We are a community striving to help each other make the world a better place. Join us in engaging ideas on this blog and our page on facebook. And join us in real world events and programs as we engage communities and people around us.

We have 2 unique opportunities that will help people and help CQM move forward.  We looking for:

A tenant to share small office space at the Quaker 4 plex where our Certificate students are living.  It is zoned for dual use, and one unit in particular will work well for small business space for someone who needs a quiet space in a very cool location.

Also- we have a space for new residents in a unit that can help offset the cost of officing there for CQM.  Its a chance for folks in their 20s who want to live in community, not expensive, and have access to great places to serve.

Folks in the Quaker House don’t have to be in our program- they just live as renters in this very cool place. This will allow us to house students, and access some good meeting space for 20s to gather, hang out, talk life direction.

No strings- just wanting good folks to be renters.

Its in an awesome spot- about 200 yards from Jason’s Deli right by 15th and Peoria (Cherry St). The owners want to support CQ Missional by being generous in offering their place up to us to fill it up with young people who love God, love people, and want to make the world a better place.   Its got a little pool and great deck in the back, close to Cherry St, Downtown, and River Activities- as well as beautiful opportunities to serve (the church 2 doors down serves free meals to the tulsa urban population every Friday).
Units are 2 bedroom (small) and there are washer/dryer hookups.

CQM people there as well as the owner of the property have a hospitable heart and will welcome new renters or residents.   This should be a great place to be this year. the address is 1430 S Quaker, Tulsa.

If you’re needing office space- it will be a good quite space to share with our leaders, making phone calls, working online, and having the occasional meeting.  If you need living space, this is a place where CQ Missional will gather in their 20s, and it will be a safe and warm place to live.

Let me know if you’re interested, and please shoot this to any friends who may benefit.   We hope to rent (and help the owners) space as soon as possible, and start basing operations here.

Questions?  Call Chris at 918-557-6128.

I love my sons with my all, and I could easily spend a serious chunk of time creating a list of the many things I love about them!  Recently my wife and I were talking about how awesome it is to learn from and with your children, and as an adult, I find myself re-experiencing media from my youth in a new and richer way.

This really started when our boys first found their love for Dr. Seuss.  (Don’t get me started on the Seuss and what I believe to be the great wisdom and challenge embedded in his work!)  However, we are now on a HUGE Star Wars kick at our house.  The Myers boys are all about it, and by that, I’m not just talking about the great fun and excitement that comes from watching the movies and playing with the figures.  No, they are deeply passionate about understanding everything they possibly can about the story.  They want to know everything there is to know about Star Wars!

“Try not.  Do or do not, there is no try.”  –  Yoda in Empire Strikes Back

In this ongoing reunion with the story of the Force and the Dark Side, I find myself experiencing the teachings of Yoda with new ears.  I am well equipped in the area of thinking and speaking, and often times these two things colloborate with the intention of leading to right, Godly action.  However, I frequently find myself frozen in this quest for “trying” instead of “doing.” 

The disciplines of meditation, prayer, and study are important in developing a complete inner life with God that can aid in His transformative works in our lives, no doubt.  With that, I also believe that throughout the Bible we see clearly God’s desire for us to live relationally within the context of healthy community.  However, some of us have gotten sidetracked with the busyness of thinking and talking “Christian” instead of being a follower of Christ with our whole life!  Talk is cheap at times with my sons because what they’re really interested in is follow-through.  They’re expecting action!

What is one thing you have been thinking and/or talking about doing in your pursuit of Jesus that needs to transition into doing?

For some, doing may not so much be the challenge but rather simply being and abiding in Christ daily is the seemingly insurmountable obstacle .

Either way, by the power of the Holy Spirit, may you breathe in the gift of life in Christ and be what you were created to be!

“Most good things have been said far too many times and just need to be lived.”  –  Shane Claiborne in Irresistable Revolution

Last week I was in a terrible car accident.  I hit black ice and spun my way down the highway for an incredibly long time.  Once I regained control of the car and was coming to a stop, I was rear-ended by another car that had lost traction also.  I did another complete circle before hitting the divider wall.  Another “forever” being out of control.  When I thought it was finally over a police car, coming to help, hit the same ice and spun out of control.  It stopped just feet short of hitting us again.  Still huge trucks and other cars were racing past us.  Each a projectile that could lose control and kill us all.

So, my question is, “If God could save us from death and injury, why didn’t He go ahead and keep our car from damage all together?”

I can’t believe that God was not involved in saving our lives.  There were a two dozen different ways we could have been killed.  So, … yes, I’m grateful.  BUT, it seems to me that after all the hard work of keeping us alive, it wouldn’t have taken much effort at all to protect us all together.  After all, the vast majority of cars traveling that section of highway did not lose control at all.

I have this same question about my sanctification.  After having sanctified and set me free from some besetting sins, why doesn’t He sanctify me entirely?  Why not completely save?

My conclusion: I will trust Him.  I will hold on to the questions loosely; knowing my brain is too small to embrace the answers even if He were to sit down face-to-face and explain them to me.  And, that’s a good answer for me.  It lets me leave the heavy burdens at His feet and move on to embracing whatever comes next.

I witnessed such an amazing event that I have to share it with you.  Two sisters (one and a half and two and a half years old) were recently adopted by my friends.  To celebrate the occasion a “shower” was held.  When I arrived the adults were stocking the cookie and drinks, organizing the gift table, and greeting each other.  My daughter and I filtered back to a game room where the two teenage sons were watching over their new sisters.  Each of the sisters had a helium balloon that they repeatedly released.  The girls would say “Uh-oh” and one of the boys would reach the string and return the balloon.  My daughter got in on the game by lifting first one girl then the other so they could grasp their balloon’s string.  The game went on for what I thought was an impossibly long ten minutes or so.  None of the youth seemed too eager or at all resentful of the constant dance.

As the little girls gained confidence they took the game to a new level.  First the older, then the younger little girl ventured into the big room.  Each would seem to indiscrimently choose an adult, walk up to them, release their balloon, and say “Uh-oh”.

I watched in fascination as one adult after another took turns retrieving the balloons.  This dance continued, with short interruptions, for at least another forty minutes before until the shower came to a close.

I remembered the dynamic experienced so often by those who foster or adopt children a little older than these little sisters.  Without conscious intent, a newly fostered or adopted youngster will almost always test their new invironment to see how they will be accepted and/or cared for.  The older (extroverted) children will either act out in some very dramatic fashion ,whereas the older (introverted) children will become seriously ill.  In this manner they will quickly discover how accepted and/or cared for they will be.

As these two little sisters released their balloons again, and again, and again, and again, I realized that very unintentionally they were testing their new environment.  What a wonderful and amazing event to witness as again, and again, and again the little sisters were given calm reassurances that they were safe and cared for by this community.  It was as if the brothers had set an example that the whole community followed.  We became a “counseling community”; providing a context for healing and growth in two brave little girls.  What a beautiful moment!

Dear Jesus, as I call on you today I realise that I often come asking for favours.
Today I’d like just to be in your presence.
Let my heart respond to Your Love.

This was part of my morning devo from Sacred Space today.  It informed my morning of finishing up a new double zipline for Camp Luther in Northern Wisconsin, and in my afternoon buying of souvenirs for the fam  in nearby Eagle River.

What did it mean to “be in your presence” today?  Well for me, it had to do with understanding my context regardless of my location.  A discussion we’re having about Honeyrock, a camp where CQ is doing training next week, is the idea of Honeyrock being a place, or an experience that can happen in many places.  Well, the answer not withstanding, to be in God’s presence is an experience that happens” all the time, everywhere.” (from Most Amazing Grace in the World, off the Whitebread Album)

This morning, in a beautiful northwoods pine forest on a sunny 60 degree day, I knew I was not alone.  I am never alone.  In fact, I am always a part of a conversation going on between myself and my creator.  Sometimes I listen, sometimes I speak, sometimes (usually) I am unaware of what is actually going on and I ignore the voice of the one who loves me most.

Since I’ve been traveling lately, my conversations with home have been interesting, and sometimes mundane- but last night Kristin and I hit on an idea that has big implications for me and for you, and if we don’t tend to it- we’ll miss it.

I said- “I just miss being around for the normal stuff.”  We agreed that its the everyday with the people who mean most to you that defines our relationships.  Just going to ballgames, and watching band concerts and the Biggest Loser together.  Eating food we made a home, and tending to the new (somewhat) garden, and shooting hoops in the driveway- this is what I miss when I’m gone.  And…this is what I forget about when I’m home.

May we remember what it means to live in one’s presence, and to connect that idea on a supernatural level to understanding our place in the context of God’s presence.

Lord, let me live in your presence today.  Friends, let me be present when I am with you- may I be a listener- and be thankful for the existence of the best relationships.  God, may we see you and hear you today- in the northwoods, in Broken Arrow, at New Life Ranch, and in East Tulsa or in Uganda.

We are in His presence- do you listen to His words?  What does He say?  Is it in the Bible, the creation around you that you hear Him best?  Is it through People,  or a challenging circumstance?  What is the conversation like when you choose to be “in the house?”  What do you imagine it is when you are “out of it”?

Feedback!!!??  Cmon friends- shoot me some thoughts!!

Keep reading and look for our new certificate programs coming this next fall…

ck

I have watched this video over and over. One guy, made one decision, that changed a whole community. Check it out and then decide what decisions you make that have the potential to change a whole community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNn7SXAyuhQ

Are you a consumer or contributer? As in the words of my good friend Chris King. Now go and try something different. Have a blessed week….

I wrote this blog on Monday January 2nd 2006…please read with the idea in mind that I was a single 22 year old boy…please read the excerpt that follows.

New years, pretty good time.  I am starting to realize though as I get older the whole idea of New Years is losing its Love.  I think its pretty sad too.  Its just not as exciting as it was when you were a kid.  Its just doesnt seem to be the same anymore, next year I want to try to make it more like it is and it was when you are younger.

In the year 2006 I am gonna…

Try to take a road trip across the US.

Start a band.

Finally pick somewhere to go to college (i’ll take suggestions).

Finally get to Africa.

If not Africa go backpacking in Europe with, you know who you are.

Possibly work one more summer at camp(I’m getting really old for this).

Somehow find a way to live with Daniel Lee for a period of time in hopes to become heavily inspired by who he is so I can write a story and a movie about it.

Try not to fall in love with a female just for this year(who am I kidding).

Try not to be so cynical and sarcastic.

try not to wear white after labor day(This comment already makes me fail to meet the above comment).

Become friends with someone that has no friends.

Visit Texas.

Somehow make a Large sum of money and Donate it to people who need it, but i mean people who actually really need it.

Meet Jim Carrey somehow.

Makeout with Salma Hayek somehow.

Start a dance pop band.

Take a whole lot more pictures.

And finally….Become President.

Its weird though, because This is the New Year and I dont feel any different….

Why do you suppose we make lists of things we need to do in our lives?  I love looking back at this list although only 4 years ago it seems like decades.  I was in a much different situation back then and most of the things on that list I did not get completed.  Now that I am older and married It’s funny how the juvenile things I did when I was younger seem now.  I thought these list were important and defined who I was and who I was going to be.  What it comes down to is…God is going to have you do the things on his list, not ours.  I think it is very important to have goals, and if you feel you need to list them, then definitely do so.  As far as making lists with sometimes outrageous things on them (see above list) I think it is more necessary to ask God, what he wants you to do this year, instead of planning it out yourself.  I have made a ton of lists like this and most times I never meet half of no less all of them.  On that list above I remeber that year I only did 2 things, the first thing was Go to camp one more summer, I did do that again, the next thing was I visited Texas to see my friend at the time, who is now my wife.  I didn’t need a list for those things to happen.  I’m glad they did though.  I don’t think lists are stupid, in some cases I think they are fun, but a lot of times the list can have ideas on them that are a bit hard to reach.  Do you think lists like these are important?  Do you think I was stupid or ignorant for doing such a list like this?  Do you think you could ask God what he wants you to do instead of trying to plan it yourself?

Our Junior High group recently went on a local missions trip called Tulsa Missions over spring break.  The students got the opportunity to serve local organizations in our city and bring hope to many.  At the end of the week, we asked our students what they had learned, and here are a few of the responses:

“I learned that God gave some of us blessings and resources and others not as much.  We should use the things that God gave us to help others.  That is why God gave us things.  Most people who are wealthy and have resources don’t worry about the people who aren’t doing so well, and I think we should.  We need to reach out and help people.”–Jordan R.

“This week when I went to CARA I met a boy named Keith–he was deaf–and I felt really bad for him, but I was so happy to see him having the time of his life playing football, basketball and breakdancing.  I also met a 20 year-old guy named Kerry, who had down syndrome, we built his family a wheelchair ramp.  There is a ton more about the homeless shelter; like it really touched my heart when I saw how fortunate I am to have a bed, house, car, food, water, and a loving family.”– Alexandra S.

“I learned that God can be everywhere, especially where you don’t expect it.  Also that even if you have almost nothing that you can still be happy and can laugh and smile no matter what your situation.  We have so much and we still want more, and 10 miles down the road there are people that can’t afford a tube of toothpaste.  We need to reach out and touch people all we can.”–Sam K.

Beautiful stuff from 7th and 8th grade students.

A thunderous night...

Yesterday we took the trip down the turnpike to Oklahoma City, to get a hotel and get checked in for Kristin’s OKC half marathon.  She had been training hard, and I hadn’t- so I hung with the boys (Maggie went to a work retreat at Camp Barnabas- check them out here)  and supported her run.  As we got into town there was crazy traffic and I knew why- it was game 4 of the OKC Thunder/ LA Lakers playoff series.  The Thunder had won their first home playoff game in franchise history, and there was a serious buzz in town about the team.  ”Fever pitch” may be a more accurate description.  We knew it could be historic, in sporting terms, and the chance to watch Kobe Bryant and team play our energetic upstarts the night before K’s run was a pretty cool opportunity.

While waiting for Kristin to check in and get her race packet, I checked craigslist for tickets and found some sweet deals.  There were several blocks of 4 tickets available for the very real deal of $300-$650 per ticket.  After Kristin got back the car I showed her the results of my search.  We could go for only $1200!  She looked at me sheepishly and said- “well, it would be a once in a lifetime experience.”  I nodded, and thought how cool it would be to take the boys and her to see what could be “historic”  and would indeed be a great memory for our family.

It was awesome.

The experience was awesome.

The Thunder won in a way no one could have imagined- the crowd was crazed, the young Thunder ran all over the aging Lakers.  It looked like a changing of the guard could be happening in a way that is usually talked about for years to come in sports circles.  It reminded me of when the Bulls swept the Lakers in 1991 for Michael Jordan’s first championship.  No one expected it.

The game was awesome.  My experience, however,  transcended the game. (note to readers- we didn’t go.) We ended up eating some great Italian food, I spoke words of life to my beautiful wife, and enjoyed some great time at the hotel pool with the boys playing like boys play. I caught the 2nd half of the game on TV in our room and was amazed with the play of the Thunder.   We woke up way early, and saw Kristin off for her half marathon run.  It was the 10th OKC Memorial run- and we remembered those who lost their lives in the bombing there 15 years ago.  Her performance was her best ever- and we cheered.  Upon visiting the Memorial, I saw a Marathon medal hanging on a chair with the name of a child who lost their life in the bombing.  I cried.  The sky was blue, and life moved on, and there was beauty in the midst of this painful place.

And while I missed Maggie- she was with beautiful people from Liberty Church at a beautiful place helping people.  This weekend was indeed a once in a lifetime experience.  For all of us. Everyday should be like that- even when they’re not that spectacular, even if they’re mundane.  Even if they don’t cost $1200 or are “historic.”  I wonder if with all of our talk about changing the world, that we might be missing it- looking for something “big” and not being aware of God present- here, today.  Can we be thankful today- and engage life, because it is a one time deal?

God bless and make today a once in a lifetime experience.

ck

Fences are so common place in American society today that I bet they are rarely even noticed. Oh, you might notice them when it’s time for you to build one.  Then, you become aware of all the varieties, height options, materials, styles, colors, and prices. Or maybe you’d notice if one was constructed because of you. I suspect that imprisoned criminals are very aware of the fences that surround them.

Have you given much thought to the purpose of fences? It seems fairly elementary. They are either erected to keep things out, or to keep things in. I’m hard pressed to think of any other purpose for a fence. Now they might be decorative and pretty, but the purpose is still the same; to sequester. Segregation is the sole purpose of most fences.

With that in mind, I’ve noticed lately that many Christian schools are surrounded by fences, many quite ornate and elaborate, but fences nonetheless. I wonder the purpose of these fences. Are they to keep in or to keep out? What do you think the “outsider” might see when he sees a Christian school fenced in and locked down? I wonder. I realize situations are more complex than a simple either/or, but I’d like to hear varied perspectives on this concept? Any thoughts?