Welcome back. You belong here.
1. Will Smith - I'm actually not a big fan of his acting, but his recent desire to be about more than money and ticket sales inspires me.
2. Obama - We were watching him and Michelle with Barbara Walters the other night. I admire his accomplishment, our first African American president, and standing against the tide.
3. Honesty. I admire honesty especially about the broken areas in our lives. The other day I hung out with a friend for coffee and we had a good honest talk. It was refreshing.
4. Comfortable with Pain. I don't know many people that are comfortable with their pain. Most cover it up, give a solution or speak of it in past tense. Pain is a part of our every day lives, and the truly courageous people are those who talk about their pain and seek to live a life of hope and change.
5. Conversation and Collaboration. I work best in small groups with highly creative, collaborative, open-ended people that get things done. It's a slow process, and many see it as a waste of time but goals get accomplished best in relationship. Here ideas are refined, we hear each other's questions, and we encourage each other.
6. Grace. If not for grace, I'd be in a ditch somewhere. My life is marked by my need for grace and as a result, I try to be a person of grace to those around me.
7. Mystic/Visionary. I live inside my head, but see the future clearly. I don't always know what to do with this information, but I'm at my best in a group where honesty is welcomed and where we can talk about how to change the world in community.
RANDOM THOUGHT: I have about 13 readers on this blog (I'm famous), and I hope to continue to share life with each of you along the way. If you have a blog, send me your link too.
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
Thursday, November 27, 2008
No Snow
Welcome back. You belong here.
It's supposed to snow today, but nothing yet.
I'd like to run a 5K on Thanksgiving next year, but I need to get in better shape.
I ran a 5K a few years ago. I ran pretty fast and got a t-shirt.
I'm not a big football fan, if the Lakers were on (as for Christmas Day), I'd be all over it, or Beckham, Dodgers or if John Mayer was in concert (which I think he will be later tonight).
I like concerts, conversation, pubs, relationship and sports.
I like exercise, music and technology.
I like being home.
I like going out with a few close friends.
I like guitars, guitars and more guitars.
Amps and pedals are great too.
I like all things Mac.
I like helping people in need.
Yesterday, a few us went to an HIV/AIDS clinic in Denver to help. We served food, moved furniture around, cleaned up the food warehouse.
A few days ago, we put together a Thanksgiving food box with our church and gave it to Maria and Miguel, parents from EL Foster (our children's school). They have three children and Miguel just came back from Louisiana where he went to look for work but no luck. It was a very moving experience, especially because they are a family we know and see at school every day.
Last night I played music and it was average, people were sick.
There's a song called "Dance for You" that I've been singing around the house:
"Jesus, quiet my heart/Help me let go/'Cause I want to dance for you/I want to dance for you/You are My King/.
I need to quiet down and let go. I want to sing, live for God for the rest of my life.
We're getting ready to go have dinner with our friends. Better go get ready.
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
It's supposed to snow today, but nothing yet.
I'd like to run a 5K on Thanksgiving next year, but I need to get in better shape.
I ran a 5K a few years ago. I ran pretty fast and got a t-shirt.
I'm not a big football fan, if the Lakers were on (as for Christmas Day), I'd be all over it, or Beckham, Dodgers or if John Mayer was in concert (which I think he will be later tonight).
I like concerts, conversation, pubs, relationship and sports.
I like exercise, music and technology.
I like being home.
I like going out with a few close friends.
I like guitars, guitars and more guitars.
Amps and pedals are great too.
I like all things Mac.
I like helping people in need.
Yesterday, a few us went to an HIV/AIDS clinic in Denver to help. We served food, moved furniture around, cleaned up the food warehouse.
A few days ago, we put together a Thanksgiving food box with our church and gave it to Maria and Miguel, parents from EL Foster (our children's school). They have three children and Miguel just came back from Louisiana where he went to look for work but no luck. It was a very moving experience, especially because they are a family we know and see at school every day.
Last night I played music and it was average, people were sick.
There's a song called "Dance for You" that I've been singing around the house:
"Jesus, quiet my heart/Help me let go/'Cause I want to dance for you/I want to dance for you/You are My King/.
I need to quiet down and let go. I want to sing, live for God for the rest of my life.
We're getting ready to go have dinner with our friends. Better go get ready.
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Random
Welcome back. You belong here.
Random thoughts:
- It's cold.
- Sunday nights, we have Family Council (starting soon)
- We have great young leaders at church (had an artisan meeting today)
- Today I played the piano
- Little David and I just got back from the store (saw SteveB)
- My fire won't start (wet firewood, bummer)
- Did I say it's cold?
- I'm hoping to be part of the Old Town Art Walk committee in '09 (got an invite)
- R' is trying to record Jack (our dog)
- My battery is at 29% right now
- Children are eating donuts
- I'm watching the Fray at the American Music Awards and the guitar player played for our youth group a few weeks ago (kind of crazy)
A lot of life happens in just a few minutes doesn't it...
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
Random thoughts:
- It's cold.
- Sunday nights, we have Family Council (starting soon)
- We have great young leaders at church (had an artisan meeting today)
- Today I played the piano
- Little David and I just got back from the store (saw SteveB)
- My fire won't start (wet firewood, bummer)
- Did I say it's cold?
- I'm hoping to be part of the Old Town Art Walk committee in '09 (got an invite)
- R' is trying to record Jack (our dog)
- My battery is at 29% right now
- Children are eating donuts
- I'm watching the Fray at the American Music Awards and the guitar player played for our youth group a few weeks ago (kind of crazy)
A lot of life happens in just a few minutes doesn't it...
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
Friday, November 07, 2008
My Not So Ironic Life
Welcome back. You belong here.
Peter Rollins speaks here about the irony of Christianity, using the irony of say someone who mocks 70's music, clothing and style while wearing it themselves. In the same way, he says we as the church can hear the truth of the Gospel without actually heeding it.
A radical change in my life the last few years (as well as Rachelle's), has been that the talk of mission, social justice and relationship, is becoming true in our lives. We're still far from being as consistent as we'd like to be, but something different is happening.
The way we are living a missional life is in a few places, our neighborhood, the children's school and around town. As I've said before, we live in suburbia, mostly older White neighbors, semi-retired with some families of high schoolers. We have little in common with many of our neighbors but we still have good relationships with most. How? Daily, we are outside, talking, going across the street to ask how things are going, following up on previous conversations, talking shop.
For example, the other day I was raking our leaves and because of the friendship my neighbors and I have, JR from across the street said, "Hey David! Don't forget to unplug your hoses once winter comes. The water inside can freeze and the pipes can break and flood your basement!" That's no spiritual conversation, but it's normal stuff that creates relationships and caring for each other in practical ways. I feel JR and I are good neighbors and enjoy each other.
The school is the other place where we are living this missional life. Both R' and I are there just about every day meeting parents, and my focus is to get to know a to of the Latino moms and dads.
I've had good conversations with many Latino parents (Jose, Jorge, Carlos, Sergio, Micah, Octavio and Kayla, Ms. Amanda, Ms. Chumacero, Abbie and Tim, Suzanne, Michelle and John, Ms. Leigh, Alma, German) and others. The other day, Octavio told me he sees me around the school so much, he thought I was a bilingual teacher!
The other day, Maria told Rachelle that her husband had to leave Colorado for Louisiana a few days ago to look for work. He will be gone for 4-6 months, they have three small children. We are going to help them out this Christmas together with our church and the school.
The other day, Octavio asked me about God and where I go to church. He told me he's not very committed to God but he wants to go back. A few nights ago we went to a Foster Family night out at Red Robbin where we had over 40 parents and children. Both 'R and I made it an effort to meet just about everyone and introduce parents to each other. We learned so much about many people. One of them is Amy who is the school's counselor, and we found out that night she is divorced and yet continues to raise her children and serve at the school.
Lastly, we are beginning to be involved in the new business development area of Arvada, Old Town. A few weeks ago I went to their Board of Directors meeting. Tomorrow, our family is volunteering in Old Town to hang Christmas lights and just to be a part of the community. Old Town is a growing sector locally, with new businesses and younger people coming in. It's totally different than EL Foster, where it's mostly lower income families and immigrants, but we feel we can be an influence in both the hip parts of town and in education.
Our new church supports all these efforts, and in fact celebrates what I'm doing because it's part of our vision as a church. It feels good to live this way, a more consistent life that is more and more missional and not just church-centered.
The other day I was interviewing a young leader for a graphics/video job at Foothills. We got talking about church and vision and my role there. We talked about the usual stuff - production, good videos and good worship. But what made a difference in her is when I began to tell her of my work outside the usual church activities.
It made things real and told her that church is not just about making sure the coffee is made and chairs are set up (very important things btw)...that's is not what Jesus told us to do. And hopefully she met someone who's life is trying to be about helping the practical needs of those around me, in our school and city.
That felt good.
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
Peter Rollins speaks here about the irony of Christianity, using the irony of say someone who mocks 70's music, clothing and style while wearing it themselves. In the same way, he says we as the church can hear the truth of the Gospel without actually heeding it.
A radical change in my life the last few years (as well as Rachelle's), has been that the talk of mission, social justice and relationship, is becoming true in our lives. We're still far from being as consistent as we'd like to be, but something different is happening.
The way we are living a missional life is in a few places, our neighborhood, the children's school and around town. As I've said before, we live in suburbia, mostly older White neighbors, semi-retired with some families of high schoolers. We have little in common with many of our neighbors but we still have good relationships with most. How? Daily, we are outside, talking, going across the street to ask how things are going, following up on previous conversations, talking shop.
For example, the other day I was raking our leaves and because of the friendship my neighbors and I have, JR from across the street said, "Hey David! Don't forget to unplug your hoses once winter comes. The water inside can freeze and the pipes can break and flood your basement!" That's no spiritual conversation, but it's normal stuff that creates relationships and caring for each other in practical ways. I feel JR and I are good neighbors and enjoy each other.
The school is the other place where we are living this missional life. Both R' and I are there just about every day meeting parents, and my focus is to get to know a to of the Latino moms and dads.
I've had good conversations with many Latino parents (Jose, Jorge, Carlos, Sergio, Micah, Octavio and Kayla, Ms. Amanda, Ms. Chumacero, Abbie and Tim, Suzanne, Michelle and John, Ms. Leigh, Alma, German) and others. The other day, Octavio told me he sees me around the school so much, he thought I was a bilingual teacher!
The other day, Maria told Rachelle that her husband had to leave Colorado for Louisiana a few days ago to look for work. He will be gone for 4-6 months, they have three small children. We are going to help them out this Christmas together with our church and the school.
The other day, Octavio asked me about God and where I go to church. He told me he's not very committed to God but he wants to go back. A few nights ago we went to a Foster Family night out at Red Robbin where we had over 40 parents and children. Both 'R and I made it an effort to meet just about everyone and introduce parents to each other. We learned so much about many people. One of them is Amy who is the school's counselor, and we found out that night she is divorced and yet continues to raise her children and serve at the school.
Lastly, we are beginning to be involved in the new business development area of Arvada, Old Town. A few weeks ago I went to their Board of Directors meeting. Tomorrow, our family is volunteering in Old Town to hang Christmas lights and just to be a part of the community. Old Town is a growing sector locally, with new businesses and younger people coming in. It's totally different than EL Foster, where it's mostly lower income families and immigrants, but we feel we can be an influence in both the hip parts of town and in education.
Our new church supports all these efforts, and in fact celebrates what I'm doing because it's part of our vision as a church. It feels good to live this way, a more consistent life that is more and more missional and not just church-centered.
The other day I was interviewing a young leader for a graphics/video job at Foothills. We got talking about church and vision and my role there. We talked about the usual stuff - production, good videos and good worship. But what made a difference in her is when I began to tell her of my work outside the usual church activities.
It made things real and told her that church is not just about making sure the coffee is made and chairs are set up (very important things btw)...that's is not what Jesus told us to do. And hopefully she met someone who's life is trying to be about helping the practical needs of those around me, in our school and city.
That felt good.
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Live Election Blogging
Welcome back. You belong here.
Today, I feel proud to be an American from Nicaragua. I feel proud to see our country grow in it's race wars. It's a very proud day for our country.
270 votes needed to win.
5:36pm (MT): Wish national news were on
5:37pm: OH is to early to tell, 20 votes, if it goes to McCain, he has a chance
5:38pm: If FL goes to Obama, doubtful, it would be a shock
5:42pm: Watching Univision, good coverage. 70% of Latinos are for Obama
5:46pm: I project Indiana going to McCain (could've gone to a Democrat for the first time in several elections)
5:53pm: I'd love to be in Chicago tonight
5:55pm: PA closes polls in a few minutes, very important state
6:01pm: NBC, calling PA for Obama
6:04pm: Not looking good for McCain right now (it's not over just yet), 102 Obama, 34 McCain
6:08pm: Obama bowling on election day, no style points!
6:18pm: Waiting for more results
6:20pm: Senate seats, going to Democrats
6:23pm: Nader, 1% so far
6:33pm: waiting some more...
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
Today, I feel proud to be an American from Nicaragua. I feel proud to see our country grow in it's race wars. It's a very proud day for our country.
270 votes needed to win.
5:36pm (MT): Wish national news were on
5:37pm: OH is to early to tell, 20 votes, if it goes to McCain, he has a chance
5:38pm: If FL goes to Obama, doubtful, it would be a shock
5:42pm: Watching Univision, good coverage. 70% of Latinos are for Obama
5:46pm: I project Indiana going to McCain (could've gone to a Democrat for the first time in several elections)
5:53pm: I'd love to be in Chicago tonight
5:55pm: PA closes polls in a few minutes, very important state
6:01pm: NBC, calling PA for Obama
6:04pm: Not looking good for McCain right now (it's not over just yet), 102 Obama, 34 McCain
6:08pm: Obama bowling on election day, no style points!
6:18pm: Waiting for more results
6:20pm: Senate seats, going to Democrats
6:23pm: Nader, 1% so far
6:33pm: waiting some more...
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
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