I just received word that one of the students we work with in Austin, Dante, passed away today. I just talked to him on Thursday night. We sat on the front steps of the church as he drank a beer and smoked a cigarette. We had a good conversation about the police and how they are out to get everyone.
He wasn’t sick, he wasn’t playing in the street, and he didn’t drink too much. Dante was shoot and killed today as someone thought it was time for his life to end. He was 15 years old.
In all honesty I'm not sure what to think. I have mixed feelings of sadness, anger, and grief. We’re trying to get in the lives of these kids while others are trying to take it away. This is the fourth shooting on the block within three weeks. It’s almost becoming more of a war zone than a neighborhood.
Pray…pray for the kids…pray for the family’s…and pray for grace in Austin. Grace is so amazing, but so counter-intuitive to our nature. God give me Grace…
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Ted....wow! I finally got to read this and I'm amazed at what I'm reading and witnessing in your words. First of all, my heart goes out to to all of you that were ministering to Dante and to whatever family he has and to the fact that this is happening regularly. You changed my life in the last 30 minutes as I read. I'm sitting here just picturing where God is going to take me in the near future. You are putting to words so many of my exact thoughts. I need to come see you very very soon! Trust me. Wow. I miss you and love you and am thankful to observe my brother following hard after Christ. You are the man.
by the way...you make my heart skip a beat.
Praying for you.
Encouraged by you.
Challenged by you.
KEEP FOLLOWING CHRIST!!!
Ted,
It is Hard to imagine how it feels to be setting next to someone who is searching for the better in their life, or maybe they are just bitter about the circumstances in their life.
Knowing their answer is in Jesus and His grace freely given for them, and yet they have such a difficult time receiving it.
Most have no problem receiving a bottle, or a meal or some money.
Or even several other gifts that would not cause them to question wether or not they deserve it. A simple "thanks" seems good enough for these kind of gifts..
What is it that we are so unable to see, or so uinwilling to take a gift as great or as BIG as Gods love, His Freedom,or His Grace?
I think it may be the low, almost gutter level opinion we hold of ourselves but cannot express. How inside we know we are rotted, unworthy, and underserving of Love from almost anyone.
I pray God grants you the ability to help others see themselves even soo slightly as God sees Them.
I pray they could feel through you His Love and willingness to receive them with all their lack,and self centerdness and unlovable condition they see in themselves.
I pray God will grant you some fertile ground and you will see the results of seeds you plant in lives he has placed in your path..
I love you TONS and TONS.
I am blessed by your experiences,
and ask our Lord to equip you for every soul you meet,to reflect
Him and All He is and can do with any life He has created.
"BOOTS"
Hey Ted...
How precious life is. I've spent the last couple weeks at youth group leading myself and other students through a tragedy of their own. A guy who was dearly loved in the youth group committed suicide on Halloween.
I am still at a loss for words to describe it. I mean, I played football with him the week before. Everything seemed fine. No one had a clue.
Bottom line...value life. Value it like there's no tomorrow. Because you never know. I love reading your journey with Christ, especially the story with the homeless man. Awesome that you went back and talked with him. We gotta not let any situation slip by us. You just never know.
Hey, this is Dylan Morse.
We've met before. My dad's the pastor at Horizon.
Your dad gave me your url and told me to check it out...and so I have.
So...Hello.
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