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. :)

The last time I posted I didn't have two properly working feet, so...

First...



I have two working feet! It has been almost 5 months since the accident. I was actually out playing sand volleyball today!

Second...



There has been a new addition to my little family...his name is Costanza...my pet name for him is "Georgie". I sympathize for him because he seems to always get "pooped" on...whether it's in a literal sense from the innocent birds flying overhead or by negative comments about his "grandma gold" color, he's a kind old soul that is simply misunderstood....Just like George on Seinfeld ;-)

Third...

I guess you'll have to wait and find out... ;-)


Tomorrow I start my NEW JOB, so look soon to figure out all the details and more pictures from past events. :-)

Out with the Old, In with the New

Out with the old...



Bye Bye Sally! :-(
(Two broken companions)

I began calling my little Saturn "Sally" because she seemed to always have something wrong...always pretty minor, but still something was typically wrong. When we wrecked, I was actually at a point where I was very happy with Sally and liking her. But please don't misunderstand me, I was very very blessed to have her and for nothing to seriously be wrong with her in the 5 years that I owned her, I really am going to miss her.

As you can see, I am very very blessed to have had my little knight in silver armor (or silver plastic) along with THE Great Protector aka GOD on my side :)




...In with the New.

Since the bone I broke in the accident was my driving foot, I am currently not legally allowed to drive. They can keep me from driving an automobile..but they can't keep me from my NEW ride!!

....


ERNIE! My New Companion...




With this baby I am starting to become very popular and cool with the kids at church! haha

The Big Break

I guess I can't say nothing new ever happens to me...

On Thursday, I was headed to my District Pastoral License Renewal Interview and I was driving on I-696 in Detroit (a 70 mph, 4 lane highway) and I was in a car accident. I am very blessed to have made it out in the shape that I did and I know that God truly had His hand on me. To make a long story short - I was in the far left lane going between 45-55 mph behind a big SUV in congested traffic and suddenly the big SUV swerved out and cut into the 3rd lane...revealing a stopped car. I had about 2-2 1/2 car lengths to stop...needless to say...it didn't happen fast enough.

I came out with no scratches...bruises...just a broken foot. Figured I'd show you some pictures. :-)




Picture #1: waiting in the urgent care...still unsure of the result..



Picture #2: the X-ray. You can see the break between my big toe and 2nd toe.



Picture #3: the shoe I got prior to my awesome cast



Picture #4: My safety orange cast :)




Picture #5: the thumbs up! :)


No more volleyball or bowling for awhile :-/

Bradley Edwin

...3 weeks old.







...And in Cubbies colors :) Guess he is excited for Cubs Pitchers and Catchers reporting to Spring Training TOMORROW just like me! When baseball starts up that means summer isn't TOO far behind it!

Fat Tuesday

If you knew me college, lived with me, or ever became close friends with me, you know a few simple facts about me. If we were playing "Family Feud" the following earthly things are the top seven answers that the survey would say "Christen Sanders loves and and/or is very passionate about"

1) The Chicago Cubs

2) The Indianapolis Colts

3) Caffiene

4) The Rocky Anthology

5) Ice Cream (more specifically: Chocolate Chip)

6) Survivor

Now...for #7....think for a moment. Can you guess it?
.
..
...
....
.....
......
.......ok i think you get the picture...

7) LATE NIGHTS!


You may have guessed it, OR you could be hitting yourself on the forehead as I do after many rounds of "Family Feud" saying "Duh! I knew that!"

Now, there was a purpose for this post. As I look at my clock it says 12:09am. Yes, it is not THAT late, especially for my standards, but I am fully participating in Fat Tuesday because for Lent which begins tomorrow I will be in bed by 11:30pm every night until Easter (weekends it is extended to 12:30am). For someone who makes a habit out of staying up until 1:30am or 2:00am a bit too frequently on weekdays and in the upwards of 3am on weekends, I feel that I am truly making a lifestyle change.

The purpose of giving up my late nights is so that I begin reading my Bible every night at an earlier hour where I'm not giving God/Scripture the time when I may be nodding off or so tired that I'm just trying to fulfill a "check off my list" of things to do today. I want to be able to fully study Scripture with a clear mind that isn't foggy with sleep. And I already know going in that I am going to fail. I know I'm not always going to make it by 11:30, but I want to make a true effort to make a lifestyle change to better my relationship with Him.

We'll see how it goes. Rachel (my "roommate") has said she will try and help hold me accountable -- I'm going to need all the help I can get!


Special Shout-Out----

To the Dentist that has put up with me for life and is apparently (according to Mom today when I talked to her over the phone) an avid reader of my inconsistent blog -- DR.LEMNA! (Sorry Dr. L, it is weird to call you Jaime even though I'm an adult now! haha) I hope all is well and I will try hard to make an appointment to let you clean my teeth when I'm home! Miss ya!! Sincerely, "The Reverend" ;-)



Happy Fat Tuesday Everyone!