Are you worn out?

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Hurting for our youth

Last week, I found myself heartbroken once again by the violence that has affected our young people. I began to cry as I watched video online of the incident in Roseland that ended with a young life taken. I thought of my friends who work at the Agape Center who watched this unfold in their parking lot.

Much is being spoken and written about youth violence because this video brought to light things that are happening day in and day out in many communities. I can't say that what I saw on the video was something that I haven't seen in front of my own house on occasion. Mobs of people fighting. Boards. Bats.

The Chicago Tribune published an article today titled "Fenger kids tell why they fight". It gives a bit of insight into the challenges that many urban teenagers face daily in their pursuit of an education and a better life. Some of them are honor students like Derrion Albert.

Dennis Byrne points to all male high schools with all male teachers as a solution. I think this has some validity, but the problem is more complex than one solution can offer.

Youth violence has many causes: male aggression, youthful indiscretion, rebellion, hopelessness, racial neglect by society, poverty, etc. But I believe that one of the core issues is a breakdown of the family. We live in a culture that does so many things to discourage strong family relationships. As a result, we are reaping what we have sown.

What do you believe is the answer to the violence of our youth?

What can be done to strengthen the role of the family in society?

Developing leaders

Lois Lebar states that in the typical church "We train our church people to be professional listeners rather than leaders".

Obviously training leaders will require instruction, but to truly develop people you will need to allow them a great deal of time to talk. People need to know that they can have a say in God's work through His church. They will not develop as leaders until they know that they are being heard. They will just be good listeners.

How much do you get to say at your church? How much of the time do you just sit and listen? Do you feel that you are developing as a spiritual leader?

The Cosby Show

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the launching of "The Cosby Show". I have always believed that this show was one of the more important avenues of changing generational attitudes and stereotypes about race. My generation and those after us who grew up on "The Cosby Show" filter many of our thoughts about race through that show. This show positively defined the African-American family in ways that had never been done to that extent before and I would argue that have never happened since.

One of my favorite commentators in the Chicago Tribune, Clarence Page, wrote an interesting piece today about how The Cosby Show in many ways opened the door to the possibility of Obama becoming president. I think this is so very true.

In many ways, Bill was a key catalyst in making Barack safe for white America.

I see The Cosby Show as a "game changer" in American race relations.


Do think the Cosby Show played as significant role as I have suggested?

What are some other "game changers" in American race relations?

New High School

I am excited about the new high school that has been built just a few blocks from our home. Nice buildings and facilities don't make a good school, but it doesn't hurt either. $100 million dollars spent.

WATCH THIS

I hope that this will help inspire students that they do have opportunities.

Do you think that the new Westinghouse High School will become one of the premier schools academically in the city of Chicago?

Friday Fun

Is right doctrine an end?

"Those in the knowledge camp put the emphasis on getting our doctrine in line. Right belief is seen as the means to life...But notice this- the Pharisees knew more about the Bible than most of us every will, and it hardened their hearts. Knowledge just isn't all it's cracked up to be. If you are familiar with the biblical narrative, you will remember that there were two special trees in Eden- the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. We got the wrong tree. We got knowledge, ad it hasn't done us much good."

I will admit that I easily fall into the "knowledge camp". I am a strong believer in sound doctrine.

But I have often seen those with great head knowledge, who live dull lives that lack transformation. They seem to be lacking an abundant life. It seems quite obvious that right doctrine, although important, is not the end. Life transformation and passionately pursuing God and His glory is what it is about.

May we not stop at sound doctrine!

Thoughts or reactions?

How does submission look?

Ephesians 5:21-28
"submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."

Lots of opinions out there of what this looks like.

Anyone have any examples of how these verses look in your marriage?

Most stressful city

Chicago was chosen as the most stressful city for the second year in a row. No wonder I feel that I carry a lot of stress.

School, work, church, family, crime, traffic, bills, high prices, trash, unfriendly people. So many different things bring me stress. Sometimes all at once.

Remind me Lord of Matthew 6:25-34. You are in control!

What types of things get you stressed?

Be still my soul

"The problem is not entirely in finding the room of one's own, the time alone, difficult and necessary as that is. The problem is more how to still the soul in the midst of its activities"
Anne Morrow Lindebergh

I found this quote to be so true of myself. I have such a hard time "stilling my soul".

What do you do to slow down and focus on God?