And So On and So Forth

“Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. ” 

― Charles H. Spurgeon

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

We can look at a new year in many ways.  most of us tend to take it one way or the other.  Either we see this new year as an immense opportunity to spread our wings and fly in new directions and to new heights or we see it as another 365 days to get through with a more-of-the-same type of attitude.  Some see adventure, while others see adversity.  Some see opportunities, while others see obstacles.

How will you see 2014?

Let's look at 2013 first, though.

What we did in 2013 included:

• Brush up our online bookstore in preparation of some new and upcoming releases for 2014
• Added some new articles about fundraising and churches doing good works
• Spent a great deal of time agonizing over poverty and its impact on folks around us and around the globe
• Wrote about unity and the power of working together to serve and save our communities
• Spoke up about youth leadership development in our churches and throughout our communities

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.- Colossians 4:3 (NIV)

I have been seriously praying for God to lead us in a new direction and steadily along the path that He has outlined for us to take in 2014.  Surprisingly, I have discovered that God has pointed out that I have yet to do many of the things that he has already bestowed upon me.  As I look upon the incomplete, unfinished and never attempted things on my to-do list and agenda from on high, I feel convicted.  I know that I could have been a better servant than I have been in 2013.  I know that I could have been a better steward than I have been in 2013.

So now is the time to go on with what He has already given.  I have to go on and go forth.

I have to knock on doors that have yet to be opened to me.  I have call upon those who will not recognize my voice.  I have to proclaim Him to many who have yet to have an introduction to who He really is and what who the world has made Him out to be with its skewed and slated views.

If you want to join me in making the Word known throughout this world, here is how you can join in as we embark on 2014:

1. Start dreaming again and do something with your dreams
2. Start by reading a New Year's Resolution Guide
3. Understand how to start your day on a positive note

Then, once you have started on that track, continue to follow this blog as we discuss 2014's ventures and furthering the Good News.

Fundraising Fun Times

Fundraising includes the word fun in its beginning.

So, why don't we make fundraising more fun?

One reason may be that fundraising is serious business.  People's lives depend on the programs and services provided by nonprofits and similar community and faith-based agencies.  Some are the low to moderate income clients that these agencies serve on a daily basis.  Others include the employees, contractors and vendors of the agencies themselves.  When a family depends on its local food bank for the bread and other goods that keep them going, it spells serious business.

Another reason is that many agency employees are busy as well as their volunteer board members.  Employees have a tough enough time keeping the operation going.  Add the additional responsibility of raising funds primarily through grants and government contracts and you will see one set of overwhelmed and   frustrated folks.  Some boards do not meet frequent enough to truly understand the agency's programming and services to even begin to start tackling fundraising.



Many agencies hire, retain and/ or contract with an outsider for writing grants or developing a fundraising plan.  In many cases, such individuals are freelancers acting as independent contractors or consultants.  They gather data on the organization, research potential grant matches and plug in the data from the agency into a boilerplate or template, awaiting the next installment on their retainer for services rendered based upon an emailed or hand delivered invoice due within 30 days upon receipt.

Put the fun back into fundraising. Go ahead and  let your team gather for chips and salsa or pizza and wings as they devise a fun way to raise money for your cause in general and your agency specifically.  Let your ideas run wild and free.  Spend some time brainstorming and tossing around ideas.  Make note of ideas that resonate with the group, then start researching the possibilities and potential of putting some of these ideas into action.

Maybe a grant would help you out, but a bowl-a-thon might be a little more memorable and you maybe could use a boost in morale around the office if you include staff, volunteers, clients and board members as well as the surrounding community.

Put the fun back into fundraising.

Take Charge of Your Writing Career

“I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach.” 

― Upton Sinclair

I recently started to read Upton Sinclair's The Jungle once again.  As I began reading through this classic novel, I came to realize that my desire to assist others with their artistic goals like creative writing is a major undertaking.  I can see how my contribution to others, especially my community's youth, can lead to someone actually exploring a career of working with words.

Sinclair's works exposed the corruption of capitalism and the muck and mire of materialism.  We can hardly imagine anyone except the enigmatic Daniel Day Lewis in his oil baron portrayal of the main character of the cinematic version of Sinclair's novel Oil! (also known as "There Will be Blood").  Such characters are the type of signature that makes the struggle of The Jungle's Jurgis as engrossing as the Joads in Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.

Join me in an effort to nurture young creative talent who will soon give birth to a new generation of literature and journalism that our world desperately needs.  Our fundraiser will support young creative writers develop their talent and skills to create new works worthy of satisfying our hunger for quality literature.

Seven days left before our fundraiser closes. . .

Two Equals Better Than One

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour." - Ecclesiastes 4:9 (KJV)

You can get more done when you partner with others.  Partnerships allow you to leverage your resources.  You come together and bring what you have to the table for a mutual benefit.  You make the most of what you both have to offer and make it work for the benefit of both of you.

Your best may be made better by adding with what someone else brings to the table.  You can gain market share.  You can limit expenses and overhead.  You can trim or cut costs, lowering your expenditures.  You can also gain exposure beyond your primary audience.  Additionally, you can build your brand's reputation if you partner with a reputable partner.

For instance, if you have a youth arts project, you could partner with local youth-serving agencies.  Add to that partnership by coalescing the participation of a local arts council that supports such programs as a fiscal agent or media/ publicity sponsor.  The youth-serving agency provides the audience and the venue, while the arts council provides infrastructure and support for spreading the message about the program to the media and expanding press coverage for the program.  The arts projects gets to the youth and the media sheds light on the project because of who you have partnered with and what you are doing.

Think about the concept of partnership.  See how it can benefit you beyond simply sharing lessons learned and best practices.  Get connected with people who can propel you and your work beyond where you have already been.  Build better and bigger partnerships.

Youth-N2-Action 200 Club Sponsorship Drive Starts Today

Event Registration Online for 200 Club Youth Sponsorships powered by Eventbrite

Help us Help Youth

Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.-
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Life Path Ministries & Services is launching a four-month sponsorship drive for its Youth-N2-Action program.  Youth-N2-Action targets at-risk and low-income youth in grades 10 and 11 for community service, leadership development and tiered mentoring.  Our goal is to teach and train a minimum of 50 youth entering into the 11th grade next school year with leadership skills, mentoring support from community and business leaders, and offer community service and service learning opportunities over an 18 to 24-month campaign period for the class of 2013.  During 2012, we plan to expand the program to include 10th graders and have our Difference-Makers Camp offered for both classes as an excursion of education, exposure and empowerment.

We believe that today's youth are tomorrow's leaders.  It is imperative for today's leaders to teach and train today's youth for tomorrow's leadership opportunities.  Join the effort to help us help youth in San Diego take charge and take action.

Go to the site: http://200club.chipin.com/200-club-youth-sponsors and donate a one-time sponsorship of $200 or a partial sponsorship of $100 during the campaign.  Forward the link http://200club.chipin.com/200-club-youth-sponsors and/ or this post to 5 other people who are concerned and compassionate about the issues facing our youth today and the leadership gap that will exist if the youth are not taught and trained today.

Explore Community Connections

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.- Margaret Mead

Community breaks down to a concept of being "together as one." Our perspectives on community as something geographic, social or ethnic, even cultural, are simply flawed when we have no point of connection.  The divide within the Black community is wide between those with college degrees and those who are recovering from drugs or re-entering society from prison just like those in a Latino or Asian community.  There is no real community until we see ourselves as collective group with a common concern and standing on common ground without impure motives.  

 

Take Ownership

We have to see the common problem as our problem.  If we do not do so, we stand a slim chance of taking any measure to its full extent because our hearts won't be in it.  We have to own it or become overtaken.

Make a Commitment and a Contribution

Get involved.  Get invested.  Your involvement and investment will draw others into the movement.  Get committed.  Give a contribution of your time, talent or treasure.

Build Forward

We have to become future-oriented "builders." We need to invest in the future, especially in our youth. We need more of our focus to look forward rather than what is in our hands or our pockets.  What is the plan for your community for the next five years? Ten years? Twenty years? Beyond twenty? Build it now.  Otherwise, developers, politicians, administrators, and lobbyists will build it for you based upon their own interests, not yours.

See community as what is supposed to be.  It is about us all being together as one, building a better environment for all who are involved.

Tomorrow's Leaders

Today's Youth = Tomorrow's Leaders

We adopted that as the tagline for Youth-N2-Action during its inception.  It is a simple but profound concept.  We may see them as youth today, pants sagging and iPods or cell phones connected to their ears, but see past the present.  See them as the future.  One day they will lead the way.

Look at the 2008 presidential campaign. President Obama did something extraordinary.  He got people out to vote.  He rallied others to get others to vote.  Yes, he utilized modern technology for raising funds, but he also utilized it as a medium and means for getting younger voters involved in the political process to bring about change.  Such a change led to a change that brought forth the change of a Black U.S. President, raising the level of achievement for those who have been short-changed and hamstrung in the past and the present by achievement gaps and other socioeconomic indicators.

Believe in today's youth.  Seek to reach them through diverse programs.  They need everything from academics and athletics to the arts and sciences. Let them freely express themselves with everything from poetry to pottery, from rap to scrap booking. Allow them to develop into the well-rounded people we want leading our nation and embracing globalization. 

The last thing we would want as tomorrow's senior citizens is for today's youth to look at us with blank stares and ask: "Who are you? Now that you need me to step up I can't because you you didn't step up when I need you."

Let us not let that be the case for our collective futures.

Pray at the Polls

Election day is upon us again.

In California, we don't know if it'll be Meg or Jerry.  We're certain that Arnold is done, though.  Could Barbara Boxer be unseated after all of these years? Who knows but God? That's about all that we are certain of in this election.

There are numerous laws and ordinances that prohibit many actions at the polls.  These make certain acts illegal.  Some sit and wait, watching to see who will slip up and break one of these sacred political rules.  These political watch dogs usually straddle one side of the fence or the other, rather simply leaning to the left or the right.

Yet, the Christian still has an alternative that outweighs man's laws and remains legal.*

Pray at the polls today.

You don't have to walk up and ask anyone for their prayer request.  You don't have to ask the neighborhood poll captain or the registar of voters can you pray a short prayer.  Simply pray at the polls without disturbing anyone or distracting anyone.  Truly, God knows your heart.

Pray individually or collectively.  Pray by yourself or with others.  Pray all alone or altogether.  Pray.

Pray for our nation.  Pray for Congress, the Senate and the House, even the Speaker of the House.  Pray for the government as a whole, state and local government, even down to the propositions on the ballot.  Pray for the Democrats, the Republicans, the write-ins, the independents, and all candidates.  Pray for the Tea Party and other conservatives as well as the League of Women Voters and other advocates and activists.  Pray for the voters.  Pray for all involved in the political process.

Pray prior to going to polls.  Pray while in line at the polls.  Pray when you receive and read over your ballot.  Pray prior to submitting your ballot.  Say a little prayer when you get handed that patriotic "I Voted" sticker that they give out as you walk away from the polls.  Pray at the polls.

Pray openly.
Pray privately.
Pray out loud.
Pray silently.
Pray long.
Pray short.
Pray.
Pray at the polls.
Pray about the polls.
Pray about the results.
Pray about each and every election and its impact from that day forward.

Pray for change.
Pray for integrity.
Pray for democracy.
Pray about our freedoms.
Pray for America.

Don't proposition.
Don't petition.
Don't protest.
Just pray.
Simply pray.
All that I ask of you, as a Christian brother or sister today, is to pray.

Pray about the elections.
Pray for the elections.
Pray for safety at the polls.
Pray for those serving at the polls.
Pray for all of those involved.
Pray for all of those who will be impacted by every vote.
Pray that the elections make a difference in the way that we all live in America...
The Land of the free. . .
The Home of the brave. . .

Pray to God.
Pray today.
Pray with all of your heart.
Pray.
Pray.
Pray.
Again, I say, pray.


*This is still legal until someone decides that prayer, even in its simplicity and serenity, is so offensive that they rally and petition enough others to shut down the freedom to pray openly and publicly just in case that it may unduly influence or impact someone who doesn't have the ability to resist the power of prayer.  Then, when that time comes, we must still pray as Daniel did three times a day, even with his window opened towards Jerusalem while in captivity.  God's decrees are not constrained by man's laws.

Evangelism Insights

Evangelism is proclaiming and sharing the gospel message with the world.  We do it in numerous ways and by various means, but we are all called to do it.  Evangelism should be at the core of what we do as churches open in the name of Jesus.

We can proclaim the gospel by preaching, witnessing, or even through written material such as Bible tracts.  We can share the gospel by demonstrating our love for Christ and our fellow man through service, addressing the needs of those within our communities, and personal testimony, sharing our own trials and struggles that provides hope to those who live in darkness. We have many open avenues to share the Good News.  We must be sure that our people are exercising their God-given giftedness to glorify God and edify the body of Christ "for the work of the ministry."

If we do not proclaim and share the gospel, we neglect one of the main purposes of the church’s existence as well as one of the greatest commands of the Lord and the least that we could do since being saved by His shed blood.  You ought to see that god is so good that you can't help but talk it up with others.  It should be so good to you that you can't contain yourself.

For more posts on evangelism, please visit Rev. Bruce's Blog.  Also, be sure to visit our Life Path Storefront for S.O.W.S. (Salvation Offered Without Strings) and A Short Course on Evangelism.

Discipleship and Development

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

-Ephesians 4:11-16 (NKJV)

We should strive to reach perfection. As we work in ministry, building up and strengthening the believers under our care, we are to lead them with teaching and training that guides them to become a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Our work is cut out for us. We are to work with imperfect people as imperfect people, helping one another to become more like Christ day by day despite our sinful nature. Like the Apostle Paul, an internal war wages within us with two opposing sides- our new nature versus our old nature. At times, we must rely upon the strength of the Lord to continue in striving. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in your development as you assist in the discipleship and development of others.

You are called to oversee what happens with the people under your leadership.  You must intercede on their behalf.  You may not always feel up to it.  You may not always feel appreciated.  You are called to serve as a leader. 

Disciple your people.  Teach your people.  Train your people.  Do all so that your people will mature in perfection towards the  perfect man that they are destined to become in His name.  It is part of your calling.

Achieving Divine Results

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself..." - Daniel 1:8 (NKJV)

What is offered does not have to be taken. Even when it has been set forth by the king, the supreme ruler over those held captive in Babylon, there is a way to say: "No way."

The king set up a daily provision for the youth of Judah that he held captive. He established this "daily provision" based upon what worked for his people and what he understood culturally about his own people, not his captives. We have to understand that this was a carefully designed and devised plan to assimilate these young men with the culture of their captors.

Yet, Daniel purposed in his heart to stand up and say no.

Daniel's Refusal (v.8)
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. . ." (Daniel 1:8, NKJV)

Daniel found inner strength and conviction within his heart first. Daniel sought to remain pure; he understood that the Babylonian delicacies would lead to his defilement

Daniel's Request (v.8, 12)
"Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink." (v. 12)

Daniel knew who to talk to and make his request. We need to teach our children and youth how to take a stand without causing more problems for themselves.

Divine Results (vv. 15-16)
"And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies." (v. 15)

Your refusal to be defiled can lead to some divine results. By giving God the time to work on you, He can cleanse you both physically and spiritually. Regardless of the circumstances or conditions, we must settle the matter in our hearts first. In our hearts, we must decide that we will stay true to God. No virgin retains her purity without commitment and conviction. No athlete conditions and trains for a race without sacrifice and avoiding temptation. The attitude must precede the action that leads to the accomplishment.

Intergenerational Inspiration

"Not by might nor by power, but my Spirit says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

Today's Christian church needs to understand how to lead young people in order to prepare them for the future. When I say young people, I am speaking of youth (middle school children & teens) and young adults (18-30). During the Obama campaign, some have dubbed what I am calling "young adults" the Joshua Generation.

The Bible speaks clearly to how this should be done in many instances. The Books of Wisdom (Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes) share insights into how to train children and direct them in a life that pleases and honors God. Solomon's writing of Proverbs opens with a directive to his children in obtaining wisdom, especially Proverbs 1:8-9. Yet, I offer some more practical passages that may aid those serving in our local churches with today's youth and young adults.

Titus 2:1-5
Paul assigned Titus in Crete to straightened out what was wrong and to appoint elders among the believers (Titus 1:5). In offering more specific directives, Paul shares in chapter two of this pastoral epistle, how Titus should train his people. This section of the epistle deals with what I would consider intergenerational interchanges. Older women working with the younger women and older men training the young men, all along with the pastoral leadership of Titus in place. Oddly enough, the pastor just can't assign or appoint someone to lead the ministry or implement the program without being involved with it in some capacity.

Ephesians 4:11-13
Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus a letter that shares a lot of how-to knowledge necessary for being the church. In fact, Colossians is a Pauline epistle that very reflective of the content of Ephesians. The passage referenced here deals with the spiritual gifts provided by the Lord for the individuals within the church to edify those within the church so that the entire church will be at work for the Lord's purpose and plan as well as positioned and prepared for the Lord's return to reclaim His church, which is His body of believers. In essence, it is about being positioned for a purpose established by the Lord Himself.

What does that have to do with youth and young adults? Paul never says for the church is only supposed to train seasoned saints 65 and older. he never said that only adults will be trained and taught, built up for the work of the ministry. he said saints. The point of VBS and all of that other kids' stuff in church isn't for the sake of not having them occupy the pews in the back of the church where they stick their gum and write notes to one another on the church bulletins or sermon outlines. The point of it all is to have them taught and trained for the work of the ministry according to the Lord's purpose.

Our churches, church leaders, and youth pastors, even young adult leaders, need to see God's purpose and intent behind having us in place. We need to ensure that what we provide our people, including our youth and young adults, prepares and positions them to please and honor God.

There must be an intergenerational interchange that leads to infusing youth and young adults into the ministry and the work of the church itself, not just putting the kids on program on annual youth Sunday. If your annual youth Sunday services leave you wondering why some youth don't seem to get it when it comes around to that one particular Sunday you have designated as their time, you also have to realize that you have never worked with or trained these same people all year either. Thus, in essence, you failed to prepare them for their time to shine.

Mid-Week Update July 28 2010

We need to be "doers of the word," according to James the brother of the Lord Jesus (James 1:22). I agree and believe that we need to activate our belief by what we do as well as what we profess. Full Post...

The most popular post for Rev Bruce's Blog on WordPress has been Youth Outreach. If you have not read it, check it out for yourself. I believe it is one of those posts that sets some on fire and sets some people against you. Full Post...

Social media and social networking takes a lot of hits, but I have to be real about usage. Take a look at your site stats via Google Analytics. See where your "hits" are coming from and who's going where on your sites.

Not into following blogs. Go to the Facebook page. Are you looking for some more updates? Follow the tweets.

I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.- Psalm 40:1 (NKJV)David is a shining example of patience in practice. He didn’t just offer lip service about waiting on the Lord. He exemplified faith as he held on, awaiting and expecting God to respond to him.
Full Post...

Teach Youth to Reach Youth

This was originally posted on one of my other blogs: http://lifepathministries.blogspot.com

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.- 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)


Some time ago, as we were developing a evangelism program called Youth-N2-Action, I shared the general concept with my children. They were in middle school at the time and found it difficult seeing themselves as evangelists. They had tagged along with me and had learned a lot about sharing the gospel through good works with the homeless and others, even door-to-door evangelism. Yet, I realized in that one conversation that they had been educated about salvation and evangelism methods but not edified to the point where they were comfortable and confident sharing it with their peers. Sadly, they are not alone when we look at the state of many of our Christian youth today.

We tend to sell our youth short. I say “we” because I have been guilty of it myself as well. Yet, there is a biblical solution. We need to engage our youth to become equipped and empowered to share the Word where they have influence. We need to teach and train young people to share the gospel on their own level and in their own way.


Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.- Titus 3:14 (NLT)

• 
  If something doesn’t change in the way that we REACH teenagers, the statistics indicate that in just 5-7 short years we could see only 4% of this generation being bible-believing Christians.- http://ernestdebra.blogspot.com/2007/01/youth-statistics.html
• 
  “Our continuing research among teenagers and adolescents shows that the trend away from adopting biblical theology in favor of syncretic, culture-based theology is advancing at full gallop.” “Americans draw theological beliefs from diverse points of view” (Barna Research Online) October 8, 2002. – http://www.crossroad.to/charts/church-statistics.html
• 
  In a recent study 50 percent of American teens 13-17 report attending a local faith community within the past seven days.- http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2929
  

The stats don’t tell it all. I was introduced to Christ as a teen. A friend approached me as I was shooting dice at school between classes and pronounced before all of my thugging and drugging buddies that he was going to pick me up for church that night. I laughed, but he came through and the Lord worked on me from there.

I believe that one day we will stop telling our teens what they shouldn’t do and who they shouldn’t hang around. We’ll start teaching and training them to be like Christ. Who ate with tax collectors and sinners? Who touched the untouchable and unclean? let them follow Jesus’ example and live out their faith. Teach them to share their faith with confidence. Help our youth to become ambassadors for Christ as they inspire and influence others for the sake of the Lord.

I am living, born-again proof that it works.