Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Merry Christmas!!! and Merry Making...

This weekend was very satisfying. The work of love changes lives... Our lives...

Saturday we had a gathering at Kathy Henry's house (a very full house at that). Mostly people who have shared our journey in the neighborhood for the longest... I challenged people in a short devotion to consider Mary the Mother of Jesus and her willingness to allow God to radically alter the whole of her life so history could be made. Would you let God do whatever so God's good could reshape history in and through you??? And Jesus still knocks at the door of our hearts... Revelations 3...

Sunday was a gathering of LA ST. Prod. The possiblity that God has already let one generation of active members continue in their own course and opened up a new generation of new souls to journey through this community is a real possibility. What that looks like is yet to be seen. It was really good to meet both the old friends from the group and some of the folks who are looking for a context to grow in and through... MAY GOD LIGHT OUR PATH.

Monday InnerChange sponsored one of the "LA Posada" celebrations at the Cambria building. We had a blast being embraced at the heart of a this Annual Christmas celebration that we had a small hand in kindling... that has helped nurtrue a sense of community in that building over the years.

Love is the only power on earth that can change an enemy into a friend. Martin Luther King
We were once enemies of God. Saint Paul

Merry Christmas... the love of God is why I celebrate...


Thursday, December 09, 2004

A copy of a posting from "My New Biblical Diet Blog"

I have been very busy. So I have had less time to stop and share tangilbe meals with friends. But my discipline has made me more aware of those around me that are hungry. The irony that I start reaching for food in response to stress has added a smile to my face; Now it is another reminder to pray for my friends and not just another craving. We pray, "give US this day Our daily bread."

This year I around before the Thanksgiving holiday I prayed for Turkeys. A prayer that comes from having hungry friends. I asked a church contact that had provided Turkeys for Thanksgiving last year... they had already promised the food to others... Latter on they came through with 3 bags of food but no actual turkeys...

Now I am not talking about handing out Turkeys to strangers... but to hungry Friends and Neighbors.

Wednessday night the day before Thanks Giving... I was on the way to celebrate a friends Birthday (a Shout out to David... we are just growing older... and hopefully wiser...) ... Christy who works for APU called me up on Jude's Cell phone and said they had placed a student with an organization... that chose to support the striking Hotel and Restaurant workers in Los Angeles by providng food for the holiday. They came through for them with plenty. They had extra food and 100 extra turkeys to give out.

That same day Dan a friend and past IC intern was visiting with Kathy and Reina in our neighborhood. They were able to go and pick up 15 Turkeys. More than we needed. (I am learning that God can answer prayers without me being part of it; this is the flip side of learning that sometimes God's provision is within my power and responsibility.)

The fun part of this is the "more than enough" that was provided at the last minute for more people than I had thought of... and we still have a couple Turkeys to share... and so it goes...

Thank you God!!!

Thank you Christy for being the unplanned connection for this secrete prayer request. Thank you all who have been involved in being part of this answer to prayer.

When we know those whose needs are greater than what we have to give... it gives us a chance to learn to pray... to cry out to God!

See Isaiah 58...
and Share your food with the Hungry ; )

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Today's Mix

Here is a list of some of what I spun today on my Internet Radio show:


1. Track05 0:35 Martin Luther King
2. Track03 2:26 Blackalicious Arrow
3. NeverGive Up 3:17 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
4. T-BoneSpeaks 0:32 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
5. Standto the Glory 3:49 Ruth Naomi Floyd With New Eyes
6. Gone 3:45 Switchfoot Gone
7. Track07 1:57 RadioHead OK Computer
8. Track01 4:02 Steve Taylor Squint
9. TheNations of the World 1:48 Animaniacs
10. TheyAll Fall Down 5:23 Grits
11. Resplendent 5:02 Bill Mallonee & Vigilantes of Love Audible Sigh
12. Track11 1:07 Hildegard Von Bingen
13. Track06 3:21 Matt Redman
14. Track01 3:52 Staind
15. Zombie 5:06 Cranberries
16. Stuckin a moment you can't get out of 4:32 U2
17. Track06 3:55 Tobby Mac
18. Track28 4:41 Rez XX
19. AnyDay 3:45 Zehnder Breathing
20. The Blind Boys of Alabama a full 30 minutes of Gospel blues

Thursday, December 02, 2004

A Prayer request From Willie

Hello Folks,

Willie has asked for prayer today.

Currently he is a temporary employee. His immediate boss wants to hire him permanently, but it has to be approved by the “powers that be” in their company.

Please pray that they would approve his hire.
The issue isn’t Willie, but that they usually work with temporary people, which is cheaper for the company.
The decision will be made Friday or Monday.
Thanks,
Jude & John... for Willie

My Current Worship Mix

I sent a few friends a copy of my current favorite worship songs. (Let me know if you want one.) What some find surprising is the range of the kinds of music I like. I love all kinds of music... from Tazie, and Jazz, to Gospel and HipHop, from Hard Rock to Munk Music... Track # 9 from the HIPHOP Group Cross Movement is thick with our yearning for our eternal Home. What music draws your heart towards God??? The most important thing is that our hearts and affections are drawn towards God's Embrace. This is what I'll spin on my show this comming Tues.


1. Track 03 4:02 Taize
2. Path of Life 4:47 Ruth Naomi Floyd With New Eyes
3. There is a Redeemer 3:13 Kieth Green
4. Track 03 4:51 Apt Core #2
5. Track 06 3:21 Matt Redman
6. Track 07 3:18 Julie Miller Orphans and Angels
7. Air 4:18 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs
8. Espiritu Santo Venga Aqui 5:42 Costarica Vinyard
9. Track 09 4:28 Cross Movement
10. Track 11 4:38 John Micheal Talbot Come to The Quiet
11. Tu Primer Amor 4:00 Giovani Aniversaio
12. Track 09 4:19 Forever After
13. Track 03 2:24 Mahalia Jackson, The Greatest Gospel singer In the World
14. Track 09 4:20 Kieth Green
15. Bargin 4:57 Rez XX
16. It is Good 4:47 Beth Meres Tree
17. Multiply Your Love 5:03 Andy Park All I Need

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

The verb of my late Father-in-law Mark Tiersma.

The Verb of my late Father-in-law Mark Tiersma was Gratitude in all things. I am finding this a good season to practice this in the midst of chaos... and the sense that every day is a gift is gripping my soul in a deeper way than ever before.

Happy ThanksGiving to all with much love.


  • I am glad that my friend who was homeless for a few days is now renting an appartment that he can afford.
  • I am glad to recieve art supplies from a stranger during a yard sale... just because what we are doing is something he wants to contribute to...
  • I am glad for the hawk I got to see up close... there is wild life in the city skies... and it is not only pigeons and crows (which are also cool to me).
  • I am glad for the generosity of friends who buy hats at yard sales ; ) and chose to pay much more than I ask for it... and how I was able to pass on this generosity to others...
  • I am glad for neighbors who feed neighbors when they are hurt and hungry.
  • I am glad for the gift of over 15 turkeys for neighbors... an answer to prayer this Nov.
  • I am glad for generous churches, unions, and foodbanks.
  • I am glad for old interns who visit and find themselves right back in the mix... even if it is for a day -- Thanks Dan!
  • I am glad for two great new team players with us in LA InnerChange: Rikki and Kristin.
  • I am glad for Doctors and all who are wise in the healing arts.
  • I am glad for a loving wife and life partner... We are coming up on 10 years now.
  • I am glad to make the love of God and Neighbor my highest aim.

I thank God for this and much more.

Friday, November 19, 2004

Pray More and Nothing can seperate us from the Love of God

This Week has been about getting a friend out of harms way. We all have a past... and many of us wish we could change the realities of that past... We become tired at some point at hurting others and ourselves... and those of us who find God and work the 12 steps of AA / NA also seek to make amends whenever we can... but to do that we have to be safe and stay safe... Avoiding the people, places, and things that might hinder God's work in our hearts.

One of my friends this week chose to become homeless rather than take the path of violence... I respect that. We got to share our small home with him for a couple of days... Not enough room for 3 of us in our humble home...

We recovered as much of his stuff from his old appartment... and God ansewred our prayers quickly for a new home...
We moved his stuff into storage one day and two days latter we moved his stuff into his new home.

What others intended for evil God has worked out for our good to the glory of His name and praise -- Less rent in a safer environment.

We will by God's grace seek to live, love, and return only good for whatever comes our way, in order that we may become on the inside more like Christ -- Romans 8 and Ephesians 3:14-21.

Pray that our faith will become stronger having once again gotten tested. May we grow the seeds of love and grace that can sustain us and the coming generations. May God's peace rest on all that read this...

JAW1

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

We continue to find Joy in the midst of the Drag of Life

Norma called me this morning. Her son is in the hospital with a blod clot in his leg. She and her daughter both have the flu... and she is still recovering from her car accident. She so much wants life to get back to "normal". Her neighbors have poured out a tremendous amount of love in this season. She has not hardly had to cook a meal since her car accident. This is one of the strengths of our neighborhood -- its loving hospitality. She is very thankful to God for the many answers to prayer in the journey.

Kathy Henry also asks for prayer for a mystery illness... maybe caught in her sacrificail work at Clinica Oscar Romero... that is causing her considerable suffering and discomfort.

Saturday I had a very sucessful yard sale. We raised enough money to help 3 friends with thier living expenses. Pray for my formation of a business plan to start a thrift store. Also I hope to have more yard sales in the future. If you have stuff that you might like to contribute... let me know.

My friend Willie is currently living in a weekly rental hotel. He longs to be in a regular appartment by the new year. He is paying much more rent than Jude and I are to live in a space less than half than what we have... and we live in a small one bedroom apt. Prayer and any tangible help and support in this journey is welcome.


Monday, November 15, 2004

Worship, the only way we don't get coopted by "the World"

JAWS Favorite Worship Mix


1. Track 03 4:02 Taize
2. Path of Life 4:47 Ruth Naomi Floyd With New Eyes
3. There is a Redeemer 3:13 Kieth Green
4. Track 03 4:51 Apt Core #2
5. Track 06 3:21 Matt Redman
6. Track 07 3:18 Julie Miller Orphans and Angels
7. Air 4:18 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdog
8. Espiritu Santo Venga Aqui 5:42 Costarica Vinyard
9. 4:28 Cross Movement
10. 4:38 John Micheal Talbot Come to The Quiet
11. Tu Primer Amor 4:00 Giovani Aniversaio
12. Track 09 4:19
13. Track 03 2:24 Mahalia Jackson The Greatest Gospel singer In the World
14. Track 09 4:20 Kieth Green
15. Bargin 4:57 Rez XX
16. It is Good 4:47 Beth Meres Tree
17. Multiply Your Love 5:03 Andy Park All I Need

I have been looking back on my life. I have noticed that what I give myself too the most ... both in terms of passion, intention, and action... that is what I worship. I have found that a centered focus on God through Jesus Christ cause me to love deeply -- Ephessians 3:14-21. When I drift on this "Practices of the Presence of God", then the quality of my love drifts as well.

Some say that worship is easy... not for me... I get easily distracted from the main point of focuss... I have found that I need support in the journey... Fellowship, good supportive tools, Like Don Postama's Book "Space for God", and I need Music...

Today I am feeling a call back to worship. We can serve a lot of small and insignificant wants and desires... or we can worship with our lives the God who made us.

If you are worshipping God, then your love will grow and overflow... If you find yourself inwardly blocked and tied up somehow... figure out what has to change... You can not worship and then not love... without the meaning of your worship becoming hollow; You can not love with out drawing from the source of love -- That is the point of Worship.

Matthew 25, Isaiah 58, Eph. 3:14-21

I plan to spin The above worship songs tommorrow and to continue to reflect on this call in my heart.

Friday, November 12, 2004

Stand with us in praying and supporting our friend Randa -- thanks.

Randa has just found out she has breast cancer. This means that she gets to stay with us longer... it also means that she has to wait on her dreams. And so it goes... Here are her own words and a mailing address where notes of encouragement can be sent ; )

Greetings once again from Los Angeles.

I had intended this newsletter to be the one where I explain to you all the details of when I would be moving to India and what I would be doing there. I am learning once again that we are not in control of our lives and must rely on the Lord for wisdom for each day.

In my routine medical check-ups before leaving for India the doctors found breast cancer. Within 48 hours all my plans have changed. I have met with the surgeon and will be having a lumpectomy on November 24th (the day before Thanksgiving). After the surgery they are expecting 6 weeks of radiation and possibly chemotherapy (this depends upon what they find when they do the actual surgery). With this in mind I will be delaying my move to India.

My mom & two sisters will be coming for the surgery. They will stay with me until Nov. 30th. At that time I will move in with my friend (and also my boss), Sue Lloyd. I'll stay with Sue until I leave for India, which is tentatively set for late August at this point. Since I'll be able to work while getting the treatments the wisest decision seems to be to stay in LA and continue to work with InnerCHANGE.

I would appreciate your prayers. It looks like the cancer is contained in one mass and has not spread to the lymph nods. A lumpectomy will take only the mass and the surrounding tissue. They will also be doing a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy which means they will follow the path internally that the cancer would have traveled to my lymph nodes and take samples of these to check for cancer. If cancer hasn‚t infected these first few lymph nodes it will mean that it hasn‚t traveled outside of the immediate area.

I have always loved reading the Old Testament, especially the books of Israel‚s history. Many times Israel was surrounded by enemies who outnumbered them and the situation seemed impossible. Cancer is a huge "enemy" and from the first day of hearing that I had this disease I felt assured that the God of Israel is my Lord and Protector. He will fight this enemy and I will come out of this fight victorious. Prayer is the weapon that will conquer cancer and I would appreciate your joining me in this stand of faith in God‚s power to deliver me.


P.O. Box 26427
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Blessings, Randa

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Feeling the Blues

We all have days like this... and none of us want to have days like this.

Hear are the facts:

My Dad is in the hospital because what they thought was Cancer, adn then TB in the lungs is not acting like either... so he has moved into being a mystery diagnosis... and they are trying to figure it all out... Think Limbo.

My mother-in-law affectionately know as "MeM" or Arlene went to the hospital with an irregular heart beat. She is stressed out because her husband just recently passed away.

It is the little things that get to me... Today I went to pick up a donation for a yardsale on Sat. but the person who offered the donation was called away by her job and thus was unable to pass on the donations.

I heard a lecture today that talked about slavery and the Killing fields of the Sudan. Good content with hope in very dificult times... it made all my personal pain seem so petty... and yet I have to be real with God and not ignore my heart.

Got to go to a meeting this evening. Which is both good and bad. The hours won't be wasted... but tommorrow I think I need to spend some extra time in prayer.

My mindset was punctuated with the blues last night and I could not get to sleep because of a large "Ghetto Bird" (a Helicopter) buzzing arround our neighborhood until 2am in the morning. There was a "manhunt" going on looking for someone who had a gun... this also made parking impossible... and so it goes...

Everybody gets the blues sometimes...

Monday, November 08, 2004

Fragmenst on Character Growth for Mel and others

Growth comes from focussing and learning what is within our power and responsibility. That is part of what makes the "Serenity Prayer" such a helpful prayer.

My friend Mel is going to be sharing with a group of JR. high youth about Character growth and development. There are key ideas that I have found useful to point out to my younger friends that have helped them learn to make better choices...

I will be adding some of those comments as I think of them on my blog for her and others. Feel free in the comment section to add your own.

  • Growing on the inside is the most effective way to improve the quality of your life, because you live with yourself 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • Who you are is what you share with someone else in every relationship.
  • The content and quality of our lives are built on the content and quality of our rleationships with God, ourselves, one another, and our environment.
  • There is pain in the process of learning, but the pain is worth it... Remember when you learned to ride a bicycle... the diziness, the falling, and the triumph... and anyone who has learned to ride a bicycle can ride further and faster than they can run...
  • Who bennefits from learning??? You Do!!! Who bennefits from not Learning???
  • Do you want to learn enough to choose what you want to do to make a living; or do you want to be doing what someone else tells you to do?
  • Timing is everything... Practice is a key way to be ready for the right momment and opportunity... Example... a great batter in baseball knows when and how to swing the bat... and it is not every day that the bases are loaded and you get to be at bat... Either you are ready or you are not...
  • Our capacity to Give and Recieve Love depends on our Maturity in Character (I Cor. 13, II Peter 1:3-11). There are no short cuts to growing in Character.
  • Poor communication skills will lead to a lonely life. Good communication skills will open the door to many friendships.


We are creating history every day by our choices. We Live with the history we create for ourselves and others for the rest of our lives. Learning to make good choices is key to having a good life.

A good life contributes in a positive way to the life of others.

It is a sad thing to grow old and fail to grow wise. It is sad to be an old fool...




Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Drag when...We are on the verge of new beginnings

Recently Jude went to visit her mom in Visalia. Her mom was ever so glad for her being there with her ... her car broke down three times while she was there.

As some of you know Norma -- who is close to our community -- had been out of work and on disability for months and had just gotten reassigned to a job she could do in the LA School System... and now her accident has her sidelined again... now in pain and seeking to continue to persue what God wants to bring through this... her car was totaled and she isn't sure where she is going to get the money for a new one...

Willie had his ATM and Pin Number Stolen and his Bank account cleaned out of the little that was in there... Yes we have corrected this but we are still working through the paper work... When it rains Willie can't eat at home because water leaks from the roof on to his electric stove.

Paul's car is dieing and he too needs a new car...

Jude's Cell phone has stopped working...

Our computer printer has died and we have yet to get a new one...

In November/December the LA team is going to be lead through a community discernment process to set out on some new dreams together. We have come to a time of closure on some old ones... The Cambria Appartments for example (See our web-site)... are completely in the hands of the tennants and the non-profit corp they have started... and the board that they elect...

There have been an exponential increase in annoying events as we move towards this time... pray for God's guidance and peace in the midst of seeking what new things God would have us do.


Friday, October 22, 2004

Pray for Norma

Hello Folks -- The LA team is requesting prayer for Norma, who was in a car accident yesterday on the way to work. Norma is a single mom from Honduras who has been involved with our team for some years. She was an intern with us two years ago, now lives in the neighborhood near Kathy, and desires to be full-time with our team here. She recently led an entire family network to the Lord.

Anyway, she has no broken bones, but she is in extreme pain and can hardly move or breathe because everything is painful
.
Thanks for your prayers for our Friend and co-worker for the Kingdom.
Jude for the LA team

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

THE MEMORIAL MESSAGE FOR MARK TIERSMA

Born: February 14, 1924 Death: October 6, 2004
Service: October 12, 2004 Officiating: Rev. George G.Vink

Scripture: John 11: 17-26

Message: “DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”

Dear Arlene, Peter & Thea, Jude & John, Brenda & Carlos, Ben & Janine, brothers, sisters, family and friends,

As you know, Mark, your husband, father/heit, brother, fellow believer, did not view death as a friend to be welcomed! He wanted to live! He deeply desired to have more years with his friend and wife of 59 years. He wanted to delight in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He saw life as good, as something to be relished. He enjoyed being among the living. Here too he demonstrated a world & life view consistent with what he had been taught from God’s Word. Death, whether it comes slowly or quickly, despite all attempts to the contrary, remains the enemy of life!

We heard the Psalmist(116:15)say it. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Years later, the apostle John would hear a voice from heaven say, “Write:Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” (Rev. 14:13a) But, the blessing is based on the truth of what we read in John 11 as he tells us the encounter between Jesus and the Lazarus family. To be blessed, you’ve got to “die in the Lord” or be one “of his saints.” We bury those we love with the good confidence that they will rise again! We read that too at the graveside from I Corinthians 15.

That’s the truth of Paul’s writing to the Corinthian church. Then we will be vindicated in our faith! Then we will experience the joy of being with Jesus, never having been beyond His power to redeem! Death is strong, but Jesus is stronger! He never lets us go! Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus! The comfort in death is what comes when we confess our belonging to Him! It’s what Mark confessed and it’s what we heard again as we laid his bodily remains in the earth. I recall our Adult Ed. Class’ discussion on comfort (trooste) when with a twinkle in his eye as well as a strong voice he leaned forward and recited,“…that I belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ!”

If there was someonewho wanted to do what the song “Find Us Faithful” is all about, I suggest it was Mark Tiersma. Did you hear it? “May all who come behind us, find us faithful.” A kind and gentle man of faith gave his testimony to family and friends. His words were consistent with his deeds. Originally a somewhat shy person, he desired more and more to let others know that he had a purpose in life which included making sure that they knew the truth of Jesus’ claim, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Believing it leads to a full life, here and now, and then in dying, to a realization that the dying is a final journey that all must make, but those who “die in the Lord” don’t really die but go from this life to another! Mark is with his Lord, his Redeemer. He was more than confident of that certainty, and as he said his farewells, wanted to make that clear to all.

The question we must now ask is the question that Jesus Himself asked his friend Martha, “Do you believe this?” Do you? Do I? Will you imagine hearing Mark ask you? Whether in the language of his newly-loved country, “Do you believe this?” or that of his schooling, “Geloof gij dat?” or that of his mother tongue, “leauwe jo dat?”

Jesus came to his friends to comfort them. They weren’t expecting a resurrection from the dead. Lazarus was dead and already buried. His sisters were grieving. In the midst of her grief, Martha chastises Jesus for not being there to prevent Lazarus’ death and assurances of his eventual rising weren’t good enough for this outspoken sister! It’s almost as if you can hear her, “I know….I know…don’t tell what I already know….”and we see the patience of Jesus as He deals with her. A patience with people that some like Mark exemplify more than others.

Jesus follows it with one of the wonderful, powerful “I AM…” statements.
It’s not the traditional comfort stuff that Jesus is giving this griever. Jesus wants her to believe in Him! When one with Christ in faith, then death still means life! Bodily death, whether caused by cancer, heart failure or a car accident, cannot end the new life that is yours in Christ. In Christ, you can live forever. Let’s ask it again, “Do you believe this?”
The new life we have in Christ, does not come just at the end of life. It’s new life in the way we farm our fields or the way we treat our cows or love our family. When, in the language of John 3, we are “born anew,” we have passed from death to life. But, that doesn’t happen without believing in Jesus!

Mark believed it! Arlene believes it! Do you? It’s a rather grandiose claim isn’t it? “I am the resurrection and the life!” We’re so inclined to respond with, “Yes, but….” while struggling with the realities of life. How do we explain God’s inactivity when we suggest He could get involved and stop some terrible things? How do we make sense of a world where families feud over finances while losing the most important relationships? We cannot, and we will not.

Walter Brueggemann in a great sermon talks about our being governed by “Yes, but.” He suggests it’s our proud capacity to control or our fearful need to control that makes us resist God’s power for newness, and as such it becomes an act of atheism. We limit or box God in, the God who came in His Son and said, “I am the resurrection …”and went on to raise His friend Lazarus. “Do you believe this?”

Mark Tiersma, husband, father, brother and friend, believed and wanted you to know it. Yes, tears came when we talked about his dying, even weeks before his actual final breath. He wanted to live longer, not being too quick to think of himself as old! After all, what was being 80? He was willing to do what needed to be done, not as a denial of the truth that he believed, but as an affirmation of the joy and goodness of life! So too, we grieve best, when we shed our tears but go on with life! We share the memories, while also affirming life by living as those who believe that God cares about how we live it. He gives us life to live it to His glory. He gave Mark unique gifts that have impacted us all in some ways. Do we thank Mark, or thank God? What do you think Mark would have us do?

Mark spoke of his Lord, and in the stillness of the night, would be caught singing to and about his Lord. Imagine it again would you? Hear Mark’s voice, “There is a Redeemer….God’s own Son…”followed by, “Thank you, O My Father…..” We sang it. “Do you believe it?”

Martha answered, “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God….” and then called her sister Mary. Jesus is deeply moved by the death of Lazarus and how it affected Mary and the others. He knows the pain of death, the separation it involves, weeps, and raises Lazarus! “Do you believe this?”

As we go from this time of remembrance, let’s not forget that question that Jesus puts to all of us, not just Martha! Do you believe His claim?

Believing it made all the difference in life and in death for Mark. It can for you too! Believe it and be living it! Believe it and find comfort. Believe it and make sure your life shows it so that those who come behind you will also find you faithful. Then too, you will hear from the Lord Himself, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Amen.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Back to work and the intensification of Life.

Life and Death pushes us when we realize that what we all have now will be released. I have started by simple things. Cleaning out clutter that I have had trouble getting rid of before. Stuff does not seem very important to me right now. There is a line in a Mark Heard song that haunts me, "Nobody gets a second chance to be the friend they meant to be." I am impressed by my Father-in-law who while he left us earlier than we wanted... still was able to go on without regrets.

It is hard to not drift in thought sometimes. Those who know me will smile at this comment because i have always been easily distracted... but now it is more true... but this is not all bad... I am distracted by life. I see the child walking through my building with a smile or a tear in his eyes. I see the pigeons whirl and fly. I hear more, see more, witness more... and this too is a gift... like waking from a dream and realizing how much has always been going on... and so it goes...

Sunday, October 10, 2004

In Jude's own Words about her Father's passing on to glory...

Hello Friends -- My dad was “promoted to glory” (in the words of my mother) on Wednesday October 6, 2004, after 80 faith-filled years on this earth. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. In the last couple of weeks, around 5:00 AM, he would wake up singing the Dutch hymns he grew up with.

His favorite song in recent years was “There is a Redeemer by Keith Green.” The last verse reads:
When I stand in glory
I will see his face
And there I’ll serve my King forever
In that Holy Place.

Jude

Funeral Info:
Monday October 11, 6:00-8:00 PM — viewing at Miller Memorial Chapel
1120 W. Goshen, Visalia, CA 93291 (559)732-8371
Tuesday October 12, 10:00 AM Graveside service at Visalia Public Cemetery (next door to Miller’s)
Tuesday October 12, 11:00 AM Memorial Service at Visalia First Christian Reformed Church

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Passing on to Glory

this is an audio post - click to play


Three of Mark's Favorite Bible Passages:

John 11:25&26

Job 19:25&26

Isaiah 40:31

Lord Teach Us To Number Our Days

I am returning to My Father-in-law's farm. He established the place. He is at the end of his days with us. He has assured us that he is confident in the promises of God through Jesus Christ.

We will miss him because of his love for life & family, his faithfulness in even the small things, and the courage with which he faced both life and death. I am honored to have recieved in prayer a blessing from such a man. He took the time to bless all of his children.

Pray for us in this season of deep running currents of feelings and the start of a new chapter for all of us.

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

The new Fad diet -- "The share Your Food with The Hungry Diet"

The share Your Food with The Hungry Diet



I could lose a few pounds and I live in a city where there are plenty of hungry people who would be glad to share my food. so I had the radical idea drift in my head... or was that a Biblical thought... I could split what I would eat at each meal or fast a meal and eat less calories... and share the calories that I really don't need around my waist with a hungry friend.

I will let you know here how it goes... Let me know if you are joining me in this... and let's start a whole new diet craze.

Monday, September 27, 2004

Gratitude and Staring Intnetly into Space...

I am in a season when I know that human life is not permanent. Every Day is a Gift. It is sad that it has taken me the death of many friends, the death of my grandmother, and now the struggle for life against cancer of my father-in-law... to finally take to heart the scriptures that say things like, "Lord, teach me to number my days".

Each day has become more valuable. Each moment of time is a gift. I find myself staring at trees, clouds, and sunsets more often... watching birds and watching children at play. There is a deeper joy found here...

I am not an old man... there is much I hope to still do in the world... but I am finding the tools to enjoy life more... and the first step for me is to not take any of it for granted.

This book, A Grace Disguised was key to opening my eyes again as I have walked through grief. I am finding that there is beauty in the sunsets of life... and a gift even in grief itself...

I also am finding a greater desire to share life with others in a more tangible and direct way...

Sunday evening I decided to drive with Jude to the ocean just to be together and to watch the sunset. We should have done this many more times than we have. I want to continue to proclaim the God of all life; I want to serve others as God intends faithfully and full of love; I want to realize life and the miracle it is while I live it.

This past Friday evening a friend caught me missing the forest for the trees... Another friend was sharing about his trip through Guatemala... and he had underestimated the cost of the trip by saying he only spent so much money to see all this... when he had put 10K miles on his car... I missed for a moment the wonder in his eyes at the landscape and the Mayan ruins he had seen while my mind was crunching numbers... Thankfully we went back to the landscape and the trip, rather than back to the dollars and cents... We live in a world of wonders that is as close as every heart beat... Learning to pay attention, and encouraging others to do the same is part of my life's work.

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Where Prayer might lead us.

The Rev. Cecil Murray, who just retired from the First African Methodist Episcopal of Los Angeles (FAME), is quoted in the LA Times as saying< "Sensitivity to the effects of prayer... was born in me. Each of us perhaps has a calling. That was mine." I find it refreshing that someone who publically is known as an activist and pastor -- Understands very well the importance of prayer. This Church was started by a tough faith filled Woman named Biddy Mason.

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Standing at the Door.

My father-in-law, Mark Tiersma, is completely confident in his life being in the hands of God. He told us as a family that he has entursted Jesus Christ with his whole life. He is fighting cancer. Jude right now is with her family helping to care for her father. They have had an amazing reltionship of love and trust. Jude told me that her father never made a promise to her that he did not keep. She is profoundly shaped by her father in many ways.

We as a family are not ready to let go of such a man. While Mark has clearly pointed us as a family to Christ... the anchor of his soul.

We welcome your prayers in this season. We ask you not to ask too many probing questions. We will inform you about what is going on as we are able. Here we can inform you all at once as we know more.

Right now the doctors do not agree... some say we should just have hospice care at home... other's say we should try some other treatments.

Pray for discernment.

I am here in LA continueing our work here. Jude is teaching this quarter... starting on Monday... on top of her other responsibilities.

Pray in the end through all that we walk through that God will root us in His love: Ephesians 3:14-21. What a privelege to know such a love.

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Here is my play Mix for Tues 9-17

1. Track 02 3:53 Julie Miller Orphans and Angels
2. Track 02 3:38 Johnny Cash
3. Gone 3:45 Switchfoot
4. Track 04 2:56 O Brother Where Art Thou
5. Living in the Land of Palm Trees 3:26 Zehnder A Broken Train of Thought
6. Track 07 9:27 Martin Luther King
7. Track 02 3:49 U2
8. Alienated 2:17 Rez XX
9. Track 01 4:02 Out of the Grey
10. Another Day in Limbo 4:30 Mark Heard Satelite Sky
11. Track 20 5:39 KRS ONE
12. peacemaker 4:28 Marie Brennan Whisper to the Wild Water
13. Track 03 4:51 Apt Core #2
14. Tu Primer Amor 4:00 Giovani Aniversaio
15. They All Fall Down 5:23 Grits
16. Track 12 2:57 5 Blind Boys of Alabama Spirit of the Century

Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Confessions of a Sabbath Breaker

When I really started resting I went into a mode of being a blob on the couch in front of the tv for hours at a time. I was very glad for the olympics because it gave me something interesting to watch. What was really interesting to me was how hard the atheletes would work at resting between events. Then conviction set in. God had gotten between the edges of my denial. I have this vague memory of Old testament judgement comming down on ancient Isreal leading them into captivity... because of Sabbath breaking... and I too am a Sabbath breaker...

The real today is I am just wanting to read again... the extra learning kind of reading that I have not done for a couple of months. Withdrawl from adrenaline also leads to an emotional bluesy feeling. Not sadness... just a dimmer view of life. Life lacking the deeper sources of inspiration.

It is in stillness that we remember that God is God. Again I resolve to pray more and to let my devotional life lead me into ministry. Slowly back to my Rule of Life. The basics that for mr lead towards integrity.

My mom reminded me recently about the difference between Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones... vs. Wood, Hay, and Stubble. It is a gift of grace to have a mom who speaks the truth in love. God is good, patient and willing to work with us and lead us... times of rest are not optional...

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

We've all Gone Fishing

Well I am not really into fishing. I am going to get a vacation this year. 3 Weeks... it is hard to believe... but it is really needed at this point.

A friend will house sit for part of the time.

We will get to visit with Jude's father and have some extended to for rest, prayer, and reflection.

Jrod is back in Texas. He was a precious gift to us this summer. Love always is a gift when given. He really chose to get to know and to love some of our neighbors in LA. Left part of his heart here in the process. He said he would continue his blog as a way to stay in touch with us out here.

Rikkel has her own plans to get some rest... and said that she too will continue her blog as a way of sharing with her network friends.

Miriam and Jesika have signed up for a year of intensive discipleship at the Nehemiah house. A year of community living and Christian service in Pico-Union with a local Evangelical Free Church. The luanch started today with an urban plunge experience. Visiting various sites in the city in the early hours of the morning (starting at 4:30am) to learn more about LA as a city, to witness some of the realities of this area, and to pray.

Kathy Henry will be at her faithful post a Clinica Oscar Romero.

Paul is still figuring out what these 3 weeks will look like for him.

And so it goes...

Still Knocking on Heaven's door

Well It seems like my dad is bravelyfacing the news that he probably has lung cancer. Having survived a stroke 6 years ago... he has accepted every day as a gift from God. He also wants to live every day God has for him on this earth. Both the Tiersma's and the Watson's are perservering people. Even in the toughest circumstances we remember the resurection of
Christ and know that nothing is impossible for God.

So keep both families in your prayers.

Friday, August 06, 2004

Knocking with Faith on Heaven's Door

Jude (my wife) sent this email out today. Her Father Mark has been doing quite well for just having a cancerous kidney removed. Now the cancer is back so he is scheduled for 14 radiation treatments in the next 3 weeks. Mark wants to live out his life to the very end well. He is asking God for the grace of more time and healing. He also is grateful for all the years of life that God has given to him.

Jude writes:

"Hello All — Just a brief note to let you know that the test results have come back for my dad and the news isn’t too good. He has a malignant tumor the size of nickel in his brain. There is fluid/swelling around it that concerns the Doctors -- “leaking” -- whatever that means. He has started 14 days of radiation, and after that (in three weeks) we will know more.
That’s all I know right now.
We knew after his kidney was removed that there were cancer cells they couldn’t get, so this is not a complete surprise. But it is sooner that any of us expected. My mom said that they read in the gospel of John this AM, and that dad’s faith is strong and steady, which helps my mom a lot, and me too. Pray also for my siblings to really see my dad’s faith in this, and that God would touch and soften their hearts through this.
Jude"

Thursday, August 05, 2004

Jrod's Mix

Jrod will be doing my webcast to record some of his thoughts, memories and reflections from spending a summer with us in LA. It will be strong on the music and impressionistic side. Here is the mix list for next Tues:


Jarod’s MIX


1. Crazy 4:38 Mercy ME
2. Love is the Movement 5:10 Switchfoot
3. Vejea Speaks On Poverty 0:37 Soul Jahz The Fault is History
4. Multiply Your Love 5:03 Andy Park All I Need
5. New York 5:30 U2 All that You Can't Leave Behind
6. Power of Love 5:08 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs
7. Red Dirt Road 4:20 Brooks & Dunn
8. They All Fall Down 5:23 Grits
9. Walk by Faith 3:58 Jeremy Camp-Worship Project
10. When I Flow 4:18 Cross Movement
11. T-Bone Speaks 0:32 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
12. The Nations of the World 1:48 Animaniacs
13. House of God 2:43 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs
14. Only Hope 2:54 Caedmon's Call
15. Closure 4:11 Chevelle
16. Poetry 4:03 Pat Green
17. Spoken For 4:09 MercyMe
18. Aircraft 0:37 WW II AIRCRAFT

Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Prayer Walking and What's been Up...

J-rod & I went for a walk in our neighborhood and ran into the following realities... Keep these in your prayers.


There are a number of apartments advertising places for rent. We would like to see Willie get into a Monthly rental situation. He currently paying a lot to rent at a weekly hotel... the best we could find when he returned to LA. Pray for this...

Had fun helping one of Kathy’s neighbors pick some lemons from the lemon tree near the entrance of her apartments. Saw Laura’s brother...

Saw Freddy on the way to school... He hopes to see me latter this evening... He told me that Jorge Meza Sr. had a heart attack while driving Jorge jr. to school... I found out from aunt Gladys that he is currently at White Memorial Hospital on Caesar Chavez.
He is at home and recovering now... but it was a scare.

Saw a neighbor at the Donut shop and she introduced me to her boyfriend. (He likes hiphop so I will be giving her a CD from my radio show to her for him... This is how I have stayed connected to some of my neighbors.)

We had a great time meeting Jessika's parents!!! Happy Birthday again to your Dad...

We finished the Mural at 66th Street ElementryI hope to email a picture out soon to my

Kathy Henry's family came out to visit on Monday. It was a joy to get to know her extended family a little bit.

*I hope to have a yard sale on July 31rst and have begun to collect donations for it. Help with temporary storage until the sale and help with the sale would be welcome. I hope that after the Sale some of the items will help Willie, Jesika, Miriam, Jrod, and I in our learning curve about using Ebay as an additional tool to help raise some funds.

*Mrs. Barajas is hoping that with Alberto’s guidance that we might have a cookout in the late Jose Baraja’s honor (RIP). This too may happen July 31, or in August. There is also the question about putting this together with LA St. Prod.’s annual cookout.

One of our team members, Melanie, needs a stove for her appartment.

*On Monday’s during an early lunch 11:00am-12:00pm at the LAIC office... John TW is leading a story sharing time centered on II Peter 1:3-11 and Mother’s Theresa’s quote, “It is not so important that we do great things, but rather that we do small things with great Love”.

***Burn a candle for 10+ minutes a day... As an invitation to pray, reflect, and be more aware of life and of God.

Thanks for the thanks!!!

Rosie and Liala encouraged me about my weekly webcast. They were listening to copies of old bradcasts that were encouraging to them and thier families. We sow in one season... and reap in another... It is a rare event when a genuine thanks finds it's way back to you.
Thank you for saying thanks. I will continue to do whatever God asks of me... whether or not I see any response from it. It is a gift to see or hear thanks... and very encouraging as well...

Bible Studies to share...

My two favorite passages of scripture these days are II Peter 1:3-11, and I John 1. Some one asked me if I would start a Bible corrospondece coarse with them... I want to do more than just the fill in the blank kind of thing... I want to nurture deep roots that connect with the love of God in people (Psalm 1, Ephesians 3:14-21). Keep me in your prayers as I seek to with integrity find a good sustainable path. Any other seekers out there wanting soul food????

I have been reflecting on the importance of "material culture and media" and I am convinced that we need to produce the stuff of social exchange... this can be something as simple as a letter... remember that the "New Testament" is mostly other peoples mail that we get to read.

Show Mix for Tues.

1. Track 02 3:38 Johnny Cash 4.2 MB
2. Track 08 3:37 Martin Luther King 4.2 MB
3. Track 07 5:21 Switch Foot 6.2 MB
4. Track 02 3:18 Apt Core #2 3.8 MB
5. Say a Little Prayer For You 3:36 Aretha Franklin Best of Aretha Franklin 4.2 MB
6. So Beautiful 4:54 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs 5.7 MB
7. Beautiful Day 4:08 U2 All that You Can't Leave Behind 4.8 MB
8. Good Religion 2:58 5 Blind Boys of Alabama Spirit of the Century 3.5 MB
9. House of God 2:43 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs 3.2 MB
10. Colours 3:46 Rez XX 4.4 MB
11. Track 04 4:32 Blackalicious Arrow 5.3 MB
12. Irene 4:13 TobyMac We Are Hip Hope 4.9 MB
13. Track 15 4:06 Cranberries Best Of 4.8 MB
14. Track 03 4:51 Apt Core #2 5.6 MB
15. Track 12 5:38 6.5 MB
16. I'm Gonna Live the Life 2:37 Mahalia Jackson The Greatest Gospel singer In the World 3.1 MB
17. Living in the Land of Palm Trees 3:26 Zehnder A Broken Train of Thought 4 MB

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Today on KR

I have added a link for
Graffiti61 to my blog. I first met this artist at Mosaic.... where he plays bass guitar.

I also am spiining Wayne's Animusic.

Some of the sound track from the Lord of the rings...
and a little Switchfoot just because...
Pluss one haunting song from Nine Inch Nails.

Thursday, July 15, 2004

What's Up...

Today at our community devotions we spent time with Luke 15. Lost, Found... --> Celebration. I came to appreciate more the meaningfullness of celebration rooted in the redemptive story. Jrod's Mom came out to check out LA and shared in our community breakfast and devotions.

Latter tonight and tommorow night we are going to have the Shorack family visiting with the LA team from Venezuela. Tonight they will be at the Cambria building... and tommorrow (Friday evening)they will be at Kathy Henry's house.

The LA Street Prod. Mural at 66th Street Elementry has started well. We have most of the basic background color down. Next we will deepen the colors and start adding the highlights and details. Thanks to one and all that have been helping.

Willie is looking for an appartment that he can rent monthly. He has been paying a lot for a one room appartment at a local hotel because that is all that we could find when he relocated back to Los Angeles.

Wednesday, July 07, 2004

LA Fourth of July and the Wild Wild West

Fireworks that would be large enough for a small park were set off on the fourth in my neighborhood. No they aren't legal... so i mostly watched from my window... everyone was out... the police drove by but thir prioity was to get guns off the street... so the celebration went on. It was great to have a number of friends come bye and hang out for the show...

Mural Announcement

Dear Friends,

We Need to finalize the head count for the second LA. ST. Prod. Mural at 66th Street Elementary. Please reply to this email and let me know what days you are available. Please note if you can make a contribution towards lunch. Call me at: 213-413-3397 or page me at 213-470-4432.

What: See attachments for the rough sketch and previous mural and the yet to be painted wall.

When: July 10th, 17th, & 24rth. From 7:50am to 2:30pm

Where: 66th Street Elementary
6600 South San Pedro
LA. CA. 90003

Location map off web: Map to 66th Street Elementry.

Directions From the Bixel entrance Near Downtown LA.
6. Turn on S BIXEL ST - go 0.1 mi
7. Take CA-110 SOUTH - go 1.0 mi
8. CA-110 SOUTH becomes I-110 SOUTH - go 3.8 mi
9. Take the GAGE AVE exit - go 0.2 mi
10. Turn on W GAGE AVE - go 0.4 mi
11. Continue on E GAGE AVE - go 0.3 mi
12. Turn on S SAN PEDRO ST - go 0.2 mi
13. Arrive at 6600 S SAN PEDRO ST, LOS ANGELES


Schedule:
7:50am to 8:15am coffee and sweet bread / pan dulce.
8:15am -- 8:40am Important Instructions and Goals (please do not miss this part!!!)
8:40am --12:00pm Work on Mural
12:00pm --12:45pm Lunch (Sandwiches)
12:45pm -- 2:00pm Work On Mural
2:00pm -- 2:30pm Clean Up and Closing words

Watch for Important Updates on the Web on John’s Blog
Donations contributing to this effort are welcome ; )

It was everybody's birthday party.

This past Thursday we celebrated Mel's Birthday. She kept on finding out that it was (Within a wee or two) also... Inge Lisa's birthday, Paul's Birthday, Roxy's Birthday, Irma & her son's birthday, Willie's Birthday... so Mel who likes to share and doesn't need to feel as if she is the center of attention decided we should turn this into an inclusive event.

It was the biggest barbeque I have ever prepared for and done on my own. We had hot dogs, hamburgers (my mom's special recipe), BBQ Chicken, Ribbs, and Carne Assada.

Remeber It was first Mel's B-day... so I was not doing the inviting to this event...

It was like Babbette's Feast.

The relationship between food and fellowship, community and neighborhood resonated with more life than I have experienced on my block in a long time.

I want to write more about this and add some reflections about a fellowship that was going in australia called "Matthew's Party".

got to go for now...

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

What I plan to spin on KR

Today I am reading "Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter's Dictionary" by Frederick Buechner.

Music Mix...:

Living in the Land of Palm Trees 3:26 Zehnder A Broken Train of Thought 4 MB
Big Brother 4:12 AD - SEG 4.9 MB
All the Lonely People 2:38 Aretha Franklin Best of Aretha Franklin 3.1 MB
Zombie 5:07 Cranberries Best Of 5.9 MB
African Skies 4:59 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs 5.8 MB
Track 08 3:45 Switch Foot 4.4 MB
High School 4:49 SuperChic[k] Last One Picked 5.6 MB
Track 02 3:38 Johnny Cash 4.2 MB
i lathair De (in God's Presence) 3:44 Marie Brennan Whisper to the Wild Water 4.3 MB
Track 01 3:52 Stained 4.5 MB
New York 5:30 U2 All that You Can't Leave Behind 6.4 MB
Track 08 3:37 Martin Luther King 4.2 MB
Track 07 5:13 Cross Movement 6 MB
Fatherless Child 5:44 Mystic Cuts for Love Scars for Freedom 6.6 MB
They All Fall Down 5:23 Grits 6.2 MB
Thick Skin 2:54 Daniel Amos Mr. Buechner's Dream 3.4 MB
Track 12 2:57 5 Blind Boys of Alabama Spirit of the Century 3.4 MB

Monday, June 28, 2004

Thanks...

One of the most precious gifts are friends who are faithful friends over the years.

R1-Thanks for sharing your heart with me this past Sat. ... You have an unusual strength you are able to find your own path and to do so with integrity. May your love with Sandy Girl continue to grow.

Willie & Gennel... Thank you for saying Thanks this Weekend. Many take the gifts of life for granted these days.

Greg "The Watchfull One"... Thanks for being there for my mom when I can't be...
My Mom Wrote:

Dear John,
I want to thank you for suggesting that I call Greg and let you know
that he did everything that needed to be done very kindly and willingly
and it was a real pleasure to have his help.
My car is running quite well now and he is coming back next week to
try to improve the timing which is already so good that I would never
know it needed any adjusting but he wants it to be better so that's
great. My car will probably be in the best shape that it's been since I
bought it. He's quite a contrast to some of the other people in my life
lately (car repair people) and I feel a bit overwhelmed because I am not use
to having any body really do a superb job anymore. In addition I'm remembering
all our years on John street and what a good gang of friends both you and Sunday
had there. It was a precious time and a wonderful place to raise children.
I feel so moved by both the past and the present and just the joy of
memories of what John Street used to feel like and also what I have been
missing here.
Greg said he thought you would be pleased to know that he was really
watching out for me. What a good guy.
Do you remember Mr. Craig from John Street? He said you used to work
for him, I think when you worked for the school one summer. He said to
say hello. He's a nice man and he lives here. I'm going to think of
John Street every time I see him.



Matt & Deb... for your faithful work with Jackie P. in Hong Kong.

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Life has been a blurr these days.

I have been married since 1995. I hardly remember what it is like not to be married. Jude went to Chicago for 5 days... for 2 conferences... I have trouble sleeping adequately when she is gone. On top of that she is an amazingly efficient and effective worker... even when she thinks she's not getting much done... she is doing the work of 2 to 4 people... This needs to change... she needs the freedom to be one person... I feel like an average Joe sometimes around her... I can't work at her pace... I know that I work and live at a faster pace than some... but when she is gone I can't really cover for all the things she would do...

This fuels humility for me...
As long as I am content to be myself and to keep growing.

Deep Calls to Deep... How deep does our love Go???

Warn those who are perishing...

What would you do if you knew someone whose choices were going to lead to becoming homeless??? What is needed from them is not just a home but a path to grow into the maturity to maintain a home. It is one thing to see this... it is another to see how we can walk along those who want to grow and change and mature and to provide the context where this kind of maturity can happen.

Is this the Church???

What does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves??? and how practical does it get???

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

LA Street Production News

LA Street Productions is planning to do a Mural this summer. The challenge will be in our will and energy to carry it out. We are all older and more involved with real world responsibilities. We will be working on this mural throughout the month of July starting July 10th. The Mural will be at 66th Street Elementry and will be for the children of that school. We will need others to help with this journey... email me if you might be interested in helping us.

LA Street Productions gave out our first Annual Scholarship to a Belmont Highschool Graduate -- Daniel Flores. Wilburd Estada said something profound and yet obvious at our last meeting... "So many of the scholarships that were given out were given in the memory of someone who had died or passed away... we don't have to wait until we have died to give back to our communities." Pray for us as we seek to grow as a group... in capacity and leadership.

Identity and Action.

My friend Willie is working hard at trying to make a new way of life a reality for himself. Working a temp. job Construction for $7.00 an hour. Currently renting weekly cause that is what was available to him... and trying to use ebay as a way to fill in the economic gaps.

He would love any donations of CD's to help with his efforts to start a business.

He says I am trying to turn him into a computer nerd... ; ) Would I do that to anyone??? Actually I am just trying to stay in touch with current culture.

I also am just trying with him to figure out new options other than what the streets have to offer... not just for Willie... but for others as well... and all the options I can find open to us require a lot of learning and hard work.

Check out Willie's auctions.

Say Hi to JRod

Well I have spent the last few days Kicking it with Jrod. He seems to be a real down to earth brother. A Joy to be with in the mix of LA land. Check out his blog...

Thursday, June 03, 2004

A friend of ours needs prayer for her sister.

This is my response to Dry Bones JUNE 2 entry.

Sometimes when I pray I get the strangest of thoughts. So I choose to share them... you can take them as thoughts that came into jaw's head when he was praying.

My mind drifted to the power of music to inspire and lift the soul.

That somehow the hospital context needed something life giving.

We are called to fight for life.

The dangers and trials we are facing life are real every day. To not put asside our part... and to persue reconciliation whenever possible.

That even those in a comma can sometimes here what we say... or here music...

The soul needs nourishment to will to fight for life...

Hildegard Von Bingen Wrote some really strange but powerful music... I will keep it playing in the background to remind me to stay in prayer for you and your family today...

some music is truly spiritual... this is not about style... it is about what the soul is in touch with when the music is composed, sung, and heard...

Sometimes God will speak directly to us in our darkest hours...

I too will continue to pray...

Forgive any presumption in my words...

I could either share my thoughts or remain silent. There is also a place for silence... I am not as good at taking that path yet...

Saturday, May 29, 2004

Do you want to help fund the education of a future leader??? Contact us!!!

This is a “shout out” to my friend Boy. He has gotten accepted into all the schools to which he sent applications. He has a love for language and the art of poetry. He recently shared with me a possible dream of becoming an English teacher at Belmont High School. Blessing on whatever path God would lead you to take. Keep growing in Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom.

this is an audio post - click to play

Congrats Jamie!!!

Jamie Dykstra, Jude’s cousin’s daughter, graduated from Biola University with honors and received a degree in Arts and Mass Communication with an emphasis in 3-D Computer Animation.

this is an audio post - click to play

Thursday, May 27, 2004

Happy B-day Steve and Congrats on your engagement!!!

Some celebrations mark by their substance something of what we pray for: “The Kingdom of God”. The range of people and backgrounds, diverse histories and cultures that came to our home to celebrate Steve Scharf’s birthday and his engagement to be married to Sandy was a wonder in itself to behold. What was more important was the quality of love shared among us all – I John 1 fleshed out. Love this deep (Ephesians 3:14-21) is the tangible reward of pursuing God’s reign in our lives.

this is an audio post - click to play

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

What I plan to spin today at KR

Solar System 3:39 Bill Mallonee & Vigilantes of Love Audible Sigh
Track 03 3:46 Wayne Lytle Animusic
Power of Love 5:08 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs
Salvation 2:24 Cranberries Best Of
Track 07 9:27 Martin Luther King
Praises In the Old Tonge 1:21 Ark Angel Ark Angel
Track 03 4:51 Apt Core #2
Morning's Anthem 5:46 Ark Angel Ark Angel
Track 06 3:35 Apt Core #2
peacemaker 4:28 Marie Brennan Whisper to the Wild Water
Say a Little Prayer For You 3:36 Aretha Franklin Best of Aretha Franklin
So Beautiful 4:54 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs
Track 08 2:55 5 Blind Boys of Alabama Spirit of the Century
Track 07 3:20
Nothing But the Wind 3:31 Mark Heard Satelite Sky
Treasure of the Broken Land 6:23 Mark Heard Satelite Sky
I'm Gonna Live the Life 2:37 Mahalia Jackson The Greatest Gospel singer In the World
Track 12 2:29 Mahalia Jackson The Greatest Gospel singer In the World
Track 01 2:15 John Micheal Talbot Come to The Quiet

Monday, May 24, 2004

A response to some musings...

Confussion is not an end point... rather part of a real process of searching and asking questions. We act on our limited understanding at any given point in time. We must act on our convictions even though we "see through a glass dimly"...and our actions have consequences.

All roads do not lead to Rome...

Nor are all paths equally good...

"The Content and Quality of Our lives are built on the Content and Quality of Our Relationships with God, Ourselves, One Another, and the Environment".

Our collective human condition desperately needs re-examination. I too take out the trash knowing that it will go to a landfill... I need a better wisdom to do better than this...

Good religion allows us to probe our lives with depth and honesty... and wrestle with our true condition... without flattery...

There are many voices... but each one of us will choose a voice and will walk a path...

I hope I can send you a smile at least when our paths cross.

What does trust look like?

Trust is evident when people are willing to share with you secrets and know that those secrets will be kept sacred.

Sometimes it means that those who are addicted to something will show you what they are addicted to... and will test your reaction to the facts.

Sometimes it means that memories from the past come out that no one else can know.

It is easy to say "Love the sinner and hate the sin". It is harder to do.

Here are a few things that I have learned to do that has gone a long way in helping to really learn how to get to the love part:

1. Bless the good that you see in every person.

2. Learn to ask simple but basic questions that can let you demonstrate that you have a capacity to listen. Then really listen. (Still working hard on this one...)

3. Food and drink in scripture is connected to loving our enemies and hospitality. Generosity goes a long way in establishing new lines of trust. You can bring the coffee and the Hot wings to the next sports party.

4. "Where your treasure is ... there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6)... you cannot fake this... people want and need love... Learn to love people and use things rather than loving things and using people.

Once we have earned people's trust... Than we can with humility help people get in touch with the consequences of sin... exposing it for what it really is... A form of slavery that leads ultimately to many different proximates of death and death itself. Remeber that Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit and God tends to be inclusive in this process of conviction and transformation. There is a reason that the best person to reach an addict is an x-addict. Do not distance yourself from being part of the human condition. And don't forget that people need to here about Jesus multiple times and in different ways. They need to see demonstrations of Christ's life at work within you. Most people hear about Jesus over 7 times from 3 or more people before they make a decision for or against following God.

The level of trust and love we really have for each other and others will often guide others response to our message of "Good News". I John 1!

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Pay attention and don't turn our heads away from our own flesh and blood. Isaiah 58, Matthew 25

Crisis on the Street Summit
May 4, 2000
Sponsored by:
Union Rescue Mission, Center for Religion and Civic Culture
Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness
California Council of Churches

Willie and I had the privelege of going to this conference together. He captures the core thoughts and info presented very concisely in his blog.

We now have a large number of homeless women and children on the streets. This is not the way for any child to grow up. These are the ones who for whatever reason are not making it from welfare to work. These are the ones that are being priced out of the housing market. We can do something about it or let ourselves develop another group of "untouchables" that Jesus would identify with... "The quality of our government and it's practices will be judged and measured by how we treat the weakest and most vulnerable in our society".

Monday, May 17, 2004

MAY Update -- Greetings from Los Angeles.

For this update we will focus on two items — our mentoring initiative and the relocation of our friend Willie.

Mentoring Update:

These past months, during spring semester, we have been working with a small group of young adults who are in community college. Our plan was to mentor them while they in turn mentored and tutored younger children in the neighborhood. In exchange, they receive scholarship money to help buy college books. We believe that the hope of neighborhoods is when the youth become leaders in their own neighborhoods, passing on to the next generation what they are learning.

Once a week (sometimes twice) the young adult mentors attend one of our tutoring sites to help the younger ones with school. Last week, one mentor was delighted to see how much progress Danny had made since they have started working together. Just as important, these young adults are role models for the younger ones, modeling good choices for their future.

Once a month we (InnerCHANGE staff) meet with them as a group for capacity building — training for tutoring and also spiritual input. We have had wonderful times together. The scheduled time is two hours, but they usually stay late into the night to talk with us, often with questions about spiritual things, trying to understand what it means to follow God. One young woman has made a decision to follow Christ, and two are very close to that. As we finish the semester, we will give each of them a copy of Don Postema’s “Space for God” to help them keep growing. Two of them will be moving into a discipleship house run by our friends at the local Evangelical Free Church. All of them hope to keep tutoring.

Willie’s Relocation:

Relocation is costly, as anyone who has moved knows. But relocation from prison to life on the outside is not only costly but presents unique challenges. On March 31, our friend Willie was released from Avenal State Prison. He was given $200.00. If John had not picked him up, he would have been put on a Greyhound bus and sent to LA. The Greyhound station is next to skid row, so this is where he would have landed.

We have known Willie for 10 years, since John’s first summer in LA when Willie was living on the streets and John did Bible studies with him at the local bus stop. A lot has happened in 10 years, too long to go into here, but Willie has grown a lot in the past years. He has demonstrated a commitment to sobriety, is looking for a church home, and is sharing his faith with others.

But where do you live and how do you find work if you have no references for housing or jobs??
With the help of faith partners and family, were able to help Will find a room. At $182.00 a week, it is no bargain, but the best that is available without references. He is grateful for a temporary job for two months that pays $7.00 an hour, cleaning up after a construction crew. John has supported his desire to try to start a small business selling things on ebay to supplement his low pay. Will is especially interested in selling Christian CDs, so if you have any you would like to donate, please send them to our P.O. Box.

Thank you for all the ways you have provided for us. We are enjoying the privilege of extending demonstrations of love and words of faith without immediate financial burdens. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Peace and Grace,
John and Jude Tiersma Watson

InnerCHANGE LA
Box 17367
Los Angeles, CA 90017

jtiersmawatson@crmnet.org

Thursday, May 13, 2004

A Poem attributed to Mother Teresa

"This poem was written by Mother Teresa and is engraved on the wall of
her home for children in Calcutta."
------------------------------------------

Mother Teresa's Poem


People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway..

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the world the best you've got anyway..

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Tuesday, May 11, 2004

Check Out Crazy for JC, May 10th.

Crazy for JC is on a good track towards Following Jesus. Check out her May 10th entry.

Humility at the roots exposese the imperfections in our own motivations. We call out to others to be transformed... and continue to embrace the need for our own transformation.

We see this in the Spiritual life. Can we see this in public policy...

We need the honesty of the book of Judges, Kings, and Chronicles...

We need to speak and face the truth about ourselves... at all levels...

We all need to look to a bloody cross; we fail as "hero's".

What I plan to spin on KR

5/11/04 JAW KR The Hyperesthesia Show

1. Track 01 0:49 Martin Luther King
2. Track 03 2:26 Blackalicious Arrow
3. Everything is Broken 3:15 Bob Dylan Oh Mercy
4. Zombie 5:07 Cranberries Best Of
5. Track 07 9:27 Martin Luther King
6. Track 03 3:24 5 Blind Boys of Alabama Spirit of the Century
7. Track 01 3:52 Stained
8. Track 02 5:10 Lauryn Hill Un Plugged
9. They All Fall Down 5:23 Grits
10. Track 05 0:35 Martin Luther King
11. The Trouble with Normal 3:37 Bruce Cockburn
12. Track 03 5:20 Azreil the Activist Axiomatic
13. Track 21 5:43 Cross Movement
14. Never Give Up 3:17 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
15. Track 01 3:09
16. Track 02 0:56 Martin Luther King
17. Track 06 2:55 Julie Miller Orphans and Angels

Saturday, May 01, 2004

A B-day Shout out from Christy and Norma

I am learning that every friendship can have it's God given purpose. That God invests all of life with meaning and that it is up to us to learn to pay attention to this... Open our eyes more God!!!

Thanks for your Friendship!!!

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Thanks for the Birthday Blessings

First I want to thank all that came out to Maggee's Donut Shop. It was a big Surprise. I am learning to pay closer attention to the gift of every life and the gift of every day.

Thanks for the card that said "Birthday Blessings" & "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace." Romans 15:13 This is the point of life. To Actually be filled with the source of life... which comes from God and is manifested in Joy, Peace, and Love.

Thank you for coming...

Roxy & Salvador
Boy & Laura
Norma, Norman, Miriam, & Jessika
Sal
Willie
Nate
Natalia
Magda & Nolan
David & Andy
Guia & Damon
Barbie & Yoshi
Christy
Scott (God bless your expecting wife)
Ida
Reina
Ciby
Paul
Melanie
Rikkell
& the Love of my life!!! Jude!!!

Thank you to those who couldn't come but remebered my birthday!!!
I am Thankfull to God for this gift we call life that we get to share with one another.


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Tuesday, April 27, 2004

Monday, April 26, 2004

A response to Dry Bones April 25, 2004

Watchout dear friend... you might be on the edge of a Hebrews 11 ride. Faith is a futurama full of hope in a twisted world... and you know me... I mean faith that doesn't run away or hide from these LA Streets... The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love --
Gal. 5:6b, II Peter 1:3-11.


Is that too much high context Bible thumping for you???

Than try this thought...

Quiet confidence is at the root of real inner strength.

And

Even a child can not learn to tie his or her shoes without the confidence that says I can do this...

I am more than the events arround me and the preasures of the world that try to shape me -- I can choose to love somebody today anyway... And this somebody includes loving myself.

Poem of the Month

Serving Love
must be patient at the roots

to Come
to Hear
to Care
to Serve
to Love

It all takes time.

It takes time to Come and follow Jesus
It takes time to Listen to a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger
It takes time to Care from the heart
It takes time to Serve with Love.

It all takes time.

Remember those who have loved and served you...
They gave
a part of their life
away to you.

Serving Love
must be patient at the roots

to Come
to Hear
to Care
to Serve
to be present.... enough to Love

It all takes time.

by JAW 4/04

Saturday, April 24, 2004

It is amazing what a few days of real rest and reflection can do.

I spent a few days at my brother in-laws house.

Proverbs 24 became a very important text for reflection for me.

I have been challenged to pay attention to the flow of knowledge, Understanding, and wisdom...
Intergenerational thinking requires knowing clearly what you are passing on to other... where it is coming from and where it needs to go. This is all of our responsibility... but for me it is my life work. To continue in the tradition of the witness given for generations through those faithful to God -- I John 1.

There are particular truths. There are particular people who have shaped me. Their wisdom, understanding, and knowledge needs to be not just thought about but imbodied in a life -- my life. I am responsible to carry "my load" of life's work in my generation. Pray for me... I will write more about this another time.

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Play List for Today! A KRS ONE Feature

Tuesday on my internet radio show I hope to spin a lot of KRS One and reflect on "Conscious HIPHOP". And make the Challenge that we need to go futher than that to a total redemption of culture / Sub-Culture... towards what I would call "Holy HIPHOP".



Tues. 4/20/04 Hyperesthesia Show JAW1

1. Tears 5:46 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
2. Track 01 0:14 KRS ONE Kristyles
3. Track 10 4:13 KRS ONE Kristyles
4. Good Bye 3:31 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
5. Believe It 3:59 KRS ONE Prophets Vs. Profits
6. Track 20 5:39 KRS ONE
7. Never Give Up 3:17 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
8. T-Bone Speaks 0:32 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
9. The Struggle Continues 5:47 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
10. The Conscious Rapper 4:12 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
11. You Really Don't Want It 3:29 KRS ONE Prophets Vs. Profits
12. Track 03 3:44 KRS ONE Kristyles
13. Womanology 2:01 KRS ONE Prophets Vs. Profits
14. Track 08 1:31 KRS ONE Kristyles
15. Take Your Tyme 3:15 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
16. Track 07 2:28 KRS ONE Kristyles
17. Trust 2:57 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
18. Know Thy Self 5:07 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded

Monday, April 19, 2004

What Today has been about.

I had a great mentoring time with Rikkell. We both find II Peter 1:3-11 nourishing to the soul.

Willie is working on trying to get a job through Chrysalis. Anyone have some job leads here in LA let me know. I have friends who are looking for work.

It is a hard reality to see... but Willie and I have been witness to the fact that 5 years of street living here in LA has been harder on many people that we know than 5 years of Prison in a State Prison.

My friend Joe is on a mission to relocate to Las Vegas Nevada and he asks for prayer in this big jump... "That God will help him settle and stay on 'Channel Real'"

I will be doing some toutoring latter today.

I also hope to hang out with some of the next crop of jr. high guys in my neighborhood tonight.

Tuesday on my internet radio show I hope to spin a lot of KRS One and reflect on conscious HIPHOP. And make the Challenge that we need to go futher than that to a total redemption of culture... towards what I would call "Holy HIPHOP".

Friday LA Street Productions had a very important meeting. It was a landmark in my mind about our journey together. We recommitted ourselves to both encouraging each other to grow and acknowledged that God has been a significant part of the journey for all of us. It also looks like we will be doing a new mural this summer.

And so it goes...

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Musings from the bottom floor.

Today I went with a friend to check out Chrysalis. An agency that is all about seeking to connect folks with a job and the dignity of work. We all need to contribute to life somehow... and deserve respect for doing so...

In my short walk from their office 4 blocks to our subway I witnessed:

A crack addict craddling in his hands a few pieces of crack.
3 people with items that could be used as weapons in their hands.
Over 15 people limping, using a walker, crutches, or a wheel Chair.
Cigerettes by the box for sale.

...Plenty expressions of struggle and too few people smiling.

This past Friday the LA Mission had their Bi-annual foot washing and foot-care for the homeless. I am glad that it continues without me. I had my hands full with other responsibilities. Foot care is a great basis to meet and connect with those out on the streets and struggling. I have friends on the streets who remember me for doing something as simple as providing them with a pair of clean socks... (not as a hand out, but as a friend).



Tuesday, April 06, 2004

This is what's Up with me. What's Up with You?

LA California is a hard place to return to when you have been down for time in a state prison. I just brought a friend home from Avanol State prison. We have found a spot to rent weekly while he looks for work. The job market is competitive. So it is hard to feel like one is not scraping the bottom of the barrell... Courage for some starts with just trying again and again and not giving up.

I have a young friend that has just transfered to Virgil middle School. In 7th grade he was a straight A student. He called me and expressed very articulately why he found the school depressing and unmotivating in every way imaginable. He wants to learn and says that he feels that the way things are set up at the school creates failure. "My teachers -- unlike the other school -- are not teaching me anything John". How does someone get to the place where he can learn... in a bad learning environment??? And what is my role in this journey???

I am on a new growth curve that is pushing me to pray and journal or more. I have to plow for more depth. There is no putting this off until latter without consequences. Keep me in your prayers.

Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Where I am at...

Besides being Crazy busy.

I get the privelege of bringing a friend home from prison tommorrow. I roll out today with a lot on my mind. I have more than one friend who needs a job. Looking for housing has also become a challenge these days... In this process grace seems to be thin and the room for new chances for new beginnings in our current society feels thin. Any help with networking is greatly appreciated.

The cat for me is out of the bag. A friend a long time ago noticed that I never appear angry. I learned a long time ago to wall out such powerful emotional feelings. Every once and a while I would withdraw with some depression -- I have learned now to call that frozen anger. Even more rarely I would explode in my own unique way... Just recently hurt a friend in this kind of explosion only to withdraw into depression. Here is the secrete root of some of my own compulsiveness... now exposed to the light. It is time to grow time. Time to look and revisit life. Time to learn a wider range of healthy emotions. Mel Gipson's film helped crack the shell. Jesus shows an amazing capacity to stay present and to love in the midst of the pain. I see the same truth in scripture... and his death is equally for me as for any of us...

"Be angry and Sin not"... Comfort at this point and escapism is a threat to personal depth of character. To move from being reactive to being proactive. Fatih functions with eyes to lean into the future (Hebrews 11). If much of my life is reactive... some of that part of my life is yet to be brought under the "Way of Peace" that is found in Christ. What I know in my heart needs time to be worked through in my heart. Like Paul said... "I do not want to have preached to others and find myself disqualified."

Some who know me may say I am being too hard on myself. Thank you for your concern. I know that I have tasted the fruit of faith and I am hungry and thirsty for more. It takes a time of shaking and getting rid of every hinderance...(Hebrews 12) sometimes in a radical way to progress in faith. Love is the goal and the reward... to find in one's heart a genuine love for every neighbor... and this kind of love also is free enough from attatchments not to "keep any records of wrongs" -- I Corinthians 13.

I am not saying that we should not confront or challenge. It is the motive and the method that I am looking to grow in... we work to help love grow... this means working for justice for example... to work for justice being motivated by the wrong doing leads to burn out. To work for justcie being motivated out of love and compassion leads to freedom. I have smelt the fire burning up the twists in my motives... the sifting has just arrived on a public stage of life. "God is determined that if anyone is going to do 'God's work' that it will be done in 'God's Way'".

Leasons in humility are waiting and are in line for me... and maybe some of you as well.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdome of God".

Monday, March 29, 2004

Play List for Tommorrow Pluss...

I had a lot of fun with this show. If you aren't hearing my shows on the net... I could at the requst of some who emial me send out a copy CD of one of my shows just to give you a flavor of what's up. It is one way I get space to reflect and then share some of my reflections with others. And so it goes... email me ; )

1. Track 03 2:26 Blackalicious Arrow 2.8 MB
2. Track 01 3:52 Stained 4.5 MB
3. Track 13 3:51 Matthew 6 4.5 MB
4. Light 3:12 Apt Core #2 3.7 MB
5. Track 20 5:39 KRS ONE 6.5 MB
6. peacemaker 4:28 Marie Brennan Whisper to the Wild Water 5.2 MB
7. Zombie 5:07 Cranberries Best Of
8. Intro a 3:25 Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities Excerpts Books & Spoken
9. intro b 2:37 Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities Excerpts Books & Spoken
10. I'm Gonna Live the Life 2:37 Mahalia Jackson The Greatest Gospel singer In the World
11. Track 11 3:00 Daniel Amos
12. Resplendent 5:02 Bill Mallonee & Vigilantes of Love Audible Sigh
13. Track 03 3:24 5 Blind Boys of Alabama
14. Mercy Rains 5:31 Barry Taylor Love Songs for Underdogs
15. Cantan Los Ninos 5:55 Giovani Aniversaio
16. Track 02 0:46 Scratch

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Working through it All

Today I am reading and reflecting on the life of Oscar Romero. He is a very significant man of Peace and Faith from El Salvador -- Killed for his witness... I find much of what he has to say compelling and worth reflecting on inour times.

Sunday I had the responsibility of pulling together some quotes for an evening of reflection with LA InnerChange. We were all enriched and challenged by it.

I choose to read some of these quotes on KR.
And played Ruth Naomi Floyd's Album Fan into Flame & Walk and Not Be Faint

I am also Reading The Holy Longing. The author starts from the world of "Sprituality" and works towards his own world view. (He belongs to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who feel called to serve the poor as their main charism.) I do not land where he does... but it is so far a good read. Good enough to encourage others to take a look... Insight into the times we are living in.

I am a little sick today. A little feverish. I had a cold just last week. Back to prayer, Robitussin & Niquill.

Yesterday like most Mondays recently... I spent 2 hours toutoring a neighbor. A couple of youth came by interested in learning how to play chess. My experience is that we are all healthier when we are growing and learning something. Chess is a game that hinges on the power and permanence of choice. A great game to help at risk youth who have the patience to learn the realities of choice and consequence -- Oh...and it's only a game.

Jenga is the most inclusive game that I have found out there... great for all ages together.

And so it Goes...

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

Wrestle Mix Again on KR

Wrestle Mix


1. This Present Darkness 2:40 Deliverance Live in the Studio
2. When I Flow 4:18 Cross Movement
3. The Hurricane 8:34 Bob Dylan
4. Track 06 3:14 KRS ONE Kristyles
5. The Trouble with Normal 3:37 Bruce Cockburn
6. Track 01 3:52 Stained
7. They All Fall Down 5:23 Grits
8. Thank You For the Cross 4:48
9. Never Give Up 3:17 KRS ONE Spiritual Minded
10. Track 03 2:26 Blackalicious Arrow
11. Track 08 2:36 Larea Raine Garretson
12. Burn Hollywood Burn 2:47 Public Enemy Fear of a Black Planet
13. Resplendent 5:02 Bill Mallonee & Vigilantes of Love Audible Sigh
14. Track 03 3:24 5 Blind Boys of Alabama
15. peacemaker 4:28 Marie Brennan Whisper to the Wild Water
16. Alienated 2:17 Rez XX
17. Mommentum 3:23 Tobby Mac
18. I'm Gonna Live the Life 2:37 Mahalia Jackson The Greatest Gospel singer In the World
19. Track 02 0:46 Scratch

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

The Poison Tree by William Blake sent to me by Boy1

Boy I agree with you. Blake is often an insightful and powerful artist. Thanks for sending this out to me.

A Poison Tree

I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunnèd it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Til it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole,
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.


William Blake
From “Songs of Experience”

Some of my reflections conected to this poem:
* Anger is a result of knowing good and evil... by being responsible to make and keep the boundries of "fairness", "justice", etc.... The symbol of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is borrowed here. I wonder what life would have been like if like sex we ate of the tree of the knowledge of "Good and Evil" at a more age appropriate time. I don't think God created the "Tree" to tempt us. Yet Blakes tree is rather a diffferent kind of tree. It's fruit tempted one's enemy into becoming a victim. It is grown as our creation and not God's.

*Scripture (book chapter:verses) has a lot to say about anger: Matthew 5:21-26, Eph. 4:25-32, James 1:19-20 are just a few examples. We are to be real with our negative emotions and yet not necessarily be guided by them.

Tuesday, March 09, 2004

Streaming on KR

Today I am playing some:

Cross Movement
The Blind Boys of Alabama
and excerpts from The Online Prayer Guide (See Link)

I am also going to be reading some quotes by Dr. Richard Peace's book Meditative Prayer: Entering God's Presence.

It is interesting where and how streams of ideas flow. The phrase of "Each One Teach One" is Frank Laubach. He wasn't rocking the MIC ... He was determined to walk day in and out with God. He sought to promote literacy and succeeded a big way at this... with much respect!!!

Had a lot of fun today on KR.

Other goings on today.

Worked through Dr. Richard Peace's book Meditative Prayer: Entering God's Presence. today as part of my homework for his class. I liked it alot. Good practical wisdom.

Had lunch with Mariam and took her picture with her school books to promote our Multi-level mentoring community project.

Spent time in the office with small stuff... but it all has to get done sometime.

Yesterday I had a blast from 4-6:30pm toutoring a Danny and Becky in our neighborhood. I love those two kids and their family.

InnerChange leadership meetings have occupied Jude and I over the last 8 days and they are finally done for now. Got some complements for my cooking. I like to cook it is one of my hobbies.

Last Friday I got to share my love for II Peter 1:3-11 with 4 of our neighborhood mentors. Got some good positive feedback on the talk and some very good advice about improving it. It is sooo good to serve and work as a community!!!

I started this morning in prayer at the chapel in Good Samaritan Hospital. I really was moved in a special way today. Still on the grow because of it... Mostly praying in response to Isaiah 53.