Week of Prayer for Children

You’re Invited!

If you believe that informed, united, intercessory prayer can alter the course of the lives of children, and if have a passion for making a difference in the lives of at-risk children, then join A Week of Prayer for Children and participate in The Leadership Summit! This is an ideal opportunity for those who lead congregations, children’s ministries, or for those who participate as prayer and outreach leaders. It is also focused on leaders in the private sector with concern for the future of our children.

A Week of Prayer for Children, August 16-23, 2009
A prayer guide will be available by July 1st via the Internet from any of the sponsoring groups for all who want to pray in unity around specific, identifiable needs of our children. The guide focuses on 7 systemic issues facing children in the greater Houston area. There is no need to go anywhere. Pray wherever you are! Pray in your prayer closet, at family devotion time, in small groups, at work, and in your congregation. Do so with the knowledge that your voice is being joined in informed, unified prayer with thousands of others across the area.
A Leadership Summit, Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Did you know that Houston is ranked among the lowest in the nation among cities regarding several critical aspects of caring for children? The Summit will provide up-to-date information on the issues and current needs of at-risk children; it will highlight practical ways to respond; it will mobilize prayer for the children of our city; and it will draw media attention to the needs of children.

The Summit will be held at the facilities of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer, Houston, TX, 77027 from 11am – 1pm. Hear a presentation of strategic information regarding at-risk children in the Greater Houston area and join your voice with others in a united season of informed prayer.

Sponsors
The Summit is sponsored by a growing number of congregations and ministries that are listed on page 2 of this Fact Sheet. If you would like to join the list of sponsors, contact Jim Herrington at jim@missionhouston.org.

The cost of lunch at the Summit is $10. To register go to this link (https://secure.ga1.org/05/childrenatrisksummit)

The Wellspring Creed

We believe in God – the creator of the universe:
God is full of mercy and grace,
God is just and loves justice,
God is love and is on our side.
God’s hope is to be in relationship with every person,
God’s plan is to restore all of creation to wholeness, and to see his dream for the world - his kingdom come.

We believe in Jesus the Christ:
Jesus is the human expression of God,
Jesus is the savior of the world,
Jesus is the living demonstration of God’s dream for the world.
Jesus came to put the world right again,
Jesus came to display the justice of God,
Jesus came to provide real & eternal life – life as God intended it to be lived.

We believe in the Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is here now,
The Holy Spirit guides us into truth,
The Holy Spirit empowers our lives as we seek God’s kingdom as our first priority.

We believe that God has a purpose for each of us, and so in faith:
We commit to recognize & honor God,
We commit to pursue a relationship with God,
We commit to embody the character of God,
We commit to align our lives with God’s dream for the world – helping to make the world a better place.

Amen

easter blessing 2009

blessings on you...

you who have waited these forty days.

who have sat with anticipation in the garden.

who have remained in the upper room.

who have hoped for today.

and blessings on you...

who have waited much longer than forty days.

who have lost, been scorned, and are broken-hearted.

who have been prideful, or ashamed, or simply alone.

for you who have run out of hope.

blessings on all of you for today is a new day.

today will not take away the pain.

today will not solve everything.

today will not make the past different or better.

but today, in this space, you are loved.

not loved because you have behaved well.

not because you have sinned less.

or because you believe in a man that may have died on a cross.

you are loved because many people in this room have made a commitment.

a commitment to be a people not just of words, but of action.

you are loved because you are here.

you are welcomed,

and you are blessed.

amen.

happy easter everyone!

Deep Change or Slow Death

In his book "Deep Change" Robert Quinn coined the phrase slow death or deep change. Every day individuals and congregation make choices that lead in one of these two directions. Deep change is hell! It's frighening and messy - yet it is key to any kind of transformation. It takes great faith to journey into deep change. Why do so many who claim to be people of faith, have so little when it comes to this important aspect in life?

If you come up with an answer please let me know because currently I'm left scratching my head.

House

Question???
What kind of house did Mother Theresa have?
What kind of house does Greg Mortenson have? (Three Cups of Tea)
What kind of house does Blake M. have? (Toms shoes)
What kind of house does Ruben have? (made a difference in D's life)
Answer???
I really don't know what any of these peoples house looks like, but I do know that they made an impact on the people around them and the community,

So... I ask myself "What kind of "house" does Wellspring have"
We don't have any idea what it might be for the futere, but are WE making an impact in the community.

For me, I am going to TRY to stick with the commitment that it doesn't matter what our "house" may look like. I know this is probobly a no brainer for most of you, but for me I realized yesterday that I was really wrapped up in the "outward" appearance of Wellspring. I don't want our identity to be in a building, but I was there.... and I am glad for the changes... it allowed conversation to help me realize how bad I was there.
Hope this makes sense.
D

Legislative Action on Trafficking

Hey guys, here is a good story that tells of good progress in Human Trafficking assistance. (Even though it was a long time coming.)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/immigration/6154231.html


This next link is a editorial by Bob Sanborn that describes the depths of Human Trafficking in Houston. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6132874.html

Mr Sanborn also mentions a bill (SB 89) going to the State Senate. This bill will provide for a state task force that will help in combating human trafficking through Texas as well as providing for public awareness, education and victims assistance.

christmas

the other day i got to visit st. paul cathedral's first advent service of 2008.

there were oh, about a thousand people there...

full choir-adults and kids,

and of course the place is HUGE and breathtakingly beautiful.

we got to sing one christmas carol, 'come o come emmanuel' and the whole time i kept thinking about how badly i want to be back in houston so i can sing christmas carols with my friends at wellspring...and maybe even do a powerpoint with lots of holidays photos. 

can't wait to see you guys...two more weeks! hope you're all doing well :)