In the midst of it all!

Every Sunday, or sometime mid-week I like to catch up on the sermons from my home church back in California. I at times take time to meditate on the scripture from which the message came and pray for my home and that God even here in Chicago would work in hearts the same way. So as I listened to what I heard from the Chaplain and Minister Coates, I thought to myself, that I was sure to see something happen soon of the similar portion. (Specifically speaking to the conflict the Chaplain had mentioned that would probably take place the very same day, even though I was a week behind.) You know, the Word of God, a Word from God, is so powerful to transcend our time because of it's timeless aka eternal truth.

On Thursdays I rotate as a teacher for our outreach ministry C.R.I.B.S., for our teens. Our focus lesson for the next few weeks, I decided, will be on Peace.
1. Peace with God
2. Peace of God
3. A Piece with God

So last Thursday I taught that first lesson. Divinely as the world is run, Jamie, our pastor here at Reborn, preached on the peace of God, giving testimony, sharing the gospel, stressing how fighting on our knees in prayer is the one of the greatest battle that we fight. Being in need, dependent on God who is our King and humbled with a holy fear.

How far from understanding we are. That what faith is we lack. We don't have peace, but rather we take on a calmness. I hope you don't miss that. That when you say you're at peace, you really are; that you not really be saying that you're just calm. Peace can be a trip you know, at may actually make you uncomfortable at times. Make me think of  Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." And I can say that I have experienced such a peace that has tangled me to tears and laughter simultaneously with a grief that was painfully numbing(if I could somehow try to paint a picture). I'm just saying that "the heart is most deceitful" Jeremiah 17:9.
Now, as to what I was trying to get to.

In light of what I was saying about peace. It seemed that Sunday was completely set up for such a moment as what was to take place... Right after service about 15-20mins. Just as every week seems to presume we adults linger and talk, some of us clean up and mosey about like so. But the kids, the kids play. The smaller one inside running around, the 8-13 pretty much play games or run around outside. But today was different. We began to set up for kids camp for this week. kinda like the VBS ministry for children. And in the midst of cleaning and moving things lil Jaquan runs in and shouts "Jujuan just got hit by a car!" Now everyone for a moment thought he was joking, and as we all began to follow we then heard the screams. Just like a scene from a movie. a kid hit by a car, alive and in shock, taken in an ambulance. So pray for Jajuan, for recovery and peace and that the testimony of how God spared his life will become real.

He is OK. Two fractured bones in his foot/leg. But in that moment. All the words of peace were tested. and in the midst of the chaos. We prayed. me, jamie, michael david and flavio. We prayed for peace, we praised for life, we thanked for mercy. we surrendered the rest. because life doesn't stop for us. and in the wake of spiritual warfare what we must do is pray. So that moments of testing and trials don't distract us and push us further away from the Lord, but rather draw us ever so closer....Like the seed that falls on stony ground or thorny ground.
 Matthew 13:3-9
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. ⁴ As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. ⁵ Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. ⁸ Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! ⁹ Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

God is in West Garfield!!!

You may be thinking to yourself in this moment that "OK, since that last post here is some good news!" 
Well, you thought correctly, I have great news. That God is in West Garfield, because we are in West Garfield. Reborn Community Church will preach the gospel, love people, pray hard and will live transformed lives by the Word of God which will transform lives.

Is that it? Uummm! Yea.

God sent, His Son, JESUS, the Christ, to die, for sinners, so that, all who, believe in Jesus(Son of God), Who He IS(God), What He Has Done(came, died,resurrected) and What He Has Said He'll Do(save from sins/one day return). That these who believe will have new life, changed life, Truth, Faith, Hope and above all these Love...

Then discipleship will begin. I believe God will do a work in this community. Because God is in West Garfield!!!

PRAYING FOR 'WEST GARFIELD'

you can take the green line or the blue line if you'd like to. head west toward Harlem(green) or O'Hare(blue). Get off at the Pulaski stop; and you will see what i mean. recently, about four weeks ago i moved into an apt out here in this black community just a block away from my church where i serve. we can say that there is definitely a more surreal reality of living than being downtown; but that's the hood for you right. I surely cant begin to tell you of all the things that go on on this side of town, as i'm sure you can easily figur out if you just listen to some rap music. because everything the industry rapper talk about is what is actually happening over here. except that you probably bet that most people dont have industry money. but ill give you some tid bits. 

1.couple weeks ago one of my kids from c.r.i.b.s. gets jumped in front of church standing rt behind me. a first for him, i prayed for him, ans spent that weekend w him.
2.me and a co-laborer in the faith break up a fight between 2 older 'high' ppls, one and older man and the other a woman. by the time we got there he was on top of here ready to lay a heavy hand. we broke it up an talked, then prayed w her.
3.last week three kids were killed and found in an alley. kids meaning, at or under eighteen. 
4.community drug ridden, homelessness and violence on a high scale
5.on the corner of my church a woman tells me i look good, ask if she can ___ my___, and when I tell her "no, you cant, babe" as sincerely as I can. she then asked me for fifty cents, that's $.50 cents. AND I AINT LAUGHIN RIGHT NOW!
6.seen a man ans women strung out on the sidewalk, half past out, snot drippin and slumped over.
7.men and women walk up and down the streets sellin "loose square"(cigarettes) and anything else you need from bootleg movie, music, socks, pants, CTA cards and jewelery.


People ask me if I'm scared walking the streets and living out there. Although tense the first two weeks, I can say that I'm not. Being in this environment is not new to me. Most people cant tell the difference as I walk around other than im a fairly new face. But God has led me there to minister and not be afraid. (reflecting the "Jeremiah 1:8-10" tatted on my left shoulder). I love being there, I love my people. God is always at work and im honored to be included. He will remain faithful. And I depend on my Lord Jesus fully. so do not be discouraged, good things are also happening here. you just pray and see....Pray w me, pray with us, pray for us. Pray and dont cease. 

PRAY FOR 'WEST GARFIELD!!!

NO OPPOSITE (POEM)

No Opposite

I often wonder why exit signs

Lead us (on) to off ramps and streets

Why walking out of doors

Brings us (in) to new scenes

Why sitting down holds us up

And getting up only shows us what’s below

Starting one thing

Stops another

You might lose a friend

To gain a brother

When the world’s full of hate

God becomes a lover

The only opposite to nakedness

Is to be covered

If you’re crying

The tears will dry

If it’s sorrow, then joy

Feel better inside

My life without God

Compared to having Him now

WOW!!!

Me not deserving His love

No parallel

HE! JUST! DOES!

61st Street A's (gametime) photo's

61st Street A's

"Start a riot!..start a riot!..start a riot!..start a  riot!"


Yeeeeaaaa! Now if yall know me, you know I'm inclined to start dancing when I hear some chanting. That's what was going through my head at least, but I didn't want these girls to think I was a weirdo or something. Though I do get goofy w/ it at times(don't twist the meaning).


Last Wednesday I went to see this team play some softball. My homegirl B, short for Britt, short for...well, you get it right. She one of my closer friends from the other side of the gender. Don't let your head go there though. She had asked me a while ago to come and see her girls play and I told her that I would sometime. Of course after a month and more she didn't believe me. I'm sure there have been plenty of people who said they'd come but still hadn't just as it seems to be a trend among human beings to do so. And somehow I had a free Wednesday, and really couldn't avoid it(whisper voice), so I went. I was just playing about the really couldn't avoid it part; trust me I could have.


So now I must tell the truth and I cannot lie. I love these girls. They're animated and funny, smart and cool. Girly and thugs none the least. Young beautiful black ladies, minus one, also beautiful, with good hearts and a more than common upbringing. They played a great game. I had a magnificent time watching them and talking to B and Nikki. They gave me the honorary coach title for the day....PART OF THE TEAM YALL!  The girls played a great and exciting game. It was back and forth, intense, too fast, sporadic, fluttered, full of chants and then quiet, frustrated and jolly<<you like that word huh?... In the end the girls did not win. But it definitely was not because they weren't better. They just had a few.... moments. Fluke was that they one lost by a couple runs. They were passionate about how they played, it's just the attitude that gets us young folk sometimes where we can see past any certain moment. Afterward we exchanged some words and a couple laughs, I think I'm due for a lil talk about boys to these girls...We'll see how we can make this happen sometime soon hopefully....B? haha


But yea! SHOUT OUT TO THE 61st STREET A's....yall keep startin riots...in a good way though.
I'm out.
P.S. Pics on the next blog...just a few.

Lancaster Wedding!

Ill let the photos speak for it in just some moments i tried to catch.

Michael David Bachelor Party!

Michael David Lancaster is the worship leader at our small churchplant in West Garfield Park.  I felt honored not only to be invited to the wedding but also the bachelor party. I've only know Michael David since about Aug/Sept of the previous year 2010. He had a small gathering at a frriends home of some of his closest friends and some family. And I was included. This was not a heavy task or an excessive night of doings, but rather a laid back time for men to enjoy one another. Although he is a young man just as old as I (24), he definitely is making a step that requires the responsibilities all men with families bear. The early evening started with a BBQ and gathering. We ate just fine of course. But then we gathered in the living room to do what I hope can be done for me when the day comes. Everyone in the room encouraged Michael with words of affirmment, hope, thanks and admonishings towards him and from him as we have come to know him in his life.

After this we all went out bowling and had a great two hours of fun. It was a late night tho. I slept pretty good, I admit.

Memorial Day, Sweet. Pt.2 (photos)

Once it cooled down some, the rest of the evening was golden!

 Headed to any location really

 Caught em!

 Kodak! i'm good right!

 Put this ona billboard please!

 Still ain't gained a pound. Ha!(stay tuned)

 Somebody's kid wanted to get some camera love...so we let him.

 Poster me!

 A moment you had to be there to enjoy.

 That's what the moment was like.

 Pretty sure they were breaking a speed law or two.

 Some family time.

AND JUST SO YOU DON'T FORGET WHERE I'M FROM...IT'S...SD/IE ONN ME! HAHAH

Memorial Day Heat

Now this holiday was a special one in Chicago. For one it was a holiday that fell on a Monday, secondly it was suppose to be hot. And everyone in Chicago this year have been ready for some heat. I mean, its been raining up until the last couple days and we're in July. I was actually working the overnight shift into this morning, whhhheeennnnn SUDDENLY,! yyyyeeeeeesss,........ SUDDENLY! The homie shows up at Jenkins (where I was working) and says they're going to the beach today. I wanted to go, even tho I had just got off work and knew I probably, NO, definitely needed to sleep. But I went anyway. We got in the car and headed to Montrose Park. 

Now although, we had a good day once we got there. The problem was getting there. I don't have any pictures for the ride over. But I'm sure you'll get once I tell you about it. If you're ready say, "Ready"....Now really say it with me. "Ready"
thanks

So we get in the car and attempt to get there as quickly as possible. Maaaaan, it took so long I really don't remember how long it actually took. All I know is the the E-way was completely stopped up at every exit. We were in the car,  Ricky driving, Tyjuan in the pass and Me in the back seat. We drove and had the windows down, bumpin the radio going back and forth every time a commercial or whack song came on. Oldies, new one, good one and every couple songs, Ricky, being Puerto Rican and and all would it a spanish station and get excited, singing along and dancing in the driver seat while me and Ty tried to pick w/ words we could recognize; which made us equally excited, well almost. As long as the car was moving we were good. But then came the off-ramp lane. WE WEREN'T MOVING!!!!. The sun was beaming through my side of the car and the air was hot as H-E-double hockey sticks. Now I was sweating and getting antsy. I took of my jean shorts and pulled off my shirt to put in in the window to give me shade. But no air dangit! This is when I began to lean over. When I woke up I was still sweating. But we were finally in the parking lot of the park/lake. It only took like 2 hours to get there.....Dang Memorial Day Heat! the rest of that day went good tho...look out for a few pic coming later on.

Adventures with Mike and Jarvis pt 2 (photos)

Check out parts of our adventure, from a Moody Dorm

To the last stop in the Pier!