “Stay here and keep watch with me”, to three of his disciples that were especially close to Him: Peter, James and John.
Possibly, the reason these three couldn’t stay awake, was because they were unaware of what was about to happen. They didn’t get what Jesus was going through, or what He was about to face. Instead of being there, and watching over, and pray for their friend, they were distracted by there own weariness, unable to see past their own situations. They should have been watching, they should have been praying. Could they have changed the circumstances of Jesus’ life and ministry, particularly His death on a cross? Probably not, but they could have sat up all night with their friend, listened to His prayer and attended to His needs.
This is the kind of ministry that I believe CSM is all about: Being present, in the moment, and watching and praying about what Jesus is leading us to experience about Himself. Jesus is always about to do something in the lives of his people. As a host, it is my job to prepare teams to watch for Jesus and what He is about to do in their lives and in the lives of others; and challenge them to see things the way God sees them by bringing them to a point of prayer, to partner with Jesus work in the world.
But, what am I watching and praying for?
I am watching a praying for the same things, but in a more focused way. I can become tired, VERY tired, and be very distracted by the schedule and workings of my visiting team, that I’m not watching and praying for our hosting team. Hosting can be quite demanding at times, sometimes we can become overwhelmed and sorrowful.
I have a great team here in Toronto, who is especially close to me. Men and women, who love our Lord Jesus, and want to serve Him with deep passion and conviction. This past week, our hosting team has been able to meet for sharing and prayer after most of our days. I see this time as watching and praying for one another, for what God is doing in each of our lives and visiting teams. Jesus is about to act, and in many cases, is already acting and moving mountains. We get to be a part of these Jesus things! We get to stay up a little later, even though our eyes are heavy, have things to get ready for the morning, or have had a hard and challenging day, and be there for one another, watching and praying as we journey together.
My prayer is that these times together will continue, that we will be able to maintain this very special time of love, support and care for one another through the summer; that our eyes will not grow heavy, and that we will not fall asleep during our watch to pray. We are always alongside Jesus, being challenged to carry our crosses, waiting for Jesus to act, waiting for Him to reveal Himself to us and our visiting teams. We need to keep watch and pray for each other, that we will not fall away, but care and support each other in ministry. I am thankful for my team, I thoroughly enjoy watching and praying over and for them, and watching Jesus lead and transform them, and ever so grateful that they are watching and praying over me this summer. May Christ be glorified in Toronto!
-Adele, CSM Toronto Summer 2011 City Host
Friday, June 24, 2011
Daily Dose of PS22
If you've never heard of PS22 (Public School #22) - check out our previous post about this amazingly talented group from the heart of New York...
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in New York!
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in New York!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
"I Saw What I Saw"
"Rather than turning away from unpleasant images in the newspaper or television, perhaps we would make more of an effort to look the stranger in the eye -- feel their pain, empathize with their situation. As it is written in Jeremiah 24:7: 'I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.'" (Rev. Susan Sparks)
My hope is that this video will challenge you to not forget that no matter what our circumstance, we are all children of God - don't turn a blind eye - get out, and make a difference.
-Jami Howard, CSM New York Associate City Director
My hope is that this video will challenge you to not forget that no matter what our circumstance, we are all children of God - don't turn a blind eye - get out, and make a difference.
-Jami Howard, CSM New York Associate City Director
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Why Do I Care About Racial Reconciliation?
YouthWorker.com recently reviewed A Transforming Vision and processes the question "Why Do I Care About Racial Reconciliation?". Should be a great resource for high school and college ministries alike!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Trusting Him with Others
God is just so big.
I sometimes get possessive about my job, and sometimes try and take over God's job as well. I worry that youth aren't seeing what God sees. And I fear that after a week of intense sacrificial living, they will go home unchanged.
But I forget that God has been writing on their hearts since way before I was in their life for a couple days. He knows each one of the youth and each one of their stories and has everything planned out to the finest detail. He is a father to the fatherless and reveals his servant heart to the rich. He humbles the proud and builds up the broken. He comforts the lonely and tears social walls down. And He does all that while I am tying my shoes.
Trusting God with myself has never been an issue for me. But I struggle to trust Him with others. I have a hard time putting my friend whose life in shambles in God's hands. I have a hard time trusting Him when my family is struggling. And when the mission statement of my job is to provide an effective urban ministry experience that transforms lives, influences churches and communities, and honors Christ, it can be hard not to take that responsibility onto my shoulders.
So, at the end of a challenging week where I felt totally inefficient, when youth open up and show how God has been changing their lives it blows me away. I see how He has been working behind the scenes. I see how He heals and He transforms and He opens eyes, and I sit back and realize it has nothing to do with me. My God is so big and so good and way better at His job than I am.
So praise God that he is bigger than my insufficiency, and that He does what He promises. He impacts lives more than I ever will and I am glad for that.
-Chadwick, CSM Toronto Summer 2011 City Host
I sometimes get possessive about my job, and sometimes try and take over God's job as well. I worry that youth aren't seeing what God sees. And I fear that after a week of intense sacrificial living, they will go home unchanged.
But I forget that God has been writing on their hearts since way before I was in their life for a couple days. He knows each one of the youth and each one of their stories and has everything planned out to the finest detail. He is a father to the fatherless and reveals his servant heart to the rich. He humbles the proud and builds up the broken. He comforts the lonely and tears social walls down. And He does all that while I am tying my shoes.
Trusting God with myself has never been an issue for me. But I struggle to trust Him with others. I have a hard time putting my friend whose life in shambles in God's hands. I have a hard time trusting Him when my family is struggling. And when the mission statement of my job is to provide an effective urban ministry experience that transforms lives, influences churches and communities, and honors Christ, it can be hard not to take that responsibility onto my shoulders.
So, at the end of a challenging week where I felt totally inefficient, when youth open up and show how God has been changing their lives it blows me away. I see how He has been working behind the scenes. I see how He heals and He transforms and He opens eyes, and I sit back and realize it has nothing to do with me. My God is so big and so good and way better at His job than I am.
So praise God that he is bigger than my insufficiency, and that He does what He promises. He impacts lives more than I ever will and I am glad for that.
-Chadwick, CSM Toronto Summer 2011 City Host
Friday, June 17, 2011
A Thought on Great Leadership
“Great leaders emerge. They appear out of, or enter into, the agony and pain and struggle of their day. They meet God somewhere, maybe the backside of a mountain as Moses did, and they get a vision from God. You’ve got to have vision to lead. They get a glimpse of the promise of God. You must be conscious of the fact that God is calling you to carry on the promise. There has to come a time in your pilgrimage when you become conscious that God put you in a specific place, for a specific time and He’s leading you. It’s fearful. It’s painful. It’s too big for you. Moses experienced all of these things. But, like him, you must feel that quiet sense of serenity that God has called you for this moment. It is humbling.”
- Dr. John Perkins, Follow Me to Freedom
- Dr. John Perkins, Follow Me to Freedom
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Crazy Training Week in Houston!
Well friends its been a crazy two weeks here in H-Town. Yesterday we finished up our intense two week training. Here is a run-down of a basic day of training for a city host like myself. We start each morning with what we call morning prayer. We have this sheet with some liturgy on it. I've usually been disheartened with liturgy only because I remember when I was a kid it was really boring reciting the same thing every week. However, the Lord is allowing me to open my heart to it. In the middle of the recited prayers there is a time for Lectio Divina, which is a really cool way to interact with scripture. Someone reads a portion of scripture and our job is to let a word or phrase catch our attention in a way followed by silence and meditation on that word or phrase. Morning prayer has been so refreshing to me and gets my heart aligned with God's purpose for me.
After morning prayer we all pile into the van we rented and set off for a morning and afternoon of visiting many..many..many ministry sites. Since I will be in charge of navigating to all these sites at one point or another, these visits are designed to familiarize us with the site and to meet the director at the site. I must say I am so joyful to see the ways God is working in this city to fight injustice, stereotypes and poverty through these ministry sites. I can't wait to go to these sites every week to serve with my group.
After a lunch back at the housing or at a park we go to dinner! This is one of my favorite parts of CSM. Every group that comes for a mission trip gets to eat at a different ethnic restaurant every night. Every night of training we ate at one of our restaurants ranging from Mediterranean to El Salvadorian to BBQ to Vietnamese and so much more. Most of you know I love food so you can feel my excitement...haha. Lets just hope I can manage to not gain 20 pounds this summer!
Here are some random highlights of the last week or so...
1. Got to hang out with people from another ministry called Mission Year. They have a house in the heart of the city and are working to build community in their neighborhood. It’s a beautiful ministry. Check it out.
2. We get to lead a prayer tour of Houston for our groups every week. I've been training on how to give the prayer tour which is intimidating...If you had to learn your way around Houston and be able to know pages of information you'd be scared too...haha. But I love the prayer tour. Seeing the needs of the city and also the ways God is working is just amazing.
3. Had the best BBQ of my life at Thelma’s BBQ in the third ward...delish.
4. Went to one our ministries called Open Door. It’s a site where men recover from drug and alcohol addictions while getting discipled. I met a guy there who was applying to get into the program. He said Jesus is setting him free from his addictions. Praise the Lord for transformation!
5. Got to pray with a man on the streets who was hungry. I was led to buy him some food. Jesus says feed the hungry and give the thirsty something to drink. I am learning a lot about how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a way that is transforming my life...
6. Met another homeless man named John downtown. He approached me because he was hungry and asked me to help him out. I told him to walk with me. I asked about his life and he told me that he is a Christ follower but is depressed from being on the streets and the fact that his mother died recently. Holy Spirit allowed me to encourage him and buy him a meal. He is such a nice, genuine fellow. I introduced him to my team and we all stood in a circle, holding hands praying for John in the middle of a busy street corner. It was beautiful.
7. Got to do a prayer labyrinth. I've never done anything like this before but it was amazing.
8. Went to a Houston Astros game at Minute Maid Park…pretty sweet facility. The Astros weren't so good though...
There is so much more that I could tell all of you. The people I've met, the crazy random things my team and I have done, the list goes on. I want to tell you all what the Lord has been doing in me recently...
I've started struggling with looking at people through my own fleshly eyes instead of through the eyes of Christ. I see this playing out in my interactions with my other team members and other random people I talk to. I have this tendency to see people’s faults and dwell on them. This causes me to think that I have it all together - which is far from the truth. I started to get slightly angry at somethings I heard from people I was around and it was discouraging. I went to the Lord with this and He told me to see them as He sees them. He told me that I should not try to fix their faults but instead I should set an example for my brothers and sisters. This is requiring me to keep my thoughts, words and actions in check and making sure they are conforming to Christ. This is a painful process, but the Lord is patient with me and is already working in me. I've recently started seeing people as people made in the image of God and not merely sinners. I have a desire to pursue holiness and to let Christ refine me by the fire.
I got to spend some great time with the Lord today on my day off. The Lord ministered to me through his Word and in prayer...
Well tomorrow my first group arrives. It should be an amazing week. I am stoked to finally host my own group. Please be praying for me. Pray that I would find time to be with the Lord among the business of hosting. Pray for my strength this week and that I would let Jesus work in and through me.
-Tyler, CSM Houston Summer 2011 City Host
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Houston!
After morning prayer we all pile into the van we rented and set off for a morning and afternoon of visiting many..many..many ministry sites. Since I will be in charge of navigating to all these sites at one point or another, these visits are designed to familiarize us with the site and to meet the director at the site. I must say I am so joyful to see the ways God is working in this city to fight injustice, stereotypes and poverty through these ministry sites. I can't wait to go to these sites every week to serve with my group.
After a lunch back at the housing or at a park we go to dinner! This is one of my favorite parts of CSM. Every group that comes for a mission trip gets to eat at a different ethnic restaurant every night. Every night of training we ate at one of our restaurants ranging from Mediterranean to El Salvadorian to BBQ to Vietnamese and so much more. Most of you know I love food so you can feel my excitement...haha. Lets just hope I can manage to not gain 20 pounds this summer!
Here are some random highlights of the last week or so...
1. Got to hang out with people from another ministry called Mission Year. They have a house in the heart of the city and are working to build community in their neighborhood. It’s a beautiful ministry. Check it out.
2. We get to lead a prayer tour of Houston for our groups every week. I've been training on how to give the prayer tour which is intimidating...If you had to learn your way around Houston and be able to know pages of information you'd be scared too...haha. But I love the prayer tour. Seeing the needs of the city and also the ways God is working is just amazing.
3. Had the best BBQ of my life at Thelma’s BBQ in the third ward...delish.
4. Went to one our ministries called Open Door. It’s a site where men recover from drug and alcohol addictions while getting discipled. I met a guy there who was applying to get into the program. He said Jesus is setting him free from his addictions. Praise the Lord for transformation!
5. Got to pray with a man on the streets who was hungry. I was led to buy him some food. Jesus says feed the hungry and give the thirsty something to drink. I am learning a lot about how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a way that is transforming my life...
6. Met another homeless man named John downtown. He approached me because he was hungry and asked me to help him out. I told him to walk with me. I asked about his life and he told me that he is a Christ follower but is depressed from being on the streets and the fact that his mother died recently. Holy Spirit allowed me to encourage him and buy him a meal. He is such a nice, genuine fellow. I introduced him to my team and we all stood in a circle, holding hands praying for John in the middle of a busy street corner. It was beautiful.
7. Got to do a prayer labyrinth. I've never done anything like this before but it was amazing.
8. Went to a Houston Astros game at Minute Maid Park…pretty sweet facility. The Astros weren't so good though...
There is so much more that I could tell all of you. The people I've met, the crazy random things my team and I have done, the list goes on. I want to tell you all what the Lord has been doing in me recently...
I've started struggling with looking at people through my own fleshly eyes instead of through the eyes of Christ. I see this playing out in my interactions with my other team members and other random people I talk to. I have this tendency to see people’s faults and dwell on them. This causes me to think that I have it all together - which is far from the truth. I started to get slightly angry at somethings I heard from people I was around and it was discouraging. I went to the Lord with this and He told me to see them as He sees them. He told me that I should not try to fix their faults but instead I should set an example for my brothers and sisters. This is requiring me to keep my thoughts, words and actions in check and making sure they are conforming to Christ. This is a painful process, but the Lord is patient with me and is already working in me. I've recently started seeing people as people made in the image of God and not merely sinners. I have a desire to pursue holiness and to let Christ refine me by the fire.
I got to spend some great time with the Lord today on my day off. The Lord ministered to me through his Word and in prayer...
Well tomorrow my first group arrives. It should be an amazing week. I am stoked to finally host my own group. Please be praying for me. Pray that I would find time to be with the Lord among the business of hosting. Pray for my strength this week and that I would let Jesus work in and through me.
-Tyler, CSM Houston Summer 2011 City Host
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Houston!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Immanuel
Video features CSM's very own Philadelphia Apprentice, Monielle, as the mime!
The CSM Apprenticeship is an intense urban ministry experience for 9-11 months and includes a fundraising aspect. Find out how you can support Monielle through prayer or financial giving!
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Philadelphia!
Monday, June 13, 2011
The Living Gospel
We were standing on a corner deciding which bus to take, when a man who had on worn, dirty clothes, approached us and said, “The Spirit told me you guys where Christians.”
We all smiled and nodded, a little astonished at his way of putting it.
“Well I hope this doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable, but all I need is some prayer. Would you please pray for me?”
“Of course! What for?”
“Well God told me I need to stop smoking. You see, I’ve been smoking all my life, and its killing me. I can’t breathe and God told me to give it up. And I just want to obey Him. But I don’t have the strength on my own. And I know the power of prayer. God heals and I need healing.”
We were all shocked that this man was so bold and open with us. He began quoting verse after verse of Scripture.
“You see, whenever I feel weak, I just open up my Bible and have some quiet time. He gives me strength. I keep his word in my heart, but right now I just really need some prayer.”
I walked up to him, “Can I put my hand on you?”
“Of course.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder, and he knelt to the ground.
“What’s your name?”
“Freddy.”
And there I prayed. A man covered in dirt kneeling on the street corner surrounded by 10 college students. Looking from the outside, you would think it was us, the students, the “Christians,” the ones praying, that was helping this man. You would be wrong. After we prayed, Freddy rose from his knees and pulled out a $5 McDonald’s gift card from his pocket.
“Someone gave this to me, let me buy one of you a drink or something, maybe something to eat.”
What? Freddy was offering us food? He was offering us a gift?
“Thanks, Freddy, but you use that card. It was enough of a blessing to talk to you.”
And it was. We didn’t bless Freddy, Freddy blessed us. What a faith, that he would walk up to strangers and ask for prayer. That he would be so open and honest. So humble and ready to give. That’s the face of Jesus on the streets.
I walked away with a blown mind. My spirit was so encouraged, but also convicted. Coming this summer, coming to the city to “serve,” I expected to love people on the streets. Why? Because I had Christ, a love that calls us to love, I have the answer. But what I didn’t take into consideration was the fact that my lifestyle isn’t the answer. Freddy was nothing like me, he was a man on the streets, a humble man, with nothing much to offer, nothing much to give, yet he’s willing to give it up, cheerfully. I look at the Gospel and what do I read? I read of a church filled with people like Freddy. People walking the streets, bold in the faith, encouraging their brothers and sisters, and giving cheerfully to anyone in need. Then I read these verses
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” – Luke 6:20-21
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3
"Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasure than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.'" – Mark 12:43-44
"All believers had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." – Acts 2:44-47
“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of God is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts, take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.” – Matthew 10:7-10
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he has need." – Acts 4:32-35
"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" – Matthew 19:21
"Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning." – Ecclesiastes 4:13
What do you do with these verses? Ignore them? Try to reason out of them? I think its best to turn to the man of Jesus Christ. He was a jobless, homeless man. He even described himself as having “no place to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58). He just went around healing people, talking to people, loving people, and we are called to be “Christ-like.”
I’m in a stage right now where I’m trying to figure out what that looks like, what that means for my life, what that will change for me. I have a feeling it might just change everything, but I’m not to that point yet. I feel like my whole perspective on being Christ-like has took a drastic turn, but not in a way that seems burdensome. But it actually feels right. It feels like this makes sense. And Freddy just encouraged me so much to understand what Christ looks like on the streets of Chicago. I pray that I become as bold as Freddy.
peace and love,
-Kelsey, CSM Chicago Summer 2011 City Host
Things you can pray for:
1. A clarity in my mind for what living like Christ really looks like
2. For Freddy to have strength in overcoming his addiction to cigarettes
We all smiled and nodded, a little astonished at his way of putting it.
“Well I hope this doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable, but all I need is some prayer. Would you please pray for me?”
“Of course! What for?”
“Well God told me I need to stop smoking. You see, I’ve been smoking all my life, and its killing me. I can’t breathe and God told me to give it up. And I just want to obey Him. But I don’t have the strength on my own. And I know the power of prayer. God heals and I need healing.”
We were all shocked that this man was so bold and open with us. He began quoting verse after verse of Scripture.
“You see, whenever I feel weak, I just open up my Bible and have some quiet time. He gives me strength. I keep his word in my heart, but right now I just really need some prayer.”
I walked up to him, “Can I put my hand on you?”
“Of course.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder, and he knelt to the ground.
“What’s your name?”
“Freddy.”
And there I prayed. A man covered in dirt kneeling on the street corner surrounded by 10 college students. Looking from the outside, you would think it was us, the students, the “Christians,” the ones praying, that was helping this man. You would be wrong. After we prayed, Freddy rose from his knees and pulled out a $5 McDonald’s gift card from his pocket.
“Someone gave this to me, let me buy one of you a drink or something, maybe something to eat.”
What? Freddy was offering us food? He was offering us a gift?
“Thanks, Freddy, but you use that card. It was enough of a blessing to talk to you.”
And it was. We didn’t bless Freddy, Freddy blessed us. What a faith, that he would walk up to strangers and ask for prayer. That he would be so open and honest. So humble and ready to give. That’s the face of Jesus on the streets.
I walked away with a blown mind. My spirit was so encouraged, but also convicted. Coming this summer, coming to the city to “serve,” I expected to love people on the streets. Why? Because I had Christ, a love that calls us to love, I have the answer. But what I didn’t take into consideration was the fact that my lifestyle isn’t the answer. Freddy was nothing like me, he was a man on the streets, a humble man, with nothing much to offer, nothing much to give, yet he’s willing to give it up, cheerfully. I look at the Gospel and what do I read? I read of a church filled with people like Freddy. People walking the streets, bold in the faith, encouraging their brothers and sisters, and giving cheerfully to anyone in need. Then I read these verses
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” – Luke 6:20-21
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3
"Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasure than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.'" – Mark 12:43-44
"All believers had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." – Acts 2:44-47
“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of God is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts, take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.” – Matthew 10:7-10
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he has need." – Acts 4:32-35
"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" – Matthew 19:21
"Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning." – Ecclesiastes 4:13
What do you do with these verses? Ignore them? Try to reason out of them? I think its best to turn to the man of Jesus Christ. He was a jobless, homeless man. He even described himself as having “no place to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58). He just went around healing people, talking to people, loving people, and we are called to be “Christ-like.”
I’m in a stage right now where I’m trying to figure out what that looks like, what that means for my life, what that will change for me. I have a feeling it might just change everything, but I’m not to that point yet. I feel like my whole perspective on being Christ-like has took a drastic turn, but not in a way that seems burdensome. But it actually feels right. It feels like this makes sense. And Freddy just encouraged me so much to understand what Christ looks like on the streets of Chicago. I pray that I become as bold as Freddy.
peace and love,
-Kelsey, CSM Chicago Summer 2011 City Host
Things you can pray for:
1. A clarity in my mind for what living like Christ really looks like
2. For Freddy to have strength in overcoming his addiction to cigarettes
Friday, June 10, 2011
Benzoylmethylecgonine
Crack cocaine.
At the beginning of the week, as soon as we get a new youth group into the city, we take them on a tour of Los Angeles, asking them to pray for various social issues: homelessness, racism, changing demographics of neighborhoods, etc. Skid Row always hits hard with the groups, causing some to remark that the people seem to live in community, watching out for each other (as they do) and others how there is no visible alchohol (although it's there). You can tell their stereotype of "homeless" is being messed with.
At the turn of the 20th century, Skid Row homeless shelters served primarily white men who were dealing with alcohol addiction. Partially because of the introduction of crack cocaine in the 1980s, this demographic began to change to primarily black.
Because I know so little, I dare not explore this topic too deeply, but I would like to bring in a quote from a book that my grandfather encouraged to read, a book my mother worked on with a predominant San Francisco pastor in the 1990s.
As Reverend Cecil Williams began to "smell death on the streets" (drugs) in the 1980s, he and others began to realize that "traditional drug treatment programs didn't work for most African Americans...the Twelve Steps didn't help many blacks...[because] it focused on individual recovery...but African Americans are a communal people..."
The conclusion he came to was that context mattered very much when it came to recovery: "Twelve Step Programs...teach people to get clean and sober and to go back out into main stream society. Well, the only society many of our folks needing recovery know is the drug mix--they've never been in the mainstream. Many of our folks need to get clean and sober and to learn how to empower their lives and make their way in a world that is less than welcoming to many..." (page 8)
All this means what, then? That drugs are worse than alcohol? Nope, too simple. That race is the most important factor in helping someone? Again, no. Maybe it just means that there isn't one set of values that make someone successful in this life, just like there isn't one chain of events that lead to homelessness or a drugged-out life or poverty.
It seems that sorting out the conditions from the problems and the individual responsibility from collective culpability is our main job as humans, Christians, academics, and caring citizens. Goodness gracious, good luck to us in this never-ending battle.
-Rachel, CSM Los Angeles Summer 2011 City Host
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Los Angeles!
At the beginning of the week, as soon as we get a new youth group into the city, we take them on a tour of Los Angeles, asking them to pray for various social issues: homelessness, racism, changing demographics of neighborhoods, etc. Skid Row always hits hard with the groups, causing some to remark that the people seem to live in community, watching out for each other (as they do) and others how there is no visible alchohol (although it's there). You can tell their stereotype of "homeless" is being messed with.
At the turn of the 20th century, Skid Row homeless shelters served primarily white men who were dealing with alcohol addiction. Partially because of the introduction of crack cocaine in the 1980s, this demographic began to change to primarily black.
Because I know so little, I dare not explore this topic too deeply, but I would like to bring in a quote from a book that my grandfather encouraged to read, a book my mother worked on with a predominant San Francisco pastor in the 1990s.
As Reverend Cecil Williams began to "smell death on the streets" (drugs) in the 1980s, he and others began to realize that "traditional drug treatment programs didn't work for most African Americans...the Twelve Steps didn't help many blacks...[because] it focused on individual recovery...but African Americans are a communal people..."The conclusion he came to was that context mattered very much when it came to recovery: "Twelve Step Programs...teach people to get clean and sober and to go back out into main stream society. Well, the only society many of our folks needing recovery know is the drug mix--they've never been in the mainstream. Many of our folks need to get clean and sober and to learn how to empower their lives and make their way in a world that is less than welcoming to many..." (page 8)
All this means what, then? That drugs are worse than alcohol? Nope, too simple. That race is the most important factor in helping someone? Again, no. Maybe it just means that there isn't one set of values that make someone successful in this life, just like there isn't one chain of events that lead to homelessness or a drugged-out life or poverty.
It seems that sorting out the conditions from the problems and the individual responsibility from collective culpability is our main job as humans, Christians, academics, and caring citizens. Goodness gracious, good luck to us in this never-ending battle.
-Rachel, CSM Los Angeles Summer 2011 City Host
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Los Angeles!
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Transformation on the streets of Chicago
It’s so hard to put into words all that is happening in this time. My mind is racing all day long, trying to process. Running so fast, trying to remember all the new information, directions, places, tasks, rules. So much absorption of conversations from building new relationships. My low today: my energy level and this constant headache probably from all the processing and reading the map of the city. My high: I love hearing people’s story. It is amazing how you come to so much more of an understanding of someone when you know where they come from. When you know more about their family and how they grew up. How God has worked in their life, no matter what they have gone through. It’s amazing, how we have all come from different kinds of brokenness and the power of Jesus has lifted us up in the midst of our hopelessness, loneliness, abuse, neglect, depression, and uncertainty. This shows me the realness and power of our Savior, and the power of the gospel. All of us are struggling with understanding why in the world we are here for the summer. In this unknown land. This place of brokenness and beauty.
It’s so real. It’s intense. It hits you in the face. We wonder why? Why us? Why me? Why here? It came to me tonight that this is totally a manifestation of the life of Jesus. He transforms lives. He wrecks us and rebuilds. He restores and renews lives. He is doing this in us, in great step of faith. It just shows me how amazing He is, because he will use a bunch of suburban white kids and place us, smack dab in the middle of an intense place of rich diversity and beauty, violence and brokenness. WOW! This doesn’t even make sense. God doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t always have to make sense. He is God and we are man. He does big things. He provides all we need. We can believe in Him to change lives, and in this life we get to be vessels of this love, grace, and truth. We get to see his kingdom come, now! We can believe that his faithfulness truly is to the end and His steadfast love endures forever, and He is very much present in this world of instability, inconsistency, pain, and evil. Praise Him! He reigns.
-Rachel, CSM Chicago Summer 2011 City Host
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Chicago!
It’s so real. It’s intense. It hits you in the face. We wonder why? Why us? Why me? Why here? It came to me tonight that this is totally a manifestation of the life of Jesus. He transforms lives. He wrecks us and rebuilds. He restores and renews lives. He is doing this in us, in great step of faith. It just shows me how amazing He is, because he will use a bunch of suburban white kids and place us, smack dab in the middle of an intense place of rich diversity and beauty, violence and brokenness. WOW! This doesn’t even make sense. God doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t always have to make sense. He is God and we are man. He does big things. He provides all we need. We can believe in Him to change lives, and in this life we get to be vessels of this love, grace, and truth. We get to see his kingdom come, now! We can believe that his faithfulness truly is to the end and His steadfast love endures forever, and He is very much present in this world of instability, inconsistency, pain, and evil. Praise Him! He reigns.
-Rachel, CSM Chicago Summer 2011 City Host
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Chicago!
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Handing out Soles in LA
While serving with CSM Los Angeles this week, St Martin's from Houston, TX had the opportunity to team up with LA Mission and Soles4Souls to hand out hundreds of pairs of shoes to the residents of Skid Row.
-Breanne McLendon, CSM Los Angeles City Director
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Los Angeles!
-Breanne McLendon, CSM Los Angeles City Director
Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Los Angeles!
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