DS3 Blogging

For the City

So on Saturday, I watched a strong TED conference talk by Dave Meslin. He talks about 7 barriers that keep people from being involved in their communities, specifically local politics. It was such an inspiring talk that intended to tweet it this week. 

Then, on Sunday, I read Abel Harding's blog post on my city's desperate need for new leadership, especially when it comes to the future of downtown Jacksonville. Abel draws inspiration from the players and events that followed the Great Fire of 1901. Reading his post (combined with yesterday's TED talk), I am personally bothered (in a good way) with the current and future story that is unfolding in Northeast Florida. And further more, how that story fits into the greater story of God's kingdom.

God says to an exiled people through His prophet Jeremiah, "...seek the welfare of the city...and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7). What if this is also what He is saying to the Christ-followers of Jacksonville? 

We have tons of churches in Northeast Florida...and new ones are planted every year. This is a good thing. But I wonder what would happen if we prayed for more men and women who would seek the welfare and prosperity of this city, for the ultimate glory of Jesus? New leaders and laborers who would build up the ancient ruins and be restorers of streets to dwell in (Isaiah 61)? I wonder what God would say to that kind of prayer?

Big Dreamer

I am a huge dreamer. Not in the 'dreaming while I'm sleeping' sense. In the 'always thinking through what could happen' sense. In fact, I've had a number of nights that I didn't sleep due to dreaming about what the future could hold. At times, I have checked out of conversations unintentionally because my brain had already started working on the possible ramifications of what someone was saying. (Sorry if I have done this to you.) Dreams have woken me up in the morning, kept me going when things got tough and pushed me to see a better outcome.

For those who hang out in the A218 Gatherings, you'll probably hear a little bit about this in the coming year. The A218 Community is working on being 'cause' motivated in 2009. It is my belief that being deeply involved in making the world a better place includes the discipline of seeing beyond what is present and envisioning a future that is brighter. Is it not the dream of God that we are living towards? When the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all flesh see it together?

To those who know me personally, you're already aware of my propensity to dream big about the smallest of details (sorry Kelsey and Joey). It is a part of my MO. At this moment, I am on a plane to Houston, caught up in my 'dream phase' and I have realized a sad reality about my life. While I am a big dreamer, I don't talk about my dreams. Probably a lot of reasons why...but I am sure that the people closest to me have little knowledge of the dreams that occupy most of my free time (and work time).

So I have made an early resolution for 2009. I am gonna open up and talk about my dreams...at least I will try to do this. For one, my dreams need feedback and partnership. I know that I can't do everything, but I live as if I can. Maybe some of my dreams will become more of a reality if I share them.

The other reason I am going to reveal my dreams is that it may free some other people up. I think dreaming big is essential to living a productive and positive life. With the current state of our economy, there has never been a better time for optimism and fresh hope for the future.

So I'll start here...one dream. I would love to found, lead and/or be a part of a non-profit whose goal is to work with 18-25 years who have had a run in with the law (ie. jail time, felonies, etc), bring them into a healthy faith community, educational assistance and career mentoring that is coupled with anger management, substance abuse counseling and the like. My dream is based on Isaiah 61:1: '...to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.' Through this effort, I hope to bring those formally incarcerated and otherwise a chance at a new life. I know it will not be an easy task, but I do think it is a worthy task. And according to Isaiah 61, this is exactly what we have been anointed to do.

I am no where close to working on this dream. But getting it out and in the open will probably help speed up the process. It may also inspire someone else to help or even take it on. I welcome you comments. But I also encourage you to dream big for yourself and see what future you might think of.

For His Dream, Derrick

My Love/Hate Relationship with...

...the airline industry. Any who has traveled with me or known me for awhile knows that I love airports and airplanes. I love airplane food, flying for hours at a time...being in coach doesn't even bother me that much. I don't mind the hassle of going through security and up until now, a slight delay wasn't a big deal. But this year's Australia trip has tested my love.

There has not been a single leg of this flight that has gone according to plan. At the moment, I am sitting in the San Francisco airport waiting for my 10:25pm red eye flight to Atlanta and then to Jacksonville first thing in the morning. The sad thing is, according to my original flight schedule, we would have landed in Jacksonville an hour before I am now scheduled to leave San Francisco. It has been an almost brutal experience. Literally, flight times have changed in the middle of check in. And the lack of communication between companies is down right ridiculous. I should have gotten paid for all of the running around I did today alone. Qantas, a company that I thought was one of the best, is having multiple cancellations and delays daily. As a result, we spent 6 hours in the Sydney airport. It honestly has not been a good two weeks from the airplane side of things.

PAUSE: I met a guy in Sydney who is originally from Alaska. The moment he told me, my spiritual antennas (can I say that?) went up. I had this feeling inside like I had to get over there at some point in my life. It was similar to the feeling I got 13 years ago that at some point, I needed to go to France. No sure how or why, but I wouldn't be shocked if in some point in the not too distant future, you'll be reading a blog about me heading over there. UNPAUSE.

In all of the frustration with the flights and the airlines, I did not expect the Holy Spirit to have anything to say. It is amazing, no matter how justified you may feel, those of us who are serious about the kingdom will always be under what Oswald Chambers calls, the 'holy scrutiny' of the Father. This is never out of anger or malicious intent. We are under holy scrutiny because of Jeremiah 29:11...the Father does have plans to prosper us, and He does have a hope and future for each of us. But without teaching, correction and discipline, we will continue to delay or even sabotage those plans. But to be really really honest with you guys...the last place I expected to feel the 'scrutiny' was in the middle of this 'airport ridiculous-ness' that I found myself in. (Another story is coming about this one)

As I walking from one airline counter to another across the San Francisco airport, I saw a sign for Alaskan Air. At that moment, I begin to dream about what a kingdom trip to Alaska would be like. And again, I love airports and airplanes so I was getting excited about the thought. The walk-dream continued to other countries and destinations that I figured God would allow me to travel to for His kingdom. It was then that the Holy Spirit spoke clearly: 'You're gonna have to deal with more delays and cancellations in the future, so you better get used to being on mission for hours in airports, filled with the Spirit while you wait for your 2nd or 3rd rebooking of the day, and the fruits of the Spirit pouring out of you when you are 24 and 48 hours late to and from destinations...being on mission will cost you more and more.'

Craig Groeschel says that there is healing in confession. So by way of confession: I confess that in the last two weeks, I have not represented the kingdom of God well in airports. I confess that instead of taking things in stride (knowing that everything I need I already have in Jesus), I have not had an attitude that is worthy of this great kingdom calling. I confess that I have cut off such fruit of the Spirit in me including joy and patience. I confess that I have lived as if God was not watching and as if God was not in complete control of my flight itinerary. I confess it...I have sinned.

Thankfully, I have a God who is faithful and just to forgive me of my sins. And I totally want to be a part of a global movement of the kingdom. So I am going to learn from my mistakes and keep going. We are scheduled to get on a flight first thing on Thursday. I am looking forward to making good on that which I have learned and renewing my love for airports and airplanes.

Wicked, Dance Theatre and reaching the Artist

Driving around town today, I decided to pop in my Wicked CD. Not only did it totally get me through what felt like the storm of the century, but it reminded me of many memories in musical theatre. There is nothing like telling a story to a crowd...with music, costumes, personal expression and artistic interpretation. I actually told a friend on the phone that I wished I could find the time to do another musical, but I don't think I have 6 weeks to spare at the moment (hope I don't get fired in the next couple of weeks...that would make this blog rather eerie). But honestly, Wicked is one of those musicals that no matter how you feel, you pop it in and you come away wanting to take on the world.

This evening, I attended a collaborative dance performance hosted by DeWitt Cooper and Hermia Williams, friends from high school. It was great and inspiring. Most of the performers must have been middle and high school age. They danced with such passion and excitement...like they were so glad to be there, so excited at the chance to perform in front of people. And the music selection was perfect. So proud of DeWitt, Hermia and their partners in collaboration.

Both the Wicked CD and the dance performance reignited my long time desire to extend the kingdom to the artists. Actually, it was during the dance performance, when I was watching the opening piece that included four male dancers. As they danced, my heart broke...I wondered if they knew how much they were loved by their Creator and how much He delighted in the fact that they were doing something that was active and positive. I wondered if they knew what their purpose was and what they were on this planet for. And I wondered if I would ever have a chance to tell an artist that when they do their artistic thing, they prove to the world that they really did come from a magnificent and creative Being.

We'll see what God does (and what I do in response) to this burden. I love artists of all kinds, and I am looking forward to the ways God may use that heart to welcome artists into the community of believers.