Saturday, March 3, 2012

Awesome Day!

Awesome day! Started by taking Pamela and Caroline with me to the Free Market for the first time. I wanted them to see and meet some folks and get a sense for what was happening in me. I wanted them to catch a glimpse of what could be and what is already. As we arrived the market the girls got to meet Charles for the first time. Charles works for Embrace Richmond. He has a great story of how his life has changed and how he wants to serve others after spending over 30 years on the streets and being a drug addict and abusing alcohol.

We then ran into Cassie and they got to see the heart behind all that Cassie has done with Hands up ministries. After a while we got Eureka to give us a tour of the whole facilities at Northminster Church. What a huge church and the potential is unbelievable! I get totally excited about what the future holds!

What does it look like to come along side of Northminster and reach out to the community? What could be if we were to adopt a block together? What could we accomplish if we were to join forces for the Kingdom? What does God have in store for us as a Church. I pray that God will reveal that vision not only to me but leadership as well. I am praying that will be clear by next week!

I just finished the book The Cause within You by Matthew Barnett and I feel more inspired than ever to go out and reach out to the homeless and less fortunate. I have a dream that Richmond will solve the homelessness in this city and address the needs through community DEVELOPEMENT as well a Church like the Dream Center!

Tonight as a watched a video from the Dream Center in LA I cried like a baby!


I am reminded of a series that Craig Groeschel gave about "change your world in 52 days" it spoke to me in a deep way! The series was in September 2011. This is part of my journey! Here are the notes from the first of a four part series.

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.3 They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Neh.1:1-4

3 qualities… God can use you
ORDINARY WORLD CHANGERS

1)
SIT DOWN TO CRY.
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. Neh. 1:4a

Nehemiah lived in Persia—almost 1000 miles away from Jerusalem
Lived in comfort—status, influence.
Sad, but that’s not my problem…Read, Tweet—move on.

Jesus approached Jerus—cried—Sheep without a shepherd

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WHAT BREAKS YOUR HEART?

Child abuse/NeglBulliedBroken families
Physical/Sex AbusePoverty/Hunger Unwed moms,
Human trafficking Imrl, Callous to GodPeople w/no hope

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Let it in. Feel the pain. Embrace the burden.
Disunity in the body of Christ…Knocked on my door!
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I’m only one person. What can I do?
Invoke the God of heaven! God + 1 always = a majority!

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2)
KNEEL DOWN TO PRAY.
For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Neh. 1:4b

Leadership genius, investigates, strategizes, delegates, opposition
All covered by intense and intimate prayer.
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First of 12 different mentions of prayer in Nehemiah!

May be facing some walls that are down—looks impossible!
With God all things are possible!
Share your burden… Praying

3)
STAND UP TO ACT.

Took wine to the king… Never been sad before—King noticed.

“…I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" 4 The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it." Neh 2:3-5

Not okay… Not on my watch…
Somebody has got to do something—might as well be me.
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This talk has spoken more to my heart than you can imagine. God is orchestrating something huge inside of me and I am scared to death!

Another great article about the dream center

http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/3770-Churches-Invest-Dream-Centers-Elevate-the-Community.html


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