Late one night this week I found myself high upon a rock in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park. I was camping with my family. They were tucked in their sleeping bags trying to keep warm. The last one up, I’d left the glowing embers of our campfire and wandered up to this promontory to observe the night sky.
As I gazed up, I was greeted by the constellation Cassiopeia, along with her husband Cepheus and their daughter Andromeda draped in the Milky Way. As my eyes adjusted to the light, my mind adjusted to the reality above me. A Psalm came to me:
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? (Ps. 8:4 NRSV)
I recalled something I’d read earlier this year in theologian Miroslav Volf’s book about forgiveness, Free of Charge. The first chapter is titled “God the Giver”, exploring how God is first a pure giver (Free of Charge, 43). Some believe our response is to gravel before God—as if somehow our worship will “pay” him back. Volf says, no, our response is two fold—faith and gratitude. He writes: Continue reading 'The Giving God'»
California, Faith, God, Gratitude, Miroslav Volf, Recommended Reading
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California, Camping, Constellations, Faith, God, Gratitude, Joshua Tree National Park, Miroslav Volf, Recommended Reading, Star Gazing
Re-Working Suburbia: Before and After
Isolation is rampant in suburbia. It poses a challenge to any church seeking to develop meaningful community. One reason for isolation is lack of urban planning. Most of the suburbs (exurbs too) grew like cancer cells, making interaction with others difficult. Things are changing mostly due to a weak economy. This week New Urban Network posted a story about the Re-Working Suburbia Conference near San Francisco, where urban planners are addressing these issues.
Read the entire post: Californians Ponder How to Remake Aging Suburbs
If you live in the Inland Empire, the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership (SBCHP) needs your help. They’re getting ready for the biennial “Point-In-Time Count” of homeless persons living in San Bernardino County. The survey is aimed at helping SBCHP be more effective addressing homelessness in the county.
“Point-In-Time Count” will take place in January, 2011. The valley regions will happen on January 26, from 11:00 PM – 3:00 AM; and the desert/mountain regions, January 27, from 11:00 PM – 3:00 AM.
SBCHP needs one-thousand volunteers. I signed up yesterday. I’ll be encouraging my church to participate as well. You can find out more information at the SBCHP website, or call Michele Bletcher at the Office of Homeless Services (909) 421-4680. You can also download the 2011 PITC Flyer.
California, Helping, Homelessness, Poverty, Service, Volunteering
| California, Helping, Homelessness, Point-in-Time Count, San Bernardino, SBCHP, Serving, Volunteering
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