tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58100783550325428682024-03-13T16:30:30.797-07:00theCityShouldBeDifferentIf you want things to change (meaning improve, become more productive, families staying strong, young men full of hope and growth, etc.) then you are going to have to do some things differently... (FYI, this is NOT a political statement, but a cultural one). #BuildingLifestylesOfRestorationAndEngagementPaul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-23622288602153832212024-02-10T08:04:00.000-08:002024-02-10T08:12:51.794-08:00Tornados may destroy my home, but they Build My Faith in Jesus! #BirthdayPresent<p style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Up3lyAODuNo" width="481" youtube-src-id="Up3lyAODuNo"></iframe></p><p style="text-align: center;">This video is from the day after a Tornado destroyed my house in 2021. Please BE ENCOURAGED! Let me tell you a true story, and see if it will help us orient our vision around God's character and care for you and me! Love, Paul</p><p>"It's my Birthday! I have a request, call it a Birthday Present you can give me: I have a message of Hope in the Storm to share with you below, and would be honored for you and I so spend a few minutes together in my yard, seeing how we can use ALL circumstances, even a tornado destroying your house, to see the most important things more clearly.</p><p>Love from me to you and yours on this day!</p><p>Paul</p><p>#TrustOurGod #HelpOurNeighbors #LoveOurCountry"</p>Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-11419129568952317522022-08-14T14:33:00.002-07:002022-08-14T14:34:42.474-07:00Hurricane Laura isn't bigger than God. <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="338" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-1kTfyzsbzM" width="635" youtube-src-id="-1kTfyzsbzM"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-64437391188843540352015-12-17T22:10:00.000-08:002015-12-21T15:38:07.095-08:00Helping make Real Life-Shifting Changes: Our DA putting on Expungement Day, Jan 13, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
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<b><b>TO: My Friends, Pastors and
Church Leaders.</b></b><br />
<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Volunteers Needed: Calcasieu
Parish District Attorney Putting on Fresh Start Initiative, January 13, 2016, to
help 250 Participants Apply for an Expungement to help them Get a Job. </b></div>
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<b>70 Non-Attorney Volunteers Needed (no special skills or training required). <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>From</b>: <b>Paul Pettefer</b>, Volunteer responsible for Recruiting Volunteers, <a href="mailto:paul@employmentisbetter.com">paul@employmentisbetter.com</a>, 337-794-9891<o:p></o:p></div>
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Say you have
a problem, a past failure, and you try to overcome it and can't. So you try again, and fail. And you try again,
and the door stays shut. Well, you might
just stop trying.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For many
fellow neighbors in Calcasieu Parish who have a criminal record, this history
stops them on the times they try to turn things around. Stops them from getting
a job, or getting a better job. To work
in most Industrial Construction sites or at the Plants you need a TWIC Card,
and having a criminal record can keep you from getting your card. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Try. Fail.
Quit. Hopeless is not good. Not empowering. That’s where we step in!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our District
Attorney, John DeRosier, has launched the Fresh Start Initiative to help lots
of our neighbors see if they can get an Expungement for criminal records for
Calcasieu Parish arrests and convictions. Many crimes cannot (and should not) be
expunged. But many can. The process has
several steps and can be very complicated. Fresh Start Initiative is a way to
eliminate that barrier. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is John
DeRosier, our Calcasieu Parish District Attorney, on why we should do this, <o:p></o:p></div>
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“My office is concerned that the
inability to obtain an expungement can prevent some individuals from gaining
employment. We believe that gaining
employment provides opportunities for individuals to break the cycle of
criminal conduct, increases the public safety for all who live and work in
Calcasieu Parish, and assists former criminal offenders to create stable,
productive lives for themselves and their families in Calcasieu Parish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Louisiana law allows for the
expungement of certain arrest and conviction records under limited
circumstances. Obtaining an expungement removes the record from public access,
although the record is not destroyed. An
expunged record is confidential but still available for use by law enforcement
agencies, criminal justice agencies, and certain other agencies as defined by
law.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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As a Pastor
with the particular calling to equip the Church toward a Lifestyle of
Restoration and Engagement, I see opportunities like this as God-Given on-ramps
for building our mission! We do this by modeling the behavior we want the
people we are leading to follow (i.e. you and I volunteer and serve), and be
encouraging the people we are leading to do the same!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Volunteers, HOW IT WORKS</b>:</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Our initial Fresh Start Day will be on
Wednesday, January 13, 2016, in the Buccaneer Room at the Lake Charles Civic
Center. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->We will process up to 250 Participants who have
Pre-Registered to apply for an Expungement. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->We will need 40 Attorneys to volunteer, and 70
Non-Attorneys. <b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>I am
responsible for recruiting the 70 Non-Attorneys.<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->We will work 2 shifts: Either 8-Noon, or Noon-4. (Yes, you can sign
up for Both!) <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->We will feed you lunch and have T-Shirts for all
Volunteers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Non-Attorney Volunteers must attend a 1 Hour
Volunteer Training, 5:30-6:30, <br />
either on Jan 5, or Jan 12. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>NO
SPECIAL SKILLS OR TRAINING NEEDED!</b> We need willing people who can attend
the 1 hour training and a half-day (or whole day) shift at Fresh Start Day, Jan
13. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Volunteers MUST REGISTER ONLINE at <a href="http://www.jaclouisiana.org/#!fresh-start-initiative/c1z5j">http://www.jaclouisiana.org/#!fresh-start-initiative/c1z5j</a>
<b>Please Register NOW</b> to stake your
place in this hope-building opportunity.
I really need to know how many volunteers we have.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->I am absolutely available to come and share with
any of you or any group you have about this Initiative. You can reach me paul@employementisbetter.com or call/text
337-794-9891.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The Justice & Accountability Center out of
New Orleans has designed and pulled off similar events several times before,
and they are coordinating Fresh Start, <b>so
our event is Very Well Planned and EXTREMELY ORGANIZED</b> <b>and Professional!</b> You can
volunteer and recommend this opportunity with Confidence that the Volunteers
will have a very positive experience, with a well-run event that serves the
least get a Fresh Start! <o:p></o:p></div>
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FOR PEOPLE
NEEDING EXPUNGEMENTS: Through prior outreach efforts, the DA and the SWLA Law
Center already had hundreds of people requesting Expungements, and as a result,
as of today, we are actually <b>FULL</b>,
with 250 Participants. <b>Thus WE ARE NOT
making ANY Public Announcement to recruit Participants, AND ARE NOT ACCEPTING
ANY NEW APPLICATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS FOR THIS SESSION OF FRESH START</b>. Some may drop out and allow additional room,
and I will keep you informed on any waiting list procedures we develop. Please DO NOT CALL THE DA's office! Keep contact with the person, and be in a position to let them know about future opportunities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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FYI: The Expungement process has $550 in costs to the agencies that work to process the documentation. There may be some possibility of waivers, but the Participants that Register and show up for Fresh Start need to be prepared to fund those costs. If you want to help pay for Participant's Expungement costs, then let me know. There is a fund in the works at the Community Foundation SWLA which may be a good vehicle for such grace to flow into. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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QUESTIONS:
We love questions. Call/text Paul, 337-794-9891 or email <a href="mailto:paul@employmentisbetter.com">paul@employmentisbetter.com</a>. If I don’t know I’ll get it from the DA’s office or one of the other volunteers
helping make this day great!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Your friend
and partner in helping our city feel the impact of God’s Incredible Grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Paul
Pettefer<o:p></o:p></div>
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337-794-9891<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecityshouldbedifferent.com/">www.theCityShouldBeDifferent.com</a></div>
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Since #JesusIsAlive,
then from #Goosport2Graywood, #theCityShouldBeDifferent<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are
some attachments (email me and I'll send them) for you us use: <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Shift Schedule Flowchart. As you can see, the
event will be very organized!<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Fresh Start Initiative Postcard. While we are
FULL at this time for Participants, I want you to see the card, see the Hope
that is carries for people whose past failures are holding them down. As Church
Leaders, we are Hope Dealers and love joining in on <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Screenshot of the Volunteer Registration Page,
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Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-82961013518033213652015-01-22T05:44:00.002-08:002015-01-22T05:44:28.390-08:00How could the city be different?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I bought Laundry World 11 years ago, while I was working as the City President for MidSouth Bank. My passion for living a significant life because of Jesus spurred this on, so I worked 2 jobs for a season (the laundry job exclusively on nights/weekends, which is work!), Now these 11 years later, I'm getting pretty good a the laundry thing.<br />
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What I didn't know would happen when I bought the laundries is how much I would learn about my city. The people I would meet and get to know via having a reason to hang out in a place a lot of lower-income also hung out. I knew that I would make friends there and expected that part to be fun and rewarding, and it certainly has.<br />
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For example, here I am challenging a 21 year old former high school football star to do 10 clap push-up's with me. The other young men did not take me up on the challenge. #Fun<br />
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These young men just finished installing these 14 new washers at the Laundry World location in their neighborhood. You should see how proud they are of this accomplishment. One of the young men has worked for me as an Intern for a year or so, on and off. The other three are his friends. He has been talking to them about character growth, about work and how it is better than he expected.<br />
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That, my friends, is one important way a city gets different. Invest in one. Then they invest in others, learning that productivity beats idleness or victimhood , every time.<br />
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Let's see this kind of move replicated all over the place.Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-47499965436846342732014-10-23T18:23:00.001-07:002014-10-23T18:23:32.120-07:00Moments that Change Everything. 25 Years Ago this very hour...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="396" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vT9F-LA2Pz4" width="704"></iframe>Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-75224494446361041702014-06-26T19:31:00.001-07:002014-06-26T19:32:24.619-07:00Live a life that leads to "Why?" Giving away 300 BBQ chicken quarters (& some Ribs!) at the Civic Center this Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night I had a great time sharing the intro to "The Summer of Friendmaking and Neighboring" at the rockin' Mount Olive Baptist Church. I'll share more about that in a bit.</div>
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The end of the evening I rolled out this week's hangout time of Modeling such a whimsical life: We are going to the Civic Center seawall on Saturday, June 28, with the HUGE BBQ Pit trailer pictured below, lighting up the pit and putting on a few racks of SpareRibs and about 320 chicken leg quarters, and giving all that away to our neighbors there that day.</div>
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Why?</div>
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Why not!! It's fun. It's whimsical. I'm getting pretty good at BBQ, so this is fun stuff, and very tasty!</div>
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We'll be there to start conversations and meet our neighbors. No Strings. No Catch.</div>
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Why? There's a lot to that question, but we will start at the beginning: We want to life a whimsical life that leads people to ask, Why? </div>
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Because God have loved me, I'm here to love you.</div>
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Because serving people is where it's at! We did this same thing, bring this trailer and cook BBQ for a few hundred people (we had never attempted to cook for so many before, but that didn't stop us!) to serve at T. H. Watkins Elementary School this year. We got the 5th graders at the school engaged in helping put on the day, serving their parents for the PTO meeting and school training happening that night.</div>
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Because BBQ is tasty, we're getting good at cooking it, and sharing is fun!</div>
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Because this whole city, from #Goosport2Graywood, is our home, and all it's inhabitants are our neighbors.</div>
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Because everyone here needs a legitimate shot at seeing who Jesus really is. And we think that building relationships is how to see this happen. NOT relationships with an angle, where we are contingent-friends (so long as you come to my church, or so long believe like I believe.)</div>
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Because #theCityShouldBeDifferent</div>
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See you there. </div>
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Paul Pettefer, 337-794-9891, @paulpettefer, paul@theCityChurch.us</div>
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<br />Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-28039267371202354212014-06-06T21:50:00.001-07:002014-06-06T21:50:05.587-07:00What is the purpose of theCityShouldBeDifferent.com? <div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">
theCityShouldBeDifferent.com</div>
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a move to </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Unite theChurchatLakeCharles.us</span></div>
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and </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Transform the city</span></div>
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through </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Building Capacity for Engagement</span></div>
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So That </div>
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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! 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.) ...</div>
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Are you getting a little glimpse at the picture?</div>
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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.</div>
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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@theCityChurch.us, @paulpettefer, or stop by the InterGalactic Offices of theCityShouldBeDifferent.com located inside Laundry World, 2712 Lake St, Lake Charles.</div>
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Since #JesusIsAlive, then from #Goosport2Graywood #theCityShouldBeDifferent</div>
Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-67934644430230942372014-03-25T21:03:00.001-07:002014-03-29T20:51:22.652-07:00Thoughts...and Action about Living on Purpose for What Matters MostOk, for for the next few days, I'm going to put down a Topic and Short Thought, all in the same post. All of them about living on purpose in response to Jesus.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Since we live in 2 worlds, Our job is to be a Translator</span></b><br />
Jesus left Heaven and entered Earth. Creator hanging in creation. While He was here, he was trying to give us a peek into a New Kingdom He was ushering in. This New Kingdom had it's formal entrance when Jesus busted out of the Grave, conquering death, and giving God the opportunity to send the Holy Spirit to remind us of Jesus and lead us into truth. What an entrance! Now we have the kingdom of this world, influenced by Jesus' enemy, "co-existing" with the Kingdom of Our God, with King Jesus reigning. We know, because Jesus told us, how this story will play out. Jesus wins! But in the meantime, the two competing kingdoms are overlapping.<br />
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Our job, with "our" meaning every person who has been transferred from death (old kingdom) into life (New Kingdom) by trusting in Jesus, is to Translate this New Kingdom to those who God loves, who He sent His Son to provide a way out of death for, to those who are in the old one.<br />
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It's easier, beloved, to just stay in the trappings of the New Kingdom and avoid all the stuff in the old one. It's easier to just go to church, spend as much time there and with Christians as possible. To, rightly, point out all the things wrong with the old kingdom and turn our backs on its stench.<br />
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Trouble with that is there is a reason God didn't put an end to the old kingdom already. The reason is He wants people to be transferred from death to life. And if He ends the old kingdom, then such an opportunity ceases to exist. So He's waiting. He's putting up with the stench of sin, holding his nose while we thumb our noses, ignorantly, at Him. He's a kind, loving, gracious Heavenly Father. And He wants all those son's and daughters of Adam to be bought back by the precious blood of Jesus into right standing with Him!<br />
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That's where we come in. Jesus told His 12 disciples to go and as they are going to make disciples. Disciples who would then, in turn, go and as they are going make disciples. And, eventually, that's what they did.<br />
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We are here to translate for those in the old kingdom the values, the Truth, the Hope, the Love, of the New Kingdom.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Gather and Scatter</span></b><br />
I regularly emphasize the need for practical discipleship. That is, learning to follow Jesus is what we are actually doing. Often this includes a compare-and-contrast discussion, comparing the lecture/listening types of training environments that are common in our church life with the doing of being of living an on purpose, on mission life of following Jesus.<br />
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I was recently invited by some cool friends to be a part of an intense discipleship class. Multiple hour gatherings per week, very legit peeps speaking, homework and heavy commitment for a couple months. My reaction included a desire for the participants to take it to the hilt, and include a participation component, where we go and do based on what we learn in the gathering/teaching/learning times.<br />
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I realized that my responses to our teaching/training/preaching times can lead people to think I am anti-gathering, anti-Bible Study. Not So! We need lots of this, and most people who follow Jesus need more, not less Bible. <br />
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What I am saying is that for our discipleship to be whole, to be well rounded and bring about the kind of faith and practice that is city-changing (to keep our key metaphor for discipleship going, that because there are Jesus-followers here and churches full of Jesus-followers then from #Goosport2Graywood #theCityShouldBeDifferent), we need lots of practice in the actual doing. Lots of training like this: you come with me as we mentor a young person, then you learn to do it yourself; you come with me as we cook for folks that weren't expecting it and we start conversations, natural conversations, and include Jesus along the way.<br />
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So I'm all for the Gathering. I love gatherings! AND, I'm all for Scattering. Sending. Going. Being salt and light all over the city.<br />
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My sense is that we, church, need more practice in the Sending part.<br />
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#theCityShouldBeDifferentPaul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-49074559442758558922014-03-19T21:38:00.001-07:002014-03-19T21:57:56.437-07:00Investments. In Relationships<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oYtnnnLzyPph26q9FgnCe6lxW5KdcZqNb40AtSzPNlW3WjePK8V5Y8AdDQpynyypxOmLrqxZzKnOr4QVW8pplP8rj1TrPmQ0a5KNiefpVhScY0YCURcVlg3y2pYGtymfInSg-vMqfA/s1600/IMG_5332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oYtnnnLzyPph26q9FgnCe6lxW5KdcZqNb40AtSzPNlW3WjePK8V5Y8AdDQpynyypxOmLrqxZzKnOr4QVW8pplP8rj1TrPmQ0a5KNiefpVhScY0YCURcVlg3y2pYGtymfInSg-vMqfA/s1600/IMG_5332.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young man at T H Watkins is practicing being interviewed<br />
by KPLCTV about his leadership at his school...Yes!</td></tr>
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We have been hard at work. Making investments. Investments in relationships with the young, the not so young, and in-between. Tonight I'm just loading some pictures of friends and family, of high-points and things that mark a typical day. We have lots and lots and lots to share about city changing, harnessing the opportunities from the upcoming industrial expansion to activate the unemployable because of lack of character readiness, about deploying the church to support that effort. About encouraging and equipping entrepreneurs to practice a lifestyle of engagement with their businesses. About helping others learn to live on purpose, and growing in our own engagement in the process. More on that soon. In the meantime, we will keep investing in relationships! </div>
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#theCityWillBeDifferent </div>
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paul</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqPjxcm3bKvKAMccBSvoHmVwa3coJkzmVFHJTnB49f2g4A7RyhLYbPBhf8qVJrFtS237-EUoOE-_WTvyC8b1WNzmnkemfa1rVU2hG0C0NWuoqn9_Bcy2WM73GE17tAg0PB_cb6y3JZA/s1600/IMG_5655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqPjxcm3bKvKAMccBSvoHmVwa3coJkzmVFHJTnB49f2g4A7RyhLYbPBhf8qVJrFtS237-EUoOE-_WTvyC8b1WNzmnkemfa1rVU2hG0C0NWuoqn9_Bcy2WM73GE17tAg0PB_cb6y3JZA/s1600/IMG_5655.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is in the parking lot, following a 16 hour work day.<br />
We laughed at Buck telling a great story. What a great day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGZT6NglFip6cRzAMKOyVwTwNS3tq_l3_T-fE3q04rb3UMY7A6EBuocIEYdUcI3L12xLJNFXmj40C_6q0w_-RAMbIcEYovdAS9Fv2-iSGohsVaDX9jtDW4kO2l67SshC39x0MwX1SdQ/s1600/IMG_6264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGZT6NglFip6cRzAMKOyVwTwNS3tq_l3_T-fE3q04rb3UMY7A6EBuocIEYdUcI3L12xLJNFXmj40C_6q0w_-RAMbIcEYovdAS9Fv2-iSGohsVaDX9jtDW4kO2l67SshC39x0MwX1SdQ/s1600/IMG_6264.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our crew at Passion 2014. Investments in following Jesus!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfzfLHoUMrkrY2aDkbDO-I4TX5XfrFuJiLd0r48vCQcZQXvMrQ1Co18Pn6qKGit-Kk5j2mM0Nfb1cA03qgEnTswuvs1PMxmH-pPNVMhRYoKXstfNle61A4nTD2iZmtNMW3cP6gs0MVw/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfzfLHoUMrkrY2aDkbDO-I4TX5XfrFuJiLd0r48vCQcZQXvMrQ1Co18Pn6qKGit-Kk5j2mM0Nfb1cA03qgEnTswuvs1PMxmH-pPNVMhRYoKXstfNle61A4nTD2iZmtNMW3cP6gs0MVw/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam getting ready to play the keys at the 3rd<br />
Annual Celebration of Children's Banquet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy_IU68WbEug1T7pAdreHgenjEdxkTyrQznU3eCFknGz7faB4HkyfXtvbGxnEpo0CAUj6dsf2QgAVnuqyZLj-YRlvyb4876vmgO0WxNFvnSiXznTiW2S9T5O7-hA3tp3dNP_8P3vHrA/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy_IU68WbEug1T7pAdreHgenjEdxkTyrQznU3eCFknGz7faB4HkyfXtvbGxnEpo0CAUj6dsf2QgAVnuqyZLj-YRlvyb4876vmgO0WxNFvnSiXznTiW2S9T5O7-hA3tp3dNP_8P3vHrA/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are at T H Watkins, Again! #PartnersInEd</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMELmeORT6uM1nVnKqx-SprcDu9Varr1WrWnmNRyH_B12IxbuJ-Adx6632woIPJXkEV8uJ8wml2J3vWvGjcGYuHBDyMZ2wyJFgB72Aom81y0V9Ub4qXZ06EagygwJMJp8BQqbbMKj5g/s1600/IMG_6359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMELmeORT6uM1nVnKqx-SprcDu9Varr1WrWnmNRyH_B12IxbuJ-Adx6632woIPJXkEV8uJ8wml2J3vWvGjcGYuHBDyMZ2wyJFgB72Aom81y0V9Ub4qXZ06EagygwJMJp8BQqbbMKj5g/s1600/IMG_6359.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you get on of the teachers at T H Watkins in on the<br />
action! These boys are growing, and they LOVE It when<br />
adults invest in their lives.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm9kVbGp7cU9K3-lgUGasd3xJYDi0xuEdqH7s7ETCrMbEM5lEOQQW9dPGpAkMvcWBPjOlAYYqdaXAdYFxcHC15yrZqkfQptodSys5uFStQPDpMjdNJUc0RvNJvFZGeGIeOI9m6gzg7w/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm9kVbGp7cU9K3-lgUGasd3xJYDi0xuEdqH7s7ETCrMbEM5lEOQQW9dPGpAkMvcWBPjOlAYYqdaXAdYFxcHC15yrZqkfQptodSys5uFStQPDpMjdNJUc0RvNJvFZGeGIeOI9m6gzg7w/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This great friend is practicing the art of the party!<br />
We are wrapping up is rockin afternoon of building<br />
friendships! #GoTrent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzJ8Ii7iMYqAQQoUACWAUIOFq78bo2Ouatq_A2KzJemKVgq2c8Snyzi5LFZKkdWWDkpUbtfBOHaKX0bg7on0j9WjKDYr9y_R8sZVBo2IYyF9Daz4ibLvWwwyHhGqqmhFxH22Pylmr1g/s1600/IMG_4002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzJ8Ii7iMYqAQQoUACWAUIOFq78bo2Ouatq_A2KzJemKVgq2c8Snyzi5LFZKkdWWDkpUbtfBOHaKX0bg7on0j9WjKDYr9y_R8sZVBo2IYyF9Daz4ibLvWwwyHhGqqmhFxH22Pylmr1g/s1600/IMG_4002.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I met this young man in 2012, and we've been through<br />
a lot. I have learned much, and so has Nick. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseu0jyKPJKI6I3UvtEkDzhFUoJ4Ti5Zl41EGDL02cUyHzmDilLVt76BPfoqHLPoPqlzQF43YYsimH80BAiaLxLa-mdiihcB1D3tjjzc8eA6o4Zh_1QDdieKKTF43oR2TOjfG-GcLluA/s1600/IMG_4081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseu0jyKPJKI6I3UvtEkDzhFUoJ4Ti5Zl41EGDL02cUyHzmDilLVt76BPfoqHLPoPqlzQF43YYsimH80BAiaLxLa-mdiihcB1D3tjjzc8eA6o4Zh_1QDdieKKTF43oR2TOjfG-GcLluA/s1600/IMG_4081.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young princess made me this hat! #funatwork</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dVJNNXgCaripWo4-BVaQqLES3Ezi07JQMLdokFtHMGCdtjpBKWxv4kaCl8Vqae0jNVrjFcChH6cu8SQz3rMcxzUMbK9tfJT9R8M7_f_mubn3H54qK8W-MeKFHT2cmMBKNoy0hnz1bg/s1600/IMG_4126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dVJNNXgCaripWo4-BVaQqLES3Ezi07JQMLdokFtHMGCdtjpBKWxv4kaCl8Vqae0jNVrjFcChH6cu8SQz3rMcxzUMbK9tfJT9R8M7_f_mubn3H54qK8W-MeKFHT2cmMBKNoy0hnz1bg/s1600/IMG_4126.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are several young man working and growing via<br />
our Internships at Laundry World. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLGVJPt8BgbAmK3LjexZHjwYhsV1Azqj5j2JMyrvOOhuxZHFwq0ejxSMFr8Tk2zsQXjj4F1pje1bDfUvovxVa3jebXEiIBiCs2zvgx9ktBEldwgyXpHivcxm71YeY0cfssdGu9s-x9Q/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLGVJPt8BgbAmK3LjexZHjwYhsV1Azqj5j2JMyrvOOhuxZHFwq0ejxSMFr8Tk2zsQXjj4F1pje1bDfUvovxVa3jebXEiIBiCs2zvgx9ktBEldwgyXpHivcxm71YeY0cfssdGu9s-x9Q/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Victorian, Principal at T H Watkins!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYJteIH-AgsYDvwWlzqrgwYq9bAAK5MGRk8Pmf17B5zbHid1tqbSnPWDoix91a4mgLLDp8R2tE8sDtnLajm-3W4mK4EAYkOkiXRCAdP8Bil0FPqtf4eJAvPBh6gPmvndWus0lprXidg/s1600/IMG_4355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYJteIH-AgsYDvwWlzqrgwYq9bAAK5MGRk8Pmf17B5zbHid1tqbSnPWDoix91a4mgLLDp8R2tE8sDtnLajm-3W4mK4EAYkOkiXRCAdP8Bil0FPqtf4eJAvPBh6gPmvndWus0lprXidg/s1600/IMG_4355.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 1st 5th Grade led cookout for the PTO at<br />
T H Watkins. The Kids LOVE IT when Adults invest<br />
in relationships with them. Chuck and Sam are in the mix!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LpLPYMYu6ls1pF_BH-L0FYhs5ETP_KqHZhdwUG63mySrkqYt488Xmf3L-gCqoDXH8Y89yYXtg2Q9nKqrdZVIcnl5xJz9osRbUWc1AO2Bi0Hs4DjOXvzq7RMHPigVZnxi8Gfkq4DYUQ/s1600/IMG_4671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LpLPYMYu6ls1pF_BH-L0FYhs5ETP_KqHZhdwUG63mySrkqYt488Xmf3L-gCqoDXH8Y89yYXtg2Q9nKqrdZVIcnl5xJz9osRbUWc1AO2Bi0Hs4DjOXvzq7RMHPigVZnxi8Gfkq4DYUQ/s1600/IMG_4671.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's how the city gets different. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKyUQgS9LZoGA9tleSkZk07MnbtYUfYyJjPtu6DehkFDTWgrYwYeAphQb3HTf9uqq0hqpEROQw_BOi8D-txQSH_Bt8gtq9BVUchb-sjDRLiJlK8OMEhHaossdiiQZfJNCMc-WHu2Nqw/s1600/IMG_5068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKyUQgS9LZoGA9tleSkZk07MnbtYUfYyJjPtu6DehkFDTWgrYwYeAphQb3HTf9uqq0hqpEROQw_BOi8D-txQSH_Bt8gtq9BVUchb-sjDRLiJlK8OMEhHaossdiiQZfJNCMc-WHu2Nqw/s1600/IMG_5068.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These artists held the "Hate Violence Movement" at<br />
Lock Park, and we got to be a part.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx92dMCuAg3Hs5HbWnlGg6lGTd99dBameKSfNmpw00Xr58uChQavYWAwojpH2BwMiqpezlh8_Jo8i3mN0bcpBdgUSiJ1stpRIfaoNwQj6DEJ5AOYe0zibnE5XdlkIKXNC28tREsf657g/s1600/IMG_5132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx92dMCuAg3Hs5HbWnlGg6lGTd99dBameKSfNmpw00Xr58uChQavYWAwojpH2BwMiqpezlh8_Jo8i3mN0bcpBdgUSiJ1stpRIfaoNwQj6DEJ5AOYe0zibnE5XdlkIKXNC28tREsf657g/s1600/IMG_5132.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monica Grimoldo from KPLCTV covered our 2nd PTO<br />
Cookout hosted by us and the 5th Graders. We invited her<br />
to come back and teach the kids how to do an interview.<br />
The kids LOVE IT when caring adults invest in relationships<br />
with them! #areyoufindingatrendhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaBz1uvN69AnFaXQTM15C4lZkwUtpXd900D9kfKkLu5CymnOgYmbcRbJ5KdnXouQdfWzBva3XSEBDBx5BnWPBsUSCySXOGMMEz2kfzYtymaK1FqQsWLkTyCvDh0-VjyVdWh790yOgeQ/s1600/IMG_5133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaBz1uvN69AnFaXQTM15C4lZkwUtpXd900D9kfKkLu5CymnOgYmbcRbJ5KdnXouQdfWzBva3XSEBDBx5BnWPBsUSCySXOGMMEz2kfzYtymaK1FqQsWLkTyCvDh0-VjyVdWh790yOgeQ/s1600/IMG_5133.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Ann Polok has been coming to Watkins for several<br />
hours a week, and the kids LOVE IT! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ8OqJf9OTMZLno-uFi1iC0gLUzd1QvrOWWeVr_ZU_z6okptmj7eFzORgXvngUft-IywpfCPE1Wr6bwdVK3OX6RVOZulc8foX8HTPfaR26JxSpryMbwa4m2eaeQ4QVXZmQcKQ83eJXQ/s1600/IMG_5155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ8OqJf9OTMZLno-uFi1iC0gLUzd1QvrOWWeVr_ZU_z6okptmj7eFzORgXvngUft-IywpfCPE1Wr6bwdVK3OX6RVOZulc8foX8HTPfaR26JxSpryMbwa4m2eaeQ4QVXZmQcKQ83eJXQ/s1600/IMG_5155.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, Ms. Victorian and T H Watkins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRhOXHfiGL5AAGF1Moyn6fGaYMfTjiuLz90NajzGftzdXaMvnZpRMKhDhPCPZsNNSmWxtz0mDeAY2WMFE-pAvT0Xs4D-YqeG0NL4ZYcdWXVBYzIrHawe9Khuz7yGDiHq0kW7pHAsWdw/s1600/IMG_5194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRhOXHfiGL5AAGF1Moyn6fGaYMfTjiuLz90NajzGftzdXaMvnZpRMKhDhPCPZsNNSmWxtz0mDeAY2WMFE-pAvT0Xs4D-YqeG0NL4ZYcdWXVBYzIrHawe9Khuz7yGDiHq0kW7pHAsWdw/s1600/IMG_5194.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every Friday morning is Synergy Rally!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oB2EKPgScqavBnqRG1QevGQnVIQygKtacyYyHaqppsikelatVOSX18cBg0mq-oBCUs4nLbWMEg7czmiYHngouPvc538hJxwuGWfLCf-L-GCMSe4iFmow4cIfSPDozpNcrO36Opg5-g/s1600/IMG_5264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oB2EKPgScqavBnqRG1QevGQnVIQygKtacyYyHaqppsikelatVOSX18cBg0mq-oBCUs4nLbWMEg7czmiYHngouPvc538hJxwuGWfLCf-L-GCMSe4iFmow4cIfSPDozpNcrO36Opg5-g/s1600/IMG_5264.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am so proud of these two young men. It's been my honor<br />
to get to be a part of their lives. Here they are working hard<br />
in the middle of the night redoing the ceiling at Laundry World.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2XOS_BwunHrmcjXkMOABQWvV9kYoZ5PTyDULxSagKYjsV6t8n6ggnmyVcNUE-jDfiVfidr-TM6_Kf2OALO7JutaX0WvhW1iL4a0CRjVWWHrO74tAkpAmd69P9-vDu7ASUzwy3xcjDA/s1600/IMG_5611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2XOS_BwunHrmcjXkMOABQWvV9kYoZ5PTyDULxSagKYjsV6t8n6ggnmyVcNUE-jDfiVfidr-TM6_Kf2OALO7JutaX0WvhW1iL4a0CRjVWWHrO74tAkpAmd69P9-vDu7ASUzwy3xcjDA/s1600/IMG_5611.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam and Buck, at work! Learning skills, learning character<br />
learning to lead themselves and others. Work is a great<br />
context for relationship, mentoring and growth in character<br />
and capacity! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfUWVF6WxGfGW_3NgMi16kAY_e1PJ48TKudGJT-9QjVxeqiXQycfBH8bQeNiPBOS6YgQRzpg8T8N9uA2cdmLyowEvh0KjDJGWkojJXeNSGLIcelHm9HFVq6NE6AzpJlinOeygrdt8dw/s1600/IMG_5936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfUWVF6WxGfGW_3NgMi16kAY_e1PJ48TKudGJT-9QjVxeqiXQycfBH8bQeNiPBOS6YgQRzpg8T8N9uA2cdmLyowEvh0KjDJGWkojJXeNSGLIcelHm9HFVq6NE6AzpJlinOeygrdt8dw/s1600/IMG_5936.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother and one of my very best friends, Willie King.<br />
We are at the MLK Breakfast. But you could take a picture<br />
of us almost anywhere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDDO-PpHtHBfF8jGTVmwiKANaKEmeSiCTCQTk0CrhnNXHoOwDXf9rtgbTHfgBoJT1YmlKIpazubqTl_fKL8wfJuFLByKsHKoYoesmHmvae2UcomaOJQ-qcY0HTFcdZ1vr7Yld9mLtEw/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDDO-PpHtHBfF8jGTVmwiKANaKEmeSiCTCQTk0CrhnNXHoOwDXf9rtgbTHfgBoJT1YmlKIpazubqTl_fKL8wfJuFLByKsHKoYoesmHmvae2UcomaOJQ-qcY0HTFcdZ1vr7Yld9mLtEw/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here Buck learns a new skill, pressure washing. This task<br />
has several components for him to grow. More on that later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarMzCyhY7zctVPJvAGgu8rIa_EmiRURRb43aAp9kV-Kdqjk8voOwmZ7MH6eZCEcbstz2Opqr1V8PQzqBY7qjazfKj7dGV1FcDAdva3rb-mTApDoYdmDezoxtJHh5SOAleQZ7vO5vRGQ/s1600/IMG_6143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarMzCyhY7zctVPJvAGgu8rIa_EmiRURRb43aAp9kV-Kdqjk8voOwmZ7MH6eZCEcbstz2Opqr1V8PQzqBY7qjazfKj7dGV1FcDAdva3rb-mTApDoYdmDezoxtJHh5SOAleQZ7vO5vRGQ/s1600/IMG_6143.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the Princess Party that is my life.<br />
These are my wonderful daughters. My biggest investment!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1ACOdSbbyIcJ2_OAz3bolWxbuJVaiieYKwIS105ksjxvd9VteEuz_tdayFQyi6iv8BzUF0mjh5MfbT3gOiPLw980Q7SlecXrKFSsVk1N1U3FvARJMYcrDklkDk2WUkUoNMvqtIUeKg/s1600/IMG_6278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1ACOdSbbyIcJ2_OAz3bolWxbuJVaiieYKwIS105ksjxvd9VteEuz_tdayFQyi6iv8BzUF0mjh5MfbT3gOiPLw980Q7SlecXrKFSsVk1N1U3FvARJMYcrDklkDk2WUkUoNMvqtIUeKg/s1600/IMG_6278.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buck and I at Passion 2014. #InItToEndIt<br />
The red X is to show that we are in it to end<br />
global human trafficking. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB1yELht-_UuXE0uCLRh7d8r1HyDNmjKxbjQVTYTnHqDiVhBEm3L0G-Zao8apR081DySX1zTN_XWtpz0DMn6_KnoQJ2ZoSzuU2IOm8_e1AIiirmS4nRh-_TijCqCfHTwGhfA4TzJ-zw/s1600/IMG_6370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB1yELht-_UuXE0uCLRh7d8r1HyDNmjKxbjQVTYTnHqDiVhBEm3L0G-Zao8apR081DySX1zTN_XWtpz0DMn6_KnoQJ2ZoSzuU2IOm8_e1AIiirmS4nRh-_TijCqCfHTwGhfA4TzJ-zw/s1600/IMG_6370.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mardi Gras at T H Watkins! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM3P2XhNWgGd0wMY8J9eg9xSPavJIFq8wG6GrkN-alBF-Bn2k0aiIh0Hw4Fk6Cmswkel1NZC5DJTJ2zustId7zRW7KEWILl1HoHASItKaCZdhGiaQLqr9PjWqGWUYrz_cY9PJ5kn69A/s1600/IMG_6376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM3P2XhNWgGd0wMY8J9eg9xSPavJIFq8wG6GrkN-alBF-Bn2k0aiIh0Hw4Fk6Cmswkel1NZC5DJTJ2zustId7zRW7KEWILl1HoHASItKaCZdhGiaQLqr9PjWqGWUYrz_cY9PJ5kn69A/s1600/IMG_6376.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Hannah Pettefer. She is Incredible! This was her<br />
3rd year to be a part of the Celebration of Children's<br />
Banquet. Yeah!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAZe1mbUWaw97btZ7qrwAElQlrB1xjiexEfEivHxQJnsKLG4swHMp4AcW3ntbEJbF9xqkpYSql9dzJ2MwuzptbkWmE5je6goSMtIf_-biJLLdd4qPQN0HSTMNL6EpnEvZSZZPOpc75A/s1600/IMG_6406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAZe1mbUWaw97btZ7qrwAElQlrB1xjiexEfEivHxQJnsKLG4swHMp4AcW3ntbEJbF9xqkpYSql9dzJ2MwuzptbkWmE5je6goSMtIf_-biJLLdd4qPQN0HSTMNL6EpnEvZSZZPOpc75A/s1600/IMG_6406.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is April the Beautiful. She is wise and wonderful.<br />
This is our 21st Anniversary #iloveApriltheBeautiful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuP6Pu8iHQf4K5zVoHiIqkS5xPQ_QNxs_h6VaXzHStx0Oem54D-wroY2D7zZcOYokNn1HEjDr75RE5eLnhRj7jAPPguF_0_mmyyMNv8TDldvbny9VypPc2WIG8b5l6DdbnhV5VFfvuQ/s1600/IMG_6419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuP6Pu8iHQf4K5zVoHiIqkS5xPQ_QNxs_h6VaXzHStx0Oem54D-wroY2D7zZcOYokNn1HEjDr75RE5eLnhRj7jAPPguF_0_mmyyMNv8TDldvbny9VypPc2WIG8b5l6DdbnhV5VFfvuQ/s1600/IMG_6419.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Donuts with Dads. I got to speak with dads, and<br />
build new relationships. The PTO is growing and we<br />
so love that!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-59431945314295078332013-10-26T10:15:00.002-07:002013-10-26T10:15:23.647-07:00Hate Violence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAQRKqVjpT5Psh2YNTkzC-6E1rH3KTdlLv2leij_cLLkuAB0l0CQHQlzBLVlXT0dCZIkfAS_LS3Z11Ytk2oktgcuqeuyssfLi_MCL9ue65hARJLZdAfufTeL7pEC_lMfp7YMv12SXbQ/s1600/hate+violence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAQRKqVjpT5Psh2YNTkzC-6E1rH3KTdlLv2leij_cLLkuAB0l0CQHQlzBLVlXT0dCZIkfAS_LS3Z11Ytk2oktgcuqeuyssfLi_MCL9ue65hARJLZdAfufTeL7pEC_lMfp7YMv12SXbQ/s320/hate+violence.jpg" width="213" /></a>Today, a new friend, Jarvis Jacob, is organizing a day to take guns and knives out of hands and put in a pen, a brush or a mic. It's the Have Violence Movement rally in Lock Park, Lake Charles.</div>
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I'll get the chance to share for a few minutes there later today. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I'll be telling the story of violence and her origins, and the way out of soul-death.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh, and for many, part of the process of walking in a new way will include the need for a real job. God is providing for that, too, with thousands and thousands of new jobs in our area in the next decade.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Stay tuned, more to come on both of those fronts.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Because God's Love is Alive, the from #Goosport2Graywood #theCityShouldBeDifferent</div>
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<br /></div>
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Paul</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi21P4gK-Jju2cfXIgfAC0a4a0MURxhDg7Ld_olTX-Rgmtt_eHJ7SSWKSJuVSjC5_3glfLbyy7-fZ_28sgGh_y7imJytb2ks8MjgRGj_7XPgktzxHCMnq52D5fYjXzfCyXxWDtRsjzEw/s1600/hate+violence2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi21P4gK-Jju2cfXIgfAC0a4a0MURxhDg7Ld_olTX-Rgmtt_eHJ7SSWKSJuVSjC5_3glfLbyy7-fZ_28sgGh_y7imJytb2ks8MjgRGj_7XPgktzxHCMnq52D5fYjXzfCyXxWDtRsjzEw/s320/hate+violence2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br />Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-6568439191920061872013-09-25T18:10:00.000-07:002013-09-25T20:49:25.778-07:00Give the Kids an Opportunity: Our 2nd PTO Cookout at T H WatkinsUPDATE: We are so grateful to KPLCTV.com and reporter Monica Grimaldo for covering the 5th Graders and Leaders & Teachers at T H Watkins. What a great story, thank you!<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<script src="http://kplc.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=709623;hostDomain=www.kplctv.com;playerWidth=630;playerHeight=355;isShowIcon=true;clipId=9343731;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=News;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=overlay" type="text/javascript"></script><a href="http://www.kplctv.com/" title="KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana">KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana</a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg96jC0q_H0Efhd3Ksh01iGP2enZbSXRKvVnIVRPuxzx8XvQnhDxl9cupCfh-DFTUsyva_4wLJv9yMjcQuSDJEcEtkhyphenhyphenRemTtlDFec395sOByBmEJ5NOPvz7_kp0MuqT6FErUfoQ-0fA/s1600/IMG_4659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg96jC0q_H0Efhd3Ksh01iGP2enZbSXRKvVnIVRPuxzx8XvQnhDxl9cupCfh-DFTUsyva_4wLJv9yMjcQuSDJEcEtkhyphenhyphenRemTtlDFec395sOByBmEJ5NOPvz7_kp0MuqT6FErUfoQ-0fA/s320/IMG_4659.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look what when we make pathways for kids to serve!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm writing you from the keys of my smartphone
in the Cafeteria at T. H. Watkins Elementary School at 2501 7th Avenue in is
Lake Charles. It's about 4 O'Clock Tuesday, September 24, 2013, and the 5th Graders will be showing up at
4:30. Today is not our first time here. We've come several times already to
mentor kids, give a little money for the school's needs, attend a day-long
training to implement the Leader In Me (Yeah!), and to get reading volunteers
started in 6 classrooms here. There are about a dozen of us engaged at this school,
from a couple different churches, with some more friends ready to get started. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why are we doing this? Well, because this is our
city, full of neighbors. Neighbors to serve and befriend. Neighbors to learn
from and to share learning a with.Also, Jesus said that little children are way
important in His Kingdom, and since we follow Jesus, we say RightOn! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICXZG5kzm0d00Wt98SKkLL2FZGrYSYQnb0edmDywAiAmmAvFnin1jp-vmekHMNJH5pvUXbgRqsBzxv0wMSpWjRy6T06WGjo_Pben20r6GlG3RNAPnTNw4Gc9_92vRv49Ke1qubwtsFw/s1600/IMG_4656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICXZG5kzm0d00Wt98SKkLL2FZGrYSYQnb0edmDywAiAmmAvFnin1jp-vmekHMNJH5pvUXbgRqsBzxv0wMSpWjRy6T06WGjo_Pben20r6GlG3RNAPnTNw4Gc9_92vRv49Ke1qubwtsFw/s320/IMG_4656.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collin joined in the fun...you can smell the welcoming<br />
environment coming off those chicken quarters!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So today our goal is to support the great work
the teachers and leaders are doing here, our part being to make the environment
here more inviting. Like the aroma from the BBQ pit draws you in, the service
of others draws us in. Ms. Victorian, the principal here, told me she has some
great parents here, but sometimes it's hard to get everyone at PTO gatherings,
so I said, "Hey, I'll cook for them, making it easier for them to
come." Then it hit us, since we are doing the Leader In Me at Watkins,
let's lead the oldest kids here, 5th grade, to host the PTO cookout! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPC79nIe9TLL9Zel5EXTem05bb6Ht0PuRWiqyKcGjT2TuSMketNEkEdh3ZDfLZGsIDJ4gLqMwFeUkQGpKaEsf82_VCv5HLs1_tAhpzdFmg468ewAUClanbfHO2f_5dMviNS4bSeYSKKA/s1600/100_1996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPC79nIe9TLL9Zel5EXTem05bb6Ht0PuRWiqyKcGjT2TuSMketNEkEdh3ZDfLZGsIDJ4gLqMwFeUkQGpKaEsf82_VCv5HLs1_tAhpzdFmg468ewAUClanbfHO2f_5dMviNS4bSeYSKKA/s320/100_1996.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Hollier teaches 5th grade, and her kids were fantastic<br />
servants today, soaking up the leadership learning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So a few weeks ago in August that is what we
did. It was fantastic! Kids were engaged and they so impressed us and the staff
and the parents. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBtcs1n_XfVbrPdNMbj0rycVoNEcJzaX2lD_V3rSwDqmxqtUqMuh8i2sBMtFtuZp8J-kR9ivcJ6eO2NBwkwDMYgM2qpfLw2kIlUvyIgBRLZPOm1WFnvKsf2O1gPGvxtGiqy4kko80Fw/s1600/IMG_4662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBtcs1n_XfVbrPdNMbj0rycVoNEcJzaX2lD_V3rSwDqmxqtUqMuh8i2sBMtFtuZp8J-kR9ivcJ6eO2NBwkwDMYgM2qpfLw2kIlUvyIgBRLZPOm1WFnvKsf2O1gPGvxtGiqy4kko80Fw/s320/IMG_4662.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This awesome dad was the designated rib cutter.<br />
They were fall-off-the-bone, so his station was smile central!</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since they were faithful with first things, we
want to give them more responsibility and opportunity. So today we are cooking
ribs and chicken for the parents and families for Math Night at Watkins! I'll post some more pics and story later. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are doing this because God has already loved
us. And now we can love others, no strings, no catch. We are doing this so that
our city can have a more clear view of who Jesus really is. The way that
happens in my world is through relationships. There won't be any preaching from
me tonight, and we're not sneaking gospel tracts onto the rib plates. We are
here with an ultimate motive, but never an ulterior motive!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ItiXbngpBGoRKCbRu5p-y38jgoD_ysj60TfsyRTl5q-_V5j3pLHkC2m69kP1YNthSed63cVwUJxPUNRCu24zke4-zZl75RDsiGd1AeL_mURb-_3CFxxLExrrNf5bm7aDx0vAeBoHDw/s1600/IMG_4660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ItiXbngpBGoRKCbRu5p-y38jgoD_ysj60TfsyRTl5q-_V5j3pLHkC2m69kP1YNthSed63cVwUJxPUNRCu24zke4-zZl75RDsiGd1AeL_mURb-_3CFxxLExrrNf5bm7aDx0vAeBoHDw/s320/IMG_4660.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the parents and kids learned at Math Night, all 200+<br />
of us enjoyed the Ribs & Chicken dinner. Serving that many<br />
in a few minutes was a bit of a blur. <br />
The T H Watkins team were tireless servants!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Because Jesus is alive, then from Goosport 2
Graywood, theCityShouldBeDifferent.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the Ribs and Chicken should be way tasty!</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Our goal at T H Watkins is to have 50 people from at least 5 different churches engaged at this school this year. The teachers have been asked and given us times and places to go read to the kids there, and let them read to you. About 30 minutes a week, lots of times available. We're ready, so get in the game! paul@thecitychurch.us or call/text Paul 794-9898, twitter @paulpettefer, or ryancnugent@gmail.com</b></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">Signed,</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">Paul Pettefer, lead volunteer servant to the city</span></div>
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Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-32789770503927606552013-09-25T06:12:00.001-07:002013-09-25T06:12:34.734-07:00Serving just takes the Want To - Our 1st PTO Cookout at T H Watkins, Aug 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASC1eWedESUmLOTtekOf2z8RgNchJUVeCT6LUz2RT3OgseQx8tWpoyI-2mqzEYRC8mQEGk0LZLtT69kAJWdtWYoypyFIgg72QCSAceXU8Qb8GGm-bOVLK85I7nx_-xR0Krn8WVysOtg/s1600/IMG_4343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASC1eWedESUmLOTtekOf2z8RgNchJUVeCT6LUz2RT3OgseQx8tWpoyI-2mqzEYRC8mQEGk0LZLtT69kAJWdtWYoypyFIgg72QCSAceXU8Qb8GGm-bOVLK85I7nx_-xR0Krn8WVysOtg/s320/IMG_4343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last year I was able to get to share briefly with the Elementary School Principals of Calcasieu Parish about Engagement and getting more people volunteering to help the schools accomplish their mission. Ms. Godfrey, Assistant Principal at T H Watkins Elementary School called me and asked me to come to their school and work with a student who had some challenges. I'm so glad she did! <br />
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Several good things have transpired, one of which is we were able to serve the school by providing a meal for the families who attended the 1st 2 PTO meeting this year at T H Watkins. Even better than that, however, is that we allowed this opportunity to engage the 5th Graders at Watkins in the work.<br />
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The 5th Graders help in planning, preparing, cooking, serving and cleaning up. <br />
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They were so engaged in the August PTO that we decided to do it again in September. Since they were faithful in the 1st things, they were given more, and the menu went from burgers and hot dogs in August to Chicken and Ribs in September.<br />
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Here are some pic's from the 1st PTO in August. We'll add more to the story tomorrow.<br />
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<br />Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-88644230799812033212013-04-03T15:45:00.006-07:002013-07-15T05:05:40.025-07:00"Doing God's Work Outside of Church - Investing in what matters most" Editorial in Today's American Press<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today, we'll just share what others, like our rocin' local paper, the American Press, and our engaged television station, KPLCTV, are saying about people who follow Jesus letting their lives engage with their neighbors in their city...doing God's work. (The pictures and video at the bottom are from Good Friday at Sunlight Manor.)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Editorial, April 3, 2013</td></tr>
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Lake Charles American Press, Editorial: Doing God's work outside of church: Investing our lives in what matters most</h3>
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013</div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the grand scheme of matters, it was a small gesture, yet one with powerful possibilities.</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">On Good Friday, leaders and members of several churches gathered at the Sunlight Manor apartments and McMillan Park to help salve wounds from a tragedy. Mere yards away nine days before, three young men had been gunned down. Children in the neighborhood heard the gunfire that night and awoke to yellow police tape.</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Within steps of where the trio had departed this life, these children, working alongside adults, sawed wood, hammered nails and painted three benches in memory of Jeminskian J. Arvie, 20, Jermaine Galmore, 23 and Fitzgerald Tremayne Guillory, 20.</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Two organizers, the Rev. Braylon Harris of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and Paul Pettefer, pastor of The City Church, sought to turn tragedy into triumph. They decided at a community prayer meeting two days following the shooting to produce an all-day event geared to returning joy to the park and connecting young people with adult mentors.</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘‘The wake of destruction coming from the decline is so powerful, it is sweeping over us,’’ said Pettefer. ‘‘The awful terror in McMillan Park ... like the tragedies preceding it, such as when three people were killed in one weekend in December, are signs for us to do more than just wring our hands, or say, ‘‘Somebody should do something!’.’’</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Harris said besides activities such as an Easter egg hunt, tugs of war, jumping ropes and Hula Hoops, organizers wanted to inform area residents about mentoring programs like the Leader in Me and Stop the Madness that helps support at-risk youngsters.</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘‘There is one race, which is the human race, facing one problem, which is evil and destruction, with only one possible solution, which is the love of God,’’ said Harris.</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">He said to stop the rising ‘‘waters of violence and terror’’, it’s time to ‘‘build a levee of love, from Goosport to Graywood, one handshake, one rice scoop, one bending down to tie a shoe and this week we will do it one Easter egg, at a time.’’</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">The significance of such an event held on Good Friday was not lost. Good Friday is the darkest day in the Christian world when Jesus Christ was crucified. From that came the most critical day in Christianity, Easter morning when Christ rose from the grave.</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘‘We believe,’’ said Pettefer, ‘‘that a transformation of culture is what is needed in our city, and a huge part of that rests with the full-on engagement of its citizens, led by the people who belong to this resurrected Jesus, the Church, to invest our lives in what will matter forever, which is people.’’</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘‘ ... This is not just a south Lake Charles problem, not just a north Lake Charles problem, not just a white problem, not just a black problem. No, we believe that destruction like this is a King of God problem, and that the solution is that the Church united in bringing God’s overwhelming love to bear.’’</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">In essence, Harris, Pettefer, pastors of other churches in Southwest Louisiana and their flocks are mindful of the Bible’s Book of James which advises that ‘‘faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.’’</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">They are proof that what happens outside of the four walls of a specific church is just as important, if not more so, than what transpires inside.</span></div>
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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">This is as good as time as any for pastoral leaders and their congregations to take inventory and ask, ‘‘What works are we involved in?’’</span></div>
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<span class="ABriefhead" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">This editorial was written by a member of the </span><span class="AEndnote~sep~R" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">American Press</span><span class="AEndnote~sep~R" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Editorial Board. Its content reflects the collaborative opinion of the Board, whose members include <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bobby Dower</strong>, <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jim Beam</strong>, <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Crystal Stevenson </strong>and <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Donna Price.</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X8PRwl7_bncg3yMlIGQzVmpJLBNs5GvMHfpyjkEHFIk6T64kB5RCwIwpCfzuRBv2TnwqWkJX097ccJJLKF5gLOuUh8_sNoGLCRq6bHdlOkOWwovS3QeZOOW6IX2vVHFQPH7lgaxVog/s1600/IMG_2655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X8PRwl7_bncg3yMlIGQzVmpJLBNs5GvMHfpyjkEHFIk6T64kB5RCwIwpCfzuRBv2TnwqWkJX097ccJJLKF5gLOuUh8_sNoGLCRq6bHdlOkOWwovS3QeZOOW6IX2vVHFQPH7lgaxVog/s640/IMG_2655.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures of Good Friday in Saturday, March 30 Paper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_rlmx2ccRuX_DnhyehsA8xF3KAikQO5ftusTAkWa4L5uQ_oITszF5ZE-mL_QO6dC0-QXxWbS9MLJODUquWYdBpjJKRBSLOok9uCMVw32jIuIjstv37w3TkztemjK50Ko5qgSsx3FhQ/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_rlmx2ccRuX_DnhyehsA8xF3KAikQO5ftusTAkWa4L5uQ_oITszF5ZE-mL_QO6dC0-QXxWbS9MLJODUquWYdBpjJKRBSLOok9uCMVw32jIuIjstv37w3TkztemjK50Ko5qgSsx3FhQ/s640/IMG_2654.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Page Story of Good Friday at Park, <br />
Saturday, March 30, 2013 American Press</td></tr>
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Link to the text of the editorial: <a href="http://www.americanpress.com/AP-Editorial-4-3-13">http://www.americanpress.com/AP-Editorial-4-3-13</a></div>
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<h3>
Lead News Story KPLCTV on Good Friday at Sunlight Manor/McMillan Park</h3>
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<a href="http://www.kplctv.com/" title="KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana"><script src="http://kplc.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=675035;hostDomain=www.kplctv.com;playerWidth=630;playerHeight=355;isShowIcon=true;clipId=8723968;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=News;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=overlay" type="text/javascript"></script></a><a href="http://www.kplctv.com/" title="KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana">KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana</a></div>
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Montage of video clips on Good Friday: Arrival, Egg Hunt, Bench Building</h3>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="405" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ozanMgq0fH8" width="720"></iframe><br />
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<h3>
Good Friday at the Park from the eyes of 8 year old Jeremiah!</h3>
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Prayer and Bench Dedication at Good Friday</h3>
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<b><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="405" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FBS9BsYeP8Y" width="720"></iframe></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymRKpZjHFc-jXPZL3QlAIM31KnVopKrsDGVyUabpK5H4S-HT_HOt9DDNzMu12hFfCovd-qweW_AfooHc_FZUVeexTb8UPKFzetpJk6MyrTj8CyZM0jDQbDSgEnEld8a1sHpOEziZdDg/s1600/IMG_2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymRKpZjHFc-jXPZL3QlAIM31KnVopKrsDGVyUabpK5H4S-HT_HOt9DDNzMu12hFfCovd-qweW_AfooHc_FZUVeexTb8UPKFzetpJk6MyrTj8CyZM0jDQbDSgEnEld8a1sHpOEziZdDg/s640/IMG_2510.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the "Amen" of the opening prayer, the children dashed out to<br />
find thousands of eggs, kicking off Good Friday at Sunlight Manor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcTxS7Be8enCm7BebIaVEJCn2yLf_C_2hO5n2qvq3xvS23T7y4MiP7RH__Ka5rp8kpxwKulm7cUAKFdYoulAlspFmuHzDTryI8-CaGKcukzMjc7ppnMttD0FSRfSRmBAHoZ7mbIZ4og/s1600/IMG_2526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcTxS7Be8enCm7BebIaVEJCn2yLf_C_2hO5n2qvq3xvS23T7y4MiP7RH__Ka5rp8kpxwKulm7cUAKFdYoulAlspFmuHzDTryI8-CaGKcukzMjc7ppnMttD0FSRfSRmBAHoZ7mbIZ4og/s320/IMG_2526.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These young men are already in a mentoring<br />
group at a nearby church - that's what we're<br />
talking about!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFdlIkGfwJB8Z8LnTqbpYYW_9P7qwd0bBt3B5SZptK9spvTisMsXqRP79yQsAI1Xi3uTTaeqDL4H6S_oQT__b0se3us2rfKZNdjnO2A0kB0it7ib_R2fRNaiBEryMzAdEJ9OR91J-0g/s1600/IMG_2533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFdlIkGfwJB8Z8LnTqbpYYW_9P7qwd0bBt3B5SZptK9spvTisMsXqRP79yQsAI1Xi3uTTaeqDL4H6S_oQT__b0se3us2rfKZNdjnO2A0kB0it7ib_R2fRNaiBEryMzAdEJ9OR91J-0g/s400/IMG_2533.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young people are participating in building the memorial<br />
benches (under very close supervision!)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4LR81dmLPMLYtN7X8MOcRbv483deuMJUseFE-yljNqZ5i34Cv-KNAcy9wUA_UpwvsUuq8FCyAgku6Bs9LMJ4FNO3OyRmpUlci8udh4jnkIGCzhN4s5o5RJvR7yxukyw47M1fROGGag/s1600/IMG_2530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4LR81dmLPMLYtN7X8MOcRbv483deuMJUseFE-yljNqZ5i34Cv-KNAcy9wUA_UpwvsUuq8FCyAgku6Bs9LMJ4FNO3OyRmpUlci8udh4jnkIGCzhN4s5o5RJvR7yxukyw47M1fROGGag/s320/IMG_2530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCUGjW7lq0h22Sz58lPp54o42aBYNd20udR45rYMHePa6cuFEBl9zIgkQx30ejjSKpwcO6PFuzC343yfKQ-8IEgCZ02puzOeb4hyphenhyphentSkLWZZS4uIJRosGRYGlbkwPHpdhps8qCxvPNig/s1600/IMG_2537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCUGjW7lq0h22Sz58lPp54o42aBYNd20udR45rYMHePa6cuFEBl9zIgkQx30ejjSKpwcO6PFuzC343yfKQ-8IEgCZ02puzOeb4hyphenhyphentSkLWZZS4uIJRosGRYGlbkwPHpdhps8qCxvPNig/s320/IMG_2537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Mayor, Randy Roach, gets in the game on the bench<br />
building (he was quite skilled on the table saw!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaJ9LK_jmcrquTkxuKltvXhY591OKBPeaZsryw07xd9Ryd1He2dFcO1ZfT8QzrkysyHVuvYOt3Dp0gBAzYWeYdu_OnqcOHupZ8pmHMvYJ3_pCmtfplrCSEI2eR8PlT_b-qgQ3PR-NLg/s1600/IMG_2536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaJ9LK_jmcrquTkxuKltvXhY591OKBPeaZsryw07xd9Ryd1He2dFcO1ZfT8QzrkysyHVuvYOt3Dp0gBAzYWeYdu_OnqcOHupZ8pmHMvYJ3_pCmtfplrCSEI2eR8PlT_b-qgQ3PR-NLg/s400/IMG_2536.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a group of young people who are already being<br />
mentored by the adults at the park on a regular basis!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIm-TW2PFiqgVWGH6RZHvV7fwjsZD81TpZe1wf6WvEJ2_29rVPv7sfktNrlAckIEMjFwA4OynqIq6T_MFMX61djg0-LOTYqVG1zKpVF3wGaSOAgGJaIMWzVE5md4YO_3YcBAKKhZUAw/s1600/IMG_2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIm-TW2PFiqgVWGH6RZHvV7fwjsZD81TpZe1wf6WvEJ2_29rVPv7sfktNrlAckIEMjFwA4OynqIq6T_MFMX61djg0-LOTYqVG1zKpVF3wGaSOAgGJaIMWzVE5md4YO_3YcBAKKhZUAw/s320/IMG_2540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bench #1 is completed!<br />
(We still have the 3rd bench to complete, and will do so<br />
in the couple weeks following Good Friday)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-L8dxhro1QMdo_KGuGT6Co8BsWDbveE84YBgYcK_LPkqNDGtVv8qLC8FuDzb6VQ8OWc_n2c1YeZIfEIp7rWJvIruyx0uIhBSjq32qYqWPw1Ifl_2wQabScx16o-BFIqaOi4aLoEhqw/s1600/IMG_2539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-L8dxhro1QMdo_KGuGT6Co8BsWDbveE84YBgYcK_LPkqNDGtVv8qLC8FuDzb6VQ8OWc_n2c1YeZIfEIp7rWJvIruyx0uIhBSjq32qYqWPw1Ifl_2wQabScx16o-BFIqaOi4aLoEhqw/s320/IMG_2539.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two headed up the kids activities - it was a blast!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw6K_zVjSTX6MPL0zss3aDbW_vKZp0WvZneKUt06wJbf10bioGpJfSQEzblTVjBV7JzjVVilVoEASgxHY_FxgPRgQ4fal2QqfS85DkdDDC3eVpneJvutaPRRmNqY-MsS7C_9lcDaDMg/s1600/IMG_2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw6K_zVjSTX6MPL0zss3aDbW_vKZp0WvZneKUt06wJbf10bioGpJfSQEzblTVjBV7JzjVVilVoEASgxHY_FxgPRgQ4fal2QqfS85DkdDDC3eVpneJvutaPRRmNqY-MsS7C_9lcDaDMg/s400/IMG_2541.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More young people participating in the construction of the<br />
memorial benches!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3469Esd0fqENjX0RqkoqeW0fULJ212s8TJeqmRamoV6D07lgStUC-9TGRC24dbn-lhQN7SvlczxMQjRsHjOC5bNxgO3CsgdUAGY6-tSi8daU6v7-wpiq5ISYRdBUyikJOYIY7cRsmQg/s1600/IMG_2547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3469Esd0fqENjX0RqkoqeW0fULJ212s8TJeqmRamoV6D07lgStUC-9TGRC24dbn-lhQN7SvlczxMQjRsHjOC5bNxgO3CsgdUAGY6-tSi8daU6v7-wpiq5ISYRdBUyikJOYIY7cRsmQg/s400/IMG_2547.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prayer and bench dedication were moving!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlUrxcMvyCvg5li7qfjBrGIt_Fn2PsSybpLII0F4ZJh8O5MLOUnWtHkJ9UbTVvS6jgsM6nvRh59X-Ye5BkrivW1x8xfA69gV09M4wRCplFh9nQZ3zZM4xstFqvBHEMDD5S1epLjWP5g/s1600/IMG_2549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlUrxcMvyCvg5li7qfjBrGIt_Fn2PsSybpLII0F4ZJh8O5MLOUnWtHkJ9UbTVvS6jgsM6nvRh59X-Ye5BkrivW1x8xfA69gV09M4wRCplFh9nQZ3zZM4xstFqvBHEMDD5S1epLjWP5g/s320/IMG_2549.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These three young men are remembered.<br />
#theCityShouldBeDifferent<br />
#Goosport2Graywood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VvdUv8d_K7NJgnNzSxqdF-fn1ccz_UWRozY_k-DB3h_xDIs80mJR3PzvvuaB88VUcCPyBjly1fAp0brJ5DKSnqahyphenhyphen4YcI4JY-ucromQYMTokStywIPtojpu0wS2_Cfje8BOtJXcc7g/s1600/IMG_2551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VvdUv8d_K7NJgnNzSxqdF-fn1ccz_UWRozY_k-DB3h_xDIs80mJR3PzvvuaB88VUcCPyBjly1fAp0brJ5DKSnqahyphenhyphen4YcI4JY-ucromQYMTokStywIPtojpu0wS2_Cfje8BOtJXcc7g/s320/IMG_2551.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk and Worship Gathering to conclude the day<br />
were powerful! #JesusIsAlive</td></tr>
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Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-85151070361139876202013-03-23T18:19:00.002-07:002013-04-03T15:35:55.956-07:00Love Is Alive in Lake Charles: Good Friday at Sunlight Manor - When the Good News of Jesus intersects the bad news of culture failureGOOD FRIDAY UPDATE: Today was GREAT! We are so proud of theChurchAtLakeCharles, with over 20 churches and business collaborating to host a day of joy for children, remembrance and compassion for the families who lost 3 sons last week, and a day of life-on engagement where caring adults spent time with young people. THANK YOU to those who contributed to the effort with your time and resources.<br />
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If you are interested in being a Mentor, or are looking for a Mentor, we will be posting some specific phone numbers of the 1st New Life Baptist Church's mentoring group shortly. Until then, you can call/text/email Paul Pettefer, 337-794-9891, paul@theCityChurch.us and we will get you connected to them.<br />
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Because #JesusIsAlive, then from #Goosport2Graywood #theCityShouldBeDifferent<br />
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Where tragedy and destruction had their moment, the people who follow Jesus want to have something beautiful rise up out of the ashes, like young men and boys developing mentoring relationships. So on Good Friday, March 29, 2013, at the site of the 3 murders just two days ago, a group of ministers and friends will be hosting #GoodFridayntheLC. Be there and begin your lifestyle of engagement.<br />
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The primary actionable goal at the end of this day is to connect boys and young men who come with Jesus-following mentors. <br />
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From Goosport to Graywood, theCityShouldBeDifferent<br />
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If you want in, just contact us, paul @ 794-9891, paul@thecitychurch.us<br />
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Why we should be doing this (recorded 2 days before the Sunlight Manor killings):<br />
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Flyer for Good Friday at Sunlight Manor (feel free to share!):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aWAeMNligo8uXwsqW6FpGQjCNVJw_ROqBsJuNYNfa74drBHZm_mg9A6AMGejayvIotrRbz2UMgMs-bGGU-rudagENmFCPWkHw_hXIdiqz7QTsrbK0iuckJCMx8P97Z2x3Li4OD593Q/s1600/sunlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aWAeMNligo8uXwsqW6FpGQjCNVJw_ROqBsJuNYNfa74drBHZm_mg9A6AMGejayvIotrRbz2UMgMs-bGGU-rudagENmFCPWkHw_hXIdiqz7QTsrbK0iuckJCMx8P97Z2x3Li4OD593Q/s400/sunlight.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kjl1spWcIltV0FL-E3iYzj9t7jcw2PYaEFZZw9M3nISpjeyX0ZNxFlZ3IsN_rC1vgaKaVNKoI9vLcw4Qigq3fOmY78JqkV3sdrbiGpq9vZapdotBeDKs2abQs8XXrkTxklbrWGNBBg/s1600/mount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kjl1spWcIltV0FL-E3iYzj9t7jcw2PYaEFZZw9M3nISpjeyX0ZNxFlZ3IsN_rC1vgaKaVNKoI9vLcw4Qigq3fOmY78JqkV3sdrbiGpq9vZapdotBeDKs2abQs8XXrkTxklbrWGNBBg/s400/mount.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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News and Images on the 3 killings:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3c8WaSkHMHEzXgb7_hDkSN0ULZufj3o6YtDPsUBYhzLzKAeL6__iU4DMBtFyGszXDNqBo4ah0bEkTb1ryaTC5JoCJHfQwe-qqr7N4UBja6g_rXBpsw2zTkWQDtJLDhWCDyKvo9WvvxQ/s1600/sunlight+manor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3c8WaSkHMHEzXgb7_hDkSN0ULZufj3o6YtDPsUBYhzLzKAeL6__iU4DMBtFyGszXDNqBo4ah0bEkTb1ryaTC5JoCJHfQwe-qqr7N4UBja6g_rXBpsw2zTkWQDtJLDhWCDyKvo9WvvxQ/s320/sunlight+manor.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The night of the 3 killings, March 20, 2013, Sunlight Manor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD677kmyN2CylKBr7kz1K0hmxdLmy-ADhrkEHXOqiv0edCyZ82M6xfKck2Tm0zopzD790Q9qrcgQLCAD_M9sPMHF5enr7dFlMpL7vqWHT8AsCtfjBZaQxkbOEML0pYZtBjWQc4EaZ3ow/s1600/hadnot+triple+murderer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD677kmyN2CylKBr7kz1K0hmxdLmy-ADhrkEHXOqiv0edCyZ82M6xfKck2Tm0zopzD790Q9qrcgQLCAD_M9sPMHF5enr7dFlMpL7vqWHT8AsCtfjBZaQxkbOEML0pYZtBjWQc4EaZ3ow/s320/hadnot+triple+murderer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suspect is arrested. How tragic for the victims, and for him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpt1bP_zQb7cJ2rmBTLibCEvb2TAkE0pQxZ_CC9Abe3sxMlCzjEjTEfLzSOc28b1eukvaSB3J5LOA44LihbocnjfMnJIj54qOVHmC3akkvSSmG4d4zHhC2tVD498Et1K9P4z7NW2YGw/s1600/scene+of+killings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpt1bP_zQb7cJ2rmBTLibCEvb2TAkE0pQxZ_CC9Abe3sxMlCzjEjTEfLzSOc28b1eukvaSB3J5LOA44LihbocnjfMnJIj54qOVHmC3akkvSSmG4d4zHhC2tVD498Et1K9P4z7NW2YGw/s320/scene+of+killings.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The families all grieve. Such horrible loss. We pray for them.<br />
And we take steps to bring God's love to the city.</td></tr>
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The 3 photo's above are from KPLCTV.com<br />
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Stories from AmericanPress.com<br />
<a href="http://www.americanpress.com/Three-dead-in-shooting-at-McMillian-Park">http://www.americanpress.com/Three-dead-in-shooting-at-McMillian-Park</a><br />
<a href="http://www.americanpress.com/Car-linked-to-fatal-shootings-found">http://www.americanpress.com/Car-linked-to-fatal-shootings-found</a><br />
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Here are the stories from KPLCTV.com:<br />
<a href="http://www.kplctv.com/story/21752781/shooting-investigation-possible-homicide">http://www.kplctv.com/story/21752781/shooting-investigation-possible-homicide</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kplctv.com/story/21762266/residents-gather-at-mcmillan-park-to-grieve-encourage">http://www.kplctv.com/story/21762266/residents-gather-at-mcmillan-park-to-grieve-encourage</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kplctv.com/category/240197/new-video-landing-page?clipId=8680608&autostart=true">http://www.kplctv.com/category/240197/new-video-landing-page?clipId=8680608&autostart=true</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kplctv.com/story/21769483/authorities-release-details-in-arrest-of-triple-homicide-suspect">http://www.kplctv.com/story/21769483/authorities-release-details-in-arrest-of-triple-homicide-suspect</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kplctv.com/story/21773194/lcp">http://www.kplctv.com/story/21773194/lcp</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kplctv.com/story/21760106/triple-homicide">http://www.kplctv.com/story/21760106/triple-homicide</a><br />
<br />Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-48244371360768511202013-03-14T14:45:00.002-07:002013-03-15T13:02:42.374-07:00Engagement lifestyle: the city needs us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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The more I live in Lake Charles, the more I open myself up to new opportunities, being around people who are like me and people who are not like me, the bigger God swells my heart. And the more excitement and burden I feel about connecting the people in our city, starting with the church. The kind of connecting I'm talking about can start in all kinds of ways, but funnels into this truth: If you and I live in the same city/parish, then we are neighbors, and we belong to each other.</div>
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The family is getting weaker and weaker, and that is leading our culture into a terrible spiral of self-destruction. Government can't fix it. There isn't enough money in Ft. Knox to pay for what the lack of a healthy family costs. </div>
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But God...</div>
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But God can and will use the people who follow Jesus to bring the values of His Kingdom to bear here. </div>
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The city need us, theChurchAtLakeCharles.us is what I'm talking about here, to engage and transform the culture. One child, one loving act, one sacrifice, one new friendship where suspicion used to reign at a time.</div>
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Because God's love is alive...theCityShouldBeDifferent</div>
Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-20727603544536636992013-02-19T15:17:00.002-08:002013-02-25T19:02:51.206-08:00Celebration of Children 2013<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0H7F-9vxhfqdP7AbkeNWZ3pJhy6EZWGI8ULXaoFNFC6EXschakjEZ9HiIq8ROyz1Pe6Ws_uEg4Jsio1jHtLh8CEbSktxG3Lz69NhKDH86DWleR6o9sxPuHziySY8-cDziVY_IsRbsQ/s1600/Ticket+front+-+Chapter+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0H7F-9vxhfqdP7AbkeNWZ3pJhy6EZWGI8ULXaoFNFC6EXschakjEZ9HiIq8ROyz1Pe6Ws_uEg4Jsio1jHtLh8CEbSktxG3Lz69NhKDH86DWleR6o9sxPuHziySY8-cDziVY_IsRbsQ/s400/Ticket+front+-+Chapter+2.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PdxAx2e8tzTeBnGmYXqZd9O28jBKcnHxKJ-r29phNT8ovJ9YyCoFl_bNBdNFuK1f9kiMbTyBnUcHOftsq_1Zht7V3jTV-G_wt6OQcuTIh9KFvbrlnW2GAnDJSCckgm0C1qP5Lx6vBw/s1600/Ticket+Back+-+Chapter+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PdxAx2e8tzTeBnGmYXqZd9O28jBKcnHxKJ-r29phNT8ovJ9YyCoFl_bNBdNFuK1f9kiMbTyBnUcHOftsq_1Zht7V3jTV-G_wt6OQcuTIh9KFvbrlnW2GAnDJSCckgm0C1qP5Lx6vBw/s400/Ticket+Back+-+Chapter+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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theCityShouldBeDifferent is about bringing people into a lifestyle of engaging in making the Kingdom of God more tangible in our city. For those of you who follow Jesus as Lord, savior, lover of your soul and provider of everything we need, this lifestyle of engagement, where all our lives (our home, work, church, hobbies, our serving others) is a very natural response to meeting this God and encountering His overwhelming love!</div>
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Next week, some volunteers, a group of friends, is coordinating a banquet. It's not just an ordinary banquet, it's a Celebration of Children, and children, 5th grade to High School, will do all the serving, speaking, singing and presentations. The children are drawn from the classes where these volunteers have served as mentors, and they will share stories of the impact that volunteers who engaged in their lives had on them. </div>
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AMIKids.org is the beneficiary of the proceeds of this year's banquet. AMI serves youth who have gotten into trouble, and they see tremendous results in giving them hope and the tools to change. "Seperating a troubled past from a bright future" is their goal, and AMI Kids SWLA is doing a good job.</div>
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While the evening has a fundraiser component, it's mainly about the event - seeing the children demonstrate that they can do more and grow and learn to contribute to the needs of others.</div>
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You should come and see! </div>
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<ul>
<li>Hot Button Editorial by KPLCTV, <a href="http://www.kplctv.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=5509391&h1=Hot%20Button%20Editorial:%20The%20Tipping%20Point&vt1=v&at1=News%20-%20Editorial&d1=125066&LaunchPageAdTag=Promotion%2027&activePane=info&rnd=14968777" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">here</a> (He did this following the Celebration of Children Banquet last year).</li>
<li>Highlights from the 2012 Banquet: <a href="http://www.homeworknight.com/2012/02/voices-of-children-banquet-was.html">http://www.homeworknight.com/2012/02/voices-of-children-banquet-was.html</a></li>
<li>Highlights from the 2011 Banquet: <a href="http://www.homeworknight.com/2011/02/celebration-of-children-banquet.html">http://www.homeworknight.com/2011/02/celebration-of-children-banquet.html</a></li>
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Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-3598755538365781752013-01-21T18:24:00.001-08:002013-01-21T18:24:04.869-08:00I have decided to stick with Love #MLKday #InagurationDay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"And I say to you, I have also decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems. (Yes) And I'm going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn't popular to talk about it in some circles today. (No) And I'm not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love; I'm talking about a strong, demanding love. (Yes) For I have seen too much hate. (Yes) I've seen too much hate on the faces of sheriffs in the South. (Yeah) I've seen hate on the faces of too many Klansmen and too many White Citizens Councilors in the South to want to hate, myself, because every time I see it, I know that it does something to their faces2 and their personalities, and I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. (Yes, That’s right) I have decided to love. [applause] If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love." </blockquote>
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Where Do We Go From Here?" Annual Report Delivered at the 11th Convention of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, August 16, 1967, Atlanta, GA.</blockquote>
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The reason that Love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems is because Love comes from God. And what we need in this nation, my beloved, is God.<br />
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As Dr. King so powerfully portrayed in word and life, Justice and Love are Inextricably intertwined. That, too, is because both are a reflection of the character of our creator.<br />
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Today is a celebration of the life and work of Dr. King, and this MLK Day shares with it a great American ceremony of freedom as we Inaugurate the 2nd term of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama. What a remarkable and wonderful testimony to the progress of our nation that black men went from the unspeakable horror of being the property of a slave owner, to this day where a black man is reelected as President of the greatest nation on Earth. Dr. King and other courageous souls presided over the tension of racial segregation and oppression, particularly in the South. He believed that the bank of justice was not bankrupt - and, lo, it is not! <br />
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The progress between the bitter, violent, oppressive segregation of the 1960's and today is beautiful.<br />
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But the need is still so great.<br />
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And the need today is for Cultural Transformation, from the inside out.<br />
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#ihaveadream<br />
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<br />Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-50195860728530473012012-12-24T06:28:00.001-08:002012-12-30T07:03:17.167-08:00Concert FOR the City - Friday, 7 pm, Dec 28The concert was GREAT! We worshiped Jesus, and could feel His presence in our praise. We raised hundreds of dollars for the two great causes, Oasis Calcasieu Women's Shelter, and Backpacks for the homeless in Atlanta. Huge GoJesus to the Water's Edge Gathering for allowing us to hold this in their Community Theater, and to theCityBand for wanting to be the best band for the city!<br />
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We planned on airing this short talk at the event, but technical issues prevented it. But we have it here now: Jesus it the Hope For Our City<br />
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(The video about the break-In at Laundry World on Christmas Morning is <a href="http://youtu.be/MMXnra2tCoU" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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Here are Sam Turner and Paul Pettefer in front of the Oasis Women's Shelter sharing about the work they do, our story of simple engagement there, and the upcoming concert:<br />
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theCityBand has a goal: to be the best band FOR the city! So, this Friday they are throwing down a concert with 100% of the total proceeds going to the Oasis Women's Shelter and Backpacks for the Homeless. Here is band leader Sam Turner announcing: Concert 4 the City! <br />
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We have a couple of short videos describing the concert, why we picked the causes, and how you can engage! $10 a ticket, 100% of the proceeds go to the two causes!<br />
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You can buy tickets online and read more about the event <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5055946472/efblike?fb_action_ids=10151400633947625&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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(You can see more videos from theCityShouldBeDifferent on our YouTube channel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/paulpettefer?feature=mhee" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
www.theCityShouldBeDifferent.comPaul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-78304798859449187832012-12-07T15:56:00.002-08:002012-12-24T09:05:41.836-08:00Stories Collide: Brokenness and her child, death (3 killings in 1 weekend)...and God's Transforming Love!UPDATE, DEC 15 - Paul and Braylon on 2nd ave...a response to Newton, Conn<br />
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PRAYER VIGIL, DEC 9, 2012, Lake Charles Civic Center -Hosted by Baptist Minister's Union (Six prayers offered, videos being uploaded now):<br />
<a href="http://www.kplctv.com/story/20301261/local-ministers-working-to-stop-violence-city-wide">http://www.kplctv.com/story/20301261/local-ministers-working-to-stop-violence-city-wide</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braylon Harris and Paul Pettefer pray for the families of the deceased.</td></tr>
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Today (Dec 7, 2012), a couple of friends went together to trace the path where darkness had it's day last weekend, as three different altercations ended in violent deaths in Lake Charles.</div>
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Paul Pettefer and Braylon Harris made it to two of the sites today, praying for the loved ones grieving such tragic losses and praying for a transformation in our city. The pair are a part of a movement of people who follow Jesus who want see our culture transformed - a transformation propelled by God's love.</div>
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Those burying loved ones this week are calling for an end to the violence that cut short such young lives this past weekend. </div>
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We cry with them...crying to the God who made the world for Good, and hurts at the brokenness displayed in our city this week. And in response to our cry, we are calling for the people who follow Jesus in our city to bring the full-on, love-infused lifestyle of God's truth and grace to bear on our city. </div>
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Here are a couple of initial activity points: </div>
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<li>Watch the videos we will be posting here, comment below, join in the conversation on Facebook (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/paulpettefer," target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/paulpettefer,</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theCityChurch" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/theCityChurch</a>). </li>
<li>Some friends are planning to gather and be in the Louisiana Avenue neighborhood (just North of Prien Lake Road) Saturday, December 8, about 4 pm. Meet with us there as we pray, share some love from God and be good news to the neighbors.</li>
<li>There is multi-church prayer vigil planned for Sunday at 5:30 at the Civic Center. Join us there as we pray for the transformation of our city. <a href="http://www.kplctv.com/story/20281444/lake-charles-residents-invited-to-prayer-event-sunday" target="_blank">http://www.kplctv.com/story/20281444/lake-charles-residents-invited-to-prayer-event-sunday</a></li>
<li>We are working with friends to develop simple pathways for people to get engaged with social service agencies in the city. Our goal is to have hundreds then thousands of new people volunteering and engaging in changing the culture of our community - no kidding!. (For example, our little group held a party today for the after school kids at the Women's Shelter.)</li>
<li>If you are connected to a church, then engage your life and heart there in following Jesus. Use this site can be a source of encouragement as we, as an entire church in Lake Charles. move more and more into an active, full-life engagement in transforming our culture.</li>
<li>If you are not connected to a church, we want you to know God is for you. And so are we.</li>
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Feel free to contact Paul Pettefer at 337-794-9891, or paul@theCityChurch.us to join in your voice to the conversation. Email paul to get updates from theCityShouldBeDifferent.com. <br />
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Paul leads www.theCityShouldBeDifferent.com, a movement oriented ministry whose objective is to be a catalyst to change the city. Braylon is the Pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church, which meets at 600 N. Simmons St, Lake Charles. <br />
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Here is one of the stories from KPLCTV tonight: <a href="http://www.kplctv.com/story/20292192/batiste-funeral-broken-hearted-call-for-stop-to-violence" target="_blank">http://www.kplctv.com/story/20292192/batiste-funeral-broken-hearted-call-for-stop-to-violence</a></div>
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<script src="http://kplc.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=935194;hostDomain=www.kplctv.com;playerWidth=630;playerHeight=355;isShowIcon=true;clipId=8045200;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=News;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=overlay" type="text/javascript"></script><a href="http://www.kplctv.com/" title="KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana">KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana</a></div>
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We are capturing a number of responses and will be providing them to you here. Below are two from today. (Both of the videos below are the same conversation, in two parts.)</div>
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Check out more video at your Youtube page, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/paulpettefer?feature=mhee" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/user/paulpettefer</a></div>
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We will be adding more over the weekend, and welcome your voice into the conversation. </div>
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Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-70358237956904948472012-11-11T06:04:00.000-08:002012-12-03T10:36:54.751-08:00Tell a Different StorytheCity has a gathering of our group as a Missional Community, currently on Wednesday evenings. Text/call paul @ 794-9891 to meet with us. #RockOn #theCityShouldBeDifferent<br />
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Our goal is not to grow a church. Nor to grow all the churches in our community. <br />
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Nope.<br />
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Our goal is for the people who follow Jesus in our city to engage in a ground game of becoming good news to the people around them - bringing the values of the Kingdom Jesus came to usher into this world to bear wherever there sphere's of influence are. And to connect our sphere's of influence with needs in our community, bringing the Kingdom's values with us. <br />
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For example, it's an affront to the values of the Kingdom that Jesus is King over for women and children to live in fear of violence from the man in their life. The Oasis Battered Women's Shelter is a place for such to find a safe place to rebuild, restart. They are doing valuable, Kingdom work - so let the people who follow Jesus bring our lives in to partner and support this good work. (There are other examples - we will keep sharing them, so stay tuned.)<br />
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When we serve others without strings, we will be given a place of honor in people's hearts we will get a wonderful opportunity, one you couldn't get from other means, to tell why we are doing this - it's because I follow Jesus and Jesus cares about people. <br />
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When the people who follow Jesus here are living out this engaged, missional, life, the church will grow and theCityWillBeDifferent. Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-64324429558115230382012-10-26T07:37:00.001-07:002012-10-28T06:34:51.288-07:00#theCityShouldBeDifferent (serving this weekend at Elem School; Cemetery Cleanup; Non-Profit Fundraiser)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28th - We will gather at Paul's House (call/text 794-9891 for easy directions) to Celebrate and Evaluate the 3 service initiatives we did this week, encourage each other, and to keep learning and stretching for what's next! #theCityShouldBeDifferent</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9w14L71gmIzIqqX0odnYcda1Jz5T9PiLrwh4ryfxvVEPneOt2OKQ4eaBZARVe85xRa2VonOWreWWynO1atpBeX-bxDVQVL6E8Fgs3PJMN0IcIgVd3LUrm3ns8-ctEEjxxka31Gizhw/s1600/tcsbd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9w14L71gmIzIqqX0odnYcda1Jz5T9PiLrwh4ryfxvVEPneOt2OKQ4eaBZARVe85xRa2VonOWreWWynO1atpBeX-bxDVQVL6E8Fgs3PJMN0IcIgVd3LUrm3ns8-ctEEjxxka31Gizhw/s320/tcsbd.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Yes, the world is full of catchy motto's They can sometimes be very helpful in moving us toward something meaningful. Or they can be a words-only cliche, that never pays off on the promise the motto brings.</div>
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I like words and communication, so I toy with phrases and ways to communicate. It seems I can't go through a day without finding a metaphors to try to explain life, reveal the Gospel and it's implications for all of life. </div>
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#theCityShouldBeDifferent is a call to life bigger, to lean into the power that comes from God for the transformation of the place we live. It's a mandate for the people who follow Jesus in this city, and the churches in this city to be for the peace and prosperity of our place. To serve without strings, not hiding the truth that we wish everyone knew and followed Jesus, but to serving the city, the least <b>because </b>we know and follow Jesus - we will love others no matter what.</div>
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Much more to say...much more to live.</div>
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ACTION UPDATES: </div>
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TONIGHT we serve by helping put on the "Dance with Our Father" daddy-daughter dance at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Lake Charles. Call Paul, 794-9891, for info or to help.</div>
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TOMORROW we serve helping cleanup a neglected cemetery. Call Paul to come help. </div>
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AND we will be volunteering at Wheels of Hope to benefit the St. Nicholas Center for Children. Go and ride tomorrow! <a href="http://www.stnickcenter.org/">http://www.stnickcenter.org/</a></div>
Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-39789186125405595482012-10-20T14:15:00.003-07:002012-10-20T14:15:42.510-07:00Simple things: living life on mission is not complicated<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
TOMORROW's SUNDAY GATHERING NOTE: </div>
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<li>We are gathering tomorrow, October 21, at Glen & Jordan's House. Call/text paul at 794-9891 for easy directions. </li>
<li>Sunday Night we are planning to go to First Baptist Westlake for a Youth Night with a cool guy coming to share and theCityBand leading worship!<br /></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Simple things: living life on mission is not complicated</span></div>
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When we want something to change, we have this tendency to look for complex or huge ideas in order to see that change come to pass. Usually, however, sustained growth starts and is sustained by simple things, done as a way of life. What I mean by "way of life" is that it becomes who I really am and how I live everyday. Not just when I go to an event or a church meeting. And while some of the things we try or dream are big and involve more than just a couple of people (thereby making them more complex), the building blocks of growth and change are usually simple. </div>
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Last night, some of the young men in our church (early 20's) "kidnapped" (with parent permission) a young man and took him on a little man initiation evening. Nothing complicated. But it communicated that the young man was a part of the movement, important and valuable. And it was fun. </div>
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We are on the #90dayjourney, and so much of what we are learning to practice is SO NOT COMPLICATED! Take the simple ideas from today's exercise:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-BjcPOUE14B649zm6PTuEqmCS03gk8IOeeOoVqYpADhi80EptidgSSWhBk_42OeCkubZOzcoM7_8tNcs6pASMNmN1BV8HQIcNMwPiBvjUhi4oVOcPVr6UMc6vVq87VaJVyiXEkRt5w/s1600/IMG_1138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-BjcPOUE14B649zm6PTuEqmCS03gk8IOeeOoVqYpADhi80EptidgSSWhBk_42OeCkubZOzcoM7_8tNcs6pASMNmN1BV8HQIcNMwPiBvjUhi4oVOcPVr6UMc6vVq87VaJVyiXEkRt5w/s320/IMG_1138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of the steps we are taking require coordination with others, such as the non-profits we want to work with. That takes planning and preparation. You can't short cut that work. But if we just wait for someone else to do the planning and set things up, and we skip the lifestyle change that Jesus calls us to (to be oriented around being a blessing to other people, helping them see who Jesus really is by the way we live and the words we say) then we will stay pretty much in the same place. </div>
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Don't wait! Start right now. Expect God to grow you and your heart for Him and others as you follow Jesus and love others, including the least of these.</div>
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<br />Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-62848295188145945762012-10-13T17:07:00.001-07:002012-10-14T06:27:18.982-07:00A prayer for foolishness... (Meeting at Paul's house tomorrow - you r welcome!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtwdkElBCL7ajcYL1oLv6o7EZzQR12Jx7iKCVNt7dTYdYowYI4u-uRj9fjrTgIW4x8scYGv3w0KZ7IxPeyZEigpOieSMci0dMg3PAEsu1wv7uKZSSQO85ELcwyLWs6SAAegQeyp2uJg/s640/blogger-image--614808146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtwdkElBCL7ajcYL1oLv6o7EZzQR12Jx7iKCVNt7dTYdYowYI4u-uRj9fjrTgIW4x8scYGv3w0KZ7IxPeyZEigpOieSMci0dMg3PAEsu1wv7uKZSSQO85ELcwyLWs6SAAegQeyp2uJg/s640/blogger-image--614808146.jpg" /></a>"And may God bless you with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done." A Franciscan Benediction<br />
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There are plenty who say, "the problems are too big, what do you really think you can do?" <br />
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I love that question! It forces us to realize we are dependent on God, who said He is able! Putting reliance on God is quite foolish to those who have averted their gaze from His incredible grace... So keep looking up; God has given us a sign of how He works. It's a cross where trust in God was complete and an empty tomb where God's triumph over sin, death, evil, brokenness are guaranteed for all who trust. <br />
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We are to be faithful, to lean into His willingness to bring His Kingdom more more into our world. <br />
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I believe God can use His followers here to change our city!<br />
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Tomorrow is week 3 on our #90dayjour ey. The Barefoot Primer is leading us to consider God's mercy this week. We will assemble our 50 mercy kits to share with the homeless tomorrow as we gather for equipping at Paul's house, 10:45 Sunday, October 14 (text paul 794-9891 for directions). We will share a meal from the grill and watch some Cowboy football from noon-3. <br />
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Love, paul<br />
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#thecityshouldbedifferent <br />
#postsfromtheroadPaul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-15523223684048403162012-09-26T21:57:00.000-07:002012-09-29T20:08:45.619-07:00theCityChurch begins season to focus on serving the least...Day 1 of 90 Day Journey, 9-26-12 #cancelworshipservicesfor90days<br />
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<b><u>SUNDAY GATHERING INFO: </u>We will NOT meet at Stellar Beans on Sunday's, from September 30 till Christmas. We WILL be meeting as a community on mission together to equip to serve others, including the least, or to go and serve. Why the change? Well the video above and text below, and the last few posts will give you the picture. THIS SUNDAY we are meeting at Paul's house from 10:45-Noon. You are welcome to join in on the 90 Day Journey. Need directions? Call/text/email/tweet Paul, 337-794-9891, paul@theCityChurch.us, @paulpettefer. </b><br />
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How do you feel about adventure? It's fun to watch on movies, but in real life, it can be scarry! <br />
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As a church, we recognized something in recent days: that we were fairly equipped to having worship gatherings, but were not nearly as equipped to serve others, especially the least of these...so we are doing something to remedy the situation: From now until Christmas Day (90 days) let's focus all we do on learning, as a team, to be others oriented, that is, to learn to serve others, especially the least of these. <br />
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That means we have canceled our regular Sunday Worship Gatherings, and are spending our energies on learning to serve others. For a pastor of a church, that, my friends, is a little scary! We are using an incredible resource, the Barefoot Church Primer as our primary tool in walking us through the first part of this process. It's a daily walk our whole church is doing together. Oh, and the author of the book and the primer (a daily guide) is walking us through this with a daily blog (here is day 1, today, <a href="http://barefootprimer.wordpress.com/2012/09/22/week-1-day-1/">http://barefootprimer.wordpress.com/2012/09/22/week-1-day-1/</a>.<br />
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Our journey using the Primer will have us gathering as a Missional Community on Day 5, which is Sunday Morning, and our first week is at Paul's house (email paul@theCityChurch.us. or text 794-9891 for directions). <br />
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Keep checking out theCityChurch's website at <a href="http://www.thecityshouldbedifferent.com/">www.theCityShouldBeDifferent.com</a>, or on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theCityChurch">www.Facebook.com/theCityChurch</a> for updates and to participate. <br />
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Join in with us anytime, or bring the 90 days to your church or group!<br />
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Because God's love is real...theCityShouldBeDifferent<br />
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paulPaul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810078355032542868.post-70291154459025838312012-09-08T10:21:00.001-07:002012-09-08T10:21:24.023-07:00Baptism Party on River TOMORROW (No Gathering at Stellar Beans)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tomorrow, we will NOT meet at Stellar Beans, but are gathering at 116 Villa Drive, Westlake (<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=116+Villa+Dr.+Westlake&hnear=116+Villa+Dr,+Westlake,+Louisiana+70669&gl=us&t=m&z=16" target="_blank">MAP</a>) at a great house on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River for a Baptism Party! <br />
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<li>Worship Gathering concluding in Baptism from 10:45-Noon</li>
<li>Party on the River (including pool, boatriding, jet ski's, brisket, music, friends, fun) from Noon until tired!</li>
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You are welcome - and invite a friend! Questions or need something, call/text paul 794-9891</div>
Paul Petteferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02117511061644650518noreply@blogger.com0