2011 In Books

This past year I read some great books. I thought I would share the books that impacted me this past year:

1) You See Bones I See An Army by Floyd McClung
2) Generous Justice by Tim Keller
3) The Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull
4) Radical Together by David Platt
5) What Is The Gospel by Greg Gilbert
6) Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Married by Gary Chapman
7) The Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb

What book(s) did you read this past year that really impacted you?


In the coming year I have my sights on...
Biographies: Deitrick Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas and Frederick Douglass Autobiographies by Frederick Douglass and Henry Louis Gates
Race/Culture: Yellow by Frank Wu, Being Latino In Christ by Orlando Crespo, Living In Color by Randy Woodley
Church & Mission: Let The Nations Be Glad by John Piper, Oneness Embraced by Tony Evans, Bloodlines by John Piper, Operation World by Jason Mandryk, and The Trellis & The Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
Bible Study/Theology: How To Read The Bible For All It's Worth by Gordon Fee

Who We "See"

I was recently at Home Depot to buy paint for our house. While we were standing in line for our paint, another customer approached the paint counter with a Home Depot sales associate right behind him, trying to keep pace. This customer was noticeably irritated by the sales person, and was evidently coming to the paint counter for "outside assistance." It became evident that this man, and the man who was trying to help him were having some communication struggles. The sales person was of Asian descent and his English was not the best as he spoke. However, the man who was shopping (and irritated) acted as if he didn't even see the salesmen. He dismissed what he said, got the answer he needed, and quickly walked past him to get back to what he needed. Now let me say, that I understand that sometimes communication can be difficult when someone's English isn't that strong. It can be frustrating when you feel like you keep "missing" each other in communication. However, the thing that really made me upset as I observed this interaction was how the salesperson became seemingly invisible to the customer. He chose to not see him and to not acknowledge his efforts to help him. The sales associate became worthless to him once he no longer saw him.

That same weekend, a man came to our Saturday service and breakfast with a large "Jesus" tattoo in the middle of his forehead. This man and his tattoo got my attention, and so I made it a point to get to know him and hear his story. I learned that he was staying at the rescue mission here in Richmond, but that he was originally from Seattle. Without going into great detail, he was recently divorced, relocated, and out of work. I began to ask him about life at the mission (homeless shelter). He stated that he greatly appreciated both having a place to stay, and a consistent meal. However, he said he was greatly disappointed and disturbed by the way the staff treated the men who came there. He shared that many of the staff "talked down at them." He further added that they seemed to lump everyone into the same category - drug addict, lazy, mentally challenged, etc. - rather then seeing the uniqueness of each person and each person's story. In other words, the issue with the staff at the mission is that they don't "see" the individual residents. It is because they don't truly see them that they feel compelled to talk down at them.

Whether or not we "see" people is critical. How we view someone, greatly affects how we treat them. When we lump people together (stereotype), seek to avoid certain people, or look down on people, we won't truly see them, and we will be unable to converse or connect with them in any type of meaningful way.

My good friend Aaron often says, "we cannot minister to someone who we think less of." Therefore, lack of sight and condescension go hand in hand. I love reading the Gospels and observing the way Jesus interacted with people. He interacted with all types of people. No one was above or below his compassionate reach. He saw people: tax collectors, women, Samaritans, lepers, politicians, etc. His sight always stirred compassion rather than condescension. Matthew 9:36 (and others) states, "When He saw the crowds, he had compassion for them..."

It was this "compassionate sight" that led him to the cross. Romans 5 says that "while we were still weak (helpless)" and "while we were still sinners" Christ died for us. That's the beauty of the Cross, and the beauty of the Gospel. It is the Gospel that then transforms how we "see" others and compels us to love everyone. Peter lost sight of this new "Gospel vision" in Galatians 2, and his brother Paul had to lovingly get in his face to remind him of his new eyes.

While we're at work, at school, in our neighborhoods, out shopping, etc. let's be mindful of the people who cross our path each day. May we be a people who "see" everyone with our Gospel eyes. Amen.

Our Great High Priest

This past Saturday & Sunday I preached a message entitled "Consider Jesus: Our Great High Priest." It was a challenging study for me. I read through the book of Hebrews, some chapters several times. There is so much in that book! I still don't know if I fully understand all the priesthood entailed, but I was definitely encouraged in the study as I thought about all that Jesus is! Here is my outline. You can also listen to the message here.

Consider Jesus: Our Great High Priest

The office of priesthood was instituted by God in order to maintain fellowship between the holy God and the sinful nation. Priests were...
1)Chosen from among men and ordained/appointed to minister on behalf of his fellow man before God.

2)Offered gifts and sacrifices for sins.
-In offering sacrifices, they showed that sin was very real and deserving of death!
-The priests went before God as the people's advocate and intercessor.
-A blood sacrifice had to be made (usually bulls or goats).
-Sacrifices had to be made over and over, each year.

3)Supposed to be compassionate with sinners, because they themselves were subject to weakness.

4)Offered sacrifices for themselves as well as those of the people, for they too needed atonement.

Hebrews 4:14-16
Since then we have a great hight priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I. A Greater Priest

a)His Selection & Term
-Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:16; Hebrews 7:23-24

b)His Intimacy with the Father
-Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:12

c)His Sinlessness
-Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 7:27-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21

II. A Greater Sacrifice
He gave Himself...once and for all...he sat down!
-Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:25-26; Hebrews 10:10-14

III. A Gracious Savior & Sustainer
"Jesus can both sympathize with and deliver us!" - Mark Driscoll

Sympathize mans to feel or suffer with.
-Hebrews 4:15-16; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 2:18

"It is Jesus our priest who knows every hair on our head, day of our life, longing of our heart, and thought on our mind. At this very moment, Jesus is brining our hurts, suffering, needs and sins to the Father in a prayerful and loving was as our priest." - Driscoll

Christmas Giving Opportunities

Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift that this world has ever received, God's Son, Jesus Christ. The Gospel Of Jesus Christ compels us to be a people marked by generosity. During this Christmas season, here are two good options for gospel motivated generosity...

1)Sunshine Gospel Ministries' Annual Christmas Store
Each year Sunshine collects donated gifts (store bought gifts) for kids ages 0 through 18. They then set up an actual store, where parents can shop for their kids. Everything is marked down 75%. This gives parents in the neighborhood of Woodlawn a more affordable way to do Christmas shopping. Each year the store is a blessing to 50-80 families. You can buy gifts online at Target for the Sunshine store here. If you want to read more about the philosophy/theology of the store, check out this blog entry.

2)Africa Revolution's "Compassion Needs Wheels" Campaign
Africa Revolution is doing an amazing work alongside local churches in Swaziland: making disciples, caring for orphans, and doing medical missions. They have an urgent need for a new van for transportation for ministry outreaches. Their executive director Allan says, "We have come to realize that a reliable, sturdy vehicle is our primary tool to facilitate all our ministry. It enables us to to get the job done! Whether our team is doing rural medical missions or community outreach, we are totally dependent on our vehicle." To donate towards a new van click here.

December Praise & Prayer

It is safe to say that November flew by, with the wedding, honeymoon, and Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for! Here is our December Praise & Prayer...

Praises
(1)For an amazing honeymoon in Hawaii, and for the financial gifts that made it possible!
(2)For the provision of our home (which is next door to the church)!
(3)For a great start to our Wednesday night Praise & Prayer service at church!
(4)For a successful surgery for my brother-in-law Ray. He had a tumor removed from his ear canal!
(5)For community and mentors here in Richmond!
(6)For working out the final details I needed to begin volunteering at Richmond HS!

Prayer Requests
Please pray with us...
(1)That our love for God and for our neighbors would grow.
(2)That God might direct us to and provide housing that we (the church) could use for transitional and discipleship housing for men and women.
(3)That the Lord would direct us as we consider becoming a satellite location for World Impact's "TUMI" (The Urban Ministry Institute www.tumi.org). This would give us the opportunity to offer seminary level coursework/training to men and women in Richmond and the East Bay at an affordable rate.
(4)For direction as we prayerfully consider (and move towards) partnerships with local school(s), the Boys & Girls Club, and other non-profit/social service agencies here in Richmond.
(5)That our church would leverage the ministries of Safe Families and Youshare in a way that would bless our city and the Bay area, and would mobilize churches.
(6)We own a condo in Branson, Missouri (where Josie lived before we got married). Please pray with us that we would find a renter soon!

*Let me know how we can be praying for you! Email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org
**Also, don't forget about our podcast on I-tunes under "Living Hope Neighborhood Church"!

Thankful

It is Thanksgiving Eve and Josie and I just had coffee and cereal together and are now cleaning our house (all of that still seems crazy to write and say!). I was struck with all that I have to be thankful for!

I am thankful for my relationship with God through Jesus! His grace in my life is humbling! As a kid growing up the Lord began planting Gospel seeds in my life through my parents, key Sunday school teachers and AWANA leaders, and other Christians who we did life with. Then my freshman year of college, during the fall of 1996, the Lord brought me to a place of full surrender to Him. He then surrounded me with men to disciple me, Christian peers to walk it out with, and numerous godly examples. God then began to show me, over time, how the way He had wired me was according to His purpose, and that He had work for me to do. Ephesians chapter two, verses eight through 10, says it best! I am amazed at the LORD's faithfulness, His steadfast love, and His never ending grace and mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23).

I am thankful for my wife! Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD." That is exactly what has happened. God graciously directed me to my "good thing." He did it. If you want to read our story/testimony of how He brought us together, you can read it here. We have now been married for 18 days, and I still can't believe what the LORD has done.

I am thankful for my church where I serve as an under shepherd! Every time someone refers to me as "Pastor Dave" I am reminded of God's grace and am humbled that He is using me. God is doing some amazing things at our church! Yesterday's marriage was just one example, of how God is redeeming people and restoring lives and families. Our church is a beautiful picture of Christ's diverse bride. We come from different ethnic backgrounds and different socio-economic backgrounds to find family together underneath the banner of Christ. I am so thankful for how God used my neighborhood and community in Chicago to shape me, and is now doing the same thing here in Richmond.

I am thankful for all of the family and friends and supporters that Josie and I have. It was an amazing thing at our wedding to walk out and see such amazing support and love! We have "family" (some biological) all over the country, and in other parts of the world! This loving community is just another evidence of God's grace.

I am thankful for the legacy of faith in Christ that has been passed down from our parents - James & Gwendetta Albright and Dave & Coleen Clark. I am thankful for their faithful support, love, encouragement, and wisdom.

Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

3 Blog Entries Worth Reading

Although, I have a few different blogs "in the hopper" that I plan to write soon, today I want to direct your attention to other blog entries that I think are definitely worth checking out.

(1) Today we had the opportunity to witness the marriage ceremony of a couple from our church. The three of us pastors took them to the county clerk to get legally married, with plans to have a church ceremony in the near future. God is doing an amazing work in the lives of Kevin and Karen Saechao. My good friend and co-laborer Curtis Zackery blogs about it here.

(2) As many of you know I serve on the board of a ministry in southern Africa called Africa Revolution. My good friend, Allan Greig, is the founder and executive director of this ministry. He and his wife recently spent 3 months in Swaziland serving the local church there, and pouring their lives into a team of vision year interns. As Allan prepares to return to the states, he had these challenging and thought provoking thoughts to share on his blog entry entitled "Plugging Back Into The Matrix."

(3) I recently began listening to the podcast of Pastor Bryan Loritts, and then shortly thereafter began following him on twitter. He pastors a multi-ethnic church in Memphis, TN. He recently shared his "Top 10 Books On Multi-Ethnic Ministry." I have read a handful of these, but was definitely encouraged to check out some of the others. You can see his list here.

November Praises & Prayer

It is safe to say that the month of October flew by! It was a busy month of ministry, and of preparing for our wedding! This last week or so especially has been a whirlwind. I have woken up the last few mornings just in awe of God's faithfulness and goodness and grace. I have been struck afresh with the amazing truth that God is my Father, and loves me as His son! I am so humbled as I reflect on all of the ways the LORD has answered prayers in this unique season of my life, and our lives (I'm married now!!). Here are our praises and prayer requests, as we head into the month of November...

Praises

1)This past Saturday we got married in Chicago!!!!! I still cannot believe it! (Our web site, www.davidandjosie.com tells our story. God's grace is so evident in everything!)

2)For all of the friends and family who have shown us so much love and encouragement as we celebrated our marriage, and as we move into this next season of life together!

3)We both prayed that Christ would be lifted high in our wedding ceremony, and we feel that He honored our prayers on our wedding day!

4)For God's continued provision for our financial support needs! We have such faithful and generous supporters!

5)We have begun two small groups for married couples at our church, and are studying "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas! We are so blessed to be able to be in community with these other couples!

6)For the opportunity to disciple my brother Nick here in Richmond!

7)For key relationships and opportunities to serve at Richmond High School!


Prayer Requests

1)That Jesus would be our first love, and the foundation of our marriage!

2)For safe travels and and a great time on our honeymoon in Hawaii! We will be gone November 11th through November 18th. (We are also so thankful for the financial assistance that made this trip possible!!!)

3)Every Wednesday we fast and pray as a pastoral team for the needs of our church and our city. Would you pray with us and for us on Wednesdays?

4)This month we will be starting a Wednesday night Praise & Prayer service from 6-7:30pm! Pray that God would give us a passion to seek Him on behalf of our church, our city, and the nations! Pray that God would teach us how to pray as a church! We are excited to see how He will answer prayer!

5)Pray that the Lord would direct us as we consider becoming a satellite location for World Impact's "TUMI" (The Urban Ministry Institute). This would give us the opportunity to offer seminary level coursework/training to men and women in Richmond and the East Bay at an affordable rate.

6)That we would be a church centered on and passionate about the Gospel and making disciples of all nations!

*As always, please let us know how we can be praying for you! Email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org

Podcast
We, now have a podcast! You can subscribe on I-Tunes, and listen to our messages each week. You can search "Living Hope Neighborhood Church on I-Tunes.
If you don't do the I-Tunes thing, you can also listen to the messages on our web site, www.lhnchurch.org

1 John 3:1 = See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God...

The Priority & Power of Prayer: Part 2

Four Prerequisites For Powerful Prayer
(Taken from a message given by Jackson Senyonga and found in “The Power Of A City At Prayer” by Mac Pier & Katie Sweeting)

Living In Harmony

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at LHNC. We have been working our way through the book of 1 Peter. You can listen to my message here. I would also encourage you to listen to the first two messages in the series preached by Pastor Aaron & Pastor Curtis. (We also have a podcast on I-Tunes, if you look up Living Hope Neighborhood Church.)

Here are some of the points of emphasis from this Sunday's message...

1 Peter 1:22-2:10
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame." So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

“We have a living hope in Jesus Christ that that compels us to live in holiness and harmony so that we might demonstrate and declare His excellencies.”

This supernatural rebirth has made it possible for us to obey the truth, to purify ourselves, and to love our brothers and sisters (v. 22-23)

The Cornerstone determines the design and orientation of a building is the most significant stone in the structure. The Cornerstone is the visible support on which the rest of the building relies for strength and stability. We are the building & Jesus Christ is Our CORNERSTONE!

Our unity affects our outreach
Our oneness affects our witness

John 17:21 = That they (believers, disciples) may all be one, just as You Father are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

The Priority & Power of Prayer: Part One

One of the themes that the Lord is pressing into my life since moving to Richmond is the importance of fasting and prayer. These are disciplines that all of us as Christ followers would say are crucial, and yet we often struggle to consistently and persistently seek God. One of our first decisions as a pastoral team (and probably are most important decision) was to devote Wednesdays to fasting and prayer - to pray for our church and pray for our city. Wednesday has honestly become my favorite day of the week here. I feel like I am learning to pray afresh, and I am seeing God answer prayers and reveal Himself through our times of prayer.

We have also met some brothers who have unknowingly impacted us with their intentionality and devotion to prayer.

First, we met a pastor who began volunteering at Richmond HS when his son was a student there (I believe 6 to 8 years ago). He started volunteering with the basketball team as an assistant coach. The Lord gave him a real burden for the students of Richmond HS. So he began to look for other opportunities to volunteer and to have a presence in the school. In addition to helping with the basketball team, he began substitute teaching, and then volunteering as the school health officer. He eventually was hired as the school health officer. This position probably pays next to nothing. However, that is not his aim. He is doing it so that he can maintain a presence within the high school. He takes prayer walks and prays for the school in the morning before the day begins. Sometimes during the day he walks the halls and prays for the students. He invited us to come and pray with him anytime. He is praying that God would move upon the hearts of students, faculty, and the administration. He believes in the power of prayer.

Second, we met a man who is the executive director of an inner city para church ministry in San Francisco. His ministry is located in the Tenderloin District, which we were told is probably the poorest area in San Francisco. He started this ministry 29 years ago. When he first began, he left his corporate job because he felt God calling him to respond to the needs of this particular neighborhood. He was able to initially rent a storefront, but he knew the ministry would need more space - if they were to provide housing, and be able to do wholistic ministry there. So he rented an office space in a very spacious four story building that was owned by a company. He chose this building because He had begun to pray that God would give the ministry the building. By renting an office space inside this building, he was given keys to the building. He would wait until all of the employees went home for the night, and then he would walk the halls and pray and ask God to give them the building. The building eventually went up for sale, and near that same time he received a call from a man who lived in Chinatown. The man asked him to come and meet with him. When he went to the man's house, the man told him the Lord had told him to give towards the ministry. Interestingly, the man gave him a large amount of gold coins. The gold coins were enough to put a down payment on the building, and the rehab project began. Today they have a homeless shelter, food pantry, thrift store, weekly worship service, offices, and Christian school within the building! More recently, a wealthy businessman bought the building next store to the ministry building and turned it into a strip club. The director of the ministry recognized the danger of this. Yet he knew that he needed the city to take legal action if the strip club was to be shut down. So he decided to fast and pray for 40 days. Not only that, but he decided to sit in front of city hall in a chair while he fasted and prayed these forty days. He invited others to pray with him that the city would move to shut the strip club down. On the 36th day, they invited him into city hall, and after speaking with him decided to answer his requests. The strip club was ordered to close its doors! His son also told us that once a year he walks around the perimeter of the city and prays for revival in San Francisco. He believes in the power of prayer.

I am thankful for what the Lord is challenging me with in the "school of prayer." Lord I believe, but help me in my unbelief.

Bloodlines Documentary: Race & Grace

John Piper has a new book out entitled "Bloodlines." You can read more about it here. He also made a short documentary film, introducing the book and his personal story behind it. I really appreciate his transparency about the "deep inconsistencies" he saw in his own life, his family, his church, and the "system" in which he grew up. I also love his emphasis on the Gospel and how it cleanses, forgives, and puts to death the "old racist nature." I encourage you to watch this short documentary...



May we be a people and a church who devote our lives to "Christ exalting racial harmony" and who contend for racial justice, and may it all be driven by the Gospel!

October Praise and Prayer

Here are my Praises and Prayer Requests as we head into the month of October...

Praises
1) God's faithful provision (spiritual encouragement, finances, and relationally) throughout this major life transition!

2)God is pushing me out of my comfort zone and stretching me!

3)For safety as Josie and I moved her stuff from Branson to Richmond. We had a challenging journey, but God protected us and provided for us throughout the trip!

4)For encouraging connections and relationships being built with other pastors, coaches, teachers, non-profit leaders, etc.


Prayer Requests
1)For an increasing passion to seek God in prayer and the Word

2)For Josie and I as we continue to plan our wedding and do premarital counseling long distance

3)For discipleship relationships to continue to be developed here

4)I will be sharing my testimony at our Saturday service this week (10/15). I will be preaching on Sunday 10/23 and Saturday 10/29. Please pray that the LORD would direct those messages, and that Christ would be exalted in what I share.

5)Every Wednesday we fast and pray as a pastoral team for the needs of our church and our city. Would you pray with us and for us on Wednesdays?

6)Financial Needs: I have made two major moves in the last month and a half. First, I moved all of my stuff to California in late August. Then, Josie and I moved her stuff from Branson, MO to Richmond. Both of these moves were expensive. I am so thankful for the support we received to cover the costs of the first move. However, we are in need of financial assistance for the second move. If you are interested in giving a one time gift towards this, please email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org

Please let me know how I can be praying for you! Shoot me an email.

A Heart For The City?

On a blog that I now frequent (Ed Stetzer's blog), I came across a series of posts entitled "You Can't Love A City If You Don't Know A City." I have been in Richmond now for a month, and I have tried to do all I can to "get to know Richmond." As many of you know I lived in Chicago for ten years. During that decade, especially following my urban ministry training at Moody, I devoted myself to learning Chicago. Dr. Fuder challenged us to not only be passionate about exegeting Scripture, but also about exegeting neighborhoods, cultures, the city, etc. My learning never stopped in Chicago! I anticipate that my "city education" will be ongoing here as well.

I (along with my teammates) have been visiting various ministries and social service agencies (rescue missions, transitional housing, health clinics, recreation centers, etc.). I have been researching and reading all I can about the history of Richmond. I have tried to get my hands on local newspapers. Wherever I visit, I try to ask a lot of questions. I even find myself taking drives just to observe different neighborhoods, or trying different routes just to see new scenery.

Richmond is a unique city. It has a population of about 100,000 people, yet it is very close to too larger urban centers (Oakland & San Francisco). It is also surrounded by smaller cities, which almost seem to be viewed as "greater Richmond." It is diverse - approximately 40% Latino, 35% African American, 20% white, 5% Asian (with a growing Asian and Southeast Asian population). Yet within this diversity there is not much segregation along racial lines. Although, there are neighborhoods within the city that are primarily low income and primarily upper class, it seems as if the majority of the city is mixed income. It is a place of great beauty (natural beauty and beautiful people). It is also a place of challenge and pain (homelessness, violence, crime, etc.). The city's slogan is "Richmond: A City of Pride and Purpose."

As I continue to learn and build and learn some more, I have been challenged by something the Lord has exposed in my own heart. We (the pastors) have been telling the church body that we love Richmond, and that we - as a body on mission - have to love our city. However, the Lord has challenged me with a convicting question "do you really love ALL of Richmond"? You see my heart gravitates towards the more "challenging" areas of the city - ie the Iron Triangle, North Richmond, etc. I love building with, listening to, praying for, and learning from homeless men and women. I am excited and passionate about engaging the public school system and contending for educational justice.

Yet, if I'm honest when I say I "love Richmond" the affluent areas of Point Richmond and Hilltop aren't included in that statement. My heart doesn't break for the residents of Richmond who seemingly "have it all together" externally, yet are lost apart from Christ. I am asking God to break my heart for the whole city.

I want to have the same compassion for the prostitute and the professional. I want to be burdened for the homeless man and the "high up" executive. I'm asking God to break my heart for the muslims who attend the mosque at the end of my street, the first and 3rd generation immigrant, the politicians and the powerless.

I'm thankful that God has highlighted this blindspot in my heart. I'm asking Him to continue to stretch me and break me in this area. Stay tuned...

Discipleship Through Dance

This is actually my second post about the D3 Movement, but I just have to talk about it one more time! Below is a video of my good brother, Mike Avery, and two of his young apprentices, Devonte & James. Mike is using a God given talent and passion to make disciples of Jesus Christ. It is more than just dance classes/instruction. Mike is spending time with young men, teaching (Doctrine) and modeling (DNA) the truth. Discipleship is not just taught (Doctrine) it is also caught (DNA).

I'm proud of my brother Mike! Check out this video...

God Is Compassionate

I had the opportunity to preach for the first time this past Sunday morning, in my new pastoral role at Living Hope Neighborhood Church. I really enjoyed this opportunity to share this message. I am excited to see what God is going to continue to do in and through His Church here! Although Sunday's message wasn't recorded (because it was an outdoor service), we do upload our sermons to our web site each week, and you can listen to them here.

God Is Compassionate

Luke 10:25-37 “The Parable Of The Good Samaritan”

What is compassion?
Compassion = splagchnizomai (splock-knee-zho-my) is to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity)

Compassion is derived from the Latin words “pati” and “cum,” which together mean “to suffer with.”
Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.
Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.
-the above were taken from Henri Nouwen

“Compassion is to feel someone else’s pain in your heart.” – Pastor Ford

Compassion starts in our eyes --- we see someone in need
It then moves into our hearts --- we feel the pain of others
It then compels us to move our feet ---we act on what we have seen and felt

Compassion is risky, messy, and requires sacrifice!


(1) A Compassionate God

a) The Compassion of His Character
-Exodus 3:7-8; Jonah 4:11; Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14/Mark 6:34

b) The Compassion of the Cross
“Jesus is the Great Samaritan” – Tim Keller
-John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:4-5; Romans 5:8


(2) A Compassionate Church
In order for us to move with compassion we first must be moved by the compassion of Christ. The compassion he showed on the Cross for us, should compel us to show compassion to others.

May we be a Church that is known in the city of Richmond for our Christ-like Compassion!

Glen Kehrein"s "The Stuff Of Urban Ministry"

One of the most impactful classes I ever took at Moody Grad school was "Urban Anthropology & Sociology." It was co-taught by Dr. Fuder, Moody's former Urban Ministry Director, and Glen Kehrein, long time Executive Director of Circle Urban Ministries on Chicago's west side. The Lord really used this class to give me a passion and desire to learn cities: their history, cultures, political systems, city systems, etc. At the time I felt (and I still believe) that EVERY Moody student should be required to take the course, regardless of their major.

During one of our last classes together, Glen shared his Top Ten List, entitled "The 'Stuff' of Urban Ministry. I recently found my notes from that class, and was greatly encouraged by it as I am seeking to learn my new city, and asking God to break my heart for Richmond. I thought I would share these valuable insights from Glen, one of my heroes in the faith.

The "Stuff" of Urban Ministry Top 10

(1) Personal Integrity
-be totally honest with yourself and others
-personal honesty & time will lead to trust

(2)Spiritual Commitment
-Pray, understand God's heart, and follow it

(3)Humility
-Know yourself in order to build God's Kingdom not your own
-Sacrifice = to give up a lesser value for a greater value

(4)Personal Support & Accountability
-From spouse & committed friends

(5)Faithfulness
-Learning from experience without quitting
-Faithful to the calling throughout ups and downs

(6)Define your vision (it is a process)
-Find out where you are going
-Mission + Philosophy(Theology) + Strategy = Vision

(7)Commitment to relationships over structure
-Structure is not the engine, nor is it the caboose either

(8)Resources follow commitment
-People give (time, talent, & treasure) to what they believe in.
-People give resources where they see commitment.

(9)Education (degrees, pedigrees, & OJT's)
-Spend your life learning, formal & self study

(10)The "Need" does not dictate "the Call"
-Even Jesus didn't do it all and get it all done...and He was God

Please be praying for Glen and his family as he battles cancer. He continues to give updates on his treatments as well as what God is teaching him on his blog.

Bye Bye Bye

Some of you may know that it has always been a dream of mine to sing in a boy band. Well, at my YAFR (young adult fellowship) going away bbq I had the opportunity to perform one of my favorite N'Sync songs with some of my close friends. Hope you enjoy it...



With a little bit of practice, I think we can do something more like this...


Stay tuned...

September Praise & Prayer

I have decided that each month I am going to post a praise and prayer blog entry. This will be a way to chronicle how God is at work throughout the year! It is also crucial for me to have people praying with me and for me as I begin this new season of pastoral ministry. Here are my praises and prayer requests for this month...

Praises
1) Engagement!
On the evening of Sunday August 21st I got engaged to Joanna "Josie" Albright! I still can't believe it! Lord willing, we will be getting married in early November!

2) The Move
After 36 hours of driving, we made it safely to Richmond, CA! I am thankful for all of God's provisions throughout this time of transition.

3)New Church Family
I am really thankful for my new church family at Living Hope! They have welcomed me with open arms, and many of them worked hard to get my home ready.

4)New Ministry Team
I am thankful for my new team here who I will be serving with and doing life with. These brothers are going to sharpen me, encourage me, and hold me accountable.

5) Saying Goodbye
-The Sunshine staff gave me two wonderful send-offs. We went on a Spirit of Chicago cruise on Lake Michigan as a staff. They also had a going away party at Sunshine on the Thursday evening before I left. It was a very emotional night for me, and I will never forget that time and the words of encouragement that were given.
-My young adult ministry at Christ Bible Church also threw a send-off bbq for me. It was a great time with my friends, and I left feeling very encouraged!

Prayer Requests
1) Moving Josie
Lord willing, on September 29th I will be flying to Branson. We will be driving a moving truck from Branson to Richmond, departing on Saturday October 1st. Please pray for safety and for provision with all of the moving costs.

2)Relationships
-Pray with me that the Lord would give me new discipleship relationships in Richmond!
-Also, pray that I would consistently continue to check in and encourage the young men I was discipling in Chicago.
-One of my responsibilities at the church will be building networks with other social service agencies and churches in Richmond. Please pray that the Lord would give me favor and authentic relationships with community leaders.

3)Richmond HS
Pray that the Lord would give us open doors of ministry at Richmond High School!

4) Preaching Opportunities
I will be preaching at our church on Sunday September 18th and Saturday September 24th. Pray with me that the Lord would give me the words to say, and that Christ would be lifted high in my messages!

5) Support Raising
I am still in need of monthly supporters. Pray that I would trust God to provide for my monthly support needs.

6) Making Disciples
-As a church, it is our hearts' desire to stay focused on our mission, that of making disciples. Pray that we would not become distracted from this, and that the city of Richmond would be impacted with the Gospel!
-This has been a violent summer in Richmond. There was a shooting again this past weekend. Pray that God's peace would reign here, and that our church would be active in working for the peace of the city!

Please let me know how I can be praying for you! You can email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org

Pray for the Greigs

My good brother Allan and his wife Annie are currently in Swaziland serving the local church and local orphanage through the organization that Allan started, Africa Revolution (AR). AR currently has five interns serving and learning in community there!

I am excited about the things that God is doing in Swaziland and in and through the team of interns there. If you want to read more about AR or the work of the interns, check out the web site and blogs.

Words That Have Stuck With Me