tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post114218879351962395..comments2023-10-23T12:23:54.134-05:00Comments on Larry James' Urban Daily: Coordination of Efforts--People MatterLarry Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1142618816687710662006-03-17T12:06:00.000-06:002006-03-17T12:06:00.000-06:00Larry, Beautiful post, and truly resonant. I've ha...Larry, <BR/><BR/>Beautiful post, and truly resonant. I've had similar experiences and the same feelings you've described. It once ocurred while driving the same route -- from DFW into Dallas, along 114 -- after an extended vacation. Driving into the city at twilight, I felt my heart catch in my throat as the skyline came into view. Too beautiful for words. And the sky... the sky felt big enough to swollow us whole. It was a moment of grace, unbidden and humbling. <BR/><BR/>And like you, "the eyes of my eyes were open" such that I saw through the buildings and onto the streets, really <I>seeing</I> the people, from the Porsches to the porches. So much want bumping up against so much wealth. Nonsensical. Have we come this far with all our prosperity, only to stay where we are, economically, spiritually? <BR/><BR/>Surely there are better ways -- coordination, cooperation, a change of heart -- and better days ahead. I've got to believe this, to believe there's work to be done and a power greater than all of us. Otherwise, why bother? <BR/><BR/><I> "A vision is something we reach for, something we aspire to, something that is the glue ... the driving force, the vitality within... When we are touched by a vision, our deepest values come into play and we have a sense of abiding purpose ...."</I>-- Danah Zohar, in Leader to Leader, No. 38 Fall 2005 @<BR/>http://www.pfdf.org/leaderbooks/l2l/fall2005/zohar.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1142548557992453682006-03-16T16:35:00.000-06:002006-03-16T16:35:00.000-06:00Isaiah 61 came straight to mind when reading your ...Isaiah 61 came straight to mind when reading your blog today. I think God truly is calling many of us to preach good news to the poor, bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and release prisioners from darkness- LIKE NEVER BEFORE!! God hates injustice and is calling us to fight against it with purpose. I am so encouraged by all that you and your partners in ministry are doing to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor in Dallas! I'd love, more than anything, to get involved with your ministry!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1142521023924680962006-03-16T08:57:00.000-06:002006-03-16T08:57:00.000-06:00Paul: I believe that those italicized lines are no...Paul: I believe that those italicized lines are not a quote from Garrison, but a commentary from Larry of what he was thinking while hearing America the Beautiful as sung by Garrison.<BR/><BR/>On a totaly random note: why does it seem like the Prairie Home Companion is on the air every hour of the weekend on KERA? :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1142517829463174372006-03-16T08:03:00.000-06:002006-03-16T08:03:00.000-06:00No charge, brother! Neither your head nor your he...No charge, brother! Neither your head nor your heart are in question over here! Just good conversation that I believe is taking both of us somewhere better! I love you, man!Larry Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1142517297364391522006-03-16T07:54:00.000-06:002006-03-16T07:54:00.000-06:00Thanks for the clarification Larry. I feel that. ...Thanks for the clarification Larry. I feel that. Charge it to my head, not my heart.Charles Senteiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02544789857834492813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1142509374641107722006-03-16T05:42:00.000-06:002006-03-16T05:42:00.000-06:00Thanks,Charles. I think you misunderstood my poin...Thanks,Charles. I think you misunderstood my point though. I wasn't trying to "bash" the burbs. I was simply making the point that the obvious affluence that exists in this city makes our poor mouthing arguments that "there just isn't enough money" to really address the problems that we face in poorer areas of the community sound really hollow, weak and disingenuous. A community with this kind of wealth needs leadership to channel resources so that people like "Pops" and kids like fill schools in Area 2 in Dallas have what they need to succeed, including health care, Advanced Placement classrooms, decent housing, etc. That will take new revenue that new leaders should make sure is forthcoming. My point was not to bash the wealth. It was to call attention to the manney in which leaders refuse to step forward with necessary courage and build out systems that will get the work done that is necessary. Charity alone can't get it done. <BR/><BR/>That's all I was saying, brother. Love you.Larry Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1142505337755716842006-03-16T04:35:00.000-06:002006-03-16T04:35:00.000-06:00I don't believe that Garrison is a praying man but...I don't believe that Garrison is a praying man but those final words sound like a prayer we all should be praying...and living out.paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16691411195843289455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1142493462145052662006-03-16T01:17:00.000-06:002006-03-16T01:17:00.000-06:00Hey Larry,Don't be too harsh on the 'burbs. I liv...Hey Larry,<BR/>Don't be too harsh on the 'burbs. I live in Keller and don't make no excuses. I grew up in the ‘hood and still have no excuses. Those that matter know where my heart is. As the Blastmaster says, "I hang with the rich but I work for the poor."<BR/>I drive that highway at least 6 days per week to work/serve/live/play/give/take with those that I need... and that need me. Yes they matter and I matter to them, but before you illuminate the 'burbs too much don't discount the fact that one’s zip code never really demonstrated nuthin' or illuminated what was in one's heart. As Bob Marley so eloquently wrote and sang, "Preacher man don't tell me, heaven is over the Earth, I know you don't know, what life is really worth.... The mighty God is a living man." I am not a biblical scholar, I focus too much on knowledge of self I guess, but I do recall that focusing on our own definition and manifestation of faith, irrespective of zip code, is far more important. “Pops” didn’t care where U live, he cared that you treated him like a man. I AM A MAN! He cared that you treated him as if he mattered. He is us and we are him, zip code be damned.<BR/>Don't be too hard on the 'burbs, there are folks of all colors who are advocates, zip code is such a narrow way to qualify them. Yes this city is capable of more, just go North on 75 and hang a left on Mockingbird if you want to illuminate a ‘hood.<BR/>Much luv.Charles Senteiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02544789857834492813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1142473654593320702006-03-15T19:47:00.000-06:002006-03-15T19:47:00.000-06:00Beautiful writing Larry. We just arrived back in ...Beautiful writing Larry. We just arrived back in southeast Texas from a recent family visit to McKinney. I too noted the ever-amazing assortment of high-end vehicles. But, I also seemed to notice a larger number of clunkers chugging up and down Central Expressway also - moreso than usual. <BR/><BR/>I can't imagine trying to re-assimilate our family in suburban Dallas. Seems those that missed out on the latest 75% run-up in home prices are that much further from a realistic shot at true homeownership. But, God does work in mysterious ways.KentFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15085780221762105706noreply@blogger.com