Sometimes you gotta remind yourself...

In spite of all the great things that you may see leaders do, we all struggle with fear,  doubt, failure, and complacency,  well...at least I do.  So when I need a little reminder about who called me and what He called me to do I listen to this song by one of my favorite artists, Fred Hammond. 

I hope it blesses you as much as it blesses me over and over again.

Prayer and Fasting for Change

"So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." Matt. 17:21-21(KJV)


This verse is left out of just about every other version except for the King James Version of the bible. But it is truly an important verse for this time in our countries history.   They are making cuts in all the wrong places. They are cutting domestic programs, especially programs that are affecting the well being of our children in the areas of nutrition, education, and health.  We need to come together in prayer.  

With God nothing is impossible for us however sometimes, when in war, you have to pull out the arsenal of weapons and in the arsenal of the prayer warrior is the weapon of fasting.

Fasting when done with the right focus gives you a sensitivity to the things in the spiritual realm which causes your prayers to be more specific and powerful.  It is at this point that Romans 8:26, Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And James 5:16, Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  

Pleading for God to Bless America, just isn't enough anymore.  If we desire change, we must operate in faith, trusting that God is not like man and HE won't fail.  So do what is necessary naturally (call and write your congressman, vote) and spiritually...pray and FAST.

I have decided to join Jim Wallis and the Sojourners crew in prayer and fasting for our country's priorities.  I hope that you will too.   

http://blog.sojo.net/2011/03/28/why-i-am-beginning-a-fast-today/

Baseball and Community

I am so excited!!! I was working on something profound to say for my return to blogging, but after watching our kids at baseball practice, I would much rather talk about that!!  They are going to be so good.  I am excited for their first game in April.  Our kids are practicing 3 days a week for an hour to two hours a day getting ready for their first game.  This is the first time any of them have ever played an organized sport.  I hope you can feel my excitement because I am overjoyed!!

Thank you to everyone that made a financial contribution to help buy equipment and registration fees! The creation of this team has brought back people that where kids when we started Urban Connection and they are now parents. 

I owe all the thanks to Ana Aranda one of our AmeriCorps who saw a need and took the leadership to make it happen. Ana recruited kids, parents, got forms signed, helped raise money, as well as made sure all the parents attended the parent meeting at the Y to make sure they handled themselves accordingly.

I'll keep you all posted on the game schedule and our record.  Though I am very competitive, i don't care if we win or lose, I am more excited about the community of parents that has formed around our baseball team.

Athletics has always been part of the vision for Urban Connection.  I have watched over the years how whole communities have come together around football and other sports.  So, why can't it work in an inner city neighborhood?

We definitely need more help, so if you are interested in helping us with starting a league or want to have a sport clinic or anything, please let us know.