Planning

My concern with Urban Studies and Planning is that they do not articulate, stress or truly attempt to comprehend the poor. (I intentionally leave poor without definition because it can be defined in many more ways than lack of economic status.) The solution always seems to be resolve their state of economic deficit and this will solve their social and psychological deficit. But just because you put a white picket fence in the hood doesn't make it the suburbs. The people of the community define its boundaries, shape its uses and inspire its potential. How do we change cities if we cant change hearts and minds? How do we improve the city in a physical sense, but leave the emotional and psychological components of the city parched and blinded of its potential and without instructions on how to utilize their new and improved tools and references?
 
As I sit in these classes an we discuss the city, the high concentration of people and businesses and leisure all simultaneously utilizing the city, I learn why chaos is so common to us. The traffic of constant human contact,the anxiety of danger and invasion of space and privacy is constantly tested. How do we protect the people in the city if we cannot control their actions? How can we save the city if we do not intensively examine and experience the depths of their sorrows, the peak of their joys and the pride of the people of the city? How can we make the city "better" and ignore its neighbors? How can we advocate for a city when we feel no personal significance to the city. How can you make the city better if you do not love the city? The holistic approach is not an approach it is the only option to truly dive into a city's being, to invest and to show that its worth improving, you have its best interest at heart and you can go before the city and protect its future.
 
As I continue my studies I learn that this has been difficult for planners, city officials, governments, those that come in the city with their credentials and theories,their connections from this city to another, there unattached methods that are not specific to the city and its need. The planners, the plans and the people have suffered from this method of viewing the city. True planning I would imagine is to both love and hate the city. you must see its atrocities because of the diversity and high concentrations of human and capitalism (susceptible to sin).(there is suffering and wrongs even in your most successful suburb. But you must also see the cities potential, see its skill set (ABCD Approach). You must love the city enough to advocate its strengths and addresses it atrocities and weaknesses. There must be this bittersweet taste for the city, love it enough to improve it, care enough to not hinder its livelihood and personality but hate its imperfections enough to address them, not always wiping them out, (gentrification, eminent domain) but using alternatives (abdc approach)
 
But God is the ultimate planner. Think about it, in Genesis he forms His earth he brought light to the darkness, he added space and air and plants and animals and humans. He planned the first city assistance from humans. God has planned everything out he is the ultimate advocate for planning and designing with purpose and intentions. and God loved his people before he even formed them! He pulled us from the dust and made us in his image. Hes a planner. God can do anything and he can do it all at once but He took his time on creation. he took six days and was intentional in letting us know that he rested on the seventh day. I imagine God sitting back on the seventh day and relishing in his creation, savoring and lovingly marveling at all that he has created. You see all that God has formed is meant to show him Glory. God basks in the Glory of his creation. Everything, even sin still points to the truth; God is God.
  
So as planners what should our cities point to? Lets be clear they should not say that we as planners are gods don't be deceived into self worship. But we as planners must have plans that point to; God is God and he is to be glorified through His cities, through atrocities, accomplishments and through our cohesiveness as communities.
 
When I study Urban Studies, I study how God loves His cities. I'm listening to where He sees fit for me to be utilized for His glory in His cities. I'm listening to the cries of the broken people that seem forgotten. Those that are hopeless, the The Dark City that thinks God has  abandoned them. I am here to speak to that. and have them hear God say so clear "I have formed you I have plans for you and I am God." This is ministry. The planner is called to a complex work. A similar role that God understands. How humbled but weighted we should feel to know that we are allowed to experience the role of planning. So I will continue to absorb, wrestle, question and be inspired by planning, and I know that God is part of this. Amen

Confronting Darkness

 When there is no God to govern, where there are none of His people living for Him and proclaiming His glory, When the people do not know God, darkness overcomes them. They live in chaos and despair, the foolish control the city, running rampant with anger, lust and deceit. They darken the city by dimming the light. They leave a sign above the city saying "There is no God that can save you here, We live in the trenches, We do what we want, We get it how we live, come if you dare". The people of this city have no hope that anything can save them from their impoverished land that has been internalized into their souls. They wallow in their pit awaiting death. Temporary satisfactions are all that life seems to offer. The children are birthed into darkness, raised in iniquity and then left to rule the land. In this city hatred and chaos cannot be contained. One soul in anguish may cry out "Where is the light for this city? Where is the God who saves?". But it seems darkness still prevails.

In this city every night senseless trouble occurs. The elderly are taken up by the youth. Fear and anger are their morals. Young boys blinded senseless by anger and hatred, immersed in drugs and guns with intentions to destroy everything before they destroy themselves. Demonic spirits filling the air lusting after souls. Who will survive the night? Who will see the light of day? But in the midst of this vision of this city of sin, I proclaim Psalms 30:5" ....Weeping may endure for a night but Joy cometh in the morning". For it is much deeper then the natural eye and natural mind can perceive. Ephesians 6:12 "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities against powers against rulers of darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places" So the battle of darkness and light is among you. Watch and Pray (Luke 21:36)

Being covered by the blood of Jesus and dwelling amongst the darkness is an intense event. May your spiritual eyes be alert so that you may see darkness for what it truly is. As evil swarms and God is not present in the atmosphere may you proclaim his name with confidence "Jesus Christ The Messiah, I proclaim your presence into this place! For none can hide from you, for you possess all things, There is no dimension you cannot reach and there is no power greater than yours. Let there be light in the midst of darkness Heavenly Father. Shine your light upon this place. I trust you are in control of all things and you have already done it. Selah". You call on Him knowing that only He can bring light to the darkness, for this is His earth and He will reclaim it. Not because we need it, but because He is just and He will do all that He said He would do.

Know that darkness, bitterness and anguish are real. And those subject to these without the hope and covering of Christ the Lord, will suffer indeed. I pray that Christ comes after you, with all His love and mercy and embraces you with the warmest affections beyond your imagination. I pray He opens your heart and reveals that both your need and ultimate satisfaction are located in the person and work of Christ who was crucified on your behalf (for your sins) and resurrected to proclaim His father's Glory. I pray for those that are called by God and fervently thirsting after every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. May we abruptly be reminded of this supernatural grace that has been placed into our lives. We are undeserving of the rescue that took place on our behalf. When Christ went to the cross for our charges of sin. Be aware that darkness still lusts after our souls and we must continually kill off our sinful nature and choose Christ the savior for His love and His light are for us to embody to the world. 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light"

People of God awaken and a rise ! The city is filled with darkness and sin and they know not the Savior who has come for them. We must be present,  bringing His light to the darkness proclaiming  Christ the Savior s here. We must speak forth Christ in the lowly places  too. Don't be of fear, be of confidence in the God who reigns. and for those that are without Him... If He has planned to call you into his bosom, He will do so and nothing will stop Him. For He is the Lord God and He is just to do all that He said He will do Amen.



Tips on Confronting Darkness http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=145221