theCityShouldBeDifferent: Hope

Thursday, August 11, 2011

When Jesus shows up...Unreal Forgiveness!

At our Worship Gathering this past Sunday, I asked my friend Rocky to share what was going on with him and Jesus this week. I had seen him share several really moving Bible verses his Facebook during the week, so I knew something good, really good, was going on.

As you will see in the video, Rocky shared how God enabled him to forgive a huge hurt that he experienced decades ago...WOW! I didn't know this is what had happened in him this week, but I'm so glad God prompted me to ask Rocky to share.

When we encounter Jesus, stuff in us gets wrecked, and remade in His Image. Jesus forgave us. Now, MIRACLE, we can forgive...and be free!

#JesusIsFreedom
#theCityWillBeDifferent

Friday, April 22, 2011

Worst day...could be the 1 that changes everything

It's in songs, poetry, conversations, tears...and photographs.

Some days are dark. Hard. Sad. Unfair.

It's Friday, the day we honor the death of Jesus, around 2,000 years ago. And when the religious leaders of His day partnered with the government leaders to conduct a sham trial and a brutal execution...it was a dark day.

Jesus hadn't committed any crimes. He'd never even sinned. People spoke lies about Him as cover for the haters. But Jesus didn't even defend Himself. He saw the bigger picture. He understood the timeline of God's Kingdom, and how God's incredible Love Story includes really hard days, like Crucification Friday.

When Jesus was crucified, all His friends, the ones He'd spent three years living with and training as His disciples, they all deserted Him. He was alone, mocked, beaten, humiliated and brutalized. But He saw a bigger picture than that moment, awful as it was.

You've probably been around people when they have had one of these terrible days. I have too. Maybe you are in the middle of that day now. Often, the worst day is the one that changes everything. When you see that destructive and selfish lifestyle has got to change. When you see that relying on yourself for strength, pushing away from God, will not work. When you reach the end of yourself...and turn to God.

The most unfair day in history, when God's Innocent, Holy, Perfect Son was put to death...it's not the end. It leads to the day that changed everything.

It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming.

theCityShouldBeDifferent

Since #JesusIsAlive, then from #Goosport2Graywood #theCityShouldBeDifferent

theCityShouldBeDifferent.com

a move to Unite theChurchatLakeCharles.us

and Transform the city

through Building Capacity for Engagement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

...

Are you getting a little glimpse at the picture?

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

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