The Ghetto, or not

I have something on my mind I just need to say something about it. As many of you know, Sarah and I recently moved to a house here in San Jose. This great retired couple let us "housesit" for them while they are in Turkey for a year serving as missionaries. In a conversation I had with a friend a month ago, I was disturbed by a comment with guy said.

He wanted to know where I was moving to, so I told him the approximate location of the house. He said, "Oh, that's almost in the ghetto man." This comment really made me mad. Here's why:

-The term "ghetto" comes from the era of the Jewish Holocaust (I think). This is where the Jews were required to live while they were being persecuted. Using this term to describe a neighborhood today is an insult.

-Secondly, I resent the fact that someone felt like they had to warn me that I might be moving into a bad neighborhood. It was like this person was saying that this "ghetto" neighborhood was not an acceptable place to live. Well, there are plenty of good people who live in this neighborhood and many of these people cannot help their economic or social condition.

-I felt like this person had a certain standard for a "good" home. It really bothered me that someone could make a comment like that. Why do I deserve a "better" neighborhood? Maybe I'm part of the reason why there are these "bad" neighborhoods. Maybe instead of retreating to the "good" neighborhoods, I could be an influence for God's love in this "ghetto".

(By the way, the neighborhood I live in is great! I don't know what this guy was referring to because I love this place!)

Colson, Boyd, Claiborne

An election year special, here is a fabulous discussion between Chuck Colson, Greg Boyd, and Shane Claiborne concerning the role Christians should play in politics and government.

Chuck Colson was a part of the Nixon Administration and was imprisoned for his involvement in Watergate. After turning to Christ, he founded Prison Fellowship which ministers to prisoners. He has also authored many books on Christianity and politics.

Greg Boyd is the founding pastor of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, MN (yeah baby!). He is the author of the book Myth of a Christian Nation.

Shane Claiborne is a founding partner of a community called The Simple Way in Philadelphia, PA. He has recently come out with a book called Jesus for President.

Please check out THIS link to see a video of the discussion.

Chuck Colson


Greg Boyd


Shane Claiborne

Death Cab

I know this video has already gotten around, and Jon Havens has posted it on his blog. But I can't help but post it here.


Death Cab for Cutie - I will Possess Your Heart

Moving, puppy, and reCRE8

I'm ashamed to say that I haven't posted on this blog for over a month! There has been so much going on, I hope to put some more stuff on here soon. Here's what's happening:

-Sarah and I moved out of our apartment and into a house. We spent most of my spring break packing and moving into this house which we are staying at for the next year while the owners are on a missions trip to Turkey. They have graciously asked Sarah and I to stay at their place while they are gone and we are so grateful for this blessing. It's not that we are living in a house. I'm actually not that excited about living in a house because of the yardwork, upkeep, and the fact that it is too big for just 2 people. But, our living expenses are significantly less and we are thankful for that. Plus, now we have a party pad!

-Since we moved into a new house, we decided to get a dog! We adopted a lab/border collie mix from the Humaine Society of Silicon Valley and she is amazing. Her name is Rory and she is 9 months old.



-Another amazing thing that is happening: reCRE8. Our college group at Hillside is no longer doing a regular "church service" style group. We are not doing a set of music, 30 min lesson, and then go home. We are spending time in prayer, then getting together in action groups that are focused on specific topics such as environment/sustainability, community connectedness, arts/culture, and social justice. The idea is that the college students will go to the main service to get their teaching/music, then we put our faith to action in small groups every Sunday morning. This is a little revolution of sorts in terms of "Sunday School". We want to inspire action and put our faith into practice.

Headache - Hope

I'm getting a headache (figuratively) from some of the things going on in my church community. Some of the issues I've been advocating for, such as turning our focus outward and setting a missional priority, have been deflated. Recently, I have become frustrated by so many missed opportunities to reach people, while we make things more comfortable for the people who are already Christians. So often, we've been taught to place harmony and comfort as a priority over transformation, healing, and dealing with the tough questions.

I'm kinda fed up with the notion of "if we build it, they will come" mentality. It may work in other regions, but the Bay Area does not have a community that is used to church culture. They are not inclined to show up early on Sunday morning and stay for 3 hours. We need to ask some different questions.

Basically, I'm getting a headache from beating my head against the wall with some of this stuff. I want to see transformation, life change, redemption, and humility. I do think there is hope though. Our college group is trying some new things. We are doing something called "Recre8" this year. Basically, on Sunday mornings our college students will be involved in sub-groups that have specific action plans. Each group will spend the morning working out details of their projects. These action-oriented groups will be putting into practice our faith by focusing our strengths, talents, and skills toward a specific purpose based on a way we want to reach people with the love of Jesus. We are living out the gospel.

Free Day!

Today is February 29! That means today is a free day. This day doesn't exist other years, so there is no reason why today should be just like the others.

As I was thinking about what to do today, knowing that today doesn't really exist, I figures it wouldn't matter whether I went to work or not (I still went to work because I'm responsible). I could just sleep all day, or watch TV, or read a good book. It really doesn't matter what I do because today doesn't exist. It's a free day!

So, what did you do today?

Computer Buyer's Nightmare

I just bought a new Macbook less than two weeks ago and guess what...Apple just upgraded their computers.

Yup, the same price I paid for my computer will now get you twice the RAM, more hard drive space, and a faster processor. Bummer! So, after a little research I found out that there is a buyer protection policy at Apple. If a new and improved product comes out within two weeks after you buy the same product, you can return it for the new one or be gives a credit for the price difference.

So, I called and explained the situation. They were very nice, but I got put on hold for more than 20 minutes! Because of the delay, they offered to let me return my computer (free shipping and no re-stocking fee) and they are shipping me the new configuration at no extra cost. Amazing!

"Do [correction: To] whatever makes me love You more"

First of all, I just tested the battery life of my new Macbook today: 6 hours! That's just word processing and web surfing, but still, 6 hours is a long time.

In other news, I have a line from a mewithoutYou song that I have been thinking about for a while now. It comes from the song "C-Minor" on the album Brother, Sister. The line is "do whatever makes me love You more"

Correction: per Robbie's comment, I have misquoted. The line is actually "to whatever makes me love you more." That's what I get for trying to quote someone without reading the liner notes.

In the context of this song, the writer is asking God to do whatever makes him love God more. I feel that this is one of the best descriptions of "God's will" I have heard. The writer is basically saying that no matter what happens in his life, he simply wants it to make him love God more. This is really what God's will is; a course of life that makes us love God more.

For more, see the comments...

Recently, I have also read another description of God's will in the book The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian McLaren. He writes, "The Greek word that lies beneath our English word will can also be translated wish. But to say, 'May your wish come true' sounds rather fairy-tale-ish and creates other problems. But I have found the idea of, 'the dream of God for creation' does the job quite nicely. 'Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven' could thus be rendered 'May all your dreams for creation come true.'"

So, to put these two ideas together I feel that a major aspect of the "dream of God" is for us to love him more; no matter the circumstance. Good times, bad times, things we don't understand, things we cannot change; we should desire to love God more no matter what. We must say, "do whatever makes me love you more" even if it means being challenged, transformed, or broken.

My first 24 hrs as a Mac-head

Ironically, my new Macbook arrived while I was at a friend's house showing him how to create a Powerpoint presentations on his new Macbook. Sarah called me and told me that a package had arrived for me and it was shaped like a computer.

I tried as hard as I could not to speed as I drove home to open my new computer. Let me take a moment to describe the packaging, because it is important:

Inside the plain brown box was a simple, sleek, and (dare I say) sexy white box with the words Macbook printed in simple letters on the front. Appropriately, this box was the home for my white Macbook as it traveled over the Pacific to my front door here in Silicon Valley. There was even a handle on top. After cracking the seal, I lifted the flaps on the box to see an elegantly designed styrofoam bed that only added to the sleek look of my computer. I then pulled out my computer which, according to my wife Sarah, looked like a toy computer. It was simple, white, and had the Apple symbol on top.

After admiring the design of this wonderful machine, I opened it up and decided to let the leopard loose (the operating system is called OS X Leopard). Naturally, it took about 3 minutes to complete the initial setup and less than an hour to make a complete transition of all my files, music, and photos. It was so easy. Also, this computer is obviously faster than my other computer. It has twice the memory and a much faster processor. I had already learned the ins and outs of the new operating system by watching the video tutorials on Apple's website. Some of the features are incredible, such as screen sharing, Time Machine, and Spaces.

Later in the evening, I had a meeting with some guys from Hillside. Daniel Garcia was there and he has a Mac with Leopard also. So, we set up a video chat with each other and shared files and pictures with each other. We also shared our screens so I could type notes while Daniel watched. It was amazing.

Later, Sarah and I had a great time messing around with the built in camera and Photobooth. If you have seen the kind of pictures you can take with this camera, you'll be familiar with this. But if you haven't, here's a taste of how much fun Photobooth is:

Back to my roots

I have just bought a new Apple computer. Yes, that's right...a mac.

I am a part of the first generation of human beings to grow up with personal computers. My dad bought his first laptop when I was entering grade school (its funny to think about that computer now). We had a couple of mac computers when I was growing up. I loved them, but when I entered high school, my parents bought a PC. Consequently, I learned how to use a PC also and therefore became very comfortable with either system. When I bought my first laptop as I entered college, I got a PC because of its price and familiarity. But things have changed.

My HP computer has been great. I have had it for almost 3 years and I have typed hundreds of pages of essays on it for school. Unfortunately, it is dying. It crashes (more often than before) and it is getting very slow. I know there are ways to salvage a PC by reformatting the operating system and such, but it's time for a new computer.

I just ordered a new Macbook.


Since I have not used a mac for over 6 years on a regular basis, I am going to document my experiences here. I am interested to see the performance differences and the new OSX Leopard. This should be fun.

Erwin! (updated 1/31)

Today I got the chance to sit in on a taping of a series of seminars by Erwin McManus. He was asked by a christian television station to record a bunch of seminars that will be aired on TV in the spring and summer.

The studio was small; there were only about 25 people in the audience. About 12 people from my church overwhelmed the other attendees. Some of the other people who went were our Worship Pastor, Senior Associate Pastor, Men's Ministry team leaders, Junior High Director, Director of Women's Ministries, and our Leadership Development Team Leader. I sat about 10 ft. from Erwin as he spoke about his books Unstoppable Force and Uprising. It was amazing.

I have been getting very discouraged with the ministries I am involved in at my church. I feel like I am being chewed up and spit out by the system. Yesterday I had a bit of a breakdown as I struggled to understand why I felt my passions being sucked out of me.

Erwin inspired me so much today. He reminded me that people are really what matter. He reminded me to go after my passions. I understand more fully how the church should be and I know things can get better. I'm still struggling with all the pain of trying to create change and inspire extraordinary things in the church. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I whine, sometimes I scream, and sometimes I leap for joy (although more rarely). Things are hard, but God is Good.

Update: 1/31/08
Here is a comment I left on a special blog set up for the participants of this seminar series from my church:

- I am becoming more and more aware that Hillside's Ethos does not match up to the values written down on paper. Our mission statement is "Introducing people to Jesus, and inspiring everyone to follow him fully." However, the areas of ministry that accomplish these values often slip under the radar and have the fewest volunteers. Even the 4 principles we subscribe to (Caring, Reaching, Growing, Developing) become lost in the culture of Hillside. I personally know people who have left Hillside because their leadership abilities have been stifled, or their spiritual/emotional needs have been neglected. These young leaders that left Hillside went on to other churches to become lay-leaders, paid staff, and pastors.

Honestly, I believe that Hillside has many values that are not stated in the mission statement. These unsaid values shape the culture of our church. For example: loyalty, longevity, family, and harmony. I have come to understand that Hillside is a place where (if you fit the right criteria) you can fit in like a family. The problem is that I believe we miss much of the challenge to "follow Jesus fully" when we get blinded by our desire to avoid conflict, keep the status quo, and put a smile on because we're with our family.

Trip to Delaware

I just got back from Dover, Delaware. I spent 5 days with my Grandma, Mom and Dad, and my brothers and sister. We flew out to attend my grandfather's memorial service on Sunday. It was a great trip; I enjoyed spending time with family and celebrating the life of my grandfather. Here are a few pictures from Sunday:
(Click on the pictures to see a larger view)

This chapel was built in 1780.





The next day, we drove to Philadelphia which was only 1.5 hours away. We did some touring and here are some of the pictures:

That's us in front of the Liberty Bell


That's Independence Hall
(Where they wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution)


That's me ordering a Philly Cheesesteak off the street
(The best sandwich I've ever had)


Here we are at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the Rocky Statue


Here we are running up the steps of the Museum of Art
(Just like Rocky)


Here we are doing our best Rocky impression. I know, crazy tourists.


We had a great time.

Post #101

This is my last post for 2007, and it happens to be my 101st post. 2007 has been good to me and I'm excited for 2008. Here's a recap of 2007:

-Got engaged to Sarah: Jan 13
-Moved out of my parent's house: March 6
-Married on July 7
-Honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas: July 7-15
-Began tutoring at Farm Drive Center: Sept 6
-Turned 21 on Sept 9
-Led Hillside's Men's Weekend: Oct 5-7
-Begin playing semi-pro baseball: Nov 4
-Visit my grandparents in Texas: Nov 8-12
-Rob Bell: The Gods Aren't Angry Nov 12
-Start a social action group at Hillside Church: Nov 27
-Grandfather died: Dec. 25


Now for 2008! What's coming up this year:

-Trip to Delaware for my grandfather's funeral: Jan 4-8
-Sarah's (21st) Birthday: Jan 14
-DisneyLand for Sarah's B-day: Jan 19-21
-Matt Randleman's wedding: March 31
-Chase Hughes' wedding: June 28
-Trip to AFRICA: June 26 - July 17 (3 wks)
-I am THE leader for Men's Retreat Weekend 08: Oct. 3-5

As for now, I am enjoying my break from school. I am spending a lot of time with Sarah and reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Happy New Year!

Some writing...

Here's some of my recent writing:

The sun wiggled its way through the curtains and the faint hum of the morning rush hour hypnotized me as I lay in bed regretfully anticipating the air raid siren formerly known as my alarm clock. This morning began like many others; my snooze button got its thirty minute workout in before I even rolled out of bed and the coffee maker automatically prepared a liquid slap in the face to make sure I was conscious. Ah, the wonders of technology.

I knew a long day lie ahead, but I did all I could to resist it. My busy life and my apathy were fighting a fierce war with guns, grenades, and camouflage. My boss tried to flank my TV with some artillery, while my pillow and the Youtube guerrillas fought back with small arms fire from behind some trees. Maybe I could call in sick today, or maybe I could say that my grandma died, again. This battle raged on every morning as I hunkered down on my box spring trench.[..]

Recent Projects...

I have been a little busy lately. However, some of my busy-ness has been fun stuff. I have been working on a few projects that are a hobbie of sorts:

I made a workbench and a bookcase in the last two weeks. Here's a few pictures:

Texas

Sarah and I are going on vacation in Texas this weekend. I know what you're thinking, Texas? Yes, we are going to visit my grandparents for the weekend.

Sarah and I were unable to go to Minnesota last summer because some other things got in the way (a wedding). So, we are going to go hang out in the South of Texas for 4 days.

My grandparents live at a place with a golf course and tennis courts, so I'm going to golf everyday.

San Jose Yankees

I joined a baseball team!

We are called the San Jose Yankees. The league is a semi-professional adult baseball league and it is highly competative (It's called the National Adult Baseball Association - NABA). I'm very excited to be able to play on such a good team. They needed another pitcher and another infielder, so they gave me a chance. We have our first game this weekend and I'm slated to pitch in relief. I've been working out and getting ready for a while and I think I'm ready to get back into competative baseball. This league had a lot of ex-college players and a few ex-minor leaguers. We can only use wood bats and some of these guys throw in the 90's. Awesome!

If you want to come see some of my games, click here to look at my schedule.

Also, school has finally calmed down for a while. Finals are the next big thing to worry about, but I think I'll do fine.

*This week, 11/4, I'm teaching in our college group. I'm excited because its been a while since I've taught. We are in a series from the book of Numbers and I'm teaching Ch 13 which is an amazing text.

October

Wow, I didn't realize that I haven't posted on my blog since Sept. 23. I think I reached my limit of things to do this semester. Here's a little life update:

-I just finished leading our Men's Retreat for Hillside Church (I hate the name "Men's Retreat", it should be called something else). This is a weekend camp-like event for the men of our church. There were 140 guys and it went very well. I was able to have a lot of influence in the theme and lessons. I hand picked the seminars and told the main speaker what topics I wanted him to talk about. The theme was "Passion". We dove into topics like the priesthood of all believers, being a minister, postmodernism, Kingdom business, and using your passions to establish God's Kingdom. These are all topics that I thought might be touchy subjects, but it was well received. The weekend has started some great discussion about missional church.

-I have been tutoring 4th and 6th graders at the Farm Drive Center twice a week. These kids are great, but they can be hard to deal with sometimes. (If you can, pray for one boy named Saul, he is having some trouble at home and he really needs a big brother/dad figure)

-I have been overwhelmed with work lately. The 2 weeks before the men's weekend I was leading, I was bombarded with a huge project. Then this week I was asked to do twice my usual workload. At the same time, my range-finder broke. (That is my most important piece of equipment) Bummer.

-My Tuesday small group started. We're studying The Secret Message of Jesus. So far, the guys are excited and we've had some great discussions.

-I got the new iPod Touch for my birthday. I could never afford something like that by myself, so I pooled together all my birthday money and bought one.

-I've been writing some music lately. I've got a couple songs, but they're no where near finished. I need to work on lyrics. I can write the music part easier than the lyric part. I just need to write more anything.

-I'm getting excited about seeing Rob Bell on November 12. Sarah and I will be flying back from Texas that day. We are going to see my grandparents for the weekend. I need a vacation.

By the way, I love David Bazan.

McLaren Study

I have decided to lead a small group for the Gathering on Tuesday nights at 8 o'clock at my apartment. We are going to read Brian McLaren's book The Secret Message of Jesus. I am hoping to discuss some foundational truths about Jesus Christ and his message. I have been reading this book for a few weeks (I am not done yet because I have too many books for school to read also) and I think it is great. Any college guys are welcome. I'm really looking forward to this.

Word of the Week...

I just heard a public speaker say this word and I thought it was worthy of an entire blog post:

Verklempt
overcome with emotion; clenched

Go ahead.......I know you want to say it. VERKLEMPT.

Use it in a sentence.........."That book got me all verklempt!"

Use it in an essay..........."Then the main character became verklempt."

Tell your girlfriend during a chickflick........"I'm getting verklempt."

Isn't it a great word?............VERKLEMPT.

Make a comment about a famous person........."That baby looks quite verklempt."


I really like this word.