Throw Caution to the Wind

Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop.

 

I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give.

 

That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting.

 

God loves it when the giver delights in giving.

 

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.

 

As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon.

 

His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.

 

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more extravagant with you.

 

He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

 

Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians.

 

It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God.

 

This relief offering is a prod to live at your best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ.

 

You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone.

 

Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in a passionate intercession for whatever you need.

 

Thank God for this gift, His gift.

 

No Language can praise it enough.

 

II Corinthians 9 (MSG)

 

Have you ever thrown caution to the wind? When we hear that phrase it usually is a reference to sowing wild oats in ones younger years. However, what about in your daily life, what would it look like to throw caution to the wind?

 

This passage talks of the blessing and gift involved in caring for others...building relationships...not so that you can rescue others and receive accolades for service, but because in extending love we are a true reflection of the love of Christ...sharing the extravagance of God...bringing abundant and bountiful thanksgiving to Him.

 

My friends, this is counter to what you will hear in this world - watching out for "#1", let others help themselves, chasing our own dreams...but I can tell you - this reckless faith, throwing caution to the wind to serve and bless others with what He has given to us...there is nothing like it.

 

To all those that are serving with us, loving our neighbors, sharing our burdens, teaching, giving of what Christ gave to you...Thank you...your dedication, friendship and reflection of Christ's love is true nourishment to our spirits and is leaving a lasting mark on eternity for the lives you are impacting.

 

For those that are praying for our needs with passionate intercession...Thank You...you are blessing with a gift like no other and arming us to serve with grace and strength.

 

If "throwing caution to the wind and giving to the needy with reckless abandon" is a term that makes you uncomfortable...challenges your faith, priorities, or plans...I challenge you to embrace it...take one step in the next week and month to meet the need of another...likely you will never be the same...

Year One in Review

A year ago we set up this blog anticipating our move to Challenge House 1 and excited about all we would experience and have to share as we embarked on our adventure. The year has not disappointed in experiences and adventures....we have made new friends, learned many lessons, and had so many new experiences.

What I quickly learned is that my lofty goal of blogging on a weekly or monthly basis was much harder than I had dreamed. Writing has been a favorite past time in my college days and something I have longed for years to do again. It is not for lack of content that I had writer's block many times over the past year, but rather often due to "living" out the experience and then having so many emotions to process along with all that has transpired.

We have no doubt after a year in our home that God appointed us to live here and is transforming our lives, our thoughts, and our faith through this calling. We have had so many wonderful moments, but they have often been in the midst of very hard things. Either by naivetés or rose-colored glasses or maybe even being wrapped up in our own lives...we somehow missed some very big things in the lives of those around us...this "ignorant bliss" of prior years is probably one of the hardest things to process.

So first to start with the good things....

Our neighbors are such wonderful people...we have been so welcomed and in many cases taken under the wings of others to teach us about the culture of our neighborhood, the history and tradition of where we live, to come along side us and work to share the love of Christ with those around us. We have shared stories, meals, and wonderful conversations.

Our neighborhood association...under Reverend Jones' leadership...this group of people have made me feel so welcome and included. They have given us a voice and also given us advice.  I could not ask for a kinder group of people to have as friends and neighbors.

Our church family...from the beginning when the Hillcrest 20/20 youth prayed with us and our friends from church and the community came to commission and pray over us, our home, and neighborhood...prayers, encouragement, and sometimes listening hearts have proven so precious to us. Then there are those that have come to our home and served with us, whether handing out bags, picking up trash, or sharing times with the kids of our neighborhood...those who are serving with us are treasures to our souls.

Then there blessings that we could not have known before moving here...Kerri Pepper and the Holiday Elementary volunteers that tutor the students....John Allen and Kelly Jackson with the orchard project...the many Project Hopkinsville and backyard Bible club volunteers....so many people that see the mission and vision of Challenge House and love the people of Durrett Avenue.

So many other people and things that I fail to capture with mere words...

Then there is the hard.

Hard to endure, hard to process, hard to believe to be true.

There are times when serving in a ministry like this is so lonely...you know there are others available if you need them, but sometimes it is hard to know what to ask or how to convey all that you learn and see. Then there are some that you expect to be there, but they cannot do the hard with you...

Hard things - kids with no food...families with no electricity...families with no homes...kids with absent parents...friends that are trying to make a living, but are 10 steps behind and struggling to keep hope...neighbors that are lonely, because their family have moved on to better jobs, nicer neighborhoods...broken families...neighbors that once served our country in honor, that struggle to have their own kids show them respect....people that are lost and seeking salvation in alcohol or drugs...teens that are seeking approval in relationships leading to teen pregnancy...kids that reach out for help or those that cannot trust because they have never been in a truly safe place to learn trust...kids that we reach only to learn they are gone to another town or state....

In all of this hard...the reality is...these hard things are not isolated to our neighborhood here. It is likely that some if not all of these "hard things" existed in our former neighborhood...hurting people are not isolated by income, gender, race, locality...pain is no respecter of persons...yet we did not see before...how many do not see...cannot imagine...

Yet amongst all the good and all the hard...we have learned perhaps above all else that God is faithful. When we feel alone, we do not know what to do, when there is hurt we cannot fix...there are the promises of God that stand as a foundation. He does not falter even when we are emotionally exhausted and heartbroken...He has the resources, the answers...He is faithful.

So as year one at Challenge House 1 has come to a close...I hope once again that next year will be just as full as this one with wonderful and hard things...for it is in the hard that we have seen God's hand moved so precisely.

AT&T: Attitude Training and Team Work

Two weeks ago, 19 teenagers in 9th -12th grade ascended upon our home...each one chosen from many applications received for the AT&T program...the goal was to earn the $150 paycheck they would receive at the completion of their training and work.

I would guess that many of them came knowing the fun, friendships, and break from the routine they would experience each day...they probably didn't realize the work, change in their outlook on life, and the challenge to their futures this program would present.

The first week began with workshops from community leaders...business owners, pastors, school leaders, social workers, employees, volunteers...people from our neighborhood...people from the community...all people who realize what it is like to be a teenager with your entire life in front of you...young and naïve about all they would experience in life...people who have made mistakes, been mentored by great people, and who had continued regardless of life's challenges to reach for their goals.

These leaders taught about work and life...how faith and attitude impact both. A school leader shared with them how the Bible tells us, "you will reap what you sow." A pair of community leaders shared the many valuable lessons one can learn in Proverbs. Several men shared the challenges they faced growing up in these streets and very personal losses life has brought and how they continue to persevere.

(News Article: Kentucky New Era)

http://www.lite987whop.com/index.php/news/local-news/10070-local-challenge-house-program-continues-to-mentor-inner-city-teens

We started the program with nineteen and ended with eighteen graduates...we were recently told...you can't help them all...they have to want to learn and grow...these words are true, but it also makes us more determined to reach out to the one and let them know that they matter.

Parents, friends, community leaders, job training mentors, and workshop leaders all gathered today at Challenge House 1 to celebrate these teenagers. Their hard work, their learning, the maturity they gained over the past two weeks. The students brought in timesheets, essays, and shared with all of us about their experiences...the good, the bad...some learned in job shadowing that they are in pursuit of their dream job...others decided they still have decisions to make regarding the big question of what they will be when they grow up.

The hope for these kids is that they leave a little wiser, motivated and inspired to always give their best...to be grounded in their faith...to pursue their dreams...

 

 

 

 

http://www.lite987whop.com/index.php/news/local-news/10238-18-students-better-prepared-for-life-thanks-to-challenge-house-summer-program

 

(News Article: Kentucky New Era) 

 

Challenge House hosts this program, but there are so many others that contribute to make it a  success...the grant from AT&T that provides the funding for the paychecks the graduates receive...mentors that spend their time pouring their knowledge and experience into these kids...adults from our community that care enough to provide job training and on the job experience for these kids.

Attitude.... Training.... Teamwork.... a life changing experience for so many...

Planting a Garden

Luke 8:5-8

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. ⁶ Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. ⁸ But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

This passage of Scripture I have read many times in my life, but has led me to contemplate our ministry and a current project we are undertaking with a new appreciation and understanding.

Specifically I was struck by the four types of soil on which the sower went out to plant:

- wayside
- rock
- thorns
- good ground

We are currently working on a neighborhood project to plant a community orchard. Just as with farmers we are not going to the lot and planting trees...there is a great amount of preparation work to ensure the soil is ready for planting, so that the conditions are right, and the trees and plants will produce a great amount of fruit.

With our orchard plot we will have to take several actions:
 
- Test the soil to ensure it has the right amount of nutrients and acidity levels
- Remove an old foundation and rocks from the lot
- Clear out any garbage, weeds, and thorn bushes
- Cultivate the lot, so that the entire plot is good ground versus just small sections

If we went out today and just planted the likelihood is that many trees and plants would die, but with cultivating the entire lot, the trees should be able to take root and grow to produce much fruit.

 

When entering our neighborhood we knew that we would face challenges in sharing our faith and reaching some people. We know if we rush in and go house to house to offer our services and share our faith that some may be receptive, but others may refuse us indefinitely. You see as people we all are like the plot of land described in this passage on the sower....some of us have fallen to the wayside, some of us have experiences in our lives that have hardened us to others leading us to live in mistrust and building barriers of protection around us, and then there are times when we become ensnared in situations that leave us trapped, weary, and burdened. Then there are some that are ready, longing for help, direction, guidance.

 

As neighborhood ambassadors we are not planted here to quickly toss out seeds and then quickly harvest those that are ready and consider we accomplished the task. Rather we must enter our neighborhoods as if it is a plot of mixed ground that needs to be cultivated for a planting and harvest...how do we do this?

 

We must first evaluate our neighborhood:

 

- Who out there are partners in our ministry?

- Who is ready to be reached - longing for direction and hope?

- What areas are off the beaten path, that need to be brought in as part of our outreach?

- Where do we need to build relationships, break down barriers, and build trust?

- What things ensnare the families in the neighborhood - how can we help free them from those things?

 

 

Relationships and trust are the foundation to our work here and they are not built in weeks or months, but it can take months and years of cultivation, however, with God's guidance and the support of prayers, resources, and fellow workers in time we will have a beautiful orchard that bears much fruit in this community of Hopkinsville, KY!

Depraved Indifference

God has been working on my heart since moving in Challenge House 1. You see for years I have been blind to the hurt and struggles of my community...my neighbors. There is an indifference in our society if we do not see it and if we do not cause it, then it must not be our responsibility.

Friends that is so wrong. The hurt, the struggles, the seeking for something missing...it is our responsibility. My adoptive mom friend, Sarah Westerfield posted this above video, as adoptive parents we were able to see a need, in our cases around the world, and take action, but that does not in itself complete our commission to care for the fatherless and widows. It is not a one time act, fulfilling our obligation and we can then live our American Dream expecting others to take care of the rest of the hurt and pain in the world.

Our town, Hopkinsville, has widows and fatherless that are struggling to make it through each day. They are faced with trials that I could not fathom before moving into our home. It breaks my heart and overwhelms me with guilt and shame that I could live with an indifferent attitude for so long. However, God does not want us to dwell there...He commands us to take action...to show HIS love and HIS grace, because it is not overwhelming for HIM.

Friends we need your help...we need others to come along side of us and say, "This is the time to take action....this is the will and command of GOD...these HURTING and BROKEN people are our mission field." Then we need you to not just say these words, but to TAKE ACTION...

This neighborhood, these children....they are GOD's HUDSON...

4H & Challenge House Woodworking Program

A time for learning new skills...
Pallet Projects:               

• 02/15/2013 and 02/22/2013

• (5pm – 6pm)

Cornhole Boards: 

       

• 03/8/2013 and 03/22/2013
• (5pm – 6pm)

Woodworking projects can be entered into the local fair as a 4H project entry.

• Classes are for ages 9 – 19 and will be limited to the first 10 kids to complete the 4H registration form at Challenge House 1. This is a free program.

• If you are interested in working as a volunteer on these specific dates, a 4H volunteer form must be completed before the first class begins. Forms are available at Challenge House 1.

Please contact Nathan Ragsdale at 270-305-9129 or by email at challengehouse1@gmail.com for more information.

Power of a Moment

This week as I was reflecting on the recent changes in our life, the new paths we have made, people we have met...it struck me that each moment now must be intentional...we are in a battle for souls. I turned on my iTunes and this was the song that played by Chris Rice:

 

The Power of a Moment

 

What am I gonna be when I grow up?

How am I gonna make my mark in history?

And what are they gonna write about me when I'm gone?

These are the questions that shape the way I think about what matters
 

But I have no guarantee of my next heartbeat

And my world's too big to make a name for myself

And what if no one wants to read about me when I'm gone?

Seems to me that right now's the only moment that matters

You know the number of my days

So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head

And come write Your wisdom on my heart

And teach me the power of a moment

The power of a moment, the power of a moment, yeah

In Your kingdom where the least is greatest

Weak are given strength and fools confound the wise

And forever brushes up against a moment's time

Leaving impressions and drawing me into what really matters

You know the number of my days

So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head

And come write Your wisdom on my heart

And teach me the power of a moment

The power of a moment, the power of a moment, yeah

I get so distracted by my bigger schemes

Show me the importance of the simple things

Like a word, a seed, a thorn, a nail and a cup of cold water

You know the number of my days

So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head

And come write Your wisdom on my heart

And teach me the power of a momentThe power of a moment, the power of moment

You know the number of my days

So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head

And come write Your wisdom on my heart

And teach me the power of a moment

The power of a moment, the power of

The power of, the power of a moment, yeah


Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom."

A Week in the Life of a Neighborhood Ambassador

Living in a Challenge House brings with it the title of Neighborhood Ambassador.

According to the 1828 Noah Webster dictionary an ambassador or as they spell it embassador is:

embassador EMBAS'SADOR, n. 1. A minister of the highest rank employed by one prince or state, at the court of another, to manage the public concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign. Embassadors are ordinary, when they reside permanently at a foreign court; or extraordinary, when they are sent on a special occasion. They are also called ministers. Envoys are ministers employed on special occasions, and are of less dignity. 2. In ludicrous language, a messenger.

So, I guess it is fitting title,  considering we reside permanently in our neighborhood and try to manage and minister to concerns of our neighborhood...just ordinary people.
Many have asked what it is like to live as a neighborhood ambassador, this is a glimpse  of one week in our house:

Friday night

• Neighborhood ambassador monthly meeting at another Challenge House - fellowship, devotional, food, and fun.

Saturday

• Meetings at church to meet our prospective pastor
• Attend a friend's birthday party
• Game time at our house with friends.
• Visit from neighborhood friend

Sunday

• Teach 1st grade Sunday School
• Attend church service
• Lunch with friends
• Naps
• Church again - our church voted in the new pastor...great day for our church.

Monday

• Homeschooling day
• Workday for Ellen
• Men's accountability at Challenge House 1
• Visit from our neighborhood friend

Tuesday

• Homeschooling day
• Workday for Ellen
• Ellen, along with Brad from Challenge House 3, and Toni Riley a Challenge House volunteer attend the weekly Rotary Club meeting to talk about Challenge House! It is always a blessing to share our ministry with others!
• Tutoring for Holiday Elementary the house is filled with students and volunteers...students work on their spelling words, math, and reading time.
• Visit from neighborhood friend
• Ellen has a game night at a friends house

Wednesday

• Homeschooling day
• Workday for Ellen
• Wednesday night church

Thursday

• Homeschooling day
• Workday for Ellen
• I (Ellen) go to the grocery and to pick up dinner, the weather is gorgeous in January, so as I enter the neighborhood, I hears a man and woman on the phone trying to get help...they have ran out of gas, no money, trying to walk home. I pick them up and drops groceries and food at home, then drive them to where to pick some things up and back to the neighborhood.
• Friend from the neighborhood comes by and is struggling in Geometry, pull out a laptop and review some Khan academy videos and go over his Geometry with him - what a delight to see him working through the problems and showing confidence in his work!

Friday

• Homeschooling day
• Workday for Ellen
• Visit from a neighborhood friend - he turned in his Geometry homework! Loved hearing him tell about his teachers reaction when he turned in his work today!
• Game night with family and friends

As you can see we live a pretty regular life, but it is sprinkled with lots of blessings of time fellowship and service with friends and neighbors. We are not any more busy than we were at our old home, just a different busy.

A Very Important Lesson

As school returns to session the sounds of the school bus returning the children home for the day echo outside my window. As I listen they remind me of a lesson taught to me by a very wise lady...

...two ladies and a small office, left little in regards to privacy; phone calls by either person, although not intentionally, were heard by both. For months I sat next to Ms. Dorris and listened everyday, just like clockwork the phone would ring and after saying hello, she would ask the same question...everyday...

 

"Did You Make Wise Choices Today?"
 

You see, Ms. Dorris had two daughters and everyday they would walk home from school. On the way home they would call their mother to check in and have a "safety-line" until they were snug within their home. Everyday, I listened to the same question and then after about 6 months it was as if I heard her say the question for the first time:

"Did You Make Wise Choices Today?"

 

It struck me, she did not ask... Did you behave today? Were you good at school today? Then I reflected on what I ask my kids when I am away from them...do I ask about their choices or do I ask about actions in a way that implies that their behavior is controlled by a toss up good/bad, behaving/misbehaving?

Then I began to reflect on my personal life...unachieved goals, times I lacked self-control...do I attribute my actions and the results to choices or to whim?

Life is full of choices everyday, they begin as soon as we begin to wake up...

• The alarm clock sounds - hit snooze/get up - what are the risks/consequences
• It's time for breakfast - sugary donut/bacon and eggs - what are the risks/consequences
• The work day begins - am I joyful/am I disgruntled - what are the risks/consequences

Throughout the day we go through this process of cause and effect, risk and consequence, almost subconsciously...to the point we no longer stop to think through these actions as choices. Our choices, or should we say whims, continue to pile up as we move through the day...

 

....here is the clincher, whether we decide to stop and think through our choices or just act with no thought on a whim...the consequences do not change. We can blame it on a behavior, circumstance, or all kinds of external influences, but the fact remains...if we hit snooze, ate a sugary donut, show up to work disgruntled and then receive a corrective action...the consequence is not washed away by the excuse of a whim or loss of attention.

Perhaps I am quite slow to learn this lesson so late in life, but since that day, the question Ms. Dorris taught me to stop and consider is never far from my mind:

"Did You Make Wise Choices Today?"

 

So how do you go through life - choices or whims? Would looking at your moments in life as choices to be made change your perspective on your responsibility and role in what happens?

Proverbs 18:21
Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.
 

Proverbs 16:16
Get wisdom—it’s worth more than money; choose insight over income every time.

Joshua 24:15
And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

Job 34:4
Let us choose justice for ourselves; Let us know among ourselves what is good.

Proverbs 12:26
The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.