When I say "Detroit" what word comes to mind?

In going with our church-wide campaign, I am reading "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick. It is based off of Joshua 10, when Joshua prays and asks God to make the sun stand still so that he can defeat the enemy, just as God had promised him.

This got me thinking about something...

When I say "Detroit" what word comes to mind?

Is it something in regards to sports?
- Detroit Lions 5-1
- Detroit Tigers...ALCS Contenders
- Detroit Red Wings...Stanley Cup champs how many times?

Maybe the words "motor city" come to mind.

Do you think of violence? That is what everyone from my small town in Indiana think of...always asking if I'm "packin'" haha

Unfortunately, I've never heard anyone ever say that they think of Jesus when they think of Detroit. And why should they? I know that it is in the top 5 most dangerous cities in the world, if not #1 of that list. I also know that my car insurance is higher because the number of break-ins to vehicles is higher.

What will we have to do to change this? We hear stories all the time of individuals that have spent decades addicted to drugs, finding Jesus and being able to celebrate sobriety for the first time. Why can't this city be the same story?

"Seizing God's vision means deciding that you will not spend another day surviving your work environment, family dynamic, or dysfunctional situation. Instead, you will bring about substantial change for the glory of God." - Steven Furtick in "Sun Stand Still"

What will it take for us to seize God's vision for the city of Detroit? Even more importantly, what will it take for us to seize God's vision for our own individual lives?

Currently...

My life can be described and summed up in one word: CHAOS.

I often wonder what in the world God is going to do with me, because I am getting so much experience in such a wide array of things that whatever he uses all of these things for can only be known to him.

For the past 14 months, I was a caseworker for the formerly homeless, trying to help them achieve self-sufficiency and sustain the housing that they currently have through the Section 8 Housing Voucher program.

That job ended due to end of my grant, so I ventured out in a slightly different area.

The past month I have begun working with runaway and homeless youth in a transitional home.

I also just got offered a job working at my church as Administrative Extraordinaire. Not because I'm extraordinarily good, but because I will be working in multiple different areas. Primary area: Student Ministries.

The funniest part about all of this is the fact that 2 months ago I confessed to a group of teenagers and adults from my church while in El Salvador that I can't stand teenagers. And look at me now...working with teenagers. A lot.

God can definitely stretch a person and change directions in a completely different way. That is for sure. But I guess that is what you get when you pray to be challenged. Oh believe me. Definitely challenging. Teenagers. Sheesh. :)