Worth Developing

 

What would a developer do with 10.5 acres in Brooklyn, NY?  I guess that depends on what they are developing.  If they are developing wealth, it would likely be luxury apartments or a commercial office building.  If they are developing God's kingdom on earth, it might be something different.  A.R. Bernard is the pastor of the largest church in New York City.  He started the church in a grocery store, and the church has acquired some of the property around it.  For the past 10 years, Bernard has been planning a $1.2 billion urban center that includes affordable housing, a trade school, a performing arts center, a supermarket, and of course, a place for his 32,000 members to worship.  Bernard is hoping to have final approval this year with the ground breaking in 2023.  Praise God for a leader with the vision to build God's kingdom on Earth.  To learn more about this inspirational project, click here.

Pop Pronouns

I have done everything in my power to avoid this one, but I just can't anymore.  I like Demi Lovato.  I think she is a good singer, and I liked her as a judge on X-factor.   But she has been front and center this week because of her decision to use new pronouns which are now "they" and "she".  Last year, she identified as non-binary, which I assumes means that she can be both male and female, not one or the other.  But now, she is feminine, so she likes "she", but I have no idea how she gets to "they".  "They" is plural, and she is one person.  That is followed by her statement that her sexuality is fluid.   I recently heard that at an annual conference for a Fortune 500 company, attendees were required to list their pronouns on  their name badge.  I wish I could change the conversation from "this is what I want you to call me" to "this is how I am feeling today".  I feel more masculine when I am barefooting behind a ski boat, and I feel more feminine when I bust out crying when I hear a beautiful piece of music.  I don't need to dictate how you address me each time I feel different.  Besides, it is all too confusing.  Just call me Tom.  Which sex organs I have, and which sex I am attracted to doesn't need to be broadcast to anyone, but I am happy to tell a friend if they want to know.  I get that I may be adding fuel to the fire by posting this, but I am admittedly dazed and confused.

Navigating

Last month, Caroline and I had the opportunity to visit Montana for the wedding of Stevie and Abby Crawford.  Stevie is the son of one of my close friends, and he met Abby while in school at Montana State. They met while both attending an event sponsored by Navigators. Navigators has been around since 1933, and their mission is to spread the good news of Jesus through life-to-life discipleship.  Navigators has had a huge impact on Abby's life, and she has decided to dedicate the next year of her life to the organization. Caroline and I were impressed with her and her story and have decided to help sponsor her first year.  If you would like to know more about Navigators, click here or feel free to contact me.

Breakthrough

So many people are struggling. Whether it is poor health, financial instability, wayward kids or death of friends or family members., it seems like pain is almost everywhere.  I sometimes feel guilty for the blessings God has poured out on me and my family.  I recognize hard times will come for me too.    Praying doesn't guarantee fast fixes to our problems, but just the process of presenting our requests to God can be healing. For those struggling right now, I pray for peace.  And I pray for a breakthrough - in Jesus' name.   I listened closely to this song by Katy Nichole for the first time today.  I encourage you to do the same.

men in black

 

For all those born after 1990, men in black, probably conjures up images of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones from the 1997 hit movie of the same name.  Those born even later may think of Ed Harris's character in Westworld. Whatever the case, "men in black" does usually seem to be an expression of masculinity.  But what society deems masculine seems to be morphing over time.  The media  seems to paint masculinity with a "I'm so great.  You can't touch me."  air about it.  I don't hold anything against the celebrities mentioned above, but the original man in black, was Johnny Cash.  He almost always wore black and wrote the song by the same name.  Johnny was a star, but there was plenty about him that wasn't perfect.  He had a tough life in many ways.  The difference with him was his humility.  He knew he wasn't perfect.  He didn't see himself as God's gift to the world, but he saw God's grace as the greatest gift he had ever been given.  I'd like to know a few more men in black like Johnny.  

(These are my words, but they were inspired by this article if you want to read more.)

No More Running

 

We were all sickened by the massacre in Highland Park,  IL at a July 4th parade killing 7 people.   One two year old toddler arrived at the parade with two parents and left with none.  They were both killed.   I watched this interview of a mom who was also at the parade with her husband and 2 year old son.  They escaped physically unharmed, but mentally changed for life.  Her plea is impassioned but controlled, calling for us all to do something.  I have struggled with what to do.  I have friends that are gun advocates, but it is more than obvious that assault weapons in the wrong hands lead to innocent people being killed senselessly. As the mom in the video was laying her 2 year old down for his nap on the afternoon of the 4th, he looked up at her and said "no more running".   I can't imagine how I would feel if this were one of my grandchildren. 

Destination-Wedding

 

I missed posting last week for the first time in quite a while, but I had a good reason.  Caroline and I were celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary in Boseman, MT.   The son of some of our good friends was getting married there, and we took the opportunity to spend a week exploring the area.  We got to see Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park and some of the parks around Boseman.  If you haven't been to the area, we highly recommend it.  The mountains seem to spring up out of the plains.  I have never seen anything like it.  The week was capped by one of the most Christ-centered weddings I have ever attended.  (Photo: wedding venue)  It warmed my heart to see the young couple loving each other almost as much as they love Jesus.    It gives me more hope for our next generation and inspires me to continue trying to love Caroline more.  Happy Anniversary, Caroline.