Sunday, July 17, 2016

The Goodlife City

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14 NIV

My hometown is Albany, Ga. We have a few claims to fame, but that's not such a big deal. I like to brag sometimes, I admit that. Our city motto is "The Goodlife City", which I think is still true.
There have been reports published that constantly put Albany on the list as having the most crime, the worst hospitals and the highest poverty rates. While, this could be true, I would like to point out something to you.
If you always look at the negative, that's all you'll ever see.
Shane Waller, a recovered drug addict, started a ministry called 517, based off 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun!"
God placed it on his heart to start a prayer walk in Albany. It was the first of many. I participated along with 64 other people. One of them is my best friend Stephen Young, who is also a recovering drug addict and has a ministry to speak and mentor men. He wanted to partner with Shane because they have the same heart for our city.
These are the streets they used to buy drugs in. These are the houses and yards they woke up from all night binges in. Now, they want to bring revival and win this city for the Lord!
On this walk, we had men, women, and children of all races and denominations. 
That's what the church is. If we were all the same, this would be a boring place.
I watched the movie Zootopia last night. At the end of the movie, the main character, Officer Hopps said something so awesome! 
"When I was a kid, I thought Zootopia was this perfect place where everyone got along and anyone could be anything. Turns out, real life is a little bit more complicated than a slogan on a bumper sticker. Real life is messy. We all have limitations. We all make mistakes. Which means―hey, glass half full!―we all have a lot in common. And the more we try to understand one another, the more exceptional each of us will be. But we have to try. So no matter what type of person you are, from the biggest elephant to our first fox, I implore you: Try. Try to make the world a better place. Look inside yourself and recognize that change starts with you. It starts with me. It starts with all of us." - Judy Hopps
As Christians, we are called to be salt and light to the world. That means, to make it a better place. Our differences shouldn't divide us, because we are all ONE body of Christ.
Change starts with all of us. Change comes when we realize that there is only one race.
THE HUMAN RACE. 
Albany, GA is about to be on the map as the city that changed and brought people together! We are going to be the Goodlife City, just like we were meant to be all along.
How? Because the Most High is working and moving among us!
Will you join us? Pray for your city! Ask God to bring a revival there.
If you are local and would like to find out about other walks, please contact me and I will get you in touch with Shane. 
God bless you today and always.

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