Its such a beautiful day here in Stockton today and this morning has been great too. I woke up today before the rest of the house. It was sweet to have quiet time with the Lord, but no matter how much time I have I am always hungry for more. A little while later the rest of the house woke up. The rest of the house is My lovely wife Raegan, Elijah, Hannah, Becky, Cari and Jacklyn.
With everyone up we all went to the kitchen and made breakfast together. Its always fun to have everyone cooking together in the kitchen. When breakfast was ready we sat down at the dining room table to eat our eggs, bacon and pancakes over some good conversation and prayer. With breakfast done, and everyone ready for the day, Raegan, the kids and I decided to go on a bike ride through the neighborhood together. With me on my bike, Elijah on his, and Raegan and Hannah together on mommys bike, we head off down our street.
One thing about Stockton that amazes me is the different areas and how segregated they all are. Our neighborhood is a pretty big mix of race and social classes. There are primarily renters and many of the homes are neglected and run down. Not too many people are out, they stay inside because of the busy streets.
Just two blocks away we enter another area. The homes in this area are triple in value from my block, all the yards are perfectly maintained, the cars in the driveway are brand new and people are out sweeping their porches and working on their houses. It blows me away at the difference two blocks make.
We ride through this neighborhood and cross Harding Way. Just a few blocks south we enter yet another zone. This is a much more rundown neighborhood. There are a ton of apartments here, the cars look like they are broke down, many of them up on jacks, broken windows everywhere and trash in the gutters. Half the people walking around don't have their shirts on and people hang out in the front lawn in lawn chairs.
Although all the People in these neighborhoods are way different they are all the same. When all the surface things are stripped away everyone still has the same need. These people all need Jesus. As we rode through these areas it was interesting to see the change in attitudes. Most people say hi, but in different ways. Some are busy working on their house or washing their car and they see you coming and their countenance changes, they smile as big as they can and say hi in the happiest voice they have. Some just look at you and say "hey", no change in countenance. and some just plain stare as you ride by and don't say anything at all.
As we were riding down the most run down area we had been in I was surprised at how welcomed we were... We were out of place for sure (riding on our cruiser bikes and matching helmets)... But never the less the people there are just hanging out and willing to talk if you just take the time to stop and say hi. They are so receptive and open, but they seem like the hardest most unapproachable people ever. Looks can be deceiving, truly deceiving. We all need Jesus, all the same. All of us Christians have the same calling on our lives too...to take the Gospel to the people who havent heard it. We have the good news, the best news ever!!!! And there are tons of people out there, lost people, who need to hear it. We need to encourage one another to share this news. We need to reach out. I love this place we live, I love Stockton, I love Jesus.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Our Bigger Family
About a month ago we had two Girls move into our house with us. Today they were getting back from a trip to Socal and they brought the last load of their things with them. We were out front of the house unloading their car, the whole family was moving things into the house, and as I walked out to get another load of things I see a homeless guy walking down the sidewalk. As he was walking by and looking at the family unload the car he says, " I wish I could be a part of that family." I kinda chuckled and said "really?" I was hoping it would start a conversation. He just got angry and said "Yea. Its not funny! I don't have a family, I'm homeless. Anything I have I get digging through the trash!" He never slowed down, he just kept walking. I thought of about a dozen things I could say.... But it was too late he was gone.
We belong to a bigger family, The family of Christ. I have really been learning a lot about our family lately. This is just another example of what Christ has been doing in our lives to stir us up for his family. God has given us a vision. Its a vision to live in a home with lots of room for others to live with us, to do life with us, to grow in Christ, learn life skills, be raised up and discipled and sent out to spread the Gospel. We really have a heart for our community and the people in it. Please pray that the Lord opens up a door for a bigger home.
Currently we have a 4 bedroom home. Our family of 4 lives in two bedrooms downstairs and we have 2 girls living upstairs. The Lord has given them a similar heart for the people of this community and Stockton, That is why they recently moved here to Stockton. We pray he moves more people here to Stockton for his vision. We also pray he continues to stir the heart of the people in his body here in Stockton. We see daily how he continues to do this....
Just last night on the way home from church with a brother, we stopped for some tacos. It was about 10:30pm. (this is not too late for dinner in Stockton) We ended up meeting a homeless guy named Bobby and giving him a ride across town to his home (a bush in a business complex). He professed Christ, but was acknowledging his desire to know Christ more. We had a great opportunity to share our hearts with him and love on him. We left him our phone number and he said he would call us to get together sometime. Before we left we gave him some tacos. His eyes lit up. He was surprised at our generosity, which was not all that much from my perspective. Somehow in our conversation he saw Christ through us. I can only pray that Christ continues to use us to share his love, even in the little things like this.
We are going to look at a home today. Its big! Like 7 bed 4 bath? I don't remember exactly. But the thing is that its in a very sketchy neighborhood.... I know we are called to that area. I know it!!! But I want to be sure that my family is protected and safe. I really need clarity right now to be sure it is the Lords will. Its only a few blocks away from where we live now. But 2 blocks in Stockton in the wrong direction is like 2 miles. There are clear lines that define boundaries of neighborhoods and areas. This move crosses the line...it crosses those boundaries.
The Lords will be done. Thats all I can ask for. We are willing, but we are also weak. It will only be by his strength. Thank you all for your continued prayer and support. We are still being supported from friends and family whom the Lord has put it in their hearts to support us. This is also stretching, and for me especially. (any of you who know me know what I mean) Every part of me wants to just get a job and support us on my own. But the Lord has been clear that's not his will for us. He wants us fully dependent on him and he has been able to use our availability in radical ways. Till next time... God Bless
We belong to a bigger family, The family of Christ. I have really been learning a lot about our family lately. This is just another example of what Christ has been doing in our lives to stir us up for his family. God has given us a vision. Its a vision to live in a home with lots of room for others to live with us, to do life with us, to grow in Christ, learn life skills, be raised up and discipled and sent out to spread the Gospel. We really have a heart for our community and the people in it. Please pray that the Lord opens up a door for a bigger home.
Currently we have a 4 bedroom home. Our family of 4 lives in two bedrooms downstairs and we have 2 girls living upstairs. The Lord has given them a similar heart for the people of this community and Stockton, That is why they recently moved here to Stockton. We pray he moves more people here to Stockton for his vision. We also pray he continues to stir the heart of the people in his body here in Stockton. We see daily how he continues to do this....
Just last night on the way home from church with a brother, we stopped for some tacos. It was about 10:30pm. (this is not too late for dinner in Stockton) We ended up meeting a homeless guy named Bobby and giving him a ride across town to his home (a bush in a business complex). He professed Christ, but was acknowledging his desire to know Christ more. We had a great opportunity to share our hearts with him and love on him. We left him our phone number and he said he would call us to get together sometime. Before we left we gave him some tacos. His eyes lit up. He was surprised at our generosity, which was not all that much from my perspective. Somehow in our conversation he saw Christ through us. I can only pray that Christ continues to use us to share his love, even in the little things like this.
We are going to look at a home today. Its big! Like 7 bed 4 bath? I don't remember exactly. But the thing is that its in a very sketchy neighborhood.... I know we are called to that area. I know it!!! But I want to be sure that my family is protected and safe. I really need clarity right now to be sure it is the Lords will. Its only a few blocks away from where we live now. But 2 blocks in Stockton in the wrong direction is like 2 miles. There are clear lines that define boundaries of neighborhoods and areas. This move crosses the line...it crosses those boundaries.
The Lords will be done. Thats all I can ask for. We are willing, but we are also weak. It will only be by his strength. Thank you all for your continued prayer and support. We are still being supported from friends and family whom the Lord has put it in their hearts to support us. This is also stretching, and for me especially. (any of you who know me know what I mean) Every part of me wants to just get a job and support us on my own. But the Lord has been clear that's not his will for us. He wants us fully dependent on him and he has been able to use our availability in radical ways. Till next time... God Bless
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