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Archive for April, 2008

Life In EHO: Graffiti

Phil | April 30, 2008 12:41 pm

Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3151 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3163 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3159 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3143 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3147 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 2930 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3119 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3123 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3115 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3131 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3139 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 3135 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None )

Here is a sampling of the graffiti murals I see around me.

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in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 214 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1383 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
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in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 52
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-blog-header.php at line 16
in /home/wayof/public_html/index.php at line 17

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in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 288 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 214 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1383 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 867
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in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 166
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 166
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/themes/vSlider3/post.php at line 57
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/themes/vSlider3/archive.php at line 61
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 52
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-blog-header.php at line 16
in /home/wayof/public_html/index.php at line 17

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in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 288 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 214 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1383 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 867
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc(1245) : regexp code at line 1
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in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 166
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 166
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in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/themes/vSlider3/archive.php at line 61
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 52
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-blog-header.php at line 16
in /home/wayof/public_html/index.php at line 17

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in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 288 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 214 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1383 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 867
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc(1245) : regexp code at line 1
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in ??? at line 0
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 166
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 166
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/themes/vSlider3/post.php at line 57
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/themes/vSlider3/archive.php at line 61
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 52
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-blog-header.php at line 16
in /home/wayof/public_html/index.php at line 17

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in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 288 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 214 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1383 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 867
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in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 166
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in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 52
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-blog-header.php at line 16
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in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 288 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 214 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1383 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
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in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 52
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in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 288 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 214 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1383 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
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in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 288 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 214 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1383 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 867
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc(1245) : regexp code at line 1
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in ??? at line 0
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 166
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 166
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/themes/vSlider3/post.php at line 57
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-content/themes/vSlider3/archive.php at line 61
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 52
in /home/wayof/public_html/wp-blog-header.php at line 16
in /home/wayof/public_html/index.php at line 17

1

Categories: stories
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Faith-Sharing: From a simple party to the Word of God

Phil | April 16, 2008 5:35 pm

While we were filming this weekend we interviewed a neighbor whom I will call Devon. He told me (on camera) that he doesn’t like religions but ever since he and his wife met our two families they have started to pray together for their meals. He also shared that he and his wife want to spend more time with us because they want their family to be more like ours, and he said he wants to read the Bible together with me. So the next day he invited our families (and Hannah’s family) to the park. While the women played with the kids, Devon and I sat under a shady tree and started our first Discovery Bible Study, something he wants to continue with his wife the next time we meet.

Looking back, Devon said his curiosity began when he took his sons trick-or-treating at our home. Right away Ed, Katie, Meri and I invited them to come to our Halloween party where we were playing children’s games and serving popcorn and apple cider. They knocked on many doors that night to trick-or-treat, but Devon got the feeling we are “good people to be around.” From that simple interaction a mutual friendship began, in which we played and ate meals together, listened to each other’s stories, and introduced spiritual topics of conversation. Meanwhile, we’ve been praying and fasting, and asking others to pray, too, for Devon and his household. Then something mysterious and beyond our control began to happen in their hearts. Now Devon has demonstrated a desire to expose himself and his family to the Word of God.

Please keep Devon and his family in your prayers…

Categories: stories, the how
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Dreaming of Worshiping with All God’s People

Phil | April 12, 2008 5:00 am

I close my eyes and like to imagine all the diverse peoples of Los Angeles co-laboring with Christ in his kingdom. This image often reminds me of that cryptic and wondrous scene described in the Bible, in the book of Revelation chapter 7…

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

       “Salvation belongs to our God,
       who sits on the throne,
       and to the Lamb.”

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

       “Amen!
       Praise and glory
       and wisdom and thanks and honor
       and power and strength
       be to our God for ever and ever.
       Amen!”

Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,

       “they are before the throne of God
       and serve him day and night in his temple;
       and he who sits on the throne
       will spread his tent over them.

       ‘Never again will they hunger;
       never again will they thirst.
       The sun will not beat down on them,’
       nor any scorching heat.

       For the Lamb at the center before the throne
       will be their shepherd;
       ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
       ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Ahhh…. can you see it?

Categories: the why
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Life In EHO: Understanding how people make friends

Phil | April 11, 2008 5:00 am

In the city not everyone’s relational network is defined by proximity. Many people don’t know or speak to their next door neighbors. They make friendships through common interests, and their friends may reside in multiple neighborhoods all across the city. For example, our Muslim friends relate mostly to other Muslim families but their friends don’t all live in Hollywood. Another example: On our block live many Salvadorans, Guatemalans and Mexicans. Just because three groups speak Spanish and live next door to each other does not mean they know each other or want to (yet). Salvadorans, Mexicans, and Guatemalans are distinct groups with different histories, customs, cultures, foods. Even their Spanish language is not the same. They don’t always understand each other or get along.

What does this mean? On one hand, it means we have an opportunity to witness Christ bringing groups together! On the other hand, it also means that we have an opportunity to see multiple churches started from the same neighborhood. Understanding how and where people make friends is key.

We could lead every family in an 8-unit apartment building to Christ, and they could start 8 different churches because they each maintain their own webs of relationships that are distinct and do not intersect much, if at all, with the others. Each web is a future church. We don’t have to reach everyone in those webs. We just need to find that one person in each web who will quickly become a disciple-maker and train him or her to share the Word of God with those in his or her own web. They will share in their own cultures better than we ever will.

…But please, please also pray that we will see our neighbors of differing cultures coming together in unity under Christ! This is a desire of our hearts.

Categories: stuff to pray for, the how
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Crossing Cultures: Learning the Hard Way

Phil | April 9, 2008 5:00 am

We are learning to cross several cultures in a single day. This is very challenging!

In the morning I greet my Chinese-born neighbor in Spanish, the only common language between us. In the afternoon I must remember to eat lunch with only my right hand in the home of my Muslim neighbor. Countries represented in our section of LA include immigrants and refugees from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Peru, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, Armenia, Russia, Samoa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Laos, China, Korea, and more. Some neighbors were born here, many were not. Under one roof may be 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants. Each group has their own culture and history, or their own version of it. Many residents maintain relationships in their home countries and visit there from time to time. To reach people in LA is to potentially gain access to unreached pockets around the world.

Navigating cultures is hard but it’s also fun! You get to try new foods, experience new music and clothing, learn how other people value time and money, as well as discover similarities you have with peoples seemingly so different from you. My mind often is spinning, but I love it!

There’s no one-size fits all approach to sharing the Word of God cross culturally in LA. When building relationships and sharing hope, the starting points for each group (indeed each person) is different. But the goal is always the same: to share the love, message and simple way of Jesus Christ with all.

Categories: stories, the why
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Life In EHO: One of the most diverse and densely-populated neighborhoods in LA

Phil | April 8, 2008 5:00 am

We live in East Hollywood, one of the most (if not the most) densely populated and diverse neighborhoods of Los Angeles. We live in a tiny city block with 500 people, 30,000 per square mile. Only New York City and San Francisco surpass LA’s density in the U.S. We walk out of our apartment and hear up to 7 different languages in our 21-block area (Spanish, English, Korean, Samoan, Armenian, Tagalog, Cantonese). Travel a ¼ mile in any direction and you hear 7 more (Hindi, Russian, Urdu, Arabic, Hindi, Thai, Mandarin). It’s a beautiful thing to hear all around you – the peoples of the world.

Categories: stories
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Joining God In Mission: New disciples show their recycling love for neighbor

Phil | April 5, 2008 9:52 am

Hector and Roxy said they had a surprise for us. As a way of expressing Jesus’ love for fatherless children and poor, at-risk families in their subsection of Hollywood, they have been making toys with a single scripture and giving them away with no strings attached. They are identifying families (usually through their daughter’s school) that they want to pray for and befriend. Then they ask to come over to their home so they may give them these homemade gifts of neighborly love. This is an effort on their part to build spiritual friendships that can provide hope to neighbors in desperate situations and can eventually lead their neighbors to Christ.

This is amazing to me on several levels.

Show me more… »

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