theCityShouldBeDifferent: December 2011

Friday, December 23, 2011

God moved into the neighborhood (No Church Service for theCityChurch on Christmas)

God knew we we in a spot. Stuck in the destruction caused by sin, and unable to get ourselves out of it. So, in His love, He moved...

He actually moved into our neighborhood. He told us he was coming. For over a thousand years, (about 1,400 to 400 b.c.) God send messages telling us that He was sending One to rescue people from their sin. Here is what God told a guy named Isaiah about it:

John was a follower of Jesus, and here is how he put it (John 1:14, The Message):

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.

We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son.

Merry Christmas!

P.S. There will be no weekend services for theCityChurch on Christmas Day. Some of us will be going to the Christmas gathering that another great church in our city, the Waters Edge, is holding at the Rosa Hart Theater on Friday night.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Christmas...preplanned

God's movements aren't random. He plans ahead. And He does so in line with His over-the-top love.

Christmas is a week away. We have 4 girls in our home (5 with the Princes-Wife!), so there is much joy all around!

Sometimes, though, Christmas hits us when there is no fun, or joy. Maybe your Christmas is just a reminder of the person who is not there. They died unexpectedly, leaving a hole in your heart. Or, your spouse just walked away...they don't want to be with you anymore. This might be the tightest Christmas you've had, financially. Of the idea of being around all the dysfunction in your family just sucks the air out of your lungs.

God is not caught off-guard by your circumstances, or mine. He is aware. He is prepared. He's not waiting for you to get your act together and make your way to Him. He knew that neither you nor I could make the trip.

So God got up and moved into the neighborhood, wrapped up in humility. A baby, born to be sacrificed because of the extreme love of the Father, to rescue us. God started this process in the beginning. The video below recounts a handful of the times God told us He was sending Jesus. Let's listen...

I don't know about you, but it is so encouraging to me to know that God knows just where I am at, all my weaknesses and insecurities. All my fret about the future. And He moved into my neighborhood, via the ultimate gift that kicked off this Christmas thing, Jesus.

God planned it out, in advance. Now is the time for us to look up and let Him build faith within us.

Jesus Christ is Born!

theCityShouldBeDifferent

Since #JesusIsAlive, then from #Goosport2Graywood #theCityShouldBeDifferent

theCityShouldBeDifferent.com

a move to Unite theChurchatLakeCharles.us

and Transform the city

through Building Capacity for Engagement

So That John 17:20-23 can happen here, now.

OK, that sounds good, but what does that mean? So here is an Example: We have this enormous industrial expansion headed to SWLA, bringing 25,000+ new construction jobs. There are lots of, say, young men in our area who are not meaningfully participating in the workforce, but who could certainly fulfill the unskilled helper jobs that will be a small portion of this large construction workforce needed. What they need to be ready for these jobs is some hope. We, church, are charter members in the hope trade. So, via relational engagement, we let the young men borrow some hope from us, inspiring some to begin working on improving their character and soft skills, getting ready for this meaningful work opportunity.

There are a bunch of kickers in this real-life scenario.

1.) The industrial construction helpers can make $15 an hour, and typically have lots of overtime. This scenario really stomps on the gas pedal in this way: a new entrant into the workforce in this situation can save enough to buy a reliable car in 1-2 months! That is hope building; dignity establishing!

2.) If we are going to see a thousand young men (that's my vision) pass through this opportunity, we will need a whole-bunch of support systems, meaning mentors, encouragers, soft-skills instructors, rides to work and more.

3.) When we engage with our real-life neighbors, in real-life serving, everyone's character, everyone's faith in Jesus gets a real shot at growing! It's what you call, Discipleship.

4.) When a young man gets a job that can pay $40k a year, they have real options! They can get more education and training. They can inspire those around them to follow them. They can be inspired by those who invested in their life for free and set them up for this situation, and they can help the next group of young men who aren't working get on board.

5.) When people from all corners of the city who are a part of the Jesus story get engaged together on a real-life mission worth doing, one that doesn't benefit any of the men or their churches directly, but the benefits are so powerful and real, then we get to build trust, relationships and capacity and see that Jesus unites and trumps race or class. We get new respect for each other and our capacity to do go and be real brothers is greater than we could have foreseen

...

Are you getting a little glimpse at the picture?

The people who follow Jesus are carrier's of the Hope of the World. We, in the Lake Charles area, have a beautiful opportunity to engage with our community, building relationships and helping lots of people see who Jesus is more clearly.

There is lots more to say, so stay tuned and, if you are intrigued, lean your voice into the mix. Contact Paul Pettefer at 337-794-9891, paul@employmentisbetter.com, @paulpettefer, or stop by the InterGalactic Offices of theCityShouldBeDifferent.com located inside Laundry World, 2712 Lake St, Lake Charles.