Sorry Alan
Alan,
The Brown Family really let you down on your class this morning didn't we? Next time you teach give us another chance and I'm sure we can do better. It was a busy week.
I went Friday to a conference put on by the Lone Star Associatio n of Charity Clinics. It was really cool. There was a guy there that has done in Dallas what I want to do in Fort Worth. It was really inspirational. I keep getting bigger and bigger dreams for what God could do. Right now I envision the churches of Tarrant County working together to build a safety net for the poor in our county. That would include Christian doctors volunteering to see patients in their own clinics as well as a clinic for the poor. It would also mean the Christians in the county began to be advocates for the poor in regards to public policy. That is the hard part. Getting people to donate to a good cause is great, but having them lobby for higher property taxes so that the poor can get health care is a lot tougher.
Recently my neighborhood made a concerted effort to get the state to stop it's plans to fund the building of an apartment complex down the street. It was going to have 10% public housing (15 of 150 units.) They didn't want "poor people" driving down their property values. I wrote a letter to the state asking them to please not let all my neighbors keep the state from doing the right thing. I don't think my lone voice was enough to stand against the wave of public opinion, but if the Christians in the neighborhood had thought about things from God's perspective it would have been easy. If we can believe that God wants to pour out His blessings on His people (which He does) then why can't we believe that He would want to pour out enough to overflow into meeting the needs of the poor in our community? I know it seems idealistic, but I sense that God is moving among the churches in our area to bring unity. If He unifies the church then anything is possible.
Speaking of unity. We had a fellowship dinner with an African-American church in Como last week. It was really fun. The preacher was gracious and humble, and we really felt connected with their church. I pray that we will be able to do lots of joint work together in the future.
OK. That's all for now.
Randy
posted by Mama Brown @ 3:46 PM
4 Comments:
Alan, I'm sorry too! I read your blog, intended to respond, and just never got around to it. I hope your class went well. I wish I could've been there. I still think often about the class you taught about the Israelites crossing the Jordan. You're a great teacher.
Randy, I love your heart as well. Keep persisting, and keep reminding us to think about the poor. Was your fellowship dinner with Christ Fellowship and a church in Como? That's awesome!
No problem. I didn't give you much notice. Class went well, and maybe next time I will try and get your input a little sooner. Thanks for the compliment Trisha. Tod has helped me grow into the role of teacher, and I still have lots of growing to do, but I enjoy it. I am about to begin a series on the life of David. I have always been fascinated by David's life. He was anything but boring. We'll see how it goes.
Randy, keep encouraging us to help the poor. Apparently, some of us are slow learners.
Alan,
I'm glad it went well. I also had intended to contribute something. Most of my contribution for the weekend was in framing and roofing a work area with my father on the other side of the lake.
April and I are really looking forward to seeing everyone at Memorial Day.
-jc
Hello everyone, just catching up on the Brown family. Randy, we need to talk. I'm ashamed that we live in the same town and see each other so rarely. I love your heart and I want to help! You are right on track with what I believe to be the calling of the church. Matthew 25:31-46 is pretty clear. Let's get together.
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