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Wow! Thank you for believing in us and taking the risk with a leap of faith!! We are so honored, humbled and grateful to be able to serve YOU! Our next course of action is to begin building diverse coalitions of government, business and faith community leaders to begin working on the issues and challenges facing our city! Diversity Drives Innovation!! Government only works well, when you are involved!! Let’s get to know each other, dream big dreams together and see what’s possible! The Best Is Yet to Come & It's YOU! Connect with us via our website & our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/CJA4PDX Let us know what you are experiencing in the city, What’s Right? What’s Wrong? What’s Confused? and What’s Missing? We want to hear from you! Until then, Shalom!!
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Life is a journey of Faith! Who (or what) are you going to have faith in or agreement with? Each & every day, we are given the choice to believe in, or agree with, what we see around us (& the thoughts tumbling around inside our head) or in what has been promised to us (in spite of what we are experiencing). Because of the time that David took to know God's heart, he knew that He could be trusted, no matter what. He was willing & able to be in full agreement with whatever God had said (or promised him), even if it meant laying down his life for his brothers (although he chose 5 stones, since Goliath had 4 brothers)!! The essence of being a good king, or leader, is being in love with a Good, Good Father.
I believe that Portland has a very bright future! Not because we are experiencing it right now, but because of what He has promised us! It is also because of the incredible wealth of our city, the amazing people that live here and because of what is AND could happen, if we can listen to each other, honor each other and work with each other for our mutually beneficial common good. Our city government (or any government) was not created to be our God, our provider nor our source of happiness and fulfillment. Government was established to be an expression of our community, it’s values towards the innocent and most vulnerable and to protect those values, as well as the innocent and most vulnerable. We don’t live in a perfect world, and people will be people, so we must have basic, fundamental rules and laws that allow us to live together in community. Government is the process that we use to establish those values publicly and it must enforce them or we will be overcome by the lawless, both from within & from those outside our community. Government does not and can not create wealth. Our business community was established to create wealth and provide for our families and those that can not provide for themselves. So, businesses must be free and able to function, flourish and thrive, but not at the expense of the innocent and most vulnerable in our communities. Government’s role is to provide a fair and equitable marketplace, so that businesses can compete and create the best products and services that could be made available in the marketplace. And businesses should in turn, fund government for the services that they provide for the marketplace. Obviously, the more successful our business are, the more resources are available for the common good. Finally, Government was not established to care for the innocent and most vulnerable in our communities. Our faith (& non-profit) communities are the best suited to give the most efficient, the most effective and most enthusiastic care for those that can not provide for themselves. Communities function best, when everyone is involved in helping each other. It is very expensive (time wise, mentality & economically) for a few people (in government) to serve thousands and millions of people, but the costs are drastically reduced, when everyone gives a little bit of their time, talents and treasures to help those in need. AND it is so enriching for everyone to volunteer through their favorite faith (& non-profit) communities. It also works well when businesses come along side our faith (& non-profit) communities to provide their goods and services, as well as funding for administrative staffing. I believe it’s a new Era for Portland and the Best Is Yet to Come. I’m also willing to serve our diverse communities in Portland and be your voice on City Council. So, I need your help and your vote! During this very difficult season for millions of Americans, as well as billions of folks that live around the world, we need to take some time to be grateful for who we are and what we do have! My wife, Susan and I recorded this video message for our faith community and believe that it is worth sharing with you as we continue to serve you in new ways . . . As we move forward together on this journey, I will be using this space to share my thoughts and experiences with YOU! While I was going to college in Nashville, a new friend sat by me in chapel at Belmont College. We soon became good friends and a short while later, he starting singing the songs he had been writing and recording. Over the years, I've had the honor of seeing him perform in some amazing venues, on national and global TV and even here in Portland. He has remained a good friend & most, if not all, of his songs has moved me and have been the score for my life. It's been a Great Adventure & the Best Is Yet To Come!!!  Mac Powell, Cullis James Autry, Steven Curtis Chapman, James William Autry, Brandon Heath, Emily Hare & Lynn Hare at their 2016 Songs & Stories Tour stop at Easthill Church, Gresham
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