'Accelerating Driven Christians in the Racing Capital of the World'
'Indy Timeline' of Upcoming Events
CURRENT TWITTERSTREAMS YOU MIGHT ENJOY...
#Indy #Prayer #UBcafe #Jobs #Bible #CCDA @ICG #Twurch
#CityReaching #Creation #Evolution #FF (FollowFriday)
#DigitalDisciples #ProLife #IndySM #Reformed #Racing
DrivenChristians @ICTV
Paul Bateman... newest city council member.... a minister
[excerpted from the Indianapolis Star]"The arrival of the newest member of the City-County Council, representing the 11th District on the Northeastside, comes as the city's homicide rate is in the headlines and its criminal system is being deluged.
The problem, in Bateman's view, is simple:
"Men not being men." He blames absent fathers.
A lifelong Democrat, Bateman is a fundamentalist Christian, and his values reflect that.
Bateman retired last fall after 33 years as a skilled tradesman and UAW organizer at the recently shuttered Chrysler foundry and became a Christian minister.
"I pray," he says, "and it works."Bateman is a strong advocate of ...
[
continued at IndyStar.com]
God's Word
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
NIV
God's Word
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Proverbs 23:4-5
NIV
Friends In Life's Garden
[excerpted from the monthly ministry letter of our Indiana friends now in California with Mission Aviation Fellowship... and published below, with permission]
Dear Ones...
It was a warm and sunny day in Mentone, CA on July 29, 2006 when Violet (Campbell) DeLapp, more commonly known as “Aunt Mae” was welcomed into the presence of the Lord.
After moving from her immaculate little home of many years at 1659 Allison Ave, Speedway, IN, it was August of 2000 when Aunt Mae made the decision to relocate to California and spend her remaining days in my home.
It was a big decision for a nearly 90-year old woman to make, but she made the move with peace. Although partially blind at this point, Aunt Mae was up and about daily. We had many adventurous outings together.
One specific event, which comes to my mind, was a day when I took her to the local mall. After walking her good spell, I chose to sit her down in the mall-way where she could “see” people walk by. I checked out a nearby store --- gone about 3 minutes--- returning to find her snuggled up in the arm of a middle-aged man. She was just chatting away as if she had known him all of her life. Upon arrival to this scene, she told me this kind man was insisting to take her to see a movie and she wanted to know if I wanted to go? In brief, the answer was, “No thank you!” With that, I thanked the man for his show of kindness and whisked Aunt Mae straight to the car. She had no idea that she had just been “hit on” and couldn’t understand why I was in too much of a hurry to sit down and visit with the kind gentleman. I was just glad that I returned before he snatched her rings off her fingers or lured her away and harmed her! I had thought enough to take her purse with me so she wouldn’t appear to be a target….but I guess her beauty at age 91 was still attracting the men! Anyhow, we had a good laugh once we were safely home.
Another laughable memory was one day when I took Aunt Mae to see her Dr. for a routine check up. She told the Dr. that I wasn’t a very good cook and asked the Dr. to talk to me about feeding her better tasting food. The Dr. tried to tell her that as one ages, their taste buds change and food just doesn’t taste the same as it once did. But Aunt Mae argued that ice cream still tasted really good to her, therefore Nancy’s cooking should too! The smart Dr. instructed me that I absolutely MUST give Aunt Mae as much ice cream as she wanted and as often as she wanted. This was the solution which would make us both happier people! Soon Dairy Queen became a frequent outing for Aunt Mae. She would say she was only eating ice cream because her doctor told she had to.
Some of our “good times” together included taking Aunt Mae swimming in her 90’s (and yes, in a most fashionable new swim suit too!), taking her to our kid’s school programs and football games, taking her to 8th grade and college graduations, backyard picnics, and spending lots of time at home together, revisiting the “days gone by” and listening to stories about her old boyfriends and her life growing up. She was full of stories, wisdom, and home remedies…. coercing our boys to appease her old fashioned ideas more than once! (And getting them in trouble a few times for assisting her!)
As time passed, Aunt Mae was placed on Hospice in 2004. I think this was more to give me some help. That very day her Dr. told me that I needed to be making a plan in case Aunt Mae outlived me! One funny event that happened during her hospice care was the day an aide wanted to brush her teeth. At first she told Aunt Mae that she wanted to brush her teeth and Aunt Mae just sat there, saying it was OK. After a while, the aide became rather insistent that she let her brush her teeth. Aunt Mae was very agreeable, yet still nothing happened. Finally the aide said, “Give me your teeth!” With that request, Aunt Mae politely told her she wish she could, but just couldn’t because they were grown in her gums and wouldn’t come out! Then she very sweetly asked the hospice aide about the care of her teeth, inquiring as to whether she had taken good care of her teeth or had she let them go and had dentures? The aide was surprised! She was not used to seeing patients at this age who didn’t have dentures…. finally realizing why Aunt Mae had appeared to not be cooperating with the tooth brushing program. We had a good laugh!
As you can tell, I am only sharing glimpses of an interesting life with Aunt Mae…never a dull moment! During the past few years she taught me a lot about “end of life” education and needs. At times it was challenging to navigate the care giving system with daily changing needs…all the while with Aunt Mae realizing her health was deteriorating. There were frequent changes and challenges…. but always with solutions. Aunt Mae taught me persistence, patience, compassion and commitment as we grew together figuring life out.
Eventually, the time did come during May of 2005 when I could no longer lift her in and out of her bed and I had no choice but to allow her to be on to total bed care. This was probably harder on me than it was on her. It became obvious to me that Aunt Mae was winding down and so very sad for me to accept. I had always had Aunt Mae in my life and couldn’t imagine my life without her. God was good to make it a slow process, showing me that every day of life was a blessing, not a hardship. I can honestly say that I felt it was an honor for me to take care of Aunt Mae…. it seemed that the worse she got, the more I wanted to be at her side and be there for her. I know it was the Lord who gave me insurmountable strength to do the job and keep up with the schedule of her care, plus caring for our family. I truly found satisfaction and joy in being her caregiver to the end.
On Saturday morning, the day of her death, I knew she was just hours away from leaving me. With bittersweet feelings that morning, I knew it was my last act of love to give Aunt Mae her final bath, wash and set her hair for the last time, make her pretty and comfortable during her final hours of life on this earth. I thanked her for being a loving aunt to me over the years, I prayed for her, then told her she would soon be with Jesus. Shortly after noon she silently “journeyed on”, showing no signs of waking from her sleep. She was ready to go.
Her body was flown back to Speedway, IN where her funeral took place on August 12, 2006. My cousin and I were allowed to do Aunt Mae’s hair and make up, preparing her for the viewing and funeral. This helped me bring closure to physically caring for a person I loved very much. God gave us a beautiful day for the funeral, a meaningful message from her favorite minister, Rev. Joe Ridenour, and some funny memories shared by family and friends. It was time to say farewell to an era of my life! Her nephew, Rev. David Black officiated her graveside service in Spencer, IN with his loving words and fond memories of her. The sun was out and we were surrounded by the chirping critters and the singing birds at her burial site…a touching moment in time.
I once heard it said, “With every ending chapter, a new chapter begins.” For Aunt Mae, it is a glorious one…. in the presence of her Heavenly Father and perhaps with many loved ones who have gone on before her. For me, it continues to be a bittersweet season of life. Aunt Mae was “one of a kind”…. a real lady…and how lucky I am to have had her in my life for 54 years!
As a tribute to Aunt Mae, I would like to say…..
Violet Mae Campbell DeLapp was:
A-lways willing to help others and Always was there for her family
U-nderstanding and Undemanding
N-otorious for her beautiful home and delicious cooking!
T-ouched the hearts of many & was a Teacher of life
M-ulti-talented; yet very Meek about her Many abilities
A-UNT MAE to all of her family!
E-ntrepreneur in her own right
A note to her relatives:
Thank you for bringing joy and happiness into the life of “Aunt Mae”. She loved YOU very much!
A note to her friends and her church in Speedway:
Thank you for being her friend. She deeply appreciated YOU!With fond memories and deep appreciation,
Nancy Hook
The Hook FamilyMission Aviation Fellowship
Missions Merge: Wheeler & Lighthouse
Two of the largest providers of homeless services to men are combining resources and 166 years of experience to increase the quality and quantity of services that are available to our community's most vulnerable citizens....
John Samples (Lighthouse) and Rick Alvis (Wheeler) already hard at work together.[
Click to read Joint Press Release.]
[Click to read John's message to the Lighthouse constituency][Also released, a statement from Rick Alvis, President of Wheeler Mission Ministries] "We are very excited and pleased to tell you that following unanimous votes by both Boards of Directors, Wheeler Mission Ministries, and Lighthouse Mission Ministries will merge on September 1, 2006. While Wheeler will be the surviving organization, we will strive to keep the Lighthouse name and quality of service alive. Lighthouse brings much more than 53 years of experience to this merger; they, like Wheeler, are a Christ-centered ministry. From their inception in 1953 Lighthouse has been singularly focused on the long-term recovery of homeless men in all aspects of his life, physically, mentally, emotionally, and most important, spiritually.
The decision to merge came after several months of prayer and discussion. Through all the talks and all the lists of pro’s and con’s (there were very few con’s) we kept coming back to one central question, “What’s best for the men that Lighthouse and Wheeler serve and for their long-term recovery”? The answer to that question made our job easy. Let’s combine efforts so more men can experience long-term recovery, re-unite with family, and begin to nurture a relationship with the Lord.
I know many of our donors have supported both Wheeler and Lighthouse in the past and I applaud that. I would ask that if you have been giving to both organizations that your level of commitment would continue or even increase because the financial needs that was separately Wheeler’s and Lighthouse’s have also merged. While the merged organization will certainly be more efficient, Wheeler is now responsible for additional staff and operations.
I hope that you will join me in celebrating this “joining of distinction” of two long-standing, Christ-centered organizations." ****************************
Visit WMM.org.
God's Word
See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:10-11
NIV
Sept.8th field trip to Ft. Wayne, anyone?
[per Bott Radio Network announcements]
Dr. John Perkins, Founder, CCDA Guest Lecture Series Luncheon 2006-07
[
continued at Ft. Wayne Christians networking site]
[Wanna catch a ride from Indy? Email us.]
Preference Slavery
The Blind Beggar blogs about
"our continued need to shift the thinking of the average Christian away from the institutional church being a vendor of goods and services designed to meet “my needs,” to a people asking “What will it take to transform my community by the power of the gospel? Not to do so is to become a slave to preference.”[
continued at The Blind Beggar]
God's Word
Therefore prophesy and say to them: "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD."
Ezekiel 37:12-14
NIV
The Bible vs. Consensus: Depends what color you are.
There are few surprises as the mainstream media subjectively reports their flavored version of the recent Pew Research study on 'Mixing Religion & Politics'.
However, there are a number of surprises found in the under-reported results. Here's one such example...
While probably none of you are shocked by the TOP line, how many of you are shocked by the BOTTOM lines?
Blacks are 67% MORE LIKELY than Whites
to want BIBLICAL influence on governance!
The above pic is an abbreviated version of just one the several great tables of recently reported results from a Pew Research study.
What are the implications in our efforts to reach individuals & communities with the gospel and its transformative impact?
Click to see the entire study results.
**********************************
technorati tags: pewresearch, pew, research, pew research, bible,
pew
God's Word
Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of
the LORD be praised.
Job 1:21
NIV
The H.O.P.E. Team Annual Summit... Sept. 15th
Kim Boyd, FounderThe H.O.P.E. Team, Inc. invites you to attend our 5th Annual Citywide Summit. This year's theme is "The Road to Recovery..."
It's a day to discuss issues on how to recover from Homelessness, Unemployment, Illiteracy, Inccarceration, Illnesses & Sustance Abuse.
Hosted at Martin University (Gathertorium,
2171 Avondale Place, Indianapolis).
Contact 822-HOPE... or email
Kim@TheHopeTeam.com.
[
click for .pdf flyer]
Visit TheHopeTeam.com.
God's Word
This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine
by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar - the LORD
Almighty is his name: "Only if these decrees vanish from my
sight," declares the LORD, "will the descendants of Israel
ever cease to be a nation before me."
Jeremiah 31:35-36
NIV
God's Word
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalms 19:1
NIV
Training: Funds-raising for Youth Programs
[Received from a friend at Indiana Youth Institute]Is your faith-based youth organization facing fundraising challenges?
Are you not really sure where to look for funding?
Designed especially for grassroots faith-based organizations, this workshop will teach you how to raise resources for your work with youth -- including in-kind services, donated goods and products, volunteers, and money. We’ll discuss the unique challenges that faith-based organizations face when seeking support, and you will learn how to decide whether your organization should apply for public funding. As a participant, you will receive helpful, ready-to-use tools, scripts and templates that can be used immediately.
You will learn:— How to increase donations, including in-kind and monetary support for your faith-based organization— Volunteer recruitment strategies— How to deal with the challenges of raising resources for faith-based organizations— Decision-making strategies for public funding opportunities.
Please help get the word out to everyone you know.
Tell them to visit:
https://www.iyi.org/iyicart/viewcat_workshop.asp?catid=92 for locations, times and further information.
Thanks!!
Advertise in the Christian newspaper...
Great ad. Had to laugh. I always loved 'Spanky & Our Gang'.
You can still watch 'em online !
God's Word
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
NIV
I will sing of mercy and judgment
Psalms 101:1-8 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. 7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. 8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
=======================
Psalm 101 speaks to us of walking in holiness. David tells us in verse 2 that he will behave himself wisely and walk with a “perfect” heart which means a heart that is turned completely towards God. David continues by giving us examples of walking in holiness. He tells us that he’ll not allow wickedness before his eyes, that he’ll walk without a froward heart and that he won’t talk badly behind another person’s back which he calls prideful, and that he will only hang out with those who are faithful to God.
What can we take away from this? We can infer that NOT walking in holiness is unfaithfulness to God. We can see that things which we think are simple errors are big in God’s eyes. We can make the same choices as David...
What do we allow before our eyes? Have you watched anything with indecency or violence lately? Read a steamy romance novel or gone into an establishment with scantily clad women? ...Have you criticized someone or spoken badly of them behind their back? ...Have you walked around in a pity party saying “oh, woe is me”?
God desires for us to make the choice to not “yield our members to unrighteousness” (Rom 6). The Epistle of James tells us that to “know to do good and not do it is sin” (Jam 4:17). Paul told Timothy, “let everyone who names the name of Christ, depart from iniquity” (2Tim 2:19).
The question for us is: are we obeying the voice of God and following hard after Him and His desires or are we following after our own sinful LUSTS and PRIDE?
Pray with me that we choose to walk with a perfect heart towards God...
Email me (Pastor Jim) at
pj-brown@sbcglobal.net or visit our website at:
www.calvarychapel.com/hcfw
God's Word
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!
Mark 13:32-37
NIV
Video: "Are You Blogging This?"
Well, they are, over at
UBbloggin.com -- the Christian internet-cafe in the heart of Indy's inner-city.
Driven Taggers?
This is one of those posts that probably makes little or no sense, except to those who already have embraced innovative social-networking... and in particular, social-bookmarking... for accelerating ministry together.
To learn a little more about social bookmarking, perhaps especially for Christian uses... visit
Web-Evangelism.com.
[Bible-believing driven Christians who now have a del.icio.us accountID... contact me for consideration to be added to the IndyChristian tag network.]
God's Word
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:3-6
NIV
Church collects guns...
[
Full article at RTV6]
*******************
[excerpted from the Indianapolis Star]"Her 15-year-old son had handed her the gun, moved to tears -- and to act -- after Jimpson announced his "Youth Amnesty Crusade," aimed at curbing recent violence on the Eastside."
[
Full article at IndyStar.com]
God's Word
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever
rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains
on him.
John 3:36
NIV
Help Wanted...
CEO Indy .com
God's Word
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly
throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.
The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those
who love violence his soul hates.
Psalms 11:4-5
NIV
Russ and Jackie... Chronicled
I just wanted to chime in here to praise God for Russ & Jackie Jones, the new publishers of the Christian newspaper here in our metro area. We continue to enjoy working with the former publishers -- Sam & Kelly Gaw -- who are now freed up to grow yet another terrific resource for the city... the annual
Indiana Christian Expo.
Thus Indy has effectively gained another great set of partners in reaching our city -- in this case, all the way from Kansas, no less.
[Is technology great, or what?]
Thank you Russ & Jackie.
Read their story online at TheChronicleOnline.NetIf you're not yet receiving The Chronicle at your home, you can read it online at the above link [then click on the pic in the LH sidebar there].
And lastly but importantly...
The Chronicle - Indianapolis Edition !
Reopened schools offer communities hope
[excerpted from the Indianapolis Star]
Olgen Williams, a School Board member who has lived in Haughville for 28 years, said the reopening of School 63 will help heal wounds inflicted by having to send neighborhood children elsewhere to learn.
"We lost a history, we lost a future," he said. "Now it's a whole different atmosphere."Williams hopes the new school will encourage people to return to Haughville and will help rebuild the community."
[
continued at IndyStar.com]
***************************
[Christians... Get involved in the
1000 Mentors initiative!]
God's Word
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8
NIV
"My Faith Just Got Bigger"
[
Spend 3 minutes in Cambodia.]
Photographer Ruth Nielsen was raised in Greenwood, IN, and is the daughter of one of our
Transform Indiana ministry networkers (Tia Nielsen). Ruth has come to know God and has spent her first five years after high school working to 'make Him known'. Ruth has been serving primarily with
Youth With a Mission (YWAM) since October 2001. Traversing five continents, she has served with "on-the-street" international teams of student missionaries in multiple countries: Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Greece, Jordan, Syria, Thailand, China, Cambodia, Mexico and El Salvador. She is currentlytraining at a YWAM School of Photography in Hawaii. You can visit her blog about the Cambodia experience at
NotThatGirl.org[hat-tip, Tia]
God's Word
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Matthew 10:29-30
NIV
God's Word
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them" -- before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Remember him -- before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
NIV
Transform Indiana... Aug. 22nd... at WGNR
The 'Transform Indiana' ministry networking initiative... among pastors, leaders and other individuals... will meet in Anderson, IN, for our August meeting, on
Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006. Our hosts will be WGNR Radio, and Man for Man Ministries... as we continue our series...
"Breaking Out Of The Jail Cycle".
[
continued at TransformIndiana.com]
WISH-TV8 "Solutions"
[An outstanding 1-hour special last evening. Be sure to view the short video -- click the link at the top of the full article at WishTV.com]
So far this year, IPD homicide detectives have worked 74 murders. Marion County investigators have 25 more. 24-Hour News 8 invited leaders from around the community to come together to examine the problem and seek solutions...
[
continued at WishTV.com]
God's Word
He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil - this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him.
Isaiah 33:15-16
NIV
Come, ye children, hearken unto me...
Blessed is the man who trusts in God!
Fear the Lord and depart from evil...the Lord hears the cry of the righteous and is near the broken hearted...
Psalm 34 has SO MANY great thoughts, the essence of all we read however, is “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good”! Until we see His goodness, His kindness, His mercy towards us and His love, we will never grow in our faith – we will not recognize the need for repentance (Rom 2:4) and we will not have the contrite heart that allows His Spirit to move in and through us.
We must, if we desire greater intimacy with our Father in Heaven, also recognize that He is God and stand in awe of Him and well as feel close to Him like our “daddy’. God has so many facets that we will never understand until we are with Him, but the Bible clearly and repetitively speaks to the necessity of “the fear of the Lord”. Fearing Him and seeing His goodness go “hand in hand”. As we see His goodness, we will stand in greater reverence of Him, as we reverence and fear Him, we will see His goodness more clearly. This cycle is, and will continue to be, repetitive as long as our hearts are soft (broken and contrite) towards Him.
Pray with me that we continue to grow in HIS GRACE: fearing and loving Him all the more...
Email me (Pastor Jim) at
pj-brown@sbcglobal.net or visit our website at:
www.calvarychapel.com/hcfw
'1000 Mentors'
Wanted -- Mentors: Caring Adults willing to spend one hour a week investing in the life of a sixth grader at Crispus Attucks for the full 2006-2007 school year (starting ~Oct 2006).
Wanted -- Mentor Supervisors: Leaders who can build and motivate a team from members of their congregation.
The NeedThe downtown Indianapolis sixth graders at Crispus Attucks are at a challenging and important stage in their development, transitioning into a secondary school environment. Great things are happening at Crispus Attucks, led by Principal Robert Faulkens, and you can help.
Who We Are1000 Mentors is a partnership between the faith community, mentoring-focused non-profits, and the faculty & staff of schools. We believe that the primary keys to a successful mentoring program are
- One-on-one mentoring relationships
- Using passionate mentors committed to loving & serving
- Those mentors formed into teams
- Strong leaders supervising those teamsUsing the expertise & support of mentoring-
- Using the expertise and support of mentoring-focused non-profits
'1000 Mentors' is a ministry initiative affiliated with Transform Indiana -- "Changing Lives & Communities"
Click for detailed flyer.
Contact Pastor James Carter to see how you & your church can get involved. mailto:ajcarter@oasisohbc.org (317-431-7852)
God's Word
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.
Proverbs 22:1-4
NIV
All ye that hope in the LORD...
Psalms 31:19-24 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. 22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. 23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. 24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
======================
God’s goodness...how often do we think of it? How often are we thankful for the smallest things...that we have “new” shoes, or that we have shoes at all? How grateful are we to God that our family loves us or that we have access to a Bible? God is so good to us and Psalm 31:19 tells us that He has laid up “special” goodness for those who fear Him and has “created” special goodness for those who trust in Him before other people.
Our faith is based upon relationship...the husband and the bride, or the father and the child, but in either case there are ways that the husband or the father desires to bless us simply because they love us. It’s the same way with God...when we fear Him (reverence/respect/stand in awe of Him) and trust in Him He has special blessings for us. What are they? Verse 24 gives us a “hint”: He will preserve us and strengthen our hearts (increase our faith, manifest His joy, increase our hope – all of which strengthen our hearts).
Why does He do this? Because HE LOVES US! Christianity is NOT a religion, it’s a relationship based upon love and all that we have and are is because God loves us. We should be destined for Hell – eternally separated from God but because of HIS love for us, He sent HIS only begotten Son to die in our place that we might live forever with Him. It’s His love that saved us and it’s His love that draws us closer and it’s His love that blesses us when we fear and trust in Him.
Pray with me that we always have the desire to “crawl into the lap” of our heavenly Father and simply love Him...
Email me (Pastor Jim) at
pj-brown@sbcglobal.net or visit our website at:
www.calvarychapel.com/hcfw
About My Father's Business... Aug 24-26
Appearances by T.D. Jakes; Tavis Smiley, Kirk Franklin and Vickie Winans Among Others...
Visit AMFB Live .com[
Article at GospelCity.com]
[
View 2005 Video]
Flickr Photos From FHL's "Urban Community Tech Day"
[
continued at UBbloggin.com]
God's Word
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14
NIV
Ministers: Cops, courts alone won't stem crime
[from the Indianapolis Star]
Several black ministers asked Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson on Friday to lead a $25 million public-private fundraising effort for programs to address joblessness and other social problems that contribute to crime, rather than focus simply on police and jails.
[
continued at IndyStar.com]
God's Word
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the
wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the
strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the
despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify
the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
NIV
Special "Snapshots From A City"... Aug. 25 & 26
[See previous articles and related links.]In addition to the other "Snapshots" dinner-city theater venues earlier this summer, two very special "Snapshots" dinner opportunities are coming up
August 25th & 26th.
The metro area's collaborative ministry initiative... "
Faith Hope & Love"... will be co-hosting special dinner venues at
Central Christian Church (Carmel) and
Oasis of Hope Baptist Church.
These two events will close out the summer season of this new concept produced by
Here's Life Inner City and
Keynote Ministries. Both are ministry units of Campus Crusade for Christ, International. Keynote is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. While this unique dinner theater concept is produced from New York City, the playwright -- Amy Christie -- is local to the Greater Indianapolis area.
Both events are FREE but RSVP's are required -- Contact
PamG@Keynote.org. 317-867-0400 ext 227.
[A love-offering will be taken.]
[
More details in .pdf flyer]
In God Our Cars Trust?
[Excerpted from the Indianapolis Star]The state's newest license plate will feature the words "In God We Trust" set against a blue background and an image of the U.S. flag seemingly fanned by the wind.
The design, which will be available for cars, trucks, SUVs and other vehicles beginning Jan. 1 at no extra fee, was chosen from four possible options, including ones that featured the state flag and the Statehouse. It was chosen after an online poll that drew more than 300,000 responses.
[
Full story at IndyStar.com]
God's Word
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
NIV
God's Word
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalms 103:8-12
NIV
'Drive-by Vigil'...
[excerpted from the Indianpolis Star]"We cry out to you on behalf of the families that are suffering," prayed the Rev. A. Thomas Hill, pastor of
Healing Streams Word and Worship Center. "We pray for peace. No more guns, no more bullets, no more knives."
The prayers were one group's response to the wave of homicides that has swept across Indianapolis in the past week. Hill set up a series of brief vigils called "drive-by prayers" at several homicide scenes.
[
continued at IndyStar.com]
Looking forward to Philly...
I enjoyed running across this young guy's blog in Philly. Interesting. Funny. And admittedly imperfect. Here's a sample, that'll lead you to a interesting sample of Philly sites... [
continued at 9th Street Records blog].
Looking forward to meeting Ryan at
CCDA Philly -- coming quickly!
Racism in the Church?
A church blog here in Indy boldly tackles a tough question. [
continued]
State of the Blogosphere: New blog every half-second
"According to recent statistics from blog-tracking site Technorati, the blogosphere has doubled every six months for the last three years. That's 175,000 new blogs per day worldwide. Technorati added its 50 millionth blog on July 31, 2006."
[
continued]
Christian Community Efforts re City Homicides
"Community Prayer Siren"The
Transform Indiana networking leaders met yesterday, notably praying about and discussing the recent rash of homicides in the city.
Pastor Fredrick Boyd of Zion Unity Fellowship spoke of the link between removing prayer and the Bible from schools, and their replacement with 'evolution'.
"If we teach these young kids that effectively they're animals, how can that not lead to behaving like animals?""We don't even give them an opportunity in school to learn about themselves as God's special creations."Pastor Boyd and a number of Christian pastors, leaders and scientists have planned a special "
Creation Evidence Crusade" in the city,
September 22-24, to present evidences and offer hope to our city's young people. Pastor Boyd urges other pastors & leaders to actively get involved.
The gathered network leaders also heard early reports from the recent "
Faith Hope & Love Week" in which Christians volunteered thousands of hours of community service and prayer for our city. FHL is co-hosting two special follow-up dinners in different sectors of the city to recognize its coordinators & volunteers.
Carmel Christian Church and
Oasis of Hope will be the venues for "
Snapshots From A City", on
August 25th & 26th (respectively). These dinner theater presentations include compelling vignettes designed to help suburban Christians better relate to their counterparts involved in urban ministry.
Transform Indiana will be holding a lunchtime meeting in Anderson on
August 22nd for pastors, leaders and individuals intent on praying and collaborating to change lives and communities. The meeting will feature successful offender-reentry programs in Anderson as TI continues its "Breaking Out of the Jail Cycle" series. [
Details at the site, as they become available]
Leaders from around Indianapolis are urged to contact the
TI moderator and
IndyChristian.com to help get the word out regarding special prayer vigils or action plans involving the faith community.
****************************
Your thoughts, ideas & comments?
God's Word
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2
NIV
Role Reversal - Slavic Christians Persecuted !
Sacramento’s Slavic Christians fled persecution back home, but some are befuddled by their new country’s tolerance of gays
By Rachel GreggOver the last few months, the loudest voice against gay rights in Sacramento has been that of Sacramento’s Slavic Christian community. Outside of area high schools and on the steps of the Capitol, hundreds of Slavic families, many recent immigrants, have been gathering to protest what is considered a shameful secret in their home countries.
The irony is that they fled those countries after being persecuted for their own religious beliefs.
Eighteen-year-old Nadia Chorney is a Ukrainian native and evangelical Christian. She’s already a veteran activist, fighting against “promoting homosexuality in our schools.”
As a youth leader in her Marysville church, she participated in a number of political actions this spring. She stood in front of the Capitol to protest the passage of Senate Bill 1437, the bill that would have required California textbooks to acknowledge the historical contributions of gay people.
But most of her political activity has been centered around protesting the “Day of Silence” instituted by the Sacramento City Unified School District Board to combat harassment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students in public schools.
Chorney, who believes that “homosexuality is a sin,” was among the many area high-school students who wore anti-gay T-shirts to school on April 26, the Day of Silence. According to Chorney, school administrators demanded that she and other students turn their “homosexuality is a sin, Jesus will set you free” T-shirts inside out. School officials also confiscated anti-gay leaflets from Chorney and other students.
Frustrated by what she felt was an infringement of her First Amendment rights, Chorney gathered with other students and parents for three days in front of Mira Loma High School to protest. READ FULL STORY - warning - link is for mature readers only!
ALSO read Pacific Justice Institutes defense: CLICK HERE
~ CCNews ... p
lease pray for the Slavic community - protection, diection and favor. Pray the whole Church of the Sacramento community will stand with them and encourage them. This is not a time run and hide, but to stand and having done all to stand in the LORD and His strength.
God's Word
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:5-6
NIV
Innovative Prison Ministry?
Hardly. LOL.[
See story in Indianapolis Star]
****************************
For REAL insights into prison-related ministries, plan on being with us on
Tues, August 22nd, as the
Transform Indiana ministry networking luncheon spreads to Anderson, to hook up with pastors & leaders there who are praying for their community, and who are specially involved in prison-related ministries. Plan on being with us. Details to follow.
Church Office Administrator... Job Opening...
Looking for just the right person at Crossroads Community Church (Geist area)... [
continued]
And visit
CrossroadsPCA.org.
Pupils land cash for missionary plane
A group of 22 Heritage Christian School third-graders saved money from the tooth fairy and gave up birthday gifts for donations to raise $1 million to purchase a Kodiak airplane so missionaries can spread Christianity in remote parts of the world.
The students in Molly Lawton's class expected to donate $50-$100 by saving change from the tooth fairy and giving up treats such as soda, Lawton said. Instead, the children brought...
[
continued at Topics.com]
God's Word
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalms 18:2-3
NIV
Churches and Politics... Finding the balance?
[excerpted from Eric Seymour's column, at 'In The Agora']
"I agree with former Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who said in Wallace v. Jaffree that
"The 'wall of separation between church and State' is a metaphor based on bad history, a metaphor which has proved useless as a guide to judging. It should be frankly and explicitly abandoned."[
continued at 'In The Agora']
God's Word
When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out,
the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do
wrong. Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and
still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with
God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because
the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them,
and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.
Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
NIV
Free Window A/C Units
An organization who requested to be anonymous at this time contacted Faith, Hope and Love wanting to donate more than 100 window A/C units to:
- small churches
- the elderly
- the underprivileged
Please send your request with contact info to:
mgonzales@fhlcommunity.org
Offer is good only to those groups listed above and while supplies last.
God is awesome!
God's Word
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against
anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may
forgive you your sins.
Mark 11:25
NIV
Bush taps Hoosier for Faith-based Office
[Outstanding! Great news via Robert King at IndyStar.com]
Indianapolis Star -- Jay Hein was not originally on the short list of people being considered to run President Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
But when White House officials -- at the suggestion of former Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind. -- went to Hein for advice on candidates, they soon came to see him as more than an adviser. Hein, a 41-year-old elder at Grace Community Church in Noblesville and president of the Indianapolis-based Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, was appointed to the job late Thursday.
[
continued at Indianapolis Star]
"The real work happens in neighborhoods
-- it is the groups that serve the needy,"
"Realizing that this is a post that can
help the healers is very inspiring."
Streeeeeeeeeeeeeetched
Last week was a stretched for me and for many people who were involved in the FHL week.
Churches, government entities, businesses and individuals stepped out to serve our communities.
Many were served:
More than 18,000 bottled water were given away
hundreds of dinner and lunches were served
thousands of trees were mulched
several houses were repaired, lawns mowed
streets were cleaned and curbs painted
hundreds of people were prayed for
thousands of toys and toiletries were given to children
etc., etc., etc.
What's all about these?
Last Tuesday, July 24, 2006, just at the start of FHL week, the Lord gave me this message; I think it is also appropriate after all the excitement.
This morning, I woke up at 5:30am ready to go. I felt tired but at the same time I felt ready to go. Maybe it is anxiety (I have to post the daily 40 days prayer and the newsletter to Indy Christian, prepare for this message and to plan for the day) or excitement of what the Lord will do through us today.
Have you ever felt immobilized that you do not even know where to start your day with? That’s how I felt for about an hour and half this morning.
At 8:00am, after doing my daily web postings and some planning, I ask the Lord what His message is for us today. I know I will be speaking about hope; that’s all I know.
The verse of Isaiah 40:31 came to mind, after all, that was the verse that the Lord has given me while working on the FHL brochure design 2 months ago:
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
I have several tropical plants in my backyard; most of them are still in pots because they will die during winter if I plant them directly in the ground. I have this plant, the National Flower of the Philippines-where I was born, called Sampaguita. I have not find any flowers in the US that is as sweet smelling as this flower. I take good care of my plants, I water them regularly, move them from time to time to get enough sun or to receive as little sun as needed.
As I was asking the Lord for His message, while smelling the flowers, it dawned on me that many of us get so busy that we forget to stop and smell the flowers on our way. We get so busy that we miss God’s voice trying to speak to us to provide us hope and solutions to our current situations.
All of us has issues, could be family problems, job, school or any kind of addictions. And at times, we feel like how I felt this morning; helpless, lost or anxious of what’s going to happen today or tomorrow.
Matthew 6:25-27, 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[
a]?
And yet, many times we waste time worrying. Just like this morning, I worried how this day is going to turn out.
But as I take good care of my plants, God is taking good care of me and you and the rest of the world. He waters our lives and He provides everything to everyone. He provides “Hope that Nurtures”.
Jesus provides hope of eternal life. Hold on to that hope that no one can take away from you.
We are just privileged to be vessels of hope to those the world.
As you go out there and serve our community, don’t get caught up with the task; focus on Jesus and He will direct your path. He will stretch you or prune you. Once in a while, you will feel that He makes a fool out of you. The question is, "Would you do and would you serve according to what He has called you to-even out of your comfort zone?" Stop once in while and smell the flowers along the way-the Presence of God around you. The sweet smelling blessings and the love that He has for all of us…and share the hope, the eternal life that we have in Christ.
"Faith Hope & Love Week" Slide-Show
Already 222 photos have made it into the slideshow from last week's "Faith Hope & Love Week" in Indy. The photos tell a ton. Praise the Lord. God is so good!
Great work everyone! What an awesome variety of folks working together, and just being found being faithful.
Thanks Merlin, for your leadership and attentiveness to God's Word and calling.
God's Word
Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture."
John 10:7-9
NIV
His way is perfect!
Psalms 18:30-33 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
=======================
God’s way is PERFECT! Why? God is perfect! So often, when we want to do what we want and not what God wants – we lose sight of what Psalm 18 reminds us of -- the fact that God’s way is perfect and ours is imperfect.
The question we should be asking ourselves is: “What do I want for my life, perfect or imperfect”? God is content to allow us to make our own decision (that’s grace!) – He gives us free-will so that we can show Him our love out of perfect obedience. Do we love God? Do we understand that He created us, that He cares for us and He wants to make our ways perfect (if we’ll let Him)?
Psalm 18:30 tells us that He is the buckler (shield or defense) to ALL those who trust Him. Do we trust God to make the “right” decisions for our lives? Or do we always think God is out to spoil our fun? God never changes...He’s the same yesterday, today and forever...He ALWAYS wants what is best for our lives as it fits into the greater plan for eternity.
When we DO choose to follow God’s way, when we DO choose to trust God with our lives and more importantly: with our hearts, then Psalm 18:33 tells us we will have the best He has to offer for each one of us (this isn’t talking about being rich or materially wealthy, rather treasures in Heaven & spiritual blessings here on earth).
Ultimately, the choice to follow God comes from faith, trust and love. Do we love God enough to trust Him and have faith in His choices for our lives?
Pray with me that God increases our faith that we might lay all of our lives down before Him...
Email me (Pastor Jim) at pj-brown@sbcglobal.net or visit our website at: www.calvarychapel.com/hcfw
God's Word
For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Romans 10:13-15
NIV
WWJD.... in the 21st Century?
"Folks... About last Sunday's sermon... While most of you readily appreciated the change **LOL** I did get some negative feedback.[
continued at ModelChurch.com]
God's Word
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Proverbs 27:1
NIV
Where does wisdom come from?
Job 28:20-28 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? 21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. 22 Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. 23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. 24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; 25 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. 26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: 27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. 28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
=================
Wisdom: we go to school to try to find it, we hope we have it when we’re old, so much of our society’s energy has been spent in the pursuit of it – yet it is right before our eyes ...
Wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord.
Job, in Job 28 speaks to this issue – God alone is wise. He created the heavens and the earth. He controls the water and the wind, the rain and the lightning and the thunder and “HE SAID UNTO MAN, BEHOLD, THE FEAR OF THE LORD, THAT IS WISDOM; AND TO DEPART FROM EVIL IS UNDERSTANDING”.
The question for us today is this: do we fear God? Do we so reverence our creator that He holds the first and foremost place in our hearts? Do we see that our sin grieves God like a parent is grieved over their child’s disobedience? Do we esteem God such that we fear disappointing Him? If so, then we have the fear of the Lord. If not, the encouragement this morning is to ask God to change those hearts that are focused on anything else or that are calloused to the things of God.
Why should we reverence God? Besides the obvious here in the book of Job, the one word answer is LOVE. We should fear grieving our Lord because of how much He loves us, because of how much He has done for us, and because of how much He wants to care for us in the future. If we choose to not fear the Lord, we cut ourselves off from so many blessings that He has in store for us. If we choose to not fear our Father in Heaven, we cut ourselves off from the fellowship and intimacy that only comes from obedience. If we choose to not fear God, we essentially “spit in His face” telling Him that we don’t really need Him, the sacrifice of His Son (Jesus) or His love.
If we really love God with our heart, mind, soul, and strength – fearing Him, reverencing Him and walking in awe of Him will come naturally. If we don’t, then pray that we do love Him more, fear Him more, reverence Him more, and gain the wisdom that can only come from the author and finisher of our faith. God the Father gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die for our sins because He loves us.
Pray with me that we love God and fear Him reverently...
Email me (Pastor Jim) at
pj-brown@sbcglobal.net or visit our website at:
www.calvarychapel.com/hcfw
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