Street walk through Toronto...

Friday night Jake, Isabelle and I roamed the downtown core of Toronto for our youth-at-risk class.

We checked out some drop-in centers (Sketch, The Gateway, Seaton House, Sanctuary), Gay bars (Woody's, Sailor's, Churchmouse & Firkin), Other hang outs like Bovine Sex Club, Allan Gardens, The Falls, Hooker-Harveys, Boys town, and other nooks and crannies.

These are some pics I found off the web of a few of the places we checked out. I would've brought my own camera but didn't want to look like a tourist.

From Graffiti Alley (Some good sets here and here)

Woody's - Isabelle forgot her id and couldn't get in. We found out that by going through Sailor, which was way more sketchy, the establishments were connected at the back. No ID checks at Sailors!

Sailor's

A guy came up to us and said Isabelle was cute. Then he turned to me and said "you're cuter". My wife's a lucky gal!

Bovine Sex Club - It was really dark on the streets, but when we passed by this place it seemed to be even darker. Like it just sucked every bit of light that was once there. Doesn't look so bad in the day.

Billboards throughout the downtown core remind us of everything we need and all that is beautiful for those moments we forget

Hooker Harvey's on Jarvis - Jake and I doubled back to 'check out' the response we'd get from a prostitute. She was clearly underage. Immediately after, I felt like we degraded her just as much as anyone else that night would.

Filmore's strip joint and 'hotel' upstairs - supposedly they're celebrating their 25th anniversary right now and returning to 1981 prices.

Street chalk drawings are always a great part of downtown

The condom shack - this place has been around for ages. Has anyone in Toronto not been in here just out of shear curiosity? It's crazy how many people looking underage were in there - they did kick one guy out though. Sex hops have sprung up everywhere now, it's amazing how sexuality, as important as it is, has been brought to the very center of our culture.

I lost track of how many hemp and drug paraphernalia shops we saw

I don't think a picture could have captured the atmosphere late at night at the Seaton House (Hostel for men) . It was the only moment I think any of us felt a bit panicky. 30-40 guys were loitering around like inmates. One guy started bolting for directly towards me. I had no idea what was going on. Sad thing is, I was relieved when I discovered it was because someone else was chasing after him. A real bloody fight was about to break out, and we just kept walking totally unsure of how to respond.

I wish I could share more, like the coked up gal up almost got hit by a car, the dude from the church of satan, the huge goth youth culture, the density of the gay district, the desperation at drop-in centers, the hope and beautiful places that were seen, but i'm still processing it all. We thought our prof asking us to go to the gay strip joint (remington's) was a bit too far for us.

Anyhow, definitely an interesting night. Right now, this is my city, and I'm learning to love it.

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Lon-gerie...

I've been anti-brand name for most of my life, especially when it comes to clothing. I've always felt that brands were just another way of outsourcing our creativity.

We spend those extra dollars in exchange for some sense of assurance, that at least someone out there says it's okay, normal, legit, fits-in, acceptable, etc.

I've begun my own clothing line. It's called "LON-GERIE", get it? The tag line is:

"FASHION THAT BRINGS OUT BEAUTY IN OTHERS"

Here's two from the 'portfolio'.

I'm not sure how long my iron-on will last. Here's two interesting companies that beat me to it and can help create clothing with a personal touch.

Mondonation
Zazzle

May every one of us find ways to creatively contribute rather than conform.

For the latest entries and comments see my primary blog on voxtropolis at One Life...

Saturday Sampler...

Mark Batterson of evotional/NCC is reverse gifting and giving out free copies of his new book (In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day) to church planters for his birthday.

You've heard latest craze of Chuck Norris jokes. Chuck responds. (Thanks Albert)

Zaadz a new social-network gathering those who intend to change the world. I think it's got potential. Join! Here's mine.

Ode Magazine - Magazine for intelligent optimists, who also intend to change the world.

Zooomr Photos keeps developing and has just upgraded their pro accounts to 4GB/month! Get a pro account free here. Here are my sets.

Things really aren't looking good for Ted Haggard. I hope I'm wrong but I can't say he looks convincing to me on the video clips. Mark Driscoll writes some good thoughts on the matter.

Update: Looks like the decision's final on the NewLife church website.

Here's an excerpt from Ted Haggard's wife Gayle that I thought was very powerful.

Dear Woman of New Life Church,

I am so sorry for the circumstances that have led me to write this letter to you today. I know your hearts are broken; mine is as well. Yet my hope rests steadfastly in the Lord who is forever faithful.

What I want you to know is that I love my husband, Ted Haggard, with all my heart. I am committed to him until death "do us part". We started this journey together and with the grace of God, we will finish together.

If I were standing before you today, I would not change one iota of what I have been teaching the women of our church. For those of you who have been concerned that my marriage
was so perfect I could not possibly relate to the women who are facing great difficulties, know that this will never again be the case. My test has begun; watch me. I will try to prove myself faithful.

I'm amazed she has the strength to say something like this so soon.

Update2: Audio mp3 message of the sunday service at NewLife Church. It's loaded with insight in terms of grace, trials, church polity, and discipline.

Latest blog entires at http://onelife.voxtropolis.com

Nachos and I...

Quick hide there's scary people outside...

It always saddens me when I see Christians in a docile, defensive position; just trying to hold on to what they've got, while they ride out the storm. I think this is especially true of Halloween tonight. Probably more than any other night, Christians across North America are turning their lights out and hunkering down inside. All the while, darkness literally covers our cities.

There's an awesome quote from Edmund Burke, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph, is that good men do nothing"

Evil people do not wait around and ask for permission. Evil can be compelling and magnetic, and it moves forward with every inclination.

And the truth is that hunkered down, inward-focused, well-meaning, passive neutrality, will never overcome evil.

Workaholic?

Excellent insight from InsideGoogle, definitely helps justify any bit of workaholism I have...

Googler Niniane Wang is vacationing in Egypt, but she had enough time to blog this exchange, which resulted when a traveling companion was typing away on his Sidekick, instead of enjoying the vacation.

Me: [after some silence] Do you think Google does this to people? Where we work so much?

Dan: No. We do it to ourselves, at Google.

Me: Surely it’s not normal to work like this.

Dan: It’s also not normal to do amazing things.

Mosaic Movement Resources

This is a collection of resources that tie to the Mosaic movement out of L.A. While I don't necessarily resonate with everything that has come out of it, it has been a tremendous impact on my life and my visions for church planting.

I've got a bunch of other resources (CD's, DVD's, etc.) that I've bought over the years, that I'm tempted to put up, but I don't want to infringe on any copyright issues. If you're in the area, you're more than welcome to borrow them off of me. All the resources here are just what's readily available on the web.

I won't be updating this mosaic resource page - the latest updates will be available at my primary site on One Life.

Here's a snap of my wife and I as we visit Mosaic LA (at the previous night club) and connect for a moment with Erwin McManus



ARTICLES

Interview with Erwin McManus on Infuze 2006
Article on whether Mosaic and Bethel are part of the 'emerging church' by Alex McManus 2006
Article on the history and culture of mosaic through an Asian American lens
Article and another article on Erwin McManus at Catalyst 2005
Article about Erwin McManus and Creativity 2005
Interview with Erwin McManus on thinking differently
Q&A with Erwin by La Bodega 2004
Response article to me from Mosaic insider Soundchick 2004 part 1 and 2
Article on wholeness by Erwin McManus
Article on friendship by Erwin McManus
Article on a cause-driven church by Erwin McManus
Article and video by fresh ministry on postmodern ministry
Article in Relevant Magazine on Erwin McManus' Barbarian Way
Interview with Alex McManus on pray247
Article on Origins 2004, Recap on Origins 2005, Origins 2006 notes
Outline of Emerging Leaders program offered at Bethel
Article on An Unstoppable Force
Article on Mosaic and a vision for the world
Article on Ethos
Blogs of interns at Mosaic, here, here, and here.
Mosaic Navigator Eric Bryant's blog

AUDIO RESOURCES


Weekly podcasts
Alex McManus on a hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy @ Kensington 2006
Catalyst Interview with Erwin McManus 2006
Erwin McManus Chapel @ California Baptist University 2005
Mosaic Leadership Advance Message 2005
Erwin McManus - Prepare for Impact 2005
Erwin McManus The future has arrived @ Richland Hills Church 2004
C&MA 2004 Council Session 1 and Session 2 by Erwin McManus (both messages are on the second half of the mp3)
Parable of the Talents by Erwin McManus @ Rock Harbour 2002
The Great Commission and Discipleship by Erwin McManus @ Woodland Hills 2002
Erwin on The Fingerprint of God @ The Veritas Forum 2001
Erwin on Character Matrix @ The Veritas Forum 1999
Odeo - Seems to keep the last 10 or so messages archived from the podcast in case you missed any.

VIDEO RESOURCES


5 Messages by Erwin McManus in Korea on CGNTV 2006
Mosaic on CNN 2006
Television Evangelist Mosaic Rap video 2006
Chasing Daylight trailer from BlueFishTV
Alex McManus at APU Chapel 2005
100 Huntley Street interview of Erwin McManus2005
Awesome clips from UrbanPoets 1, 2, 3, 4
Excellent Mosaic 2004 Recap Video
Erwin McManus Chapel 4 @ APU 2004
Erwin McManus Chapel 3 @ APU 2004
Clips 1, 2, 3, 4 from Barbarian Way @ WillowCreek 2003
100 Huntely Street interview on Creativity and Spirituality 2003
Erwin McManus Chapel 2 @ APU 2003
Montage of Erwin McManus on Heroes 2003
Erwin McManus Chapel @ APU 2001
Erwin on The Fingerprint of God @ The Veritas Forum 2001
Erwin on Character Matrix @ The Veritas Forum 1999

WEBSITES

AwakenHumanity.org

TheOriginsProject.org

ErwinMcManus.com

Yelo.AwakenHumanity.org

Mosaic.org

Mosaic.org/podcast

Int’l Mentoring Network

www.fight4humanity.com

www.alexmcmanus.org

www.urbanpoets.org

www.mosaicalliance.com

http://www.shecommunity.org/

http://mosaic.org/terranova/

BOOKS

Soul Cravings
Barbarian Way
Chasing Daylight
Stand Against the Wind
Uprising
An Unstoppable Force

MISCELLANEOUS
Here's an image to just sit and think about..


Google co-op site searching Mosaic-related content

Latest entries and comments on One Life.

Busy and Beautiful...

Life's been busy and beautiful. I've been trying to stay at least 3-4 weeks ahead of school in anticipation of our baby, and I think I'm actually on track.

Our doctor charges $10 to print out an ultrasound picture, so Yvonne and I decided to just bring our camera in and take our own pictures! Here's our first baby's first video! It's not the greatest footage, I'll do better at our next visit in another week.

If you haven't seen it already, Steve McCoy's got an excellent post linking a smack of Tim Keller resource post. Keller's probably one of the most level-headed biblical and missional church planting catalysts out there. Over the years I've tucked away my own set of resources from movements that I've been following. So in the spirit of sharing and inspired by Steve, I'm going to consolidate and post up some resources on the Mosaic Movement, Acts29, and maybe some Rob Bell stuff...

Here's a pic of a flower by the side of the road we saw in Maui


Latest comments and entries at One Life.

Short-term Missions...

...is the Crack-Cocaine of this generation of Christians.

(posted around my seminary currently)

Comments and latest entries at One Life.

What's catching my eye...

I'm still in shock that this girl I met six years ago, is pregnant with my first child.

This is us at Urbana 2000. It's on again this year in St. Louis!











I'm linked as a "Maker of Fire" on the Fight4humanity.com site, way cool. Join Erwin and Alex McManus at Humana 2.0



The Canadian National Church Planting Congress 2007 details are up. I'll definitely be there, book your calendars! (Let me know if you're interested in a 50% discount)



I'm not a gamer, and I have absolutely no time for this, but I can't say I haven't had my eye on the new Nintendo Wii.



On that note, you can play your favorite classic nintendo games in your browser here.

Some free videos from the Innovative Church Conference are available

I finally joined facebook. Seems like an interesting network...

And my vox of the week is Dave, a fellow seminary student at Fuller blogging about his experiences there.

Latest entries and comments for this post at One Life.

Unconditional love...

Rick Tobias, CEO of Yonge Street Mission in downtown Toronto, teaches my Youth at Risk class.

Rick stated that "We abandon our kids when they abandon our values. Whether they are gay or chemically dependent, they are still our children and worthy of our love."

How easy is it for us to withdraw our love when people disagree with our values? When those we pour our lives into don't adopt the things we treasure most, why is it that our love for them as human beings is often the first thing that goes?

Many youth on the streets today likely have a physical home in which to return, but the one thing they need most, unconditional love, is nowhere to be found there. The reality is we go where we are most loved, and as bad as it may be on the streets, children are finding more love and acceptance there, than in the warmth of their own homes.

My first child is on her way in eight weeks. I have no idea what she will be like, but I know that I would already give my life for her. I love her right now, not because of her values or capabilities, or even her character, but simply because God blessed me with her. I suspect that I will need to continually remind myself of this for the journey ahead.