The Insomnia Chronicles

War Week...

I'm in an all-day meeting to discuss War Week '08 - the good, the bad, and the ugly... so, IF you attended this year (or another previous year) and have a suggestion, testimony or concern; leave me a comment and I'll pass it on...  to learn more about this amazing week, click here:  WW

Thanks!

Detroit... city of Hope.

our infamous mayor spent the night in jail and was released this morning only to face new felony charges.  this ongoing saga, which includes sex, greed, lies and violence, continues to bring our city into national and international focus - for all the wrong reasons. in addition to the political demise of our cities infrastructure, we are continually facing a financial recession as our three automakers (GM, Ford & Chrysler) post losses into the billions. our housing market has collapsed, many businesses (like Starbucks) are closing throughout the city, and unemployment continues to rise. it's hard to find a positive conversation... 

hopelessness.

...things look bad.  But that's because we are peering through our human lenses and not the eyes of the Almighty.  He has not declared us or our city as hopeless. Instead, He is assembling a team of selfless, sold-out, servant-warriors to stand on every street corner that once sold lies, fear, hate and death; and declare His HOPE! I am one of them, and I am not alone!

When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do... Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God. Romans 4:17,19 msg.

I will not hang my head in despair. I will not complain or gossip.  I will live out my calling with joyful honor and obedience. I will declare, with my words and actions, that no matter how dark the night or impossible the circumstances, there IS hope! Through Christ, and Him alone, salvation is promised. HE is poised and ready to redeem!

God called me to Detroit. He has a plan and it is His mission that will succeed. I believe.

I am a hope-dealer.

Perhaps you're called to join us. IF so, COME quickly - there's work to be done! Perhaps He's asking you to fund us. IF so, GIVE quickly - your gift could be the miracle needed this week. Undoubtedly you're called to pray for us. So, PRAY quickly & continually - you're as close as the mention of His name.

Shouting HOPE, chilly

it's REALLY happening.

Through some incredible circumstances, I have been invited to come to Africa (all expenses paid) this September to minister.  I can't tell you how excited I am!  I will be ministering in the countries of Ghana and Burkina Faso.

Not only will I be in Africa, but I will be with a group of Godly men, including two of my best friends: Tim Dilena and Edgar Cabello.  So amazing!  Through this new relationship, I may even be able to take others, in ministry, with me on future trips (already planning an Asia trip in early '09) - so, be extra nice to me! 

Seriously, some dreams happen suddenly and some require incredible patience and lasting faith.  I've dreamed of going to Africa for over 20 years.  Shortly after I accepted Christ, I was sure that I had heard the Lord say that I would minister there someday.  This dream is NOW becoming a reality!  Perseverance is something many of us have a hard time with in our 'instant society' - but never forget, God IS faithful, He keeps ALL of His promises!

grateful & joyful, Chilly

• What's a dream that God has answered for you?
• What's a dream that you're still waiting for?
• What's a lesson you've learned from waiting?

Easter Plans?

This is the second year we have done this event... last year was awesome with lots of visitors attending. We're praying that this year is even greater!  This is such a fun, cool and impacting event. This is one of those rare times that people may be open to checking out 'church' - I think it's vital we accommodate their curiosity & openness... we have handed out nearly 1000 personal invitations - this past Wednesday our college ministry, 24/7, visited our local University: Wayne State (35,000 students) and hung with students - inviting them to the U2Charist.  Can't wait to see who joins us this weekend... can't wait to introduce others to Christ!!  Wow...

My wife (with the assistance of Zoe & Maximus) baked tons of cookies today and decorated them with colorful sprinkles - they are delicious!  Later today they are visiting our neighbors with cookie bags & inviting them to church this Friday, Saturday or Sunday!  All of my family will be involved...

It's vital that we don't put it on our church, alone, to reach out this Easter.  We all have a part to play...

• Is your church doing anything unique this Easter?
• Are you, personally, doing anything?
• It's not too late, you know?!
• CHRIST HAS RISEN - proclaim it!!

THIS Weekend!

Hey, there's still plenty of time to join us tonight for:

We're kicking off a brand new series and would love to have you with us, but
IF you simply can't make it out tonight, then please join us in the morning for:

 

 

NightLight:  Saturdays, 8-9:30pm (open 7:30-11pm)

Awakening: Sundays, 11am-12:30pm (open 10am-2pm)

*Note: also please join us for this week's Sunday Matinee  (the last Sunday of every month at 1pm). Tomorrow's movie is the cartoon comedy: Ratatouille - a Disney/Pixar movie.

another day to LOVE.

Get His heart into your head
and see the world through love.

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Today, amongst all of the heart shaped candy, long-stem roses, stuffed animals and cheap perfume; there will be many broken people.  Those that feel that they've tried love and been hurt or disappointed. Those jaded by unkept promises and misplaced affection. Those seduced by sin and starving for truth. 

Be God's valentines card to them!

can you say: PACZKI?

The streets of Hamtramck will be soon be crammed with people, from near and far, all in search of something sweet, round and fat (no, not me!)... very funny!  They are in search of the notorious: PACZKI! Even as I write this, the air is filled with the smell of fried dough and sugar as polish bakeries all over our city bake these things all night in order to have them ready tomorrow from 5am - 7pm!  Lines will be several blocks long with people craving those polish pastries and various media (TV, Radio, Paper, etc) will pack store fronts & street-corners.

A pączek (singular name for plural: paczki) is a deep-fried piece of dough shaped into a flattened sphere and filled with plums or other sweet filling. A traditional filling is marmalade made from fried rose buds. Fresh paczki are usually covered with powdered sugar, icing or bits of fried orange zest. Pączki have been known in Poland at least since the Middle Ages.

Traditionally, the reason for making paczki has been to use up all the lard, sugar, shortening, eggs, and fruit in the house, which are forbidden during Lent (a religious time of fasting)...

Hamtramck is known to be the only U.S. city to organize an annual Paczki-Day (Fat Tuesday) Parade, and lines can be seen up to 24 hours before the deep-fried delights go on sale at the numerous local bakeries. Many bars in town open early in the morning, and provide free entertainment, a party atmosphere, and even Paczki-clad mascots. The Paczki-Day celebration in this town is even larger than many areas have for St. Patrick's Day.  Here, prunes are considered the traditional filling, but many others are used as well, including lemon, strawberry, chocolate, bavarian cream, blueberry, custard, rasberry and apple. Due to French influence, paczki are eaten on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).

So, what's the spiritual application?  Simple: I'll be out among the people, praying the God allows me to share His authentic love (far beyond ritual or religion) with others.  Yeah, I think it's a bit ridiculous to gorge oneself with fattening donuts as a way of preparing to fast... but, I won't get into that this year. I want to reach people for Christ.  So, Paczki Day is Jesus Day in Hamtramck for me!

10 < 30

In 30 days, we are launching our second church: NightLight!  (Our Sunday morning church is called: The Awakening) Yeah, some of you would see it as simply adding a 2nd service, but that's not our approach.  We taking a few committed young adults and going after a whole new unreached group of people.  Same building - different set-up, approach and style. 

The message is sacred, the method is not
...never forget that.

Here's our latest flyer that presents what's happening in Hamtown & Detroit.  Keep us in prayer! We're 10 days into our 40 day fast...  miracles are happening - in fact, just today I led 5 people to Christ!!

dazed.

Today, at Real Church, was one of those days that literally leaves you bewildered with joy.  Our church was so jammed packed that we were bringing in chairs from real cup (our cafe) in order to seat more people - we still had others who chose to stand.  When the crowds died down after service, I finally sat down and exhaled...  this picture was taken at that time.  "Whoa! God, what's next?!"  

We already have prayerfully made plans to start a Saturday night service - in fact, it will be more like it's own church - in mid-February '08.  It will be called: NightLight (our Sunday morning service is called: The Awakening) But now, it seems, that we might need to move up the launch date to early '08. Cool problem - no doubt, but still a very real challenge! 

It's so incredible to be a part of a move of God like this.  We are in WAY over our heads, but FAR from over HIS HEAD!!  Today we also kicked off our new sermon series:  Black & Blue Christmas.  I invite you to discover and experience the JOY God intended by uncovering the stories of pain & triumph, embarrassment and elation, hopelessness and majesty - all found in the TRUE Christmas Story. Black & Blue Christmas will allow you to journey into the lives of those that walked the streets of Palestine at the time of Christ’s birth and discover truths often over-looked. Who knows, they may unlock doors to healing and joy! Simply click ear-buds in right column to be directed to iChilly podcast.

Thanks for all your prayers and enthusiasm!  Keep it up!!  And, IF you would like to bless us financially, wow, we could really, really benefit from it - especially this time of year.  You can give a tax-deductible gift to Real Church by clicking "make a donation" button in right column.  Thanks again, love you lots!  Chilly

Here's ONE Christian ALL FOR Halloween!

Since the eighth century Christians have celebrated All Saints' Day on November 1 to celebrate the known and unknown "Christian Saints". Saints is not an emphasis on those the Catholic Church has canonized but instead an emphasis on triumphant, genuine followers of Jesus Christ - living here on earth or in Heaven - yes, those joyful members of the "cloud of witnesses" who boldly proclaim Jesus as Lord - including you and me!

   

Almost as old as the celebration of All Saints' Day is the tradition associated with All Hallow's Eve. ("Hallows" mean "saints," both mean "holy ones," as in "Hallowed be thy name." "Eve" means the evening before.) So, Halloween means "the evening before All Holy Ones' Day." Today we call that festival Halloween (Hallow's Eve) and we have many fun secular ways of recognizing it in addition to religious ways. However, it's important to remember that its celebration has a long, positive history in the Church.

   

What sort of history is that? Like many of the liturgical festivals (Christmas and Easter included), All Saints' Day and All Hallow's Eve have some connection to pagan festivals. People of many races and cultures have remembered their dead and have had superstitions about death itself. Christians remembered death itself on All Hallow's Eve and celebrated Christ's victory over death. During the Middle Ages, Christians would gather in Churches for worship and they would remember the saints' victories over evil. Likewise they would put on little displays showing Jesus' victory of Satan, often using unusual masks and costumes to act out the story.

   

Thus, the festivities on All Hallow's Eve were the Christian's way of laughing at death and evil, something we can do in certain hope of Christ's victory over the powers of darkness.

Today, however, many churches focus on the evil associated with the day rather than Christ's triumph OVER evil.  They heap condemnation on the families who allow their kids to enjoy costumes & candy.  Instead of teaching a positive approach to this day - we attempt to deny it exists...  what's next Christmas (because of Santa, blinking lights and pine trees) or Easter (because of eggs, bunnies and peeps)??  IF today is evil, it's the churches fault - since it started with us - so, I say we redeem it rather than rebuke it!  And, while we're at it, let's teach our kids about the "Saints/Heroes" of our Faith on November 1st.

We can join previous generations of Christians who viewed All Hallow's Eve not as a glorification of evil, but as a chance to affirm eternal life in the face of the death of our mortal bodies. Just as Easter is a celebration of Jesus' victory over death and evil, so is Halloween!

One of the things I've always loved about Halloween is that there is no other day where all of my neighbor's open their doors and allow us a glimpse into their homes & lives.  In fact, they smile at us and give us candy just for stopping by!  I love walking with my kids and talking with all of the other kids - I love teaching my kids to laugh at the things that scare people and how Jesus overcame death & fear!  I love opportunities to be with my community and neighbors - to be a light on what others call a 'dark night'.   I LOVE CANDY!

At our house, we'll have the BEST candy bars on the block, plus a cool invitation to our awesome Kid's Minsitry!  We'll smile and enjoy all the outfits - even the "icky ones" and we'll declare to our neighborhood that Jesus defeated death by living LOUD and LOVING lives!!  It's a fun day...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
~ Chilly