StreetLevel

2007-08-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

We led a class on Street Ministry at WYI for 4 days. A guy named David said something profound. We were talking about our hopes for a person when we share Jesus with them on the street. His hope was that the person would "pay it forward". We concluded that this was as good a description as any of discipleship. Do you agree?

WYI

2007-08-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

24/7 prayer throughout had a profound effect - consider starting this where you are. Individuals or groups pray in the same space in shifts (I've heard of one to 3 hours and occasionally more)and can leave notes with requests, praises and God's responses. Maybe start small, one 24-hour period or one week of continuous prayer. I've never heard of anyone regretting doing this. Ever.

I understand the Western Territory, USA will have corps sign up for a week and string together a full year of non-stop prayer. Get involved. Check out these sites. 24/7 Prayer
USA East 24/7 Prayer

I've never heard of anyone regretting doing this. Ever.

Matt Armstrong

2007-08-07T18:34:00.000-07:00

We said goodbye to our War College student on Monday. Matt has lived and worshipped and served with us for almost 3 months. God used Matt in some important ways while he was here. He was fruitful in intercession and in building relationships with others. He labored (laboured) for salvation and God granted in a few lives. God bless Matt.

2007-08-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'm learning about faith. Faith to enter the presence of God - a dangerous place to be, a place where you'll surely lose your life. It takes faith to believe you are made worthy to actually have an intimate audience with YHWH. It takes faith to trust His character - that He can be trusted to break you, that He will make you whole.

It takes faith to act for Him, it takes action to show your faith.

2007-07-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

John was praying for God to provide a desk for his home and he felt God challenge him to pray more specifically, like he had heard of a missionary praying in the days of yore. So John prayed, "Lord it needs to be small, like 36", etc." That day his building's maintenance man had work to do in John's home. He left and came back asking, "John, do you need a computer desk?"

God has been answering our prayers. I'm beginning to ask bigger now and more often. You should probably do that too.

2007-07-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

Brent (one of the Service Corps Team) and I traveled to Camp Arnold to meet with two gentlemen from Zimbabwe who are interested in moving into our neighborhood for the next year - and God provide the visas to prove it - a miracle! I was looking forward to this meeting for some time, as I had been in email contact with one of these men for almost a year. As long as StreetLevel has existed. It was like meeting an old friend in the Lord. It was great. Please pray for housing and employment.
Chris

2007-07-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to hear two confessions last week one from a close friend and one from a stranger. Both of these believers challenged me with their openness and humility. I had to ask myself why it had been so long since I've confessed my sins to another person. It is good to confess our sins to God and to each other. It is good to trust others with our messy lives. It is good to bless each other and walk together in repentance.

This being my first time and all, I only suggested 10 Hail Marys. Can anyone tell me if that is too light for the average confession?

Ahh, church humor...

Obedience

2007-07-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

John told me about how God is teaching him obedience. He was studying the scriptures and God told him to go out to Hing Hay park, the nearest park to his house (by the way, praise Jesus for providing John's home!) to witness for Him. "But it's late and I'm not dressed and I'm in bed," said John. But he went and he met a friend who needed encouragement and was able to witness to his friend's friend as well.

It was very Song of Songs.

2007-07-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

So I'm on the bus yesterday and it occurs to me that I should ask the LORD if there is anyone that He wants me to talk to. So I do and a couple of minutes later my friend walks on the bus and says hi. He had been going to the corps and was heavily involved with StreetLevel in ministry. We were in discipleship together. He very suddenly broke relationships with us and has bounced around a few churches for a couple of months.

I was able to show him how he was missed and loved, particularly because 5 different people asked about him last week. It was great. We reconnected and encouraged him to rejoin. He said he would.

Isaiah 57:15

2007-07-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."

I love that God, who is the lofty King of Heaven, who is worthy to be praised chooses to live among the lowly. He chooses to make His existence largely about reviving us. Wow.

More From Last Week

2007-07-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

We kept meeting God in our neighborhood parks. I was prophesied over twice, one of which was by a complete stranger. Another time we were praying in Pioneer Square, a place with a monument to the wounds of a marginalized people. A place that represents alcoholism and despair for some and quaint high-end retail for others. Brent, one of the service corps members provided this scripture as a focus for our prayer

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes wait for the LORD. Ps. 27:13-14

God showed Himself to be Good. We worshipped Him and saw redemption.

Oh Praise Him!

2007-07-02T13:45:00.001-07:00

We served a meal in City Hall Park and Occidental Park on Tuesday with the youth group, service corps team, some people from Seattle Temple and streetlevel's regulars. All told, that was 16 people serving 140 or so meals and spending time sharing God's love with His friends.

The enemy showed up. I don't think he liked what was happening. Two of the young people were singled out and received persecution. I've been thinking about this all week. It was their first time doing ministry with the homeless and they were cursed and degraded for it. When we in the Church in America read Jesus' words, "they will hate you because they hate me" we sort of have to skip over them. There are many who spent their whole lives in the church and have never put themselves in a position to be hated by the world. They can't share Jesus' experience. These 16-year-olds can. There is beauty in that because it is closer to Jesus. God is pro at redemption.

Last Week

2007-07-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

We had the youth group from the South Valley New Heights Corps in South Metro Denver spend the week with us. They had a full plate with servant evangelism, serving food to the homeless, prayer walking, playing with 2-5 year-olds, sharing time and food with seniors, visiting patients at a VA Hospital and doing street ministry. They also caught a few of the Seattle sights and spent time in prayer and praise. It was great.

Misc.

2007-06-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

Exciting week at StreetLevel. We had more people at out small group meeting than ever before. God seems to be able to accomplish more when we focus on resting. For instance, I found Carla, a nice older lady we've met a few times before. She told me about a poem she wrote and asked if I would listen to it. I said yes. She said, "You mean you have time to listen to me?" I said, "yes". I was thinking, "well, that depends...", but God is gracious with me. Listening to Carla's poem was the most important thing I did all week. I listened. I wasn't placating her, or waiting for my turn to speak, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was meaningful. God was there.

God is here.

More Workers

2007-06-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

A team of 4 have arrived at StreetLevel today (very early this morning)from the Western Territory (USA) Summer Service Corps. This group of stalwarts will be working and praying alongside for the next 6 weeks.

Please pray for Carmen, Tracy, Brent and Elisa, that they would be intimate followers of Jesus, effective in proclaiming the Word of God and filled with the Spirit of Love.

A friend of mine ends his famous blogs by saying, "God is here." He's right on. It's important to remind ourselves when it can be hard to feel His closeness, and very fun to say when we can see Him moving in power.

Praise the Lord!

Quotes of the day

2007-06-07T14:06:00.000-07:00

Matt: "Sweet! I can save 5 bucks by cutting out the Old Testament!"

He was checking out prices for give-away bibles for StreetLevel. Personally, I don't think it is worth the savings. Make sure you read the OT. I know Matt does.

John commented about Matt's silly, erratic behavior, "That is a direct result of not being water baptized."

We had been talking about The Salvation Army's non-sacramental witness to the rest of the Body. It is unusual. It is us. I love the fact that we have less to hold onto. We take it as encouragement to cling tighter to Christ Himself. John's comment was just plain funny though.

Men's Camp...

2007-06-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

Chris, myself, and our new friend, John, went to a "Men's Retreat" this past weekend at the beautiful Camp Arnold. For those who do not know, Camp Arnold is a Salvation Army run camp just outside the city of Seattle, WA. It was a fantastic week of fellowship, and the Holy Spirit was on the move. So, PRAISE THE LORD! HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED! Here are some pictures of our weekend away. I hope you all enjoy them!

Much LOVE and BLESSINGS!

- Matt

Prayer

2007-06-03T18:28:00.001-07:00

I think the greatest power of prayer is not the extravagant grace and love that the Father gives us when we ask, or the miracles He does when we trust Him and come before Him in faith. That is all GREAT - exceeds our expectation every time. However, the greatest power of prayer is the transformation inside my heart when I abide in Him in prayer. I no longer want the things I asked for at first. I no longer even need my prayers answered to my expectation at all. After prayer, the miracle is, I want what the Father wants. Hallelujah.

Receive Freely

2007-05-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 10:8b

I have had a tendency to read this statement with an emphasis on the second half; freely give. In doing that, I developed the idea that Jesus was describing the disciple's receiving in a slightly negative light. As if Jesus was intimating with a sidewards glance, "it's high time you stopped taking and started giving."

That, of course, is far from the truth. God is exceedingly generous with us. He was saying two important statements in the correct order - you must receive in order to give - and you MUST give. Christ never stops giving.

The disciples, to there eternal credit, were very good at receiving freely. Many of those around Jesus got this well. If they were sick, they received healing. If dead they received life (not that Lazarus or the child had any say on the matter) if defiled, they received cleansing, if possessed, they received deliverance. All followers of Jesus trust in a giving God and live under an open Heaven.

May you receive as freely as you are supposed to give!

Grace & Peace
Chris

2007-05-23T15:59:00.001-07:00

I was talking to a couple of guys in the park when another man asked to borrow my cell phone for an important call. From how I saw him interact with a couple people I suspected him to be drug dealer. I thought I should let him borrow my phone, though. It was neighborly. I prayed to myself that God would frustrate his efforts to use my phone for any evil purpose if it was, in fact, a "business call'.
You should know the screen on my phone doesn't work, so you can't see who you are calling when you dial. This guy and another guy had my phone for 10 minutes trying to call someone and they couldn't dial the right number and then seemed to lose service or something - they never got what they were after in the call. What I meant for good wasn't used for evil. God is good. And he has a more powerful network than other wireless service providers (certainly more than Sprint, which we have and I would not suggest anyone join)

Chris

2007-05-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

We have Matt Armstrong, a student from the War College here with us on summer assignment for the next 3 months. He is a great guy, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, faithful in prayer who has already proved a great help and encouragment to me. Please pray for him.

You can find out all about him here

Don't know much about The War College? Click on the Armybarmy link at right.

Blessings

Savvy Investment

2007-05-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

"You can do one of two things with your income: spend it today or save it to pay for future consumption. Many people spend most of their income on housing, food, and other fixed costs that reflect real or perceived needs. (The term "needs" is ambiguous and subjective, defined for many Americans more by the financial possibilities within their grasp than by the requirements for survival.)"

This quote is not from what I might consider an unlikely source. It is the chairman of Vanguard, and investment brokerage firm. Nonetheless, I was encouraged to invest in my future, Eternity. Rather than spend my resources (time passion, hope, wealth) on myself now on what I think I deserve, I can invest it in God's economy. There is MUCH more in it for me there.

2007-05-07T18:41:00.000-07:00

Last night I preached at the William Booth Center (men's transitional homeless shelter) from Hebrews 10:19-25. I was struck anew by the call to not forsake meeting together and to consider ways to spur each other on to love and good deeds.

We have Jesus, the Great High Priest. We can boldly enjoy intimacy with the one and holy God and we don't need any person as a go-between. But we cannot thrive without community. We need encouragement.

I got to experience that truth first-hand today. Rob Noland, leader of Revolution Hawaii stopped by today to see the neighborhood. It was great to spend time with someone who has experienced the sort of things we struggle with at StreetLevel. It is rejuvenating to get together and share ideas and encourage each other.

Check out Revolution Hawaii at right. The inagural session of this one year discipleship school is about to go to the Marshal Islands for their summer placement. Session Two starts in September.

If you burn easily, contact me about downtown Seattle.

2007-05-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my brother-in-law's wedding. Congratulations Erik and Marie! During the rehearsal dinner, I learned about how two people came to join the Salvation Army; one from the Dominican Republic, the other from Russia.

Two things struck me.

One - The three of us could not have represented more disparate cultures and upbringings yet we held common beliefs, goals and commitment (covenant). We even knew some of the same people. We share identity.

Two - I was struck by their atraction to the Salvation Army's work dispite a lack of resources and popularity. There is an authenticity in joining a part of Christ's Church when the path is unfavorible. It is truth and passion that get you through. You can't be in it for what you will get out of it.

I went away from this conversation hopeful for the Salvation Army in the Western World. We, who share this same identity, can share in this authenticity as well by putting out of our hearts any love of wealth and popularity, knowing where our heart is, so our treasure is.

Chris Wikle

2007-04-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Do you know about Goodsearch, the search engine that generates money for your favorite charity (including The Salvation Army)with each search? It is a fine search engine - powered by Yahoo (whatever that means; I'm not too savy on the Information Super-Highway) since I've started using it.

This reminds me of some other ways to be merciful and just without giving up anything you would normally do. Ways like the The Gap's Red Campaign or drinking Fair Trade Coffee. Of course, there is actually buying less clothes and coffee and using that money to buy lunch for a needy person or sponsoring a child in a developing country.

Perhaps this idea is a bit like cheap mercy, as in cheap grace. Still, it seems like a no brainer. It could also be a good way to get people doing justice at an entry level.

By the way, sponser a child. $20 (USD) with the Salvation Army. Just google it, er Goodsearch it.

Wedding

2007-04-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our friends Joel and Kim Boyd who were married yesterday. Beautiful. May God bless this new family that blesses Him.

2007-04-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

I was led to question whether I was seeking fellowship with Christ or simply proximity to His blessings. Ouch.

The latter causes a sort of reluctant service to God where we bargin with God about doing only what we must to remain blessed.

The former is being lost in the pursuit of God, utterly devoted in His service to the point where you are not negotiating with God about how little goodness and how much worldliness you can get away with. Instead, you are reckoning your life as not your own and are eager to give extravegantly, hilariously, ludicrously of all that you are. That is freedom!

Isaiah 1:17

2007-04-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Learn to do good;
seek justice,
reprove the ruthless,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.

Update

2007-04-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

God has sent some great help our way with one or two looking to move into low-income apartments in downtown Seattle in the next stretch and a couple more months down the road.

We also will have some extra hands and hearts for the summer with a War College Missionary (3 Months)AND an intrepid Western Territory Summer Service Corps Team (6 weeks) AND a Youth Group Mission Team from Littleton Colorado (1 week).

We are making friends with some of Jesus' friends and deepening relationship with a couple of others. We are meeting some physical needs as we are able thanks to donated food and clothing and generous individuals literally giving the clothes off their back.

We are excited about our Christian community growing in numbers, growing in speed. We look forward to spending time in quiteness and rest as well. Jesus is the source of all we could hope to do.

Good News?

2007-03-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

Is the good news Jesus brings good news later or good news now?

You wouldn't chose one or the other but both, right?

Is it good news spiritually or good news physically?

You wouldn't chose one or the other but both, right?

I have heard people complain about a number of The Salvation Army's social service programs saying they can't or won't preach the spiritual gospel of Jesus. This should never be. But what is worse is the mindset that devalues helping meet people's physical needs. That trivializes the suffering of the poor and makes Christians out to be cheap salesmen who's only interest is making the big deal. People like that (I know them well, I used to be one of them) had trouble reading the Beatitudes in Luke - Blessed are the Poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. It is much safer, easier, less tangible in Matthew's equally true recording with its spiritual emphasis. Lets make sure we read the whole bible and try to live it. God help me to do it.
Chris

2007-03-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

God doesn't use guilt to get us to do anything. Satan uses guilt to get us to do nothing.

2007-03-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

This afternoon outside our little storefront space in the International District there was a little scuffle. Two men had wrestled another man to the ground claiming he had stollen money from one of them. The conflict was over quickly and was never really that intense. The two got their money back and no one got hurt (unless you consider getting pinned down to the sidewalk painful).

I couldn't help but compare that event with what I saw on Saturday night. On the corner of Third and Yessler, a stretch of sidewalk known for extensive drug trade, the Narcotics Squad of the Seattle Police jumped out of unmarked SUV's and quickly arrested 3 people. The crowded area became all but empty soon. One man seemed to speak up to the cops (I don't know what he said or did) and one, two, then three police officers pushed him up against a brick wall despite his plea that he wasn't doing anything to them, threw the sandwitch we had just given him on the ground and spent at least 5 minutes yelling at him for interfeering with their investigation. They left, cursing him and promising to nail him for using.

Now, I don't know what he did - it might have been bad or threatening, but if it was bad enough to deserve the force the Narc. officers used, he should have been arrested for some crime. He wasn't. I have met drug dealers who are nicer than those police officers.

People ask how it can be so bad downtown, how people can ruin their lives so continuously. I think part of the problem is that it can be hard to tell who is right and what is wrong.

2007-03-09T13:59:00.000-08:00

You cannot walk the Way Jesus walked, the Way of the cross in dignity. The Way itself is shame. The Cross is scandal. Our culture bleeds into our Christianity and we put a premium on dignity and respectibility and friendship with the world and it obscures our view of Heaven. Christ bled into our culture and it was messy and brutal and illuminating.

Freedom

2007-03-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

Retaining the occasional indulgence, keeping the option to sit out a few minutes of the crucified life is not freedom. Yes, according to the world’s definition, that sounds about right, getting to decide for yourself, at least once and awhile, what to do. The truth is, when we do that, we posture ourselves against God’s will. We have to be doing someone’s will, so… we are now doing the will of The Enemy or are forced to do our own will (this last one is worse than it sounds - it leads away from truth, light, hope and love and definitely the God who embodies those virtues). In other words it is SLAVERY.

Freedom is living each moment by faith, that is, expecting each moment to be a Kingdom moment where you are ready and willing t obey God's general will (actions, thoughts, words from the Bible) or specific will (being led by the Holy Spirit's prompting immediately). It sounds like slavery, but it is the opposite. When we live that life (actually sounds more like Christ living in us) we are no longer bound by any chains of personal sin or forced in by boundaries of society (like racial and economic divisions - as Christ's followers we are supposed to break those boundaries) . Hmmn, that sounds good. I'll have that.

Expectation = Faith

2007-03-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

Have you ever come before God with some measure of complacancy? Possibly willing but not seeking to meet with YHWH? Have you ever come before God without any trace of nervousness that He might show up and challenge you, change you, ask you to do something, or scare you with His awefulness (great word to describe God!)?

Have you ever set out to serve Jesus by witnessing of Him or serving your neighbors and had little expectation that God would work a miracle?

I am convicted to NEVER again do that. To ask anything of God... "asking in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will recieve anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:6-8 NASB

2007-03-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

Last night StreetLevel held a chapel service at the William Booth Center, a Salvation Army men's transitional shelter just a couple blocks away from StreetLevel. It was small but encouraging as a few good contacts were made with people looking for Christian fellowship or opportunities for service. Also one man made a verbal commitment to follow Christ and turn away from his former life. I give God the glory and my thanks to Joe West for playing the gitty on short notice. Please pray for Mark for strength to surrender his life fully to Christ.

God bless The Salvation Army!

Chris

2007-02-28T11:33:00.000-08:00

Last night I asked God to show Himself to me in a powerful way. For the rest of the night I had memories about my life since beginning to follow Christ. Memories of teachable moments and acts of service. Memories of people who have discipled me and people I have tried to disciple. People who are still standing firm and testify to God's faithfulness, people who have fallen back into sin. I saw miraculous victories and ugly defeats.

I clearly saw God last night. I didn't see His face, but I saw His hands on my life. I must remember to look for Him in my actions and in the lives of others more often. It can be reassuring. It can beautiful.

2007-02-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

C.S. Lewis said something to the effect of, “Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”
There is a perspective of the world that is, dare I say it, often adopted by Christians that bogs down one’s vision of God, suggesting that He is about serious business only and nothing else is worthy of His attention. From this lens I cannot make heads or tails of Heaven, thinking it a rather pointless end of the adventure, a place somewhat out of character with God’s expression to humanity while on Earth? After all, isn’t He the LORD of Hosts or Lord of Armies? Is Heaven the place that better reflects His Character, or isn’t it Earth, that “real” battle-ground that has so consumed The Father’s passion and led to no-nonsense actions and stern judgments?

When I think about all of it from a Heavenly perspective, or as much as I can now muster, I begin to see Eternity differently. I no longer see it as the place of rest from our troubles, a place to recount the war stories from the good old days. I see Heaven as the Reality of which we on Earth get fleeting, intermittent glimpses. Glimpses which alone are enough to make us love our sorry lot in this place. I think our main battle is getting ourselves, and others, to see that joyful reality, Heaven.

Trivia Answer

2007-02-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

Ok
Nobody ventured a guess for the triva question so lets just put that behind us now.

I asked, "What two love languages does Prince want to recieve?"

The love languages are taken from the popular 5 Love Languages book. The clue to Prince's preference come from his song lyrics

...I just want your extra time and your dadadadadadadadada kiss

So the love languages he recieves are Quality Time and Touch.

Maybe that's a little bit outside the box. Lesson learned.

New Life

2007-02-10T15:09:00.000-08:00

Evangeline Grace Wikle was born on Friday, February 9 at 10:51pm. She weighed in at a trim 7lbs., 3oz for a 20 in. frame.

Beautiful.

Miraculous.

But you, beloved, building yourself up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourself in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 20-25

Trivia Quiz!

2007-02-09T19:38:00.000-08:00

Category: Pop Culture Marries Christian Sub-Culture (incidentally, this is something that I hope happens until there is no longer ANY Christian Sub-Culture)

Can anyone tell me what two love languages the musician Prince (I think he's back to just that name now) receives?

Who can leave a comment first with an answer to my whimsical little riddle...

I'll post the answer in a few days.

Chris

Some details about life at street level

2007-02-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

For any interested in StreetLevel's baby steps in downtown Seattle, I'll try to mention what is going on from time to time - without noting the mundane details of a life that is both supernaturally energized, and at the same time still very boring for blog-readers who are looking for substance (conversely, if you are looking for fluff, just leave a comment to the like and I'll be sure to include what I'm listening to and take the time to find just the right emoticon for the moment!).

We are big on discipleship, believing that intentional, dogged one-on-one relationships are the best way to help people to grow more like Jesus Christ (which is the reason we are here). We have started doing discipleship - God has given us one worker, Praise the Lord. We are meeting many times throughout the week in teaching and accountability as well as evangelism - a vital part of discipleship is doing - ministry of service and proclamation.

We have interest from 3 students from Seattle Pacific University (a Christian University in Queen Anne, a couple of neighborhoods to the North)who are prayerfully considering relocation to minister with us incarnationaly. Also, one man from Zimbabwe who is beginning the Visa process.

We have begun excellent relationships with our neighbors on the street, including renouncement of drug abuse and recommitment to Christ. However, we haven't yet been successful in continuing those relationships into discipleship. While I have faith that the war for their souls isn't over, losing the battle for two men within 24 hours hurts. I am reminded how real our enemy and how important our struggle. I take heart that Christ has overcome the world.

Please pray for us. Pray also about joining us in misitry.

Chris Wikle

2007-02-01T10:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we met a guy on the street who explained to us that the best thing we as Christians could give to people in need was our ears.

That's pretty hard to disagree with, because, in turn, he gave us his ears and together we opened the Word of God. Good times.

I was glad that we didn't come to talk at that guy. We were already on the same page. God is doing good things at StreetLevel. Praise the LORD.

Chris

Snapshot of StreetLevel

2007-01-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

StreetLevel has a small storefront space on 6th Ave in the International District of Seattle. Perhaps it's ironic, but the street is anything but level. There is a massive hill. For any who don't know, my wife Erin is VERY pregnant... her due date is tomorrow, actually. It is a challenge for her to walk up this hill to get to our house. We discovered a couple of weeks ago that I can walk behind her actually pushing he up the hill as she leans back. For her, the street is level and the walking is doable. We have gotten a couple of strange looks doing this, but it does work.

I smile at what I think is a little parable of the Kingdom - a glimse of the community of Christ in motion. The irony doesn't escape me that StreetLevel is founded on Isaiah 40:3-5 which you can read on the banner at the top of this blog.

What StreetLevel will do about Racial Reconciliation in Seattle

2007-01-23T15:40:00.000-08:00

Annonymos wrote in response to my summary of the North American Urban Forum, which focused on Race and Reconcilliation, "What will StreetLevel do about racial reconcilliation in Seattle?"

Great Question.

For any unfamiliar with Seattle, there are issues pertaining to race. I live in the International District. There is a strong asian culture here - with Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino people making up the majority in the neighborhood. In the suburbs to the North of the city, the overwhelming majority of people are white. To the East and South, there are larger African-American and Hispanic communities. In the city, particulalry among the working poor and homeless, I have met a relatively large number of Native Americans.

There is, largely, an absence of conflict in Seattle over issues of race. However, each of the minorities I have mentioned has been marginalized or mistreated on a large scale in this city's history. I am reminded often that there is still a need for reconcilliation. In a park where we do some ministry there is a statue to Chief Sealth. Next to that, there are these banners with writing in Inuit. Behind this writing, as a background there are a bunch of dollar signs and crosses. I don't have to read Inuit to understand the message. Generations of oppression and marginilization in the name of what seemed two foreign gods has cast a shaddow on the here and now.

What StreetLevel is to do, is get to know people who are unlike us. Cross bariers or race and economy, with the Good News - that God has reconcilled us to Him and, in that relationship, we have a way of reconcilliation with our neighbors. We have to be careful not to bring anything more than Jesus. We cannot bring a cultural Christianity. We will not try to make people more like ourselves. We will get to know people who act differently, so we will stop being afraid of them. They will get to know us so they will stop being afraid of us. I believe, when there is fear and isolation between cultures, the powerful try to change the less powerful and the less powerful try to further isolate themselves. Then, possibly, things can really change so there will no longer be a "them and us", but there will be people with distinct personalities and cultures.

Chris Wikle

2007-01-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

Erin and I saw Children of Men last night. An excellent film. One thing I liked about it was the fact that ithas a strong moral fiber. In other stories where heroes are put in extreme circumstances, there is a sense where the "ends justifies the means." That, when things get tough you can do things that would otherwise be wrong and still be considered "the good guy." In Children of Men doing things that were wrong was what made people or groups of people untrustworthy or, "the bad guy." That isn't really what the movie is about, but I found it refreshing.

If you've seen it, let me know if you agree with that statement, or if there are other films (particulalry violent ones) that have those ethics as well.

This gets me thinking about scenarios in life where the ends really does justify the means. I'll use the ideal of the movie - the value of human life. When is it okay to de-value human life enough to take it? How severe need a situation become in order to permit ending another's life. This question needs to be answered on a large scale and a small one. I think it is costly to answer it as well, but it must be answered.

More on this later...

Chris

2007-01-19T11:56:00.000-08:00

I recently heard someone warn a bunch of go-getter, Salvation Army mission-types not to make the mistake of doing mission without prayer. Excellent advice. I was struck by the fact that that is a reversible statement.

Are you guilty of doing mission without prayer?

Are you guilty of praying without doing mission?

Chris

North American Urban Forum

2007-01-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

I (Chris) was just in Atlanta Georgia for the Urban Forum, put on by 614 Regent Park Toronto (www.614network.com) with some Southern Territory USA help. It was excellent. Salvation Army Urban Mission thinkers and practitioners (not sure where I fit into those categories - sometimes I feel more like I'm practicing than a practitioner) gathered and discussed what we do.

I'll try to give you the Urban Forum in a few sentences.

We had three speakers help guide us over the week.

Ray Aldred outlined what the culture and systems of the world used to be and said, we must learn from the past (learn from mistakes of the church regarding race and reconcilliation). Learn more at www.mypeopleinternational.com

Robert Lupton stated the culture and systems of the world now and said we must redeem them (use economics and real estate for justice rather than oppression and greed). Learn more at www.fcsministries,org

Shane Claiborne spke about the culture and systems of the world now and said we must change them (cease consumerism and violence on small and large scales and embrace Kingdom values and actions). Learn more at www.thesimpleway.org

All three were different voices that followers of Christ need to listen to.

We also learned a fair bit from Martin Luther King Jr. during a visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (check it out if your ever in Hotlanta) and from the experience of dozens of people at the event.

There you have it

Blessings

Chris

2007-01-08T20:11:00.000-08:00

The Soldier
Rupert Brooke

If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam;
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

I think the Soldier is Jesus who, when on the Earth lived and breathed Heaven. While in forign (enemy) territory the lives He contacted became forever Heaven.

Man that pumps me up!

When I die, think only this of me...

Chris

The Jesus I Never Knew

2006-12-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

I've been reading a new(ish) classic, The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancy. On Jesus' miracles, Yancy writes this;

I readily concede that Jesus, with a few dozen healings and a handful of ressurections from the dead, did little to solve the problem of pain on this planet. That is not why He came. Nevertheless, it was in Jesus' nature to counteract the effects of the fallen world during his time on earth.

So Jesus wasn't nessisarily being purposful in His miracles; He was acting according to His character. Our culture is about purpose - full of mission statements and clear goals. Even the Christian culture has adapted this to some degree (many have memorized R. Warren's 5 Purposes). While there is nothing wrong with being purposeful - I'm inclined to believe that Jesus was just that at least some of the time - I think Jesus' life was more about actions flowing from character.

Please, love God and do what you please.

Grace

Chris

Mark 10: 17-18

2006-12-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me Good? No one is good except God alone."

I've puzzled over this passage. Why would Jesus not acknowledge His own goodness?

There is a tendency in the Church that I am familiar with (that is, the Church in America)to try to win the admiration of our culture. We think it is a gain to the cause of Christ for His people to be seen as good and set an example; to be looked up to. We say things like, "We just want to show them we are normal people like everybody else." I belong to a movement that has been billed as, "America's Favorite Charity" and "The Most Effective Organization in America." I am not suggesting that pride is the motivation for statements like that, simply this idea that someone who admires you is more likely to join you.

Nearly every time I've mentioned to someone what I do with The Salvation Army, their response is, "What you do is great" and the conversation usually goes no further. When I mention what Jesus did and is doing, I seldom get a response of admiration for my following Him. The mention of God elicits a personal response, either positive or negative. I think Jesus, in speaking to the rich young man, told him something that would make it about the young man and his dependency, not about the messenger and his strength.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

2006-12-06T23:07:00.000-08:00

A great friend (thanks S.H) gave us tickets to see The Trans-Siberian Orchestra tonight. They put on a great show... in formal wear, no less. Seriously,you can't go wrong when you put these entertainment gems together; guitars, violins, fire, lasers, smoke, one serious man-perm, one minor mullet and more arena-high-note-back-arches than you can shake a stick at!

What's more, there was lots of talk about God, spirituality, reconciliation, forgiveness, the birth of Jesus and His miraculous, other-worldly life. There was a fair bit of the gospel presented and it didn't seem to offend anyone. Just as many people seemed to be nodding along at the name of Jesus as were nodding along to the name of Layla (I think that cover would have done Clapton proud). However, what was conspicuously absent was anything about sin, judgement and repentance. Now, this wasn't a Billy Graham Crusade, and I was pleasantly surprised by the truth in the songs. I just think the message of Jesus gets offensive when there is expectation that God is going to come around changing our lives. Other than that,... we're all safe.

Yours affectionately offended

Chris

Objective Christianity: The Face of Evangelism?

2006-12-02T23:24:00.000-08:00

I met a man tonight during The Fight. We opened up StreetLevel at 8:30pm, chili and hot coffee ready and waiting for anyone who needed to warm up and eat up. When Chris and Joel got back from seeing if anyone was around the 'hood (i.e. not already in a shelter for the night), they had with them a man named Cliff.

Cliff was "formerly homeless," but has been off the streets for several years now. He lives in Federal Way, but works downtown. Before he mentioned that he was no longer homeless, I realized how guarded I was... sort of waiting to see what this guy's story was; waiting to see if he was legit or not. My thoughts were a little preemptive to say the least.

Nonetheless, after just a minute or two of conversation, I realized how "normal" he was. If anything, you could sense a some lingering bitterness towards the way things are handled in our community (i.e. homelessness, etc.). He spoke intelligently and candidly about the problems of homelessness, and other "hot issues" our country and world faces (i.e. world hunger, poverty, anarchy, etc.). It was interesting.

As we sat around - eating, drinking, talking, listening - I found myself saying very little and wanting to simply listen. This caused me to wonder what the face of evangelism truly looks like today. Not what it's SUPPOSED to look like... what we like to think it looks like... or what we hope it looks like... but what it REALLY looks like. I found myself disinterested in making a sale for the Kingdom. I didn't feel like anyone was supposed to plunge in and figure out if this guy was saved or if ask if he wanted to say the magic words that would grant him eternal life. I felt like listening to his stories, hearing him out, learning from his life, and maybe as a bonus, just naturally coming to find if he was saved or not. It's not that I didn't care if this guy was going to hell or not - but that I wanted to know HIM and have God speak to my spirit through his own unique witness.

It's no surprise... evangelism probably still looks (and sounds) like a whole lot of in your face Christian jargon that tends to jolt the "sinner" as opposed to save the sinner. And even when trying to be OBJECTIVELY INCARNATIONAL in our witness (living, working, sharing Christ in our community) do we still default to a lot of Jesus-speak instead of LETTING the "sinner" speak? I wonder how many people we've LOST to the Kingdom because we simply didn't heed to what God wanted us to do... listen, love, be real.

Objectivity kills. I don't want to be an objective Christian or Evangelist. I want to purposeful in my witness and humble in my approach. I want to speak words that God ordains me to say, never assuming that getting another one into the Kingdom should take precedence over allowing God to extend an authentic relationship between myself and someone in need. For all I know, I'm in need too.

Cliff is a great man! Wise, intelligent, insightful... and saved. Praise God that his own stories witnessed to me... maybe that's what evangelism is really supposed to look like.

-Erin

Incomplete Thoughts on Faith

2006-12-02T17:56:00.000-08:00

I've had the opportunity to listen to a couple of men tell their stories. These are quite broken men. They have big problems. As I listened, I thought of how to get them to think about eternity and hope found in Christ. I had some difficulty. I didn't want to say that Jesus would quickly fix all of their problems. But at the same time, we all wanted the gospel to be big and powerful and atractive and capable of handling their messes.

When I was reflecting about these diffrent exchanges, I was reminded of the parable of the Mustard Seed. I hadn't really internalized it before. The Kingdom of God didn't have much apeal to these men now. It seemed small, far off, not so powerful. It takes faith, that is expecting hopefully what isn't currently there, to see a massive tree when you look at the tiny seed.

The End...?

Be careful not to love being in front

2006-11-29T11:03:00.000-08:00

I believe it is important to check yourself from time to time. Is there any part of you that likes to be recognized, that likes to be the one calling the shots. This can creep into our hearts in seemingly innocent ways. Some eternal perspective is always helpful. Remember...

The culmination of your life, the final resting place of your spirit will be in a vast, numberless throng who, in complete unison, proclaim the Worthiness of the One who is the center. No one leads. No one follows. There are no ranks. No one is thinking about anything but YHWH. (Rev. 5:11-12)

StreetLevel Dedication

2006-11-28T11:29:00.000-08:00

A few weekends ago, StreetLevel was dedicated and blessed by the presence of many who came to pray our ministry into full force.

If you would like to pray for us... our prayer needs are below.

That we would be, in word and action, an extension of God’s mercy to those in our neighborhood.

That the sacrifice of service would be a sacrifice of LOVING COMMITMENT to see our neighbors and our neighborhood changed. May our actions be WROUGHT in love.

That we would truly desire to do justice and show mercy as opposed to doing works and doing good.

That we would be humble and broken before the lost every day. We too were once lost. It is only by his grace that we have been saved.

That we would persist in an effort to truly know our neighbors, endeavoring to enter into real relationships with them.

That God would increase our faith. Just as he has been faithful in calling us, pray that we would trust him in completing the work he has begun in us.

That we would continue to build relationships with the existing social service and outreach groups in our neighborhood. That we would “use” each other, support each other, and work together with one purpose.

That God would bring the right workers to minister in this community.

Please pray for Cosmas and Memory, two natives of Zimbabwe, who are in the process of joining the StreetLevel ministry. Pray that the VISA process would move quickly so they may join in what God has called them to do.

That we would look on our neighborhood with eyes of faith, saying, “If God is with us, surely we can take the land.”

Pray against a spirit of apathy and insincerity in our actions.

That we would be faithful in sharing the Word with boldness and passion.

Pray that the Seattle Temple Corps, and Army as a whole, would offer their support through earnest participation.

Just as God has crafted each of us as unique creatures, pray that we would identify and use the gifts and talents he has given us for his glory.

Pray for more revelation and anointing.

Blessings!
-Erin

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

2006-11-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

I’ve realized something about the way I come to God recently. When I am lax in my prayer life and realize it (often after some more tangible consequence has shown itself - sin) I act differently when I go before the LORD. Even after repentance, accepting forgiveness and rejecting condemnation I have a more acute sense that I don’t deserve what I am getting – that I haven’t earned my position with the Almighty. Also, I find I am hanging onto His Words with a new dependence… almost like I was closer to death and am armed with the knowledge that His Words bring about life.

What a great place to be! We are blessed when we are in that spiritual position of poverty –lacking in and of ourselves.

The thing is, we can have that position before the Lord without the rebellion. You don’t have to fall into sin to understand the depths of His grace. Don’t lose sight of the fact that your very best day put you no closer to the Holy, Holy, Holy God – it was grace that He gave you the time of day in your most righteous moment. The LORD rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Calling for Urban Missionaries

2006-11-21T14:44:00.000-08:00

It can be hard to find God on the streets of downtown Seattle. In these few blocks where the majority of King County’s 8000 homeless congregate, it is hard to see anything but hopelessness.

StreetLevel, which opens October 2, will bring hope into hopeless situations. This ministry of the Seattle Temple Corps will be a new expression of the Christian church in one of the least-churched regions in the country. While the form is relatively new, the principle is roughly 2000 years old.

The Form
StreetLevel will function as a cell-based ministry. Groups of 5 to 12 people will meet in homes, parks, and social service centers in the historic Pioneer Square and International Districts. Individuals will grow in close community within their cell, praying, studying the Bible and learning to lead. When a cell grows to 12, it multiplies into two cells and repeats the growing process.

The Principle
The guiding principle of StreetLevel is incarnational ministry. This was embodied in Jesus’ earthly ministry and was summarized in John 1:14; The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus did not serve the people at arms’ length but lived with them. Jesus did not go around saying, “The Kingdom of God is over there with the respectable people.” No, the Kingdom of God is at hand. StreetLevel strives to be a vibrant, constant expression of God’s love in its area. Rather than dividing our ministry from the rest of our lives, we seek to make ministry our life, and our lives ministry.

The Call
This ministry needs people who are willing to pick up and move into the International District of downtown Seattle. You will live and work in your neighborhood, making friends, inviting people to cell group. You will love people in Jesus’ Name. You will be united in prayer and fellowship and receive leadership training. Are you willing to commit to this ministry for one year?

It is asking a lot. It is inconvenient and slightly risky. When Jesus turned to His disciples after the multitudes deserted Him, largely for asking them to take risks and be inconvenienced, He asked them if they were going to desert Him as well. Peter spoke up for the faithful, “Where else would we go, Lord? You alone have the words that bring eternal life.”

2006-11-21T13:36:00.000-08:00

StreetLevel is a brand-new cell-based Christian community in downtown Seattle. We are a ministry plant from The Salvation Army Seattle Temple Corps with a bias for the poor.

What will follow are the musings and experiences of Chris & Erin Wikle