North Park to become part of Mid-City Division of SDPD on September 17th

The Police Department is restructuring its beat districts for the first time in 30 years. On September 17th, North Park will become part of the Mid-City Division instead of Western Division. Lt. Todd Jarvis, Acting Captain of the Mid-City Division of the San Diego Police Department, was the guest speaker at Thursday's North Park Action Team meeting, and he explained how the decision was made to adjust several Division lines. The net effect should be quicker response times and more available police time for the community. A/Capt. Jarvis can be reached at pjarvis@pd.sandiego.gov, or 619-516-3035.

Officer Jenny Hall will be the new Community Relations Officer (CRO) serving North Park. She is working with Officer David Surwilo of Western Division to make a smooth transition of Neighborhood Watch groups and programs. Officer Hall can be reached at jmason@pd.sandiego.gov or 619-516-3009.

The Action Team meets on fourth Thursdays, 5:30 pm, at the North Park Adult Community Center, 2711 Howard Ave. (across the street from the water tower). The North Park Action Team is a grassroots community group proactively working on safety and quality of life issues. Email actionteamnp@gmail.com for more information.

Source: North Park Community Association

COME LET US REASON TOGETHER

The Pastor Has No Clothes:

Moving from Clergy-Centered Church to Christ Centered Ekklesia*

By Jon H. Zens

Protestantism carries on with the practice of making the "pastor" the focal point in church. In The Pastor Has No Clothes, Jon Zens demonstrates that putting all the ecclesiastical eggs in the pastor's basket has no precedent in the New Testament. Using 1 Corinthians 12:14, Zens shows the usual way of doing church contradicts Paul's self-evident remark that "the body indeed is not one part" and then goes on to unfold from that Epistle how the living church functions "with many parts." Jon dismembers the traditional pastor doctrine from various angles by combining two new essays and a response to Eugene Peterson's The Pastor: A Memoir, with three past articles and excerpts from his response to Dr. Ben Witherington's review of Pagan Christianity.

*Ekklesia: means, “gathering of the called out ones” from which we get our word, “church”.

Order your copy from Amazon now.

JESUS AND HOOPS

Teaching Christianity through basketball

6:40 PM, Jul 27, 2011

GILPIN COUNTY - More than 10 years ago, Jonathan Barnett was sitting at college feeling sad about the way his life had turned out. That's when he picked up a bible and read a verse in John 5:24 which talks about Jesus conquering death.

"It talks about how that we've crossed over from death until life," said Barnett, co-founder of Crossover International, based in Lakewood.

He saw pictures in his mind of kids playing basketball executing a "crossover" dribble move and had an idea of using basketball to help kids crossover and discover Christianity. He called his best friend Nonzo Azubuike and the nonprofit, Crossover International, was born.

"Some of the countries that we're going to this year including the Czech Republic is very, very known for the atheism," Azubuike, co-founder and president of Crossover International, said.

They have invited basketball players from ages 17 to 36 to a training camp held at the Gilpin County Community Center near Black Hawk. They are staying at a quiet camp called Eagle Rock far from the reach of cell phones and texts.


"Those little distractions aren't there," Azubuike said. "So, we're really able to connect with each other on a spiritual level."

Some are former professional players who played in European Leagues, former college players, and current college players from Division 1 and Division 2.

"There's nothing better than to use your talents to do something good," Barnett said.

This year, 30 men and women will travel around Europe and conduct basketball camps for kids in areas where religion is not strong.


"Those kids don't go to church," Barnett said.

Players like Troy Cohen will use basketball to build relationships with kids while trying to teach them about Jesus Christ and the Bible.

"You don't have to use words to share the love of Christ," Cohen said.

Crossover International will also start sending teams to Africa to try to change kids' lives there, as well.
"We're coming over to their backyard and playing the game of basketball, the game that they love," Azubuike said. "But we're also investing in their lives."

Barnett says it's more than just the lives of the kids that are changing.

"They're fun, play basketball, work with kids, but you come back different," Barnett said.

"When they get back from the trip, it's not just this spiritual high or not just this incredible experience," Azubuike said. "They actually are learning how to implement habits that will help them in their own lives."
Cohen says he is a changed man.

"You, in turn, are so blessed by just their response, just the little things, the smiles, the greetings," Cohen said.

The Crossover players will take on professional teams in Europe to help draw attention to their youth camps. They hope to reach more than 250 kids this summer.

This year, Crossover International is celebrating its 10th year. Azubuike says he envisions expanding even further possibly sending 10 to 20 teams around the globe each year. If you want to find out more about Crossover International, visit www.crossover.org.

Barnett says he cannot believe the results of just one night feeling sad and picking up the Bible.
"It's been exciting. It's been fun and it's changed my life," Barnett said. "It's been impactful, hopefully on a lot of kids around the world."

(KUSA-TV © 2011 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

EXTRAORDINARY PRISON HOSPICE

Serving Life documents an extraordinary hospice program where hardened criminals care for dying fellow inmates. Narrated and executive produced by Academy Award®-winner Forest Whitaker, the film takes viewers inside Louisiana's maximum security prison at Angola, where the average sentence is more than 90 years.

Serving Life

–OWN Documentary Club –

Oprah Winfrey Network

Premieres on OWN Tonight, Thursday, July 28 at 9/8c
Find OWN on TV at http://www.oprah.com/own/channel_finder.html

"What we call the process, God calls the end"

And straightway He constrained His disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side. . . ." Mark 6:45-52

We are apt to imagine that if Jesus Christ constrains us, and we obey Him, He will lead us to great success. We must never put our dreams of success as God's purpose for us; His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not. The question of getting to a particular end is a mere incident. What we call the process, God calls the end.

What is my dream of God's purpose? His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working towards a particular finish; His end is the process - that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God. 

God's training is for now, not presently*. His purpose is for this minute, not for something in the future. We have nothing to do with the afterwards of obedience; we get wrong when we think of the afterwards. What men call training and preparation, God calls the end. 

God's end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now. If we have a further end in view, we do not pay sufficient attention to the immediate present: if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest July 28th.

* Presently means the near future in Oswald’s English

John Stott Has Died

Obituary

An architect of 20th-century evangelicalism shaped the faith of a generation.

Tim Stafford | posted 7/27/2011 01:37PM

Editor's Note: John Stott died today at 3:15 London time (about 9:15 a.m. CST), according to John Stott Ministries President Benjamin Homan. Homan said that Stott's death came after complications related to old age and that he has been in discomfort for the last several weeks. Family and close friends gathered with Stott today as they listened to Handel's Messiah. Homan said that John Stott Ministries has been preparing for his death for the past 15 years. "I think he set an impeccable example for leaders of ministries of handing things over to other leaders," Homan said. "He imparted to many a love for the global church and imparted a passion for biblical fidelity and a love for the Savior." This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Read the Article Here......

CT CLASSIC John Stott: The Man Who Wouldn't Be Bishop Discernment and discipline have enabled him to touch lives worldwide. By David Neff

Legacy of a Global Leader Less known than Stott's earlier work is his ministry with Langham Partnership International. By Tim Stafford

Evangelism Plus John Stott reflects on where we've been and where we're going. By Tim Stafford

Basic Stott In this cover story from 1996, evangelicalism's premier teacher speaks on gender, charismatics, leaving the Church of England, the poor, evangelical fragmentation, Catholics, the future, and other subjects. By Roy McCloughry

The Quotable Stott Reflections on the occasion of John R.W. Stott's 80th birthday. Compiled by Richard A. Kauffman

INTEGRITY~HUMILITY~SIMPLICITY

Cape Town 2010 has been called the most representative gathering of Christian leaders in the 2000 year history of the Christian movement (Christianity Today).  Four-thousand Christian leaders representing 198 countries attended the Congress in Cape Town, South Africa.  The Congress was brought together by a globalized leadership team from Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, India, North America and elsewhere.  Several thousand more leaders participated in the Congress through the Cape Town GlobaLink, Cape Town Virtual Congress and Lausanne Global Conversation.  Learn more about this gathering by watching this short documentary

WHERE IS YOUR HEAD?

Circle of Protection

Matthew 25 — Why We Went to the White House

by Jim Wallis 07-21-2011

Today is another intense day of politics at the White House. The debt default deadline is fast approaching. The stakes for the nation are high as politicians can’t agree on how to resolve the ideological impasse on how to reduce the deficit before the nation defaults on its financial obligations.

Yesterday, before Congressional leaders were due at the White House for critical negotiations, I, along with 11 other national faith leaders, met with President Obama and senior White House staff for 40 minutes. We were representing the Circle of Protection, which formed in a commitment to defend the poor in the budget debates. Sitting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, we opened in prayer, grasping hands across the table, and read scripture together. We reminded ourselves that people of faith must evaluate big decisions on issues like a budget by how they impact the most vulnerable.

Continue reading this entry »

"NUMBER ONE KILLER"

Science cannot affirm the non-existence of God

Archbishop: Church Must Learn Language of Youth

Says Liberty and Science Are Two Dominant Values

MADRID, Spain, JULY 21, 2011 (Zenit.org).- To evangelize young people, the Church must understand their culture, in which liberty and science are dominant values, say the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella said this Wednesday during the summer course "Young People and the Catholic Church: Points for a Youth Ministry for Today," which is under way this week at King Juan Carlos University in Madrid.

The archbishop's talk was titled "Young People and God, Young People and Jesus Christ, Young People and Eternal Life."

One cannot speak to young people of Christ, said the evangelization dicastery president, "without speaking of liberty, as the youth of today has placed it in his culture, but liberty must always be in relation to truth, as it is truth that produces liberty."

At the same time, he added, "one cannot speak of God to young people without knowing the culture of today's young people, which is scientific. Today's culture, its content, is full of axioms of science."

The Italian prelate clarified that the Church is "in favor of science, but the latter must be in favor of humanity and never against humanity."

"The time will come when science itself will ask for help from theology to know the realms of reality more amply, and to be able to give an answer to pain, to betrayal, to death," in short, "to the great questions, the questions of meaning," said archbishop Fisichella.

Archbishop Fisichella pointed out that "the interaction of science, personal life and ethics is necessary," and that one cannot live without the other.

By way of example, the archbishop gave the case of the director of the Genome project, Francis S. Collins, who has gone further into the language of God, because "true science puts you at the doors of the transcendent."

Archbishop Fisichella concluded assuring that one "can be Catholic and scientific at the same time. To experience scientific knowledge does not imply atheism. The scientific has its limits; it cannot affirm the non-existence of God."

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Number One Killer in Black Community

ATLANTA, July 19, 2011 Christian Newswire

The National Black Prolife Coalition ( www.blackandprolife.org) announces a social media video campaign, called "NUMBERS DON'T LIE" to expose the number one killer of African-Americans: Planned Parenthood and urban abortion clinics. The second installment of a 3-part video series, entitled: "NUMBER ONE KILLER" was released today. It reveals how abortions in the black community outnumber all other causes of death combined.


New York City, the home of Planned Parenthood, aborts nearly 60% of all black pregnancies. Yet abortion activists denounce any effort to address this epidemic of abortion.

"Pro-abortion groups cry racism and misogyny because they know they can't speak to the facts. They've tried to remove our TooManyAborted.com billboards and crush free speech instead of halting over 363,000 innocent lives needlessly crushed in the black community," said Ryan Bomberger of The Radiance Foundation, the organization that created the video series.

"When will our black leaders take an honest look at these numbers, become outraged and do something to stop the abortion deaths of our beautiful black babies?" asked Rev. Arnold M. Culbreath of Protecting Black Life. "The numbers don't lie. Abortion takes a tremendous toll on our women, our men, our families and our future."

"The betrayal of many of these self-styled leaders runs deep," said Catherine Davis of the Black Prolife Coalition. "Many are recipients of the largesse of the abortion industry as they promote the destruction of their own community through abortion."

Pastor Stephen Broden of Dallas, Texas said: "The effect of abortion in the black community is clear as one examines the numbers. So-called leaders are complicit in the decimation of our children and the very survival of our people."
With a $1 billion annual budget and $1 billion in assets, Planned Parenthood has historically targeted African-Americans with birth control through population control efforts. Today, the nation's largest abortion chain kills 332,278 (disproportionately black) in the latest year reported, providing only 7,021 women prenatal care and 977 adoption referrals.

"This campaign should be liberating for the leaders and everyone concerned. After all, the truth sets us all free. If our leaders haven't sold us out, this is their opportunity to stand up for life," said Dr. Alveda King, of www.africanamericanoutreach.org.

The powerful video series can be seen at www.blackandprolife.org.

The National Black ProLife Coalition is a network of black pro-life and pro-family organizations committed to celebrating Life and Family by cultivating Hope in the black community.

MEET SOME PEOPLE FROM THE KING'S COLLEGE

International Venture Investigates Post-Christian France

Students survey French attitudes on love, marriage, and religion

Continental Europe, center stage to so many major events in Christendom, has become increasingly secular. Cathedrals are more national treasures of art than they are houses of worship for the masses. The decline in church attendance is so significant, in fact, that some say that Western Europe has entered a “post-Christian” era. What derailed a continent, so rich with Christian history, from the faith? This was one question that prompted 10 King’s students to travel to Paris, a historical centerpiece of Christianity in Europe, as part of the College’s International Ventures program.  Click to read more >

Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “When China wakes, it will shake the world.” In the early 20th century, his words were drowned out by the sound of Western industrialization. Today, his words emerge prophetic. China’s 1.3 billion person economy booms, and its economic, political, and military influence continue to increase. This summer, a group of King’s students, faculty, and alumni traveled to China for three weeks to experience this increasingly strategic nation firsthand.Click to read more >

Students Prepare for China

THANK GOD FOR PRESBYTERIANS

Dear Friends and Members of the Presbytery of San Diego, 

The Presbytery of San Diego has always been a SPIRITUAL community of believers in Jesus Christ.  However, we used to be primarily a governing body.  In the present, we are primarily a RELATIONAL community.  In the future, we hope to become primarily a MISSION agency.  Although we obviously occupy a geographical area, our identity, our DNA, has been mostly shaped and formed by our spiritual, missional, and relational actions.  Our desire is to discern what the Holy Spirit is up to in our region and participate in the mission of God in this place.  It’s not that the Church of God has a mission, but that the God of mission has a Church. We want to make a difference in our communities, and persuade as many other believers, churches, and missional Christian communities to do the same.  To God be the glory!

The Presbytery of San Diego Declaration

Clark Cowden, Executive Presbyter

Vacationers Invited to Seek Paradise

Spanish Prelate Says There Are Glimmers of Heaven on Earth

ALICANTE, Spain, JULY 15, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The bishop of a popular vacation spot in Spain is encouraging vacationers to use the time of rest as a motivation to seek the Paradise promised to the good thief on the cross.

Bishop Rafael Palmero Ramos of the southern seaport city of Alicante made this invitation in a letter to vacationers visiting his diocese this summer.

"It is true that man's fulfillment as regards 'being happy and enjoying himself' is in heaven, but it is no less true that here also, on earth, we can perceive glimmers of that paradise, ever lost and always longed for," the bishop proposed.

The 74-year-old prelate said vacation is a time to "obtain what we need." The time of rest brings an experience of God's love, he suggested, and a chance to enjoy creation, "respecting it and being grateful for it."

It is a time for "inner peace and loving others," he continued, and a good time for the sacrament of reconciliation. 

"In a word: trying to 'be happy, enjoying ourselves,' trusting in the Risen Christ and knowing that only friendship with him gives and guarantees us enjoyment and joy."

Referring to the promise of Paradise for the good thief, Bishop Palmero Ramos recalled that heaven is not a place, but a state in which God will be all in all. "Only then will we be content," he said, "only then we will be happy."

The prelate referenced Benedict XVI's recommendation in 2008 to use vacation as a time to read a saint's biography, though "every day of the year affords us an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with our heavenly patrons."

The Pope said on that occasion that saints' "human and spiritual experience shows that holiness is not a luxury, it is not a privilege for the few, an impossible goal for an ordinary person; it is actually the common destiny of all men called to be children of God, the universal vocation of all the baptized. Holiness is offered to all; naturally, not all the Saints are equal: in fact, as I said, they are the spectrum of divine light. Moreover, a Saint who possesses extraordinary charisms is not necessarily a great Saint. Indeed, there are a great many whose names are known only to God, because on earth they led an apparently perfectly normal life."

Bishop Palmero Ramos urged remembering that "our paradise is not linked to a specific place, or a concrete time."

"It is not tied to vacations, nor does it consist of having many things within reach, nor is it attained by giving free rein to our passions," he said. "It is not the property of a few, and is not obtained by human effort alone. The New Testament reveals the last secret of this divine plan for man's happiness: Jesus Christ is our happiness, he is our Paradise."

http://www.zenit.org/article-33084?l=english 

A BORDER CITY REPORT

Alive to God at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran

This past Sunday you heard: "The words, 'he was counted righteous' were written not only for Abraham but also for [you]. God had in mind already then to count [you] righteous on the basis of [your] believing in Him Who raised our Lord Jesus from the dead." (Romans 4:23-24) [pronouns altered].

During these summer Sundays the sermon themes are drawn from the book of Romans. The last three weeks the overarching theme has been: The Righteous by Faith in Jesus Christ Shall Live.

The next several weeks the big idea, drawn from Romans 5 - 8, is: Alive to God.
 
There is no freedom for anyone until God's wrath ends, and the end of wrath comes only through preaching Abraham's promise "guaranteed to all his descendants" (Romans 4:16). Once the promise is communicated, St. Paul can say: "Therefore, since we are justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:1).

Peace. Access. Incredible words; and this is the reality of what Christ Jesus accomplished for you and me at just the right time. So as you prepare to hear the word this Sunday you are encouraged to read: Exodus 19:2-8; Psalm 100; Romans 5:6-15; Matthew 9:35-10:8.

Until Sunday.

In God's love and mine, --Pastor Greg 

Defend and Define Your Faith

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Defends and Defines the Basic Claims of the Christian Faith
"We must commit ourselves, heart and mind, soul and will, personally and unreservedly, to Jesus Christ. We must humble ourselves before him. We must trust him as our Savior and submit to him as our Lord; and then go on to take our place as loyal members of the church and responsible citizens in the community. This is basic Christianity, the theme of this book."

With these words, world-renowned preacher John Stott embarks on a compelling study that first defends the basic claims of Christianity and then defines the proper outworkings of those main beliefs in the daily lives of believers. Here is a sound, sensible guide for all who are seeking an intellectually satisfying presentation of the Christian faith.

Named one of the Top 100 Books of the Millennium by World magazine and listed among Christianity Today's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century, Basic Christianity has impacted countless readers worldwide over the past fifty years. This special new edition continues the Stott legacy and includes helpful Study Questions for group discussion.

"Anything John Stott says is worth listening to. Anything he writes is worth reading. Basic Christianity is not only a classic must-read for every believer; it is truly a blessing preserved on the written page for the enrichment of this generation and those to come." --Anne Graham Lotz

Paperback; 184 pages

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ONLY $7.20 • GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

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NORTH PARK CHURCHES IN THE NEWS

North Park | Sheep and Goats

El Cajon Boulevard Church of Christ

By Joseph O'Brien | Published Wednesday, July 13, 2011 

John Manor

El Cajon Boulevard Church of Christ

2528 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park, 619-295-1819

Contact: 2528 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego; 619-299-6812; ecbchurchofchrist.org
Membership: 130
Pastor: John Manor
Age: 43
Born: Monterey
Formation: San Diego State University
Years Ordained: 3


San Diego Reader: How long do you spend writing your sermon?

Pastor John Manor: The better part of the last half of the week I spend on my Sunday sermon. I’m usually spending about 12 to 13 hours. I try to let the Lord guide me to wherever my study is. Typically, about 50 percent time, the Sunday message stems from a point that is coming from one of the Bible teachings through the week, which are really expository verse-by-verse treks through various books of the Bible. Occasionally, I’ll speak on something more topical, too. For instance, for the Fourth of July, I’ll loosely tie in freedom in Christ, and focus on God using just a few people to do great things.

SDR: What is your favorite subject on which to preach?

PM: Jesus. No matter where you are in the Bible, you find that’s who you’re being drawn to. So, whether you’re in the Old Testament or the New Testament, the word is leading back to Christ. If we have done a study and it hasn’t somehow related to either the person or the work of Christ or my relationship to him…then I think we’ve missed out on what God has to say to us in his word.

SDR: What is your main concern as a member of the clergy?

PM: Secularization and apathy on the part of Christians. Due to the pressures of the world, I’m concerned we are not being a distinctive people and letting the light of Christ shine so that people really see that God can and does transform people’s lives…. Ultimately, my concern is people’s salvation, but you can’t get someone on that page if they don’t see any value in Christianity.

SDR: What is the mission of your church?

PM: To grow personally to be more like Jesus Christ on an individual basis, and in so doing, to be what Jesus says, a light and salt to those people who are around us. For a congregation like ours, a commuter congregation, that means being that light wherever God has placed each of us, in work or school and places of community which are not necessarily in North Park. But we also feel a calling to be that light to those around us here, so we do have some ministries geared more toward the people living around here.
SDR: Where do you go when you die?

PM: There are only, biblically speaking, two options. We will either be in the Lord’s presence in Heaven or we’ll be separated from him, which the Bible calls Hell. The reality is that that is a further continuation of what the person has chosen in this life. If you’ve chosen not to want to serve God in this life, then your eternal destiny is to be separated from the one who you’ve been rejecting for however long you’ve been on the planet. On the other hand, God has made everything possible for us not to go there and be reconciled to him. That’s the whole purpose of his sending his son, and it is the means by which we can then as sinful people be reconciled to a holy God and live with him in his presence, which is his desire.

You Are a New Creation

ARE YOU NOURISHED?

Milk, Meat, and the Malnourished Church

by Steven Furtick

One of the greatest critiques of the American Church today is that it’s malnourished. Some would even say it’s our most pressing problem.

When most people voice this complaint, the focus is on the worship experience. From people who leave these churches, you hear, “I wasn’t getting fed.” Or, “I just want some deeper teaching.” From people outside these churches you hear, “too much milk, not enough meat.”

In some cases, I’m sure this is true. But I really don’t think that’s the real problem. Yes, American Christians are malnourished. But I don’t believe it has anything to do with milk or meat.
Most American Christians aren’t malnourished because of what they’re getting fed on Sunday. They’re malnourished because they don’t feed themselves Monday through Saturday.

So you had filet mignon on Sunday and learned about the mystical union of Christ and the church as it relates to the rapture and the design of the tabernacle in relation to Levitical dietary laws as understood by the Council of Trent. Good for you. Have fun starving yourself the rest of the week and letting your pastor read the Bible so you don’t have to.

So you had some milk on Sunday and learned 37 ways to ________. Have fun having 37 new ways to not obey God during the coming week.

The crisis facing the church today isn’t what people are getting fed on Sundays. It’s what they’re not feeding themselves the rest of the days. Who really cares whether you consume meat or milk on Sunday if it’s the only meal you have all week?

I’m not saying this to get pastors and churches off the hook. It is the shepherd’s job to feed the sheep (John 21). And feed them well based on their needs and faith development. But it’s also the sheep’s job to eat:

13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:13 & 14

Here’s the point.

Churches: we have a responsibility. We should serve up the Word, hot and fresh every single Sunday. As church leaders, it is our job to create and sustain processes and systems that responsibly enable people to grow in their faith after receiving Christ. Tomorrow I’ll be sharing our philosophy and approach of how we do that at Elevation.

People in our churches: you also have a responsibility. If you refuse to study the Word, apply it, pray some during the week, join a small group and dig deeper with others, there’s not much we can do to help you. Your malnourishment won’t be cured by anything we give you on Sunday.

So are you an infant and need milk? Drink it for now, but the only way you’re getting more mature and will be ready for meat is by training yourself. Constantly. Do you want meat? From these verses, it seems like meat is doing the milk. On your own. Constantly.

Not getting it served to you once a week.

Steven Furtick is the Lead Pastor of Elevation Church, an incredible move of God in Charlotte, NC with more than 6,000 in attendance each week among three locations. He is the author of the book, Sun Stand Still. He lives in Charlotte with his wife Holly and their two sons, Elijah and Graham. Visit Steven Furtick at www.stevenfurtick.com

E-Vangel Newsletter

July 11, 2011

Christ United Methodist Ministry Center

“Christ in the Heart of San Diego”

3295 Meade Avenue

San Diego, CA 92116

(619) 284-9205

www.ChristSD.com

Pastorgraphs: “I will…”

Todd is a fellow HealingWell.com prostate cancer survivor. He has the highest PSA score at diagnosis I have ever seen (3216.14). That was five years ago, and he’s “still standing”. Mine by comparison was 4.4. (Anything above 4.0 gets the doctor’s attention.) Imagine Todd’s doctor’s reaction when he saw that PSA score! (“Todd, I suggest you don’t buy any green bananas, because…”)

Todd’s latest prognosis, however, is not good. His doctor said if the current treatment fails, his remaining life will be measured in months, not years. So he took time to share his philosophy of life. He called it, “I will…”

“I will eat peanut M and M's and I will eat steak…

I will have dessert first.

I will fish when I want.

I will love with my whole heart.

If I want a greasy truck stop burger, I will also eat that.

When asked by the party on the phone if I can hold, I will say “no”.

When a phone solicitor calls me at dinner time, I will consent to talk to them if they give me their home number and allow me to call them back when they are eating dinner.

I will not fear. (repeat)

I will not fear.

I will enjoy every day as if it was my last.

I will be a friend to all who desire it.

I will not wallow in despair.

I will not feel sorry for myself.

I will embrace this challenge for what it is.

It is a chance to grow and learn.

To do anything other than what my heart asks me to do would be a waste of my spirit and the gift of life that I have been given.”

~ Todd

Thanks Todd. This is not the first time you have inspired and blessed me.

So, take note of Todd’s attitude. No complaining, grousing or self-pity permitted; at least not today, or tomorrow, or the next day.

And, when we are tempted to have a “pity party” we should re-read Todd’s “I Will…”.

Now get out there and enjoy today! It’s God’s gift to you and those you love, and who love you.

Devotedly, Parson Bill

“I was ill and you cared for my illness…”

Independent South Sudan is jubilant

 

Parishioners join their priest in celebrating the establishment of the day-old Republic of South Sudan during morning services at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Juba, South Sudan. 

(Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times / July 10, 2011)

South Sudan is a bit quieter after Saturday's independence hoopla, although the celebrations continue, particularly in Christian churches. Now, in this region beset by illiteracy, hunger and internal strife, the real test begins.  

Read the story here....

AWARENESS: Japan

While the tragedy of the 9.0-earthquake and massive tsunami in Japan over three months ago has disappeared from front-page headlines, the devastation is still unfolding.

In the midst of this, both staff and friends of CRM have shown overwhelming compassion through financial generosity as well as prayer support for those affected by the disaster....read more.

Related Articles:

Japan earthquake overview (BBC News)
Japan warns of post-quake mental health risks (AFP)
Plight of Japan’s ‘tsunami orphans’ (CNN)

If you’d like to make a donation towards relief efforts, you can do so here.

FOOD ASSISTANCE IN NORTH PARK

July 2011 Menus

Each of our boxes brings savings and quality food catered to the needs of families

The Treasure Box (Monthly Menu)-$32 provides local families and individuals with a great tool to assist in stretching monthly food budgets – a pre-assembled box of popular and nutritious grocery food items that can be purchased for only $32. This box typically contains 20-25 pounds of high quality, frozen foods including chicken, pork, beef or seafood, in addition to vegetables, fruit, a side dish and a dessert. A family of four can eat these delicious foods for nearly a week, while an individual dine on these fares for nearly a month!

The Hearty Protein Box- $32- Typically 12-15 pounds of protein items that is great as a supplement to the monthly Treasure Box or by itself.

Quick & Healthy Meal Box "B"-$32 contains 10 individually packaged 3 compartment meals.  Each meal provides 1/3 of the daily nutritional requirements and includes the nutritional equivalent of 3 oz of meat/protein and either two ½ cup vegetable servings or one vegetable and one fruit serving.  Low in fat and cholesterol and ready to eat in minutes.  These meals are especially good for senior citizens, those with dietary restrictions, and anyone who is looking for a healthier choice.  View Nutritional Information and Ingredients

Kids Box- $32 Contains Kid friendly, quick & easy to prepare meals and snacks for kids and kids-at-heart. Designed for convenience; perfect for busy parents when time is of the essence.  
 
Simply Enough-$24-A smaller box with the just the essentials at a lower price to fit any budget. Perfect for individuals, couples, seniors or those whose needs are smaller. 

Order Deadline: Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Pick Up Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011