Jesus teaching on the Kingdom (Matt 6:33) helps condition us to embrace long-term thinking and delayed gratification. This is not only good theology but it's also liberates us from the short-term thinking that dominates low-income communities that keeps people from making wise decisions.
Bradley on Ladd on Kingdom
Kids' school photo proofs are in...
Occupy London could be protected by Christian ring of prayer
via guardian.co.uk
Intriguing response from UK Christians. What are your thoughts? What role--if any--should Christians play in the Occupy movement? (And it certainly has become a movement)
BTW - this reminds me of that.
winter shelter at First announced
2011/12 Winter Shelter
We are happy to announce that FPC will once again host a temporary winter shelter starting the evening of December 16. Our goal is to provide more than a roof over the head of some of the most vulnerable that Ladle Fellowship serves. We intend to offer a “Next Step” program for those committed to transitioning off the street. To do this we will need the help of those who are willing to build relationships with our guests and mentor them. We will need volunteer help in the following areas:(1) providing security and supervision each night
(2) packing bag breakfasts or bringing in evening meals
(3) participating in a time of fellowship with our guests
(4) providing financial sponsorship to offset the costs of the shelter.Volunteer training will be offered on Saturday, November 19.
Email us at outreach@fpcsd.org to learn more. To volunteer, sign up at the Welcome Center or Usher’s Table or here.
via fpcsd.org
First is hosting a temporary winter shelter again this year. We learned a lot last year. We're weaving this together with a few other projects to hopefully provide the best opportunity for this to be a permanent transition off the streets for our guests. The most exciting, to me, is the "Homeless Assistance Teams", which will be spearheaded by the Downtown Fellowship. Training for the teams and the shelter volunteers will be offered on November 19. Sign up here. We need your help!
books: Street Crossers
Yesterday, Rick Shrout's new book Street Crossers showed up in the mail. Chapter Two profiles yours truly. But don't be discouraged to pick it up because of that. It also profiles several people in the missional/organic/emerging church planting world that I highly respect and they have wonderful stories to tell. You should pick it up. I'd love to hear your thoughts and I'm sure Rick would too.
(That's now four books that I'm written about in... maybe I should think about writing my own.)
music: pygmy lush
via vimeo.com
My buddy Be Rad recently introduced me to these guys. Knowing of their roots in the east coast screamo, hardcore scene, I was surprised at the sleepy, sweeping tunes of Pygmy Lush. But I've really fallen in love with their two latest releases. This fellow beautifully captured video of a set of theirs in Tulsa. Check 'em out.
dontbesheep: blame
Ever since society began, we humans have engaged in the fine art of scapegoating. We know that each of us make mistakes. But we don’t want to pay the price. So, what we do we do to avoid the consequences that come with our error? We blame someone else.
Sure, we’d like to convince ourselves that only children engage such blame-avoidance. But the truth is that we adults have mastered the craft. In most industries, it is known by the technical term: CYA.
Good leaders don’t blame others. Sure, leaders are usually easy targets and are often told, “Don’t take it personal.” But I say the opposite; good leaders take it personal. They are self-aware. They know their errors. They know when they make mistakes. They can withstand being held responsible for errors of the whole. And yet they still lead.
This does something for the person following. They see the risk the leader is willing to take, even risking herself for the sake of the cause. This kind of leader gains a respect and devotion few others will.
While one may perceive this as weakness, lacking cunning to avoid blame, the truth is that this proves strength. This kind of leader can absorb blame. It doesn’t effect this leader long term. Why? Because this kind of leader will be one of the few that has come to terms with human frailty and still thrives. This kind of leader has left the rat race of scapegoating. And as we all know, an exhausting race it is.
If you’re at fault, accept the blame. Humbly. But with your head high. This is a faster track to being a successful leader than typically gets credit.
- JE
My latest over at dbs.
music: lucas santtana
via youtube.com
When I get really busy I tend to listen to lots of music. It keeps me simultaneously calm and motivated. That's been life recently as I prepare our loft for rent and plan to be out of town for a couple weeks coming up. So, you'll be seeing a bunch of forthcoming posts on music. Thanks to the recommendations of some friends and NPR shows Alt Latino and All Songs Considered, I've recently discovered some new favorites. Lucas Santtana is one of them. Good stuff. I like his mix of acoustic, classical guitar work and electronic bits. This song in particular is a nice mixture of those elements.
Don't listen to much Latin music? Be prepared! I got more coming.
music: river city extension
via youtube.com
Lately, I'm really getting into this band, River City Extension which hails from New Jersey. From the live material I've watched or listened to online it seems that their live show is high energy. Would love to see them in person at some point. I know I'm gonna get if for saying this, but when you think of River City Extension, think Mumford & Sons only better.
updated pics of our loft...
I mentioned before that our loft is available for rent. We're just about finished with some serious renovations and I am very happy with the outcome (took a bit longer than initially anticipated). Compare these pics with those in this post and you can see some of the changes. If you or someone you know is looking for a great place to rent, get in touch. We'd like to get someone up there right away. Here's our listing on Craigslist.
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