February 23, 2005
09:07
Ok, I figured out an easy way to work the blog link feature, so you guys will have to go there for updates!!!
hehe!
GB HOYT!
February 10, 2006
10:34
Ur intrepid, but sick inner city minister is dead beat. I got this evil sinus/cough/satanic inhabitant in my head right now. Gave me the dry heaves this morning. Yeck...
Must be SARS again.
Some New News!
The Blog is going global... By that I mean that I final broke down and got a blog spot site:
I'll probabably still use this as a place to post some articles. because it is easier to make hyperlink text here than there.
Just being lazy.
Everyone have fun. Pray I get better soon, or I won't be able to go to work tonite, and prolly won't be able to go downtown Sunday. That's how beat I am.
GB HOYT
February 9, 2006
09:30
Man am I beat! Last nite Katherine was up and at em, from 12-4. She just didn't want to go to sleep! Stubborn Kuss. I'm definately going to need a nap later this afternoon.
Anywho...
What has the Devil got up his sleeve? I believe there is a plan afoot. Ever notice how Islam always seem to take the show? People are wondering about the relationship between the apparently coordinated attacks on Danish interests. While different people are saying different things, I think I'm beginning to understand what has taken place. On the human side, there is a huge issue of pride: Pride in who the Arab Muslim is.
How will I (an equally prideful person) get around this issue?
GB HOYT
February 7, 2006
07:19
I go to sub training today. IT's the second day. I'm pretty sure I'll like subbing, but today will tell me a lot because I'll go straight from orientation to Publix. That should be interesting. Then tomorrow I have an interview with a school to become a "pilot sub".
See you tomorrow!!
GB Hoyt
February 3, 2006
15:08
Update:
Still not a great time to be a small church. Since this is Black History month, and this is alabama, I wonder if those white sheeted idiots are at work again. Some people.
Rain has been variable today, sometimes heavy.
11:19
Well, it seems like I still have all my microsoft word documents! Missed that bullet. Today it is raining. Its' a good rain too, right now at least. Hard, no lightening near by. Sunday it is supposed to be cold, but we son't be able to get downtown. Frustrating. I'm the only one out of bed, and for the first time in about a week and a half, I actually feel like sleeping did some good. I feel sharp today. Everywhere except my fingers. They are a little stiff. Probably the weather.
Keep praying...
GB HOYT
February 2, 2006
01:38
Just got home from work. I am tired, and I don't know how much sense I'm making. I guess those of you who know me think "Just how is that different from normal Brandon?"
I've got a new book!
I think that thinking about the outreach to homeless people as a "Church Plant" will help the people we help grow. It would also give potential supporters a concrete picture of what's going on.
Somethin' to think about.
Time for Bed...
GB HOYT
Your Non-Naval (Still) inner city missionary
January 31, 2006
11:01
Some thoughts about inner city mininstry:
1. The inner city minister must be prepared to "go it alone" while still maintaining a high expectation that people will help him work in the city.
2. Starting an inner city ministry is tough work. Most people just let someone else do all the work.
I'm glad I have the group of guys working with me that I have. Their aid is important as we move together through a difficult time.
Still haven't joined the Navy.
Who knows? I might be able to make it through this difficult time and have something to show for it.
Right now, I think I might ride my bike.
GB HOYT.
January 30, 2006
17:19
Haven't joined the Navy yet...
Still hangin' out. If a couple of things can come together things will be ok. If I can work fulltime at Publix and substitute on a regular basis, we'll be alright.
Blah.
So today we had another board meeting. We elected us a director, and secretary. We set the next meeting time for March 6. By that time, Roland and I will have made some statements of faith. We should also have a step toward some by-laws and other legal mumbo jumbo.
Like the movie "Finding Nemo" says: "Keep Swimming".
Your crazy inner city minister:
GB HOYT
January 29, 2006
Update 23:09
For some reason, I'm not tired. I went to bed tired, but now I'm not. I've been thinking about what I am to do with my family. I'm not making enough money to pay the bills. I'm really starting to think hard about joining the Navy. Hey It's a family thing. I know the recruiters will tell you anything, but if I get a signing bonus, and can become an electronics technician, it could all work out. Once I'm out, I'll have training, benefits, and the ability to support my family. Of course downtown Orlando will be without BASIC, but if people can't or aren't willing to support us full time, I've got to find a way to do it without being paid. I can't afford that right now. So what's the answer? Put things on pause, join the Navy, get out in 4-8 years, and get another job, and do BASIC then, or just keep puttering about, hoping something will pop up? I'm tired of just feeding people. IT's not what they need the most! Then there is the issue of the CAP, our big project for getting guys off the streets. That won't happen without a fully funded kind of inner city mission, one that can provide some serious rehabilitation.
When will people get the picture? I'm struggling on the front lines because my supply chain can't get it together.
I'm still writing my book.
You puzzled Positive Activist:
GB Hoyt
13:10
Super Bowl Sunday is next week. We'll be taking a two week hiatus from downtown, both because the fish mobile needs gas, and because there would be conflict with some groups coming down. Notice the new picture at the top right corner. scroll your mouse over it to find out the answer. Every day people disappear from the streets. Who knows where their graves are?
If you haven't already started supporting BASIC, please consider it, so we can help the people before they are gone.
GB HOYT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 28, 2006
Update: 13:43
Oh, man! I love riding my bike. I just got done riding at Carter Rd MTB trail. Got home and had a peanut butter and ham sandwich. Turkey would have been better, but hey, I got a thing for weird flavors. I really need to get into riding like every day. Tomorrow a race called the "6 Hours of Carter Rd." will be going on. It's an endurance race. Basicly, ride laps for six hours. It took me about 1.5 hours to make one lap. The winner last year on the easy section solo rode 12 laps.
Just dang...
Why all this talk about Bikes? Team Camo, That's why. I would like to get a Team Camo MTB racing team so we could do the events. I think it would be sweet. May even be able to have some sort of chapel service before we race. The idea needs some work. Just another way to outreach, another way to get some work done for the kingdom. Plus, team camo is how you can find out about the weekly bike rides we do downtown.
Anywon want to see some baby pictures?
Click on the picture pages, my daughter Katherine Rose Hoyt will be on there.
09:14
Nothing special about the time today.
It's important that we, Christians, as a people maintain our purity in all aspects of life, but especially when it comes to relations with members of the opposite sex. Everyone is waiting for us to mess up. I say this because one of the guys I work with is convinced that everyone is such a screw up that he doesn't have to worry about anything. I have a difficult time evangelizing when everyone is convinced they are ok.
Do you ever think about the role economics plays in our ability to do evangelism? One of the things I will advocate is a foreign missions trip to Haiti. You want to see a people involved in struggle? Go to Port-au-Prince. Yet people in even the most raw of conditions find ways to live, to love, to follow God. They know how to do Church because for them, God is the provider, not the "Fat Maker" we expect Him to be in America.
Let's pray for some perspective: This is America.
GB HOYT!!!!!!!
January 27, 2006
12:34
Cool time eh? I didn't even plan it, but that's when I actually started writing this entry in the blog. I've been doing some research about who is helping what with homelessness. I need a job teaching or something. I need to be able to support my family with a job that will allow me to continue educating myself. There's a lot of knowledge to be had:
The official Government Definition of Homeless:
US Code: Title 42,11302:
(a) In general
For purposes of this chapter, the term “homeless” or “homeless individual or homeless person” includes—
(1) an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
(2) an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is—
(A) a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill);
(B) an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or
(C) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
Available by clicking here. So what do you think?
There are many social institutions that promote the aid of homeless people. I keep asking myself "how does helping them get off the streets really help them?" People talk a lot about human dignity and eliminating sufferring. Justice! Knowledge! I wonder how our concept of justice compares to God's concept of it. And what do we really know anyway? I know what suffering is. I know about dignity. Suffering is what my philosophy of ministry is all about. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read that. Most people have it already, so CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!
It's reasearch time: Time to start exploring that strange world called "Social Services". Anyone have any first hand experiences?
"We Live, We Die, To Amplify"
GB HOYT
January 26, 2006
13:00
"Hello Lamewads I'm with you" That's how a song begins on an album by a band called Roper Roper is a great band because they are honest. That and the fact that the Roper name comes from Reese Roper, former front man of the immortal Five Iron Frenzy. He sings for Roper now. How lame!
Sometimes we really are Lamewads, blobs of goo, huge balls of Lameness. We don't walk, we don't talk, we do nothing. When the Lamewads congregate, they have two choices: Stop being lame, Or get even Lamer. I would love to graduate from Lame to Loser. A loser loses his life to find it. In regards to yesterday's comments on hospitality , a loser is the ultimate in displaying hospitality.
So I've been working on this book... When it's done all of you will buy it so I can be rich!!!!
It's about how to start a ministry to homeless people. Basicly, it's about starting BASIC at your local church. No, it won't replace BASIC. It will equip churches with the tools it takes to do some particular aspects of what BASIC does, like meeting needs, but unless a church congregation is very large, it won't be able to do everything BASIC does just because BASIC can do a whole lot of stuff. It's what we are trained to do. I want to encourage everyone to download Open Office. I ask this because I've started using it, and it rocks. If you haven't joined the Yahoo group don't forget to click on the link on the right.
Take care!
Going from Lamewad to Loser,
GB Hoyt
January 25, 2006 09:35
Man, it is GORGEOUS today. I am dead poor, but hey, I have health, a beautiful day, a loving wife, a healthy daughter, and there is a female summer tanager that regularly is visiting the bird feeder. That's a lot to be thankful for. The Tanager is an interesting treat. All her friends and kinfolk are supposed to be in the tropics until about April. She's a holdover this winter.
Keith Bunn, a minister in GA gave me a great opportunity to speak to a church for the Georgia Christian Missionary Rally. I've been to the rally before when I worked at Jesus Place. They always have different missionaries speak at congregations throughout the state, and I would be one of the speakers! Sweetness... I recently read (Re-read) an article in the December issue of the Gospel Advocate about hospitality. Basically, it calls Christians to respond to hospitality with more than a "God Bless You" at the front door. Hospitality is when we eat together, pray together, share together. We fiercely limit our hospitality when we define a committee to do it for us. Remember Hebrews 13:2
Have fun
GB Hoyt, Trying to practice a little more Hospitality.
January 23, 2006 09:19
Hey guys, we added some support yesterday! Yippee!!! Everyone can do something at B.A.S.I.C., whether it is support monetarily, collect donations, or teach a lesson downtown. Today I have a board meeting, and that should help us get strategize ways to raise money. Pray for the people downtown. Pray that we will have people stand along side of us through this difficult time.
Update: 17:40
Board meeting went well. Next week we meet to decide some things about how our board will be structured. Business meetings are something that I consider necessary, but hey, they're board meetings. That's a homophone with another word that's descriptive of how most meetings go. The part that gets me excited about board meetings is when we talk about our vision for the ministry, and taking the steps necesary to accomplish our vision.
January 16, 2006 14:07
Seems like people are getting meaner and meaner all the time. Florida is an important state when it comes to homeless people, before Hurricane Katrina, we had more homeless people in the "Sunshine state" than any other state but California. I'm not surprised! I've never been anywhere (even small towns) and not seen at least one "Vet" flying a sign on a street corner. Little camps are everywhere. I've been thinking about ways to minister in these secret communities. They have problems and whatnot, but I think it is doable. Wholistically, my focus is on fundraising, but hey, I do what I can!
Tomorrow I play college professor.
Hehe.
GB Hoyt!!!!!!! Underfunded fun guy.
January 13, 2006 14:09
Sorry for being the lazy blogger, its just that article about drinking being helpful for alchoholics was absolutely crazy. I figured everyone needed a minute to digest that. Well guys, it's time for you guys to know a little more about what's going on in my head and heart. The Mission needs help. We will have to go to a volunteer basis unless something amazing happens. I'm not saying it can't or won't, hey, I wouldn't be doing this today if God was not doing some amazing things. We just need some committed support. We need about $5000 more a month as a matter of fact, if we want to keep full time operations. Right now we get enough to do volunteer efforts only, basically, go downtown once a week with food bags, and whatever donated clothes. We'll never be able to do the Church Assimilation Plan, VBS with inner city kids, after school programs, or much of anything really beyond meeting emegency type needs. Inner city work is my passion, and I can't tell you how chaffed I get at the idea of not doing it with my fullest potential. I mean, I was just getting used to riding downtown, following up on people.
I just found out this last week how I can help a guy named Andrew get his id back. I don't know how he or I am going to be able to pay for all the paperwork. The main lesson: Never lose your id. The second lesson: B.A.S.I.C. needs your help. That's why I've created a new page with some info about how much we need, and why we need it.
Go to the top of the page
That is the button to click to get that particular bit of info.
Can you help a brother out??
GB HOYT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (a Positive Activist)
January 6, 2006 01:13
Happy new year! I am back from vacation, rip rarin' to go. First Click here, read the article, then laugh. It's so funny, I'm going to write about it later today. I just got off work at Publix though, and need a shower and bed time. Think about it for a while.
December 27, 2005 09:24
After Christmas, the whole world gets back to normal, in a week that anticipates further craziness come New Years. Now New Years is a different story, all the adults get to get giddy (usually with the aid of Mr. Bubbles!) and act weird. I hope you'll be safe on Saturday. How appropriate that New Years day this year is on a Sunday. IT's a perfect chance for the Church to begin the year with the right priorities. Time for Rebirth! Baptism is an increasingly interesting subject to me. The more I think of it the more I hink many people just don't get it right, even within the "Christian Churches" and "Churches of Christ". Some people see it as a work of obedience, but you can't be saved by your works. I believe in what the Bible teaches, that it is a work of God to cleanse the conscience and circumcise the heart. See Colossians 2:6-13 and 1 Peter 3:21. More about that later.
You may be asking, how did things go Saturday?
Well, let me tell ya!! We had Christmas eve service, sang carols, read the Christmas story, and met needs. About 15 people were serviced. It was a good experience for the people there, Roland Howard brought his family (Including Papa Reese, Mama Reese, and all the Howard Kiddies.), Carey and Shirley Oster, Travis, Kippy, and Lauren Jacob, Mardy, Miranda, and there's a couple of others I'm forgetting, but not on purpose. I have a special prayer request or two. First is for Connie Boltz, she's a regular downtown, and she was scared her boyfriend was locked up. I think there may be other issues too, she's known to be a drug addict and has resorted to prostitution in the past to support her habit. Second is for Keith. He's looking to go into a program for some issues he's having. He has employment, but still struggles.
Always pray for our safety downtown and for us to find a permanent meeting place.
December 22, 2005 18:05
Closer and closer to Christmas!!!
Plans for the weekend:
On Saturday we are going downtown after the Southside Christian Church Christmas Eve Service. Come join us! Lots of people in the house these days. Kelly's sister, her husband, and their child are visiting. It's neat, cause their little girl and Katherine (my daughter) are ten days apart. Kids are great.
Everyone have a good nite!.
GB HOYT!!!!!!!!
December 20, 2005 11:32
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MOST RECENT ENTRY IS ON TOP NOW!!!!! Sorry for not doing it this way from the beginning, I finally grew a brain.
Almost Winter. Tomorrow is the big short day!
SOme news: A canadian Church was vandalized earlier this month. Due to the nature of the crime, I imagine some dissaffected uths were involved in an action they tought they were taking against the "United Church of Christ" a pro-gay, liberal demonination. Boatman (See Dec. 3rd entry) traces such liberal denominations to "The Big Lie" and I think he's right. That not withstanding, it's inexecuseable for people to go about vandalizing buildings just because
they adopt an inappropriate stance on theology. The only time vandalism is allowed is when you yourself adopt a liberal stance on issues. Priorities People! Well, up in "The Good Land" as Mike Moore would call O! Canada! they have laws now against speakin' out against those who are coming out. All I can say to that is, they elected their leaders, just like we elect ours, so they get what they need. As time goes on, stranger and stranger things get to happen. Caveat, the following link is to a fox news site. Don't get sucked in! It's about Palestinian Gunmen, storming their own city hall demanding jobs on the security force. I've got to say that I'm highly amuzed! That's just dang funny.
Now time for some positivity!
This month has been good for the ministry. God keeps prompting His people to give, and it's amazing to watch Him work. I want to talk about baptism today, because we are immersed this time of year more than others in things about Jesus, and when we are baptized we are immersed in Jesus. Cool, Huh?? Consider this picture. Notice that there is no prohibition for baptizing. This is the B.A.S.I.C. Orlando baptistry. Here is a wider shot of the area. It's at the corner of Church and Orange. One day, someone WILL enter Christ's body at this spot. I don't know when yet. It might even be a businessman! I've got a good feeling that as long as the Lord tarries through 2006, we can get many, many souls here, amoung homeless people, and amoung the other city folk of Orlando. God is calling us, and I can hear His voice, far away now, but nearer every Sunday. We need to come home! We need to be Christian Churches and Churches of Christ! I believe God can do an amazing thing in Orlando, that will become the paradigm for new things accross the globe. For instance, I believe we can open a HUGE can of worms once we get the Plan established to get homeless people off the streets. Some new things we need to do... I'm going to bring all the B.A.S.I.C. webpages inhouse so to speak. That's basicly all the info on the "More info" site. I'm also going to develop an interactive sight for youth groups. I'll have short lessons, reflections on what people thought when they participate, and information for our summer youth programs. Keep people informed, that's my motto!!!
GB HOYT, OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 19, 2005 08:51
Not quite winter, check out my previous link to the weather to see what Connie is going to be sleeping in tonight. Connie is a homeless woman. She has a drug problem, and is currently not employed. Sometimes she sells her body on the street, and is arrested for it. This next year, if the Lord tarries, and as he wills, we'll be doing a Bible Study with Connie, and two other homeless people, the goal being to get them off the streets. We've got a willing small group coordinator, now we need four members of the congregation to step forward and say, "We'll help too."
I also have to finish writing my curiculum for the course. It's three units long, and designed to be taught twice a week for about 6 months. Each unit is supposed to last 9 weeks. I'm not sure how everything is going to work out with that regard. Have you heard of WBS? It's a church of Christ website. You notice I have a lot of references to A Cappella Churches on my site. It seems like that they have some great material. It would be nice to have some "Christian Church" websites that were similar in form and function. Maybe there are, and I don't see them.
Some practical ways to Combat Sin Through Positive Activity:
Today, As soon as you get done reading this, randomlly select a number from the phonebook, call it up, and say, "Hi, this is (Insert your name here), wishing you a merry Christmas, and God love you!" You might initiate a conversation from there.
Don't want to be so random: Try these fast food evangelism Ideas. Pickout a sign-flier on your local street corner, take him or her to Taco Bell. Get a penny, and creatively tell them about Jesus' Blood, fill their bellies, but before you both dig in, cover the penny in hot sauce. After you are done eating, take the penny out and shine it up. Should look dang well near new. Give the Sign FLier the penny, and tell them about www.basicorlando.org ! hehe. Get creative, and don't forget to share you ideas on the yahoo group.
hehe!
GB Hoyt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 16, 2005
I hope the nine of you are stayin' warm. SOmebody turnt the heat off down heya!
It is even worse for the people we serve down here. Now I'm sure a lot of you are thinking, You live in Orlando, Sucka!
YOu don't even know what cold is!!!!
I do know I never want to sleep outside if the weather forcast holds. Would you? Fortunately, we got some blankets, jackets and longsleeve shirts donated from Southside. If you live in Orlando, please consider helping us out with a USEFUL clothing drive. WE NEED BLANKETS!!!!!!!!!!! AND JACKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND A FACILITY DOWNTOWN TO SERVE AS A DAY SHELTER!!!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention volunteers and funding necessary to help get people off the streets. 2006 is the Do or Die year for BASIC. we are here.....
If you can't get involved here, get involoved locally. In Alanta, there's my alma mater, Jesus Place, other places have other ministries. In my skool of thinking, it's the Church's, not the State's job to take care of people. As a matter of fact, I'd like to challenge you to help me end the welfare state crippling America's Inner Cities! Start giving sacrifically to your local congregation, and tell your elders you want to help the "orphans and Widows" like James 1:27 says to do.
I am sick of hearing people complain about "Merry Christmas" leaving the billboards, ads, public spaces, etc. It breaks my heart to think that we are spending good money on "Defending Free Speech" (Who elected all these "Culturally sensitive" Politicians anyway?) when people in this country and Haiti are dying without the savior, or food in their mouths for that matter! I tell you what! I don't care about Merry Christmas anymore... I have Jesus alive in me, and He Makes my hands move in service, not my lips move in "Free Speech". As a matter of Fact, the book of James brings STRONG condemnation to people who only provide lip service.
Now don't get me wrong, no matter what "official company policy" is at whatever place, I'm going to say "Merry Christmas." I don't feel like I need the government to aknowlege Christmas for what it is in order for me to acknowledge my savior to others. If we really wanted to make a statement, we'd start preaching the gospel to CEO's and Stockholders because then they would feel what we feel at Christmastime "Christ is Born in Bethlehem" and their stores, business, etc would honor Jesus all the time, not just some stupid day in December. I say Humbug! Humbug to Humbugs! Humbug to me! And with a wink in my eye, I'll hand out presents, say Merry Christmas, ask people who say Merry Christmas "What do you mean?" give to Orphans and Widows, and do whatever subversive (to the culture not to Christ) acts I can to carry out my duty as a piece of the rock that destroys world civilazations!
Combat Sin Through Positive Activity!!!!!!!!!!!!
GB Hoyt!!
December 14, 2005 11:08 EST
What up suckas! Maybe there's a coupla newbies out there looking at this sight, so we'll say there's nine of you now...
The Islamic Society of Central Florida has a billboard on display on Goldenrod Rd. It says "1,500,000,000 Muslims believe in Jesus." That should raise our hackles for a couple of different reasons.
It's Chrismastime, and everyone's thinkin' about Jesus. According to the billboard we are lead to believe that all the Muslims believe in Jesus. Have you ever stopped to think about what Muslims believe about Jesus? First of all, check this link out Its a passage from the Koran, pay attention especially to verses 4, 5. Muslims believe something a little different from what you and I believe about Jesus don't they? So, they say they believe in Jesus, but they don't believe that He is God's Son.
Second, did you notice that there are 1.5 BILLION of them. That's a lot of people who publicly disavow that Jesus is God's son. It makes me shudder to think that there is anybody who would choose to not believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God. Now to think that there are 1.5 Billion souls without true knowledge of Jesus, and who publicly proclaim falsehood. How will we teach them? For some information about Islam, many sources, try The Apologetics Index for a start. It's important we reach these people.
Think about that for a while! I'd like to start telling people about how God is changing the lives of Muslims, by showing them Jesus!
Combat Sin by positive action!
GB HOYT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 13, 2005 13:56 EST
Argh,
I'm waiting to go to work--it's kinda cheesy, but that's just the way it is. Finished up my lesson for this Sunday, and am hoping to get a lot more stuff written before the second Sunday in January. After this week, that will be the next Sunday back to normal. Christmas day is still up in the air. Maybe Christmas Eve we'll go and sing some carols, maybe Christmas Day, who knows?? Have the eight of you checked out Team C.A.M.O., www.teamcamo.us yet? It's a groovy site. I need people to help me ride downtown. I rode my bike today about 45 minutes or so, just mostly toolin' around, remembering what it is like to spin the wheels. You ever do that? Just for an hour, get your bike, and tool around. You won't get far, but maybe you'll get some perspective. Notice the people around you. Do it on a Saturday, and it's a whole different crowd than the one that's there the rest of the week. Lots of lonely people. We need to get our act together. It's about time that we started evangelizing daily. I bet if I started walking daily with my wife, together we could find someone, and share the Gospel with them, and disciple them. I'll wager that we can do it. As long as God is with us.
Certain things remind me of my past. Songs. The way a hymn is sung. The light in winter. It's vivid. I wonder if we can create those sort of memories for Orlando's youth. Right now, many kids are dying in the city. They are well fed, they have homes, and mothers. They are dying. They are dying because we are not there to show them that their mistakes were considered on the cross. They will die if we do not go.
Let us go to the city and do the Lord's Work
(If the Lord wills)
GB Hoyt
December 3, 2005 14:14 EST
So, I've got one question from the other night at Publix, which just basically asked, "Why does God give us the chance to screw up?" Man! I've got to watch what I ask for. Right now I'm trying to get a little rest before work tonight. Russell Boatman I think has it right. Most religious division can be traced to the doctrine of "Original Sin". (Get this book, or any of his books, it's in the appendix under "The Big Lie") So much division exists simply because people believe they can't help the way they are. Such frustration.
December 2, 2005 01:26
Yes, it really is this early in the morning, or this late in the day depending on how you look at it.
How are the eight of you doing??
Me, I just got off work, and haven't taken a shower yet, although earlier I got a haircut from my wonderful wife. She cuts good hair. Did you ever wonder about what God was doing in your life? I look on the last year, and see some crazy things. I became a father, started doing B.A.S.I.C. full-time, and have learned a bunch of new things about cars, babies, and ministry. You have to admit, things happen real quick around this old planet. I had an interesting conversation at Publix tonight. It will hopefully lead to a good Bible Study. We talked abut how some churches think they have it all figured out. We also talked about justice, homosexual rights, and other eclectic, but religious topics. I told the guys to bring two questions, and on Saturday I'd answer them I'll probably do a simple lesson tomorrow night--something background about the word of God perhaps. What do you all think?
GB HOYT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 28, 2005 22:21 EDT
Hello to everyone....
All eight of you...
This is a pseudo-blog. It's not on a big blog site where people go looking for such drivel. It's right here... Where the people are. Every first entry should have a "Biography" or a "This blog is about yadayada" statement. I'm Brandon Hoyt. I run an inner city mission called B.A.S.I.C. It stands for Believing And Serving In Christ. This mission has been existing since my wife and I moved to central Florida in July 2003. That's enough Hemmingway for now...
I like e-Sword; see the Links section for more info. I use it a lot. Subscribe to the Yahoo group, and you'll get access to some of the lessons, commentaries, and study materials that I put together for the Sunday Evening Service that I teach. My idea is that you will be able to know ahead of time what the lesson for the next week is. I'm trying to update the group at least once a week, but sometimes it doesn't work.
Being a minister to city folks is a strange thing sometimes. Everyone assumes I have the same political adgenda as them. I don't, I promise! I'm just a simple Christian proclaiming that things like social injustice, homelessness, and drug addiction have their roots in spiritual problems. More to Come....
Until then....
Join the Yahoo group and post your comments.
GB HOYT!!!!
