Jesus on Skid Row

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” Matthew 25:35-36

I saw this verse personified this morning at Angelus Temple. This past Thursday Pastor Matthew Barnett and the Dream Center celebrated 15 years of ministry in Los Angeles, California. This service was like no other I’ve experienced. There was no hype, just a sense of vulnerability and reality.  I watched a 20 minute documentary of Pastor Matthew’s night on Skid Row as a homeless person. After celebrating fifteen years of ministry at the Dream Center, he and his dad (Tommy Barnett) as well another leader (formerly a resident of Skid Row) placed themselves the middle of one of the most dangerous places in America. They slept on cardboard, panhandled for change, and ate food handed out by another group of people.

During the night Pastor Matthew and his team met a woman named Stephanie. She had grown children and had found herself on Skid Row and wanted to get off the streets. She had been praying for a away out. That next morning she got in a van and started her journey through the women’s discipleship program. This morning as she stood on the platform sharing her testimony, she declares, “I’m family now, I’m not going anywhere.”

Watching this documentary reminded of the stories I grew up hearing from Bill Wilson of Metro Ministries. He started out in Phoenix, Arizona with Tommy Barnett and later began a bus ministry in New York City. Bill lives in a warehouse and buses kids to children’s church every week. He’s been shot, had TB, stabbed, and continues to love and minister in a dangerous area. Nothing can stop the Gospel from pouring out of this man in a hard core way. Metro Ministries ministers to over 20,000 children every week. I absolutely love his heart and the work he and his team are doing.

Leaders like Pastor Matthew and Bill are dangerous. They love dangerously.  Lord, make us dangerous.

Mission and Values

Recently I had to write a paper on the mission and core values of an organization. It made me think about my own personal mission and core values. Do you have any? A mission answers the question, “why do I exist?” or if from an organizational standpoint, “why do we exist?”

I believe I exist to add value to others by equipping and discipling them into their destiny.

Success and failures exist on this endeavor, but always keeping the target ahead. “I fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.” Hebrews 12:2

Conflict Management 101

In my favorite TV show, the lead character, Jack Bauer’s life revolves around “conflict management.” But for those of us living regular, unarmed, lives, there are ways to handle an intimidating situation at work. Some choose to become “the Hulk” and overreact to the situation. Others choose to become the punching bag for others to hurl at verbally. Then there are those who know how to respond and de-escalate a situation. Then there’s Jack’s way….grab them by the neck! I’m one who would rather avoid conflict, but that’s not possible. So I decided to be decently equipped at handling conflict. Here are some things to remember when confronted with a difficult person or situation.

PRE-CONFLICT

• Deal with it quickly: try to resolve immediately, do not let 24 hours go by without attempting a resolution.
• NEVER EMAIL or TEXT: if you are confronted in an email or text, call or go directly to the person and talk to them. If you fire back an email or text it will only make things worse, and its simply unprofessional.
• Contain the situation: go into a room or area separated from the rest of the group.
• Grab a 3rd party: someone not connected to the situation is wise to have in the room to witness the communication, or help “referee.” This can be a co-worker or manager.

IN-CONFLICT

• Remain calm: the atmosphere is already tense, what you do next will determine the outcome.
• Choose your words: the right words are needed, and if you don’t know what to say, its ok. It’s also ok to be blunt, and truthful. Put it all out on the table, but remember my previous note…remain calm.
• Be objective: there are always 3 sides to a story, “yours, theirs, and the truth.”
• Listen: really listen to what someone is saying and let them finish. Sometimes people just have to vent and its ok, let them get it all out.
• Validate the feelings: affirm what the other person is feeling, but don’t try to over sympathize or over correct.
• Accept responsibility: if you are at fault, whether real or perceived, take ownership. Use sentences that start with, “I.”

POST-CONFLICT

• Shut up: do not take the conflict outside the immediate people involved. Once you have gone back to your day, this is not the time to have a “coffee break gossip session.”
• Build teamwork: keep things professional and move on. Use the conflict to educate yourself in how to approach future dealings, not avoid them.
• Guard your heart: its easy to get offended or hurt by a conflict, but don’t take the bait. Learn and grow and be diligent to build healthy working relationships.

Recommended Resources:

Handling Difficult People, Dr. John Townsend (author of Boundaries)

Breaking Intimidation, John Bevere

17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player, John C. Maxwell

Beauty…within and without

Beauty.

Song of Solomon 7:1, “…Your beauty, within and without, is absolute, dear lover, close companion.” The Message

The Bible has a lot to say about beauty, it’s used when describing the Lord, His people, or a landscape. Each reference gives us a glimpse of something deeper than a magazine cover, something that touches the heart more than what our eyes can see. It’s an inner beauty expressed outwardly.

The Fugees have a song with the lyrics, “How you gonna win, if you aint right within?“

Being beautiful starts with a inside-out makeover. If you put a girl in a dress who doesn’t think she’s worthy of wearing it, then it’ll look awful because she feels awful in it. But if a girl knows her worth and feels valued, put her in a new dress and she’ll shine beyond the fabric into the hearts those around her.

What does the closet of your heart look like? Do you have clothes that are negative, destructive, and wounded? I’m reminded of the show, “What not to Wear”, follow their lead and take those clothes and throw them out the door! You have the unlimited shopping power of the Word, so replace your wardrobe with these great looks:

Ps 30:11, “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,”

Prov 31:25a, “She is clothed with strength and dignity;”

Romans 13:14, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,”

Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Isaiah 60: 1 & 3, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you…Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy;

Isaiah 61:3, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Perhaps you know that you are valued and are beautiful, or just a work in progress, I would encourage you to invest in another girl’s life – bring out the beauty that’s hidden.

You are RIGHTEOUSLY BEAUTIFUL!

About The Dream Center

To follow up my previous post I thought a bit of information about the Dream Center would be fun. Then, I’ll follow that up with some information about Angelus Temple. This place captures the DNA I want to have in my own life and be able to carry that DNA over into my future ministry ventures.

I took a tour of the facility a few months ago that was led by Pastor Matthew Barnett. It was such a treat to be hosted by him. You can follow him on Twitter @matthewbarnett.

The Dream Center’s Mission is: “a non-profit outreach dedicated to helping inner-cities. Our ministry provides hope by meeting both tangible and spiritual needs.”

They are connected to the very real needs of very real people living in inner-cities. They operate 24-7 feeding, clothing, ministering, playing, and rescuing.

A Few Fast Facts:
:: There are many locations called Dream Center but only 3 are official locations: New York, St. Louis, and Phoenix.

:: The facility is over 400,000 square feet

:: 1-year discipleship programs for men, women, and youth

:: Family floor has 30 families and they are building on more floors to accommodate more!

:: There’s a one-year waiting list to be a full-time volunteer and it costs $1000 a year with room and board at the DC.

:: DC’s operating costs are $500,000 a month which are met through Pastor Matthew’s and Pastor Tommy’s speaking engagements and donations made directly to DC.

:: Guest Speakers at Angelus Temple usually give a donation to the DC that is more than the honorarium the speaker receives for coming. (Now that’s Kingdom building!)

Each time you visit the DC or Angelus Temple you will hear at least 1 testimony of how someone’s life has been changed by the power of God at work in their lives as a result of being at the DC.

Angelus Temple, Los Angeles, CA

After much prayer and a real search of my heart, I have decided to call Angelus Temple in Los Angeles my new church home. This place is full of amazing people. Pastor Matthew is the son of Tommy Barnett of Phoenix First Assembly. I have seen Pastor Tommy speak on two occasions and have read his book, Multiplication, these people are intent on reaching the world for Jesus. Matthew and his wife Caroline Barnett pastor the church and lead the Dream Center. AT’s motto is “church 24-7.”  Every week there are hundres of church services, outreaches, and discipleship programs happening in and around the city of LA. They feed and clothe thousands, rescue prostitutes, care for familes getting back on their feet, etc. They are not afraid of the world around them – they embrace the lovely and unlovely. There’s so much rich history about the church and the Dream Center that Iwill have to make that a separate blog post. They have been able to establish a valuable place in the community and it’s recognizable by the people I hear and see every week.  I will be blogging about my involvement in upcoming outreaches. I’m already brainstorming about how to add value to the women – shopping days, resources, events, and lots of personal investment. I’ve got too many ideas to share so as I pray and meet people I’ll keep you posted!

A place to belong…

A place to belong….

Something I’m experiencing for the first time is finding a church home. I’ve visited several good churches that are candidates for my search, but somehow I’m finding it difficult to settle on one place. The last church I was at I knew people there and they made it easy to plug in and get involved. I stayed at that church for 8 years and felt I had a family. Now that I’m in California there are so many good churches to choose from it makes my decision that much more difficult to narrow down. So I’m taking time to pray and really seek God in this season of change.

So I have asked myself in a search of my own heart, “Am I afraid to settle down?” As a person who spent her whole life in the church I’m prone to throwing my whole self into a church and getting overly involved. So there’s a part of me that’s apprehensive in this search. Or maybe have I just not found the right place yet and must continue my prayerful search.

So what are some qualifications that one should look for?

Worship Style – a place I can dance around in, and throw up my hands in abandonment in corporate worship. It’s a place that captures the heart of God in worship.

Teaching Content – a place that is meaty and rich in content. More than applicable, they are spirit-led, life giving, challenging messages.

Fellowship – a place where people are celebrated and not tolerated. I’d like to hang out with hilarious, crazy and inspiring people who challenge me.

Involvement – a place where I can contribute my gifts, talents, and skills to disciple and equip the next generation.

If you are in a similar search, I would encourage you to continue on and let God lead you. But remember that no church is perfect and does not exist just “for” you…its about growing the Kingdom, and that means growing ourselves.

So more than a place to belong…it’s a place to be stretched.

Philanthropic Fashion Show…Beverly Hills

Howdy folks!

Well I had the amazing opportunity of serving with the Red Eye Inc crew at the Philanthropic Fashion Show held at The Peninsula in Beverly Hills. There was a red carpet, and a silent auction. The silent auction featured items from area designers to raise money for Red Eye. Clothes, art, and gifts were among the items up for grabs. The place was buzzing the moment I arrived and it was more than full…so full I didn’t get to see the show itself. Bummer….but serving the people and seeing them turnout for such a great cause thrilled my heart! Check out more about Red Eye at www.redeyeinc.org and read all about their adventures. These people have accepted me and allowed me to participate in their world while finding my place in Cali. They are WONDERFUL!

Confessions

They say confession is good for the soul…but I’m not Catholic. So confession is good for the blog. HA!

I confess…. to watching TV to relax and zone out or to have some noise in the background while I work on other things. My favorite shows are 24, Big Bang Theory, House Hunters, and UFO/urban legend-types (ask a skeptic.)

I confess…to having mini-candy bars in my night stand by my bed. They make good random mini-snacks when you don’t want a big sugar rush, but just a little something sweet.

I confess…as much as I love John Maxwell and his writings, I’ve only ever read 3 of his books all the way through. I start a book, and then start another one, never finishing the first one. But if you know me, then you know I live by and teach his principles as if I have read all of his books.

I confess…sandals, heels, loafers, flipflops, sparkly pink hi-tops…and the list goes on. IHeartShoes. I never throw any of them away…because I might “need them later.” So I just buy more. Hello California malls!

I confess…to having 2 alcoholic drinks over the course of my whole life (29 years). The first one was in St. Louis about 3 months ago. It was a very light Strawberry Daquiri. The second was about 1 month ago in an attempt to re-create the first drink but it was very strong so I only had a few sips. If my friends have their way, there’s more to come.

I confess…owning a very fast and wonderful 1986 Chevy Corvette. It was my dream car and I enjoyed every second of my ownership until it became necessary to allow someone else to care for it. Being the chick in the hot car was a very cool feeling, one I hope will be relived.

So what’s your confession? Hey, its ok to tell the truth. We are all friends here.

Jesus in our heart?

So what does it mean when people say, “Would you like to have Jesus in your heart”?

 The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23) is about a farmer scattering seed on various types of soil – rocky, thorny, and good. The seed is the Word and the soil is our heart. Read the parable, its self explanatory. Basically, when we receive Jesus we are renewed. Our lives begin a process of being molded and shaped into a disciple. The more of Him and His Word we allow to take root in us, the more fruit we will produce (Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 7:16-19.)

Let’s compare two verses:

Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

John 1:1, 4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…In Him was life and that life was the light of men.”

John 1:14 “The word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Jesus is the Word. We hide the Word in our hearts. Thus, Jesus in our heart.

So when we invite Jesus to be Lord of our lives its vital that we daily meditate on the Word and allow it to manifest in our lives (Joshua 1:7-8.)