My Spiritual Journey at the Big C

I'm sharing my spiritual journey at the Big C meeting tomorrow, May 1st.  The Big C is a meeting for Christian men in Pittsburgh who are interested in impacting their communities.  It will be held at the Four Points Sheraton in Cranberry from 7-9am.  The cost is $20 to get in, which covers a very good breakfast.  It should be fun, and hopefully my journey inspires some of the people who attend in some way.

Homewood Clean Up

The 3rd Annual Homewood Clean Up was incredible! We had over 60 people in attendance, the weather was beautiful, and we made a huge impact on the community. Even the mayor heard about what we were doing and decided to stop by for a visit. Overall this was a great day of partnership with Rapha Ministries and the community to help make Homewood a better place. I was extremely proud of the LAMP mentees who worked very hard in this effort.

New Books!

I've started reading the books for my next DMin class, Overture II:  Faith and Culture in Central America.  The class will be held from July 13-24 and facilitated by Dr. Fletcher Tink and Dr. Randy White.  Julie is planning to go with me, and we'll be spending time in Costa Rica and Mexico City.  We're currently studying Spanish to prepare.

I posted the names of the new books on the BGU reading list portion of this blog.  I'm really looking looking forward to gaining a broader perspective on Hispanic theology and immigration, especially having lived and worked in a Hispanic community for six years when we lived in California.  God has planted many seeds in my heart to prepare me for this next adventure.

Spiritual battles in urban ministry

Urban ministry can be very overwhelming.  Lately, Julie and I have experienced some intense struggles both within the ranks of the LAMP ministry and in our personal lives.  Of late, I have been able to discern certain aspects of these struggles as attacks from the enemy.  I'm always amazed at how much I get caught up in my own human struggles, and how little I pay attention to the spiritual battles when things are going good.

Julie and I have been examining the armor of God recently, and it is very encouraging to read through that passage of scripture together.  I am also encouraged by the writings of urban ministry pioneers who I have been studying lately.  

Robert Lupton wrote the following in the epilogue to one of his books about the personal strain of life in urban ministry:  "Remember me, O my God, for good."  It is a prayer well suited for those of us whose hearts are right, whose intentions are good and who, with all our best efforts to renew the city, end up with less than perfect outcomes.  It is an admission of our flawed character, a recognition that lasting results are in the hands of the God who shapes history and a hopeful affirmation that in the divine economy no act of obedience is ever wasted."

Training Stories

Around 210 people from North Way have completed LAMP mentoring and cultural training since we launched the partnership with the Faison schools in Homewood three years ago.  I've had the interesting experience of participating in, and in many cases facilitating, almost every monthly training session.  I just arrived home from one such mentoring training, and I continue to be amazed by the differences in each group of trainees who go through this material.

I love to interject stories into the training curriculum, and Joanne Galinowski from Family Guidance is good at inviting me to bring those stories into the content she has planned for the training sessions.  Tonight I shared the infamous "F-bomb email" story with the group.  I followed that up with the "peeing on the school" incident from two years ago.

But I don't only share negative or funny stories.  I love to share stories about the incredible breakthroughs I've had with the young people in Homewood and East Hills.  I love to talk to people about how much potential my mentees have.  Although life is a struggle for them sometimes, they each have bright futures.  They can each make a huge impact on this world if given the opportunity.  I'm thankful for the opportunity that I have to impact their lives, even if it's only once or twice a week.  I'm also thankful for the opportunity to share good stories about young people with the new mentors going through training.  I can't wait to see how God shows up in their upcoming mentoring matches.

Darts and Electricity

It has been really great to see how the LAMP Post mentoring center on my parents' farm is coming together. We installed a dart board this past weekend, and it is already a magnet for kids (the mentees and my own). Throwing darts is one of those great activities, especially for guys. It's hard for many male mentors to sit across a table from their mentees and "just talk." When throwing darts, great discussions develop around countless minutes spent throwing sharp objects around. The competition is also an important part of the equation. I love when cries of joy and dismay are mixed into an average conversation due to the drama that only darts can provide. I can tell I'm getting old because I woke up on Sunday with "dart arm." Yes, my arm was actually sore as if I had lifted weights the day before. Next thing you know I won't be able play darts anymore due to a nagging medical diagnosis of "dart elbow." Either that or the puncture wounds associated with recreational activities involving placing sharp objects in the hands of my mentees.

Also, electrical boxes and outlets were installed for the gymnasium-style lights that have been purchased for the barn. The only hinderance to a prolonged game of darts, or pool, or ping pong at the moment is darkness. Well, that and a few minor holes in the barn floor that kids might happen to fall into. Anyway, very soon the LAMP Post will be fully operational! Hopefully this space will be a tremendous resource for people. I know I'm enjoying setting things up.

Life is Humbling

This past month has been intense, and today I was forced to take a break.  I must have had food poisoning or something, but I needed to take my first sick day in a long time.  It was very humbling.  Slowing down for a day has caused me to reflect on how often I am being humbled lately.

I completed my first doctorate class last week.  I learned a lot, and I am so glad that I did it, but it took every ounce of effort that I could muster up.  It was humbling because I realize how much I have to learn (and unlearn) about the world.  Also, I academic writing is a daunting task, and so is trying to find margin in life while studying so much.

Working with kids through LAMP is also tremendously humbling.  I think I know a lot about working with young people, but God seems to constantly be putting me in situations where I need to completely depend on Him for guidance.  Mentoring kids is tough sometimes!

Marriage and family life is also humbling.  I love my wife so much, and we still find ourselves constantly working on building and growing our relationship.  It does not matter how many successes I have in my career or in life... my family is more important.  I also need to continue to make sure that I bring my family along with me in the adventure!

Most of all, having a relationship with God is humbling.  Sometimes I feel so close to God, and other times I feel distant.  I simply can't comprehend how mysterious and dangerous God is, and how He could love me so much.