These are the following goals for the Valley View Neighborhood that the "Nehemiah Mesquite Mission" is working towards:
Our goals for the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission’s efforts in the Valley View Heights Addition through February are the following:
CRIME
* Find and develop at least 3-4 crime watch chairpersons to work certain streets. Work closely with police department so they have good information and intelligence as to potential problems.
* Encourage neighbors knowing each other and communicating well with one another.
* Make sure all sex offenders are properly registered
MINISTRY/EVANGELISM
* Involve area churches to come minister in that neighborhood.
* Help spread love and kindness up and down each street. (Jesus said "Love your neighbor.")
QUALITY OF LIFE/ENCOURAGING GOOD CITIZENSHIP
* Engage landlords who are not taking care of their properties—persuade and encourage them to take better care of their properties and invest more in the neighborhood
* Show appreciation for those renters and landlords who do take care of their properties.
* Assist renters and homeowners who legitimately need some help with their lawn/landscapes or home repair work. (Similar type work that “Addressing Mesquite Day” does.
* Incorporate monthly “trash bashes” or litter cleanups.
* Encourage recycling.
* Register folks in that neighborhood to vote and get involved in their community
* Encourage participation in PTAS for neighborhood feeder schools
* Encourage the convenience store next to the neighborhood at Carnation and Rodeo Center to stop selling drug paraphanalia and become more family oriented.
NEXT NEIGHBORHOOD
We’d covet prayers from everyone as to which neighborhood the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission should go into after Valley View Heights. Our goal is to have accomplished our goals for Valley View Heights by February.
I don't know how much help we will have, or how many volunteers will step up. But I know that all things are possible with God! Lets be praying for God to bless every family living in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood!
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed with what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Getting Boots On The Ground
We began our “Boots On The Ground” execution of the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission yesterday. We were going to start at 10am, but due to the rain—we wound up starting at 2:30. I think we would have had some volunteers at 10 had it not been raining. So I went to a few random houses on both Rodeo Center (formerly Hickory Tree) and Rose Street.
The first lady I spoke to is a single mother who just moved into the neighborhood a few weeks ago. Seeing the poor shape of both the inside and outside of the home she is renting, makes me wonder if the landlord is paying the water bill, to avoid having city staff come in and do the rental inspection program that is supposed to happen before a new renter can rent the home. But having said that, I intend to be open minded and look at every situation individually. This single mother is raising two daughters and is attending college and receiving no child support from the father and she needs a part time job. She complained of one of her neighbors who throws trash in her yard often. If you walk through the “Flower Neighborhood” as I call it (many streets with the name of various flowers), you will see a number of yards and back alleys full of trash and litter. You could tell this woman is trying to build a better future, but is beat down and needs some hope. Pray for her please.
The next home I visited was a home of several Mexican men who labor here and pray that some day their children in Mexico can come to live with them here. These men were afraid at first that I was a person of authority there to cause them a problem. But very quickly, they begin to open up about what they think their street needs and they shared that their home has been broken into a couple of times. Then the man who spoke the best English agreed to help me interpret as we go through the neighborhood and meet a number of Spanish-speaking families.
The next family I met was so shocked that anyone actually cared what they thought or that anyone cared about their neighborhood. Both work and are doing the best they can to build a future for their son. The wife actually was in her front yard recently watching things and saw a couple of guys trying to break into her neighbor’s house and she called the police and they caught the burglars! I gave her a high give! She might be our first crime watch chair person?
Every family I spoke to gave me their views of what they thought was needed and shared their concerns and hopes. I told them that Lord willing, God would send us more volunteers.
Every family I spoke to were renters. Every family or individual I spoke to were willing to start trying to sit out in their front yards for a little while each day if they are home and watch for crime. And everyone said they wanted to be a part of making their street and neighborhood better. I was so excited and proud!
I was also encouraged that every family I met with let me pray for them and seem to like the idea of spreading Godliness through their neighborhood!
While there are some rough patches in this neighborhood, there are also a number of homes that do take good care of their properties and we want to encourage them and spur them on!
Let us keep dreaming of a better city and a better place for our children to be raised!
"Where there is no vision, the people will perish" (Proverbs 29:18, NIV).
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed with what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce
The first lady I spoke to is a single mother who just moved into the neighborhood a few weeks ago. Seeing the poor shape of both the inside and outside of the home she is renting, makes me wonder if the landlord is paying the water bill, to avoid having city staff come in and do the rental inspection program that is supposed to happen before a new renter can rent the home. But having said that, I intend to be open minded and look at every situation individually. This single mother is raising two daughters and is attending college and receiving no child support from the father and she needs a part time job. She complained of one of her neighbors who throws trash in her yard often. If you walk through the “Flower Neighborhood” as I call it (many streets with the name of various flowers), you will see a number of yards and back alleys full of trash and litter. You could tell this woman is trying to build a better future, but is beat down and needs some hope. Pray for her please.
The next home I visited was a home of several Mexican men who labor here and pray that some day their children in Mexico can come to live with them here. These men were afraid at first that I was a person of authority there to cause them a problem. But very quickly, they begin to open up about what they think their street needs and they shared that their home has been broken into a couple of times. Then the man who spoke the best English agreed to help me interpret as we go through the neighborhood and meet a number of Spanish-speaking families.
The next family I met was so shocked that anyone actually cared what they thought or that anyone cared about their neighborhood. Both work and are doing the best they can to build a future for their son. The wife actually was in her front yard recently watching things and saw a couple of guys trying to break into her neighbor’s house and she called the police and they caught the burglars! I gave her a high give! She might be our first crime watch chair person?
Every family I spoke to gave me their views of what they thought was needed and shared their concerns and hopes. I told them that Lord willing, God would send us more volunteers.
Every family I spoke to were renters. Every family or individual I spoke to were willing to start trying to sit out in their front yards for a little while each day if they are home and watch for crime. And everyone said they wanted to be a part of making their street and neighborhood better. I was so excited and proud!
I was also encouraged that every family I met with let me pray for them and seem to like the idea of spreading Godliness through their neighborhood!
While there are some rough patches in this neighborhood, there are also a number of homes that do take good care of their properties and we want to encourage them and spur them on!
Let us keep dreaming of a better city and a better place for our children to be raised!
"Where there is no vision, the people will perish" (Proverbs 29:18, NIV).
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed with what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce
Sunday, September 19, 2010
NEW DIRECTION FOR THIS BLOG
When I first began this "political blog," it was to be separated from my "preacher blog" simply because I enjoy commentating on the heated and big political matters of the day. Its always been a side hobby, just as is reading in American History. Us preachers have to have some hobbies! :)
However, for the next few months--this blog will take a different direction. I have come to the conclusion--that neither Barack Obama, Sara Palin, Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and the list goes on--NONE OF THEM CAN REALLY FIX OUR PROBLEMS! Neither can the mayors and city councils and school boards of each of our communities. Not that government can't and shouldn't play a role in helping to make things better--but ultimately--God and a citizenry that cares about their communities CAN INDEED MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE! Just go read the Book of Nehemiah!
Thus, I am starting a movement in the City of Mesquite--called "The Nehemiah Mesquite Mission." This movement is not a political organization, a non-profit, a church, or anything else other than a movement of God's people going out into parts of Mesquite to "rebuild the walls and lives" our fellow citizens. Having said that, if anyone who is not a Christian would like to take part in helping uplift neighborhoods and serve others--they will be welcome to help and treated as valued workers and neighbors!
There are great needs in our city! Just drive around in various neighborhoods and see rampant poverty. Drive around and see homes falling apart, yards full of trash and unkept properties. Drive around and go into convenience stores in these struggling neighborhoods and see the drug paraphanalia and smut they sell--and the kids living in those neighborhoods go into those stores everyday! Often these are the same kids who are struggling in school, have no strong guidance at home and need mentors desperately! Drive around and see growing crime all around us. We can't hire enough police officers to stop every possible situation. We actually have better options avaialble to us--through good neighbors looking out for each other.
Some of these property owners, apartment complexes, and other places--may need to be dealt with somewhat severely and the use of our local authorities may have to enforce local ordinances and laws. However, I believe there are many good citizens out there--renters and homeowners who want to have better neighborhoods and better places for their kids to grow up. Maybe some of these folks need some love, support, friendship, and help. Maybe some of the property owners need some help getting their lawn and landscape fixed up and a coat of paint on their house instead of having code enforcement called out on them. This is where the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission comes in and begins to make a difference Lord willing. Groups and organizations like the Mesquite Ministerial Alliance are doing great work with things like "Addressing Mesquite Day." But my dream and vision is to expand such efforts to be taking place all through out city on a daily basis!
How many businesses are struggling and failing in Mesquite? How many unemployed do we have in our city? How many need hope?
I will be posting soon, a greater definition of the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission. However, in the mean time. I will be enlisting every possible volunteer and worker we can get! It matters not if you are a Republican or a Democrat or what your political beliefs are. It doesn't matter if you dislike certain people in the city who are also involved in the community. What matters is that we all come together and make a difference and honor God! I am calling upon every church in Mesquite to soon adopt a section of the city--maybe a street, a school, an apartment complex etc and send their members out to minister and serve in those areas! Just imagine. Just dream of the possibilities!
I have a Facebook page devoted to the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission. Stop by.
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed by what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce Archer
However, for the next few months--this blog will take a different direction. I have come to the conclusion--that neither Barack Obama, Sara Palin, Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and the list goes on--NONE OF THEM CAN REALLY FIX OUR PROBLEMS! Neither can the mayors and city councils and school boards of each of our communities. Not that government can't and shouldn't play a role in helping to make things better--but ultimately--God and a citizenry that cares about their communities CAN INDEED MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE! Just go read the Book of Nehemiah!
Thus, I am starting a movement in the City of Mesquite--called "The Nehemiah Mesquite Mission." This movement is not a political organization, a non-profit, a church, or anything else other than a movement of God's people going out into parts of Mesquite to "rebuild the walls and lives" our fellow citizens. Having said that, if anyone who is not a Christian would like to take part in helping uplift neighborhoods and serve others--they will be welcome to help and treated as valued workers and neighbors!
There are great needs in our city! Just drive around in various neighborhoods and see rampant poverty. Drive around and see homes falling apart, yards full of trash and unkept properties. Drive around and go into convenience stores in these struggling neighborhoods and see the drug paraphanalia and smut they sell--and the kids living in those neighborhoods go into those stores everyday! Often these are the same kids who are struggling in school, have no strong guidance at home and need mentors desperately! Drive around and see growing crime all around us. We can't hire enough police officers to stop every possible situation. We actually have better options avaialble to us--through good neighbors looking out for each other.
Some of these property owners, apartment complexes, and other places--may need to be dealt with somewhat severely and the use of our local authorities may have to enforce local ordinances and laws. However, I believe there are many good citizens out there--renters and homeowners who want to have better neighborhoods and better places for their kids to grow up. Maybe some of these folks need some love, support, friendship, and help. Maybe some of the property owners need some help getting their lawn and landscape fixed up and a coat of paint on their house instead of having code enforcement called out on them. This is where the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission comes in and begins to make a difference Lord willing. Groups and organizations like the Mesquite Ministerial Alliance are doing great work with things like "Addressing Mesquite Day." But my dream and vision is to expand such efforts to be taking place all through out city on a daily basis!
How many businesses are struggling and failing in Mesquite? How many unemployed do we have in our city? How many need hope?
I will be posting soon, a greater definition of the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission. However, in the mean time. I will be enlisting every possible volunteer and worker we can get! It matters not if you are a Republican or a Democrat or what your political beliefs are. It doesn't matter if you dislike certain people in the city who are also involved in the community. What matters is that we all come together and make a difference and honor God! I am calling upon every church in Mesquite to soon adopt a section of the city--maybe a street, a school, an apartment complex etc and send their members out to minister and serve in those areas! Just imagine. Just dream of the possibilities!
I have a Facebook page devoted to the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission. Stop by.
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed by what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce Archer
Monday, September 6, 2010
LABOR DAY
I could so easily talk about the fact that I often struggle to try to discern the best policies in which the nation needs to go when it comes to economic policy. I look back and see some of the tough decisions President Obama made (that Bush was already making before Obama took office) regarding keeping some of the major industries such as the auto and banking systems from collapsing--and thus I believe that contrary to what many of my more Republican or Libertarian thinking friends think--some governmental involvement and control is not all bad. I think there were drastic decisions the president has had to make to simply maintain stability in the nation. And yet, there are some good arguments from conservatives I respect like Newt Gingrich and my friend Tom Pauken here in Texas--who contend that its time that more free market policies were allowed to shape more economic policy and less governmental handling.
Which brings me to the thought, that Americans might just get better overall government if the GOP takes over the U.S. House and makes the Senate tighter. Then both Congress and the President will actually perhaps be forced to work together so something good actually gets done--just as they did in the mid 1990s when a GOP led Congress worked out a deal with President Clinton for meaningful welfare reform to take place!
And yet, my purpose for this blog entry was not so much about politics as it is about where our nation is at when it comes to plain old work! Labor! Regardless of who runs the White House and Congress--we have a far greater problem! We have an entire generation of young people who simply have little to no respect for hard work!
Whether at school, at home, or when they turn 18 and are finally forced to go get a job--a generation of young people simply DO NOT WANT TO WORK! There is such an entitlement attitude! I see it even in my own kids!
I was blessed to have had a father who always taught us the importance and good value of hard work! My father was a lawyer who could have easily avoided most forms of manual labor in his later career. But instead, he was always working with his hands and getting dirty. When I was a boy, my parents used to buy HUD houses, fix em up and turn around and sell them. My dad would work his job as City Attorney in Mesquite and then come home and change clothes and go work on the HUD houses til midnight. I remember one time seeing my dad take his hand to unclog a sewer pipe. My father always said "All work is honorable!"
So from the time I was a 15 year old grocery clerk all the way til now as a pastor, I believe hard work is a cornerstone of our lives! When I was working for Safeway all thought high school, I wanted to be the absolute best at everything! Whether I was bagging or checking groceries, stocking the dairy or the shelves or sweeping and mopping the floors--every task I did was going to be absolutely 100 percent! And usually my supervisors saw me literally running to accomplish every task they gave me! And I remember ambition. I soon wanted to move into management. Not so much because of the money, but because I longed to really make a difference and build something good. Years later in restaurant management, I also strived to often be the best! And I wanted my employees to be not only the best workers they could be, but also the best people they could also be!
Today, we see a generation that has grown up on electronic gadgets and games. They don't want to work. Most of them live in fantasy worlds and have no grasp of the real world! So many are absolutely so full of apathy--that only self-gratification matters to them! And this attitude knows no economic or social boundaries!
So what is the answer? How can we change the attitudes of our young people! How can we truly celebrate Labor Day when so many of our young people are ready to work against us? If we are not able to get the next generation prepared for the important work that will be needed to keep this great country going--something has to give somewhere!
Tell me what you think?
Which brings me to the thought, that Americans might just get better overall government if the GOP takes over the U.S. House and makes the Senate tighter. Then both Congress and the President will actually perhaps be forced to work together so something good actually gets done--just as they did in the mid 1990s when a GOP led Congress worked out a deal with President Clinton for meaningful welfare reform to take place!
And yet, my purpose for this blog entry was not so much about politics as it is about where our nation is at when it comes to plain old work! Labor! Regardless of who runs the White House and Congress--we have a far greater problem! We have an entire generation of young people who simply have little to no respect for hard work!
Whether at school, at home, or when they turn 18 and are finally forced to go get a job--a generation of young people simply DO NOT WANT TO WORK! There is such an entitlement attitude! I see it even in my own kids!
I was blessed to have had a father who always taught us the importance and good value of hard work! My father was a lawyer who could have easily avoided most forms of manual labor in his later career. But instead, he was always working with his hands and getting dirty. When I was a boy, my parents used to buy HUD houses, fix em up and turn around and sell them. My dad would work his job as City Attorney in Mesquite and then come home and change clothes and go work on the HUD houses til midnight. I remember one time seeing my dad take his hand to unclog a sewer pipe. My father always said "All work is honorable!"
So from the time I was a 15 year old grocery clerk all the way til now as a pastor, I believe hard work is a cornerstone of our lives! When I was working for Safeway all thought high school, I wanted to be the absolute best at everything! Whether I was bagging or checking groceries, stocking the dairy or the shelves or sweeping and mopping the floors--every task I did was going to be absolutely 100 percent! And usually my supervisors saw me literally running to accomplish every task they gave me! And I remember ambition. I soon wanted to move into management. Not so much because of the money, but because I longed to really make a difference and build something good. Years later in restaurant management, I also strived to often be the best! And I wanted my employees to be not only the best workers they could be, but also the best people they could also be!
Today, we see a generation that has grown up on electronic gadgets and games. They don't want to work. Most of them live in fantasy worlds and have no grasp of the real world! So many are absolutely so full of apathy--that only self-gratification matters to them! And this attitude knows no economic or social boundaries!
So what is the answer? How can we change the attitudes of our young people! How can we truly celebrate Labor Day when so many of our young people are ready to work against us? If we are not able to get the next generation prepared for the important work that will be needed to keep this great country going--something has to give somewhere!
Tell me what you think?
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