cuts deep.

Go Forth

My cool twin Lindsay showed me this video.
It's a collection of stories.
I like the importance of sharing life stories.
I don't know if it's nosy or not,
but I LOVE knowing other people's life stories...
who they are, what they like, why they do what they do.

We're All In This Together

After attempting to type out a post like ten times......I found a post I liked better than all of my feeble attempts combined from a guy named Tim Schraeder. When it comes out on DVD, I plan on watching it a again with a notebook and pen by my side.

These are some of his tweets, tweeted during the movie, as seen on his post about the film.. I encourage you to read the original post too.

• Maybe the human race [for possessions, fame, power] isn’t meant to be a race at all.
• Loneliness is one of the most extreme forms of poverty.
• Too often we dwell in the past or focus too much on the future that we miss this moment.
• The future will be written by the way we respond to moment that’s in front of us.
• If what happens inside the four walls of the church doesn’t make a difference in the streets that people travel to get there, then maybe we are missing the point.
• We’ve trained ourselves to look past the needs.
• Ignorance isn’t just sleeping through the fire, it’s really just fanning the flame.
• Love has been reduced to define what makes us feel good.
• At the core of who we are, every single human being craves the same thing… love
• Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love to humanity.
• Jesus didn’t die to give us religion, He died to give us love.
• Our weakness is a place for God to show His strength.
• God’s picture for the Church for us to be the light to the world around us.
• For too long the Church has made a big deal about the small things, and a small deal about the big things.
• Preaching does not come from the pulpit, it comes from the people of God living their lives out for Him (Brother Andrew)
• We don’t just attend church, we are the Church.
• The Church exists for those outside of it.
• If we want to make history, we need find our place in His Story.
• The love of God cannot be measured but it can be demonstrated.
• We need to preach the Gospel with our actions.
• We’ve made a dangerous division between what’s sacred and what’s secular; nothing is secular, everything belongs to God.
• If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.
• What we are not, He is.
• The greatest of these is love.
  
  
  Amos 5:21-24 (The Message)
  "I can't stand your religious meetings.
  I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.
  I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
  your pretentious slogans and goals.
  I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes,
  your public relations and image making.
  I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
  When was the last time you sang to me?
  Do you know what I want?
  I want justice—oceans of it.
  I want fairness—rivers of it.
  That's what I want. That's all I want.
  
  

Jesus didn't die to give us religion,

He died to show us his LOVE.
LOVE Jesus first,
LOVE His people second.

Join the movement >>
i-heart.org

God of the City

What do you think when you think of Detroit? It’s scary, home of the automobile, big business failure, or almost always cold... if you thought any of those you’re pretty much right on. But do you ever think of the PEOPLE of Detroit? Day-Twah is the home of so many people, suburbs or not, millions claim the D as their home. Home unfortunately holds different meaning depending on who you’re talking to.

To the well-to-do’s of suburbia Day-Twah, home is over sized, filled with things, managed by ‘help’ and provides comfortable places to slumber. To the middle class of The D, home may be tighter in space, yet still filled with things and provides a warm place to rest ones head at night. To the poor and needy, home may be an uncomfortable bed in a crowded shelter or a park bench in a lonely over grown park. Homelessness exists everywhere if you look for it, yet it cuts deeper knowing how close to home it is.

A group of people from my church, who are passionate about spreading Jesus’ love and hope to the hurting, started going down to Mack and 3rd every Sunday afternoon mid-summer. There, a group of homeless people wait outside of shelter known for crime, drugs and prostitution. Whether it’s staking out a place in front of the chain-linked fence, that guards the shelter or sitting on the curb of the three lane one-way street corner, this what home is to the people at Mack and 3rd. Getting to know their stories [Read some here by my talented friend Stefanie] and struggles, while creating community with them is what we are called to do. By meeting some minor and basic physical needs, while looking into their spiritual and comforting their emotional needs, we are able to spread Jesus’ message that is for EVERYONE. The message of hope, love, value, forgiveness, and healing.

When I think of Detroit I think of the potential it has as a thriving city. I believe that the Church, holds the key to hope and healing for a hurting City(ies) and its people. There is much potential that is just waiting to be revealed. A great up rising of restoration on this city can be possible only through Christ, and people trusting God will provide, protect and guide.

You're God of this city, you're the King of these people, you're
the Lord of this nation, you are...You're the Light in this darkness, you're the
Hope to the hopeless, you're the Peace to the restless, you are... For there is
none like our God, there is none like You, God! Greater things have yet to come,
and greater things are still to be done here.

THE I-HEART REVOLUTION:

We're All In This Together
Hillsong United's latest project is coming to a theatre near you! The next part to I-Heart Revolution is a feature film/documentary that will be screening in theatres across the country NOVEMBER 4! Check out the list of theatres to see which one is closest to you. + spread the word!!

Locations

theiheartfilm.com

I-Heart.org

inspire inˈspīrverb [ trans. ]1 fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative : [ trans. ] his passion for romantic literature inspired him to begin writing [as adj. ] ( inspiring) so far, the scenery is not very inspiring. See note at encourage .• create (a feeling, esp. a positive one) in a person : their past record does not inspire confidence.• ( inspire someone with) animate someone with (such a feeling) :he inspired his students with a vision of freedom.• give rise to : the movie was successful enough to inspire a sequel.