Week three of class is complete, only 17 more weeks left. It seems to be a huge commitment, 20 weeks.
Tonight was awesome. Our time in class was a little boring but when we broke up in groups the tide began to turn. As I listened to young men open up and share the things that have caused them pain, I was humbled. The most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed is people being transparent and vulnerable while having hope that things can be different in their lives.
As I shared more of my story I could see hope begin to fill the eyes and hearts of some of the other men in the group. As I spoke to one of the guys in the group you could see his spirit come alive.
After the past few crazy months it feels so good to be in the place I was created to be. I never feel more alive than when I am able to share and encourage others.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A Representation of My Soul
This evening was full of surprises. I started a class tonight that is so against the grain of our society. When I first walked in I was very nervous and unsure of what to expect. The class is not a normal class but I guess most of you probably picked up on that since I am one of the students. Upon entering, one of the instructors lead me to a table covered in small gift boxes of different shapes and another table covered in decorative tissue paper. Along with the tissue paper were stickers and a role of yellow tape with the word caution on it. The instructor instructed me (as an instructor should) to take one of the boxes and use the other materials to decorate it to represent what my soul looks like to me. I was a little lost at first but I filled the box with solid colored stickers and a piece of the caution tape covered by a black piece of tissue paper. Then I put the lid on the box and colored the top green with blue tear drops.
The explanation for the way I decorated it will come at a later date but after sitting down and looking over my recent creation it seemed to be a great representation of the emotional part of my soul. I have to admit I was feeling like a first grader as I worked with little scissors and colored paper.
During the class we all had to stand up and tell everyone our name and why we were taking the class. Since the class is not part of a degree program, the reasons for everyone being there were very different. I told them my name and then said that my reason for taking the class was to create a representation of my soul and then I walked out.
Totally kidding.
Some of you have already figured out what kind of class I am in because you are just as jacked up as I am. Others of you should take a class like the one I am in because you are just as jacked up as I am. The rest of you I hope are not in denial about how jacked up you are. One of you I know is just not that jacked up so congrats on not having to endure the current struggle, I am truly inspired by you.
If you feel like there are a lot of holes in this story rest assured that you are not losing your mind. I am still trying to process the rest of the evening so stay tuned for the continuation of my Tuesday evening class. I will be in this class for twenty weeks so I am sure there will be plenty to share
The explanation for the way I decorated it will come at a later date but after sitting down and looking over my recent creation it seemed to be a great representation of the emotional part of my soul. I have to admit I was feeling like a first grader as I worked with little scissors and colored paper.
During the class we all had to stand up and tell everyone our name and why we were taking the class. Since the class is not part of a degree program, the reasons for everyone being there were very different. I told them my name and then said that my reason for taking the class was to create a representation of my soul and then I walked out.
Totally kidding.
Some of you have already figured out what kind of class I am in because you are just as jacked up as I am. Others of you should take a class like the one I am in because you are just as jacked up as I am. The rest of you I hope are not in denial about how jacked up you are. One of you I know is just not that jacked up so congrats on not having to endure the current struggle, I am truly inspired by you.
If you feel like there are a lot of holes in this story rest assured that you are not losing your mind. I am still trying to process the rest of the evening so stay tuned for the continuation of my Tuesday evening class. I will be in this class for twenty weeks so I am sure there will be plenty to share
Colors in the Mood www.myspace.com/hendrickmusic
IT SEEMS THAT WHEN WINTER COMES I AM COVERED IN TEARS
AND IN SEEMS THAT THE WEATHER STAYS IN SEASON WITH ME......
IN TIME
IT WILL BE FEBRUARY
BUT IF THE SUN IS SHINNING
YOU CAN GUARANTEE I AM SMILING
BUT IN JUNE WHEN THE RAIN IS COMING DOWN ON MY ROOF
I 'LL PROVE MY SELF
WE WILL SHED OUR LIGHTS TO COLORS IN THE MOOD
WE'LL EMBRACE THE DARKER SHADES OF ME AND YOU.
WE'LL FORGET WITH MORNING COMES THE SUN.
BUT IT WILL COME
AND IN SEEMS THAT THE WEATHER STAYS IN SEASON WITH ME......
IN TIME
IT WILL BE FEBRUARY
BUT IF THE SUN IS SHINNING
YOU CAN GUARANTEE I AM SMILING
BUT IN JUNE WHEN THE RAIN IS COMING DOWN ON MY ROOF
I 'LL PROVE MY SELF
WE WILL SHED OUR LIGHTS TO COLORS IN THE MOOD
WE'LL EMBRACE THE DARKER SHADES OF ME AND YOU.
WE'LL FORGET WITH MORNING COMES THE SUN.
BUT IT WILL COME
Monday, February 11, 2008
HUCKABEE CAN STILL WIN
HUCKABEE CAN STILL WIN VIEW THIS LINK http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=1427
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
City Union Mission - Kansas City
City Union Mission – Kansas City
http://www.cumission.org/
This afternoon I left work at 2 and headed over to the City Union Mission in Kansas City. Upon arriving at the mission I was introduced to Brett, the volunteer coordinator. As Brett and I began to share stories of mentoring addicts and homeless men, the Holy Spirit began to fill the room. My eyes would well up every time we shared a new story. I was amazed by the compassion that was so alive in Brett. After visiting for a while we went next door and took a tour of the facilities that the transient community calls home on cold winter nights. As we walked the halls of the mission we were greeted numerous times by men that were staying the night. The faces of the men would light up when we would greet them and smile. A simple smile would bring forth a since of worth to the hearts of men that are in a position in life that is connected with so much shame. During the tour we met two men that were very cordial and open to talk about the Lord and the supernatural works that He has been doing in their lives. As we stood talking to the two of them Brett asked me to share the testimony of Jesus in my life. When I began to talk I could feel love for Jesus come alive inside of my heart. The two men listened intently to every word and respond with words of praise for our Savior. I was instantly reminded of my trip to Nashville Rescue Mission this past May. I saw myself sitting in the NRM and hearing God speak to me about Him being all I need in order to live. These men had nothing in the eyes of the world but I saw two of the wealthiest men that have ever walked on this earth. Their hearts were full of Joy and there was a Peace in their spirits that verified that the Holy Spirit was active in the hearts. I was challenged by the very short conversation with the two of them. I feel challenged in my relationship and in my dependence on the Lord as a provider for all my needs. I went into the mission thinking about how I could impact the lives of men and I left feeling forever changed by the Love that has captured the hearts of two broken lives.
My heart is convicted by the lack of desperation for God in my life. I am looking forward to my time at City Union Mission and the refining that I know the Lord will do in me by way of men that are completely dependant on Him for their every need
http://www.cumission.org/
This afternoon I left work at 2 and headed over to the City Union Mission in Kansas City. Upon arriving at the mission I was introduced to Brett, the volunteer coordinator. As Brett and I began to share stories of mentoring addicts and homeless men, the Holy Spirit began to fill the room. My eyes would well up every time we shared a new story. I was amazed by the compassion that was so alive in Brett. After visiting for a while we went next door and took a tour of the facilities that the transient community calls home on cold winter nights. As we walked the halls of the mission we were greeted numerous times by men that were staying the night. The faces of the men would light up when we would greet them and smile. A simple smile would bring forth a since of worth to the hearts of men that are in a position in life that is connected with so much shame. During the tour we met two men that were very cordial and open to talk about the Lord and the supernatural works that He has been doing in their lives. As we stood talking to the two of them Brett asked me to share the testimony of Jesus in my life. When I began to talk I could feel love for Jesus come alive inside of my heart. The two men listened intently to every word and respond with words of praise for our Savior. I was instantly reminded of my trip to Nashville Rescue Mission this past May. I saw myself sitting in the NRM and hearing God speak to me about Him being all I need in order to live. These men had nothing in the eyes of the world but I saw two of the wealthiest men that have ever walked on this earth. Their hearts were full of Joy and there was a Peace in their spirits that verified that the Holy Spirit was active in the hearts. I was challenged by the very short conversation with the two of them. I feel challenged in my relationship and in my dependence on the Lord as a provider for all my needs. I went into the mission thinking about how I could impact the lives of men and I left feeling forever changed by the Love that has captured the hearts of two broken lives.
My heart is convicted by the lack of desperation for God in my life. I am looking forward to my time at City Union Mission and the refining that I know the Lord will do in me by way of men that are completely dependant on Him for their every need
Thursday, January 31, 2008
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