Welcome back. You belong here.
In counseling one of the things we talk about is "What is true" and opening myself up to God, letting him into my junk. The problem is that each time my life coach says that I ask myself, "which God are you talking about?" The nice, good God I'm supposed to believe in or the mean God who left me when I was a young boy.
To me, there are two Gods, the Good God, and the Real God who left me, disappointed me and did not provide me with the guidance I needed when I was 12 years old. Which God do I turn to? Everyone tells me, "the Good God", "God is Good!". The issue is that the Good God is not always good. In fact, I hardly talk to that God because of the baggage we have.
So who is the Real God? Are they the same? I know God has been good to me, he has shown me grace and mercy. But when it's time to talk to God about the pain and the hurt, I have no memory of it. It's tough to talk to the Real God about tough things. But I'm trying...
Today, I started to talk to the Real God. It was just a few simple words, not a lot of worship, verses or Bible, just me, trying to be unafraid but believing that this is good for me...We'll see.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Con Artist
Welcome back. You belong here.
A guy walked into church today to meet with the pastor on call, me. He told me a tale of racism, how here in Denver people don't see many African Americans and that's why we don't help each other (him). He told me of his wife's illness, and after 40mns he finally said "I need $314" I'm still not sure what he wanted the money for, something about that's how much it would cost him for 3 bus passes to Texas. Wow. The kicker was when he said two guys from this church had helped him a few months ago
I asked for their names, he gave them to me, two leaders in the church. I called them, they both said "Nope, never heard of him". I told the two guys the details this gentleman gave me, "They dropped off chicken, salad and $150 bucks cash", they said "Nope, never heard of him"
At that point I should have said, please leave. Instead he kept pushing, I kept backpedaling, wishing I was buff and 7ft tall, maybe that'd scare him off. Instead he got $50 out of it. I hated the whole process, but that's the best I could do. I know what I should have done, but I'm not the type to say "leave or I'll call the cops".
I feel stupid, robbed, conned even though I knew in the first 5mns this was a scam. I've alerted our team of this guys description and story and told them to never let this guy in the church again.
These kind of things sure put a damper on "helping the poor" don't it. But you have to learn from it and keep going. For every bad apple, there are 10 people with legitimate needs.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
A guy walked into church today to meet with the pastor on call, me. He told me a tale of racism, how here in Denver people don't see many African Americans and that's why we don't help each other (him). He told me of his wife's illness, and after 40mns he finally said "I need $314" I'm still not sure what he wanted the money for, something about that's how much it would cost him for 3 bus passes to Texas. Wow. The kicker was when he said two guys from this church had helped him a few months ago
I asked for their names, he gave them to me, two leaders in the church. I called them, they both said "Nope, never heard of him". I told the two guys the details this gentleman gave me, "They dropped off chicken, salad and $150 bucks cash", they said "Nope, never heard of him"
At that point I should have said, please leave. Instead he kept pushing, I kept backpedaling, wishing I was buff and 7ft tall, maybe that'd scare him off. Instead he got $50 out of it. I hated the whole process, but that's the best I could do. I know what I should have done, but I'm not the type to say "leave or I'll call the cops".
I feel stupid, robbed, conned even though I knew in the first 5mns this was a scam. I've alerted our team of this guys description and story and told them to never let this guy in the church again.
These kind of things sure put a damper on "helping the poor" don't it. But you have to learn from it and keep going. For every bad apple, there are 10 people with legitimate needs.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Monday, February 22, 2010
Focusing Our Schedule
Welcome back. You belong here.
A challenge our family is facing is to focus our schedules around the things we value. Currently, we've got a lot of social justice, volunteering at school and family life things going and something has to go.
Tonight, we went to an immigration/detention center visitation planning meeting. We love taking our children to these events to keep them involved and explain to them why we do what we do, but we got home at 9pm, skipped baths and ate dinner in the car.
While we met, the children had to watch a movie and have one too many sugar cookies. Not a good sustainable set-up for them or us. It takes 30mns to get to the meeting and 30mns to get home. Eventually this group will expect us to do visitation at a detention center 45mns away, field phone calls and emails. We do this together.
Next week I have another immigration meeting downtown with a different group than the first. This group is just getting off the ground, we don't know what the expectations are. Currently only I go, as it's Thursdays at 4pm right as school gets out. Normally these meetings don't work for me as I work Thursday nights.
We have monthly PTO meetings we lead, last week I led a monthly Café de Padres (Parent's Coffee) meeting. We both attended. Tomorrow night we are organizing an event at our school where we volunteer. Wednesday night we have normal stuff (David's basketball practice), Friday and Saturday I'm working a retreat through Saturday night and Sunday is a work day. We all attend the practices and Saturday games.
Monday night, R' and I have our every 2 weeks date night. Yes!
Both R' and I need to cut something, we don't like to do things separately where she stays home while I do an event or vice versa, we value "doing things together". But we are at a place where we need to make some choices and focus on things we have a passion for and can sustain.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
A challenge our family is facing is to focus our schedules around the things we value. Currently, we've got a lot of social justice, volunteering at school and family life things going and something has to go.
Tonight, we went to an immigration/detention center visitation planning meeting. We love taking our children to these events to keep them involved and explain to them why we do what we do, but we got home at 9pm, skipped baths and ate dinner in the car.
While we met, the children had to watch a movie and have one too many sugar cookies. Not a good sustainable set-up for them or us. It takes 30mns to get to the meeting and 30mns to get home. Eventually this group will expect us to do visitation at a detention center 45mns away, field phone calls and emails. We do this together.
Next week I have another immigration meeting downtown with a different group than the first. This group is just getting off the ground, we don't know what the expectations are. Currently only I go, as it's Thursdays at 4pm right as school gets out. Normally these meetings don't work for me as I work Thursday nights.
We have monthly PTO meetings we lead, last week I led a monthly Café de Padres (Parent's Coffee) meeting. We both attended. Tomorrow night we are organizing an event at our school where we volunteer. Wednesday night we have normal stuff (David's basketball practice), Friday and Saturday I'm working a retreat through Saturday night and Sunday is a work day. We all attend the practices and Saturday games.
Monday night, R' and I have our every 2 weeks date night. Yes!
Both R' and I need to cut something, we don't like to do things separately where she stays home while I do an event or vice versa, we value "doing things together". But we are at a place where we need to make some choices and focus on things we have a passion for and can sustain.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
My Passion for Social Justice
Welcome back. You belong here.
When I was a little boy in Nicaragua I remember "los borrachos". These were men from the neighborhood who were drunk outside our door. My dad would come home from work and instead of kicking them out of the way, he'd give them work, paint the fence, clean the yard, talk to them, give them their "dignity".
About 10 years ago, I was thinking of planting a new church in downtown Long Beach among the urban hip and the urban inner city poor. At the doorstep of the church I was looking at was a drunk. I stepped over him, thought of my dad, but kept walking feeling guilty.
Yesterday, together with 50-60 people, I was outside a GEO/ICE Immigration Detention Center praying, chanting, protesting and singing "Y Volver Volver" at the top of my lungs. Just a small step in my pursuit to be like my dad and to be like Jesus, being with the poor.
Social justice runs deep in my family. From my father, to my uncles and aunts, from those who joined the Sandinistas to my Catholic family who help the poor, I've seen faith and justice together my whole life. Dr. King said "Compassion is giving the beat-up man on the road to Jericho a drink, bandaging up his wounds, doing it every time. Justice is asking 'Why do people get beat up on the road to Jericho"
I still have a long way to go, but my heart and now my hands and feet are moving closer to the drunks, immigrants, the poor among us. May God help me to continue to do so and to stand for those who can't speak for themselves (or aren't allowed to), for the poor in spirit whether locked in jail or the single mom in my own block.
My hope is that just as I saw my father and family love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with their God, our children see me doing the same.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Where Have I Seen Good
Welcome back. You belong here.
Over the last two years I've processed and experienced a lot of new things, some tough (no friends, struggled with feeling accepted), some amazing (snow, fireplaces and easy access to many things). In all those things, I've seen God shaping me and changing me, mostly into something positive. Here's a summary:
1. Working with Latinos. An amazing joy has been volunteering at EL Foster Elementary school where our children attend. I've had the privilege to mobilize Latino parents to do various activities and be an activist for this community. At EL Foster I feel supported and loved by the staff and parents. It's been an amazing experience. Leigh, Katherine, Mrs. Webber, Ms. Amanda, Alma and many others have been a dream staff to serve with.
2. Immigration Reform Team. Piper and the American Friends Society have been an amazing place for our whole family. We've been a part of a team trying to do visitation at the Aurora Detention Center. We've done rallies in front of the Capitol in Denver, done vigils, passed out flyers. Meeting Piper and her staff has been a dream come true. Both Rachelle and I feel alive when we're with them and feel we're making a difference in the lives of immigrants and Latinos in CO.
3. Music. A great joy has been working with some amazing people in music. Just tonight, I once again was in awe of the talent and stories of hope these guys bring. Just about every week, I leave the stage happy to have played with great people, do beautiful music and do it for a greater purpose than ourselves, we're doing it for God and His Kingdom.
4. Our Neighbors Abbey. Our neighborhood is sleepy, older people live here, it's sort of a retirement community, some young families but not many, but still we've made some amazing friendships. The latest thing we did was a Thanksgiving Open House where 20 of our neighbors and friends came and ate together. We feel so thankful for the relationships we've established here over these two years.
5. Our Staff. I continue to be in awe of the vision and staff at work. Steve, Jeff and the rest of the guys are a dream come true, a combination of excellence, heart and skill. I get to work with some amazing people every week, every day, yes, some challenges, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. They support me, believe in me and I often feel I'm given opportunities to grow and be myself.
6. Easy Access. Something I love about Denver is how simple and easy it is to go places, get involved, make a difference. For example I'll never forget paying a ticket at the DMV in Denver, the whole thing literally took 10 mns, and that was on a Monday at noon.
7. The Snow. I have learned to really enjoy the snow, in fact, I hope to get more into snowboarding, and just enjoying it in the winters. After all, we have some of the best snow in the world here. All I need is a 4WD and some gear and off we go!
8. Community Service. Both Rachelle and I have have met some "amazing" missional people here in CO. Michelle is her good friend and she does backpacks for Foster children in Jefferson and soon Denver county. Linda does a Clothing Store for the poor, others do work in Mexico, others help the homeless, we've done coat drives at our elementary school. The other day First Annuity Bank called to have me possibly help them get more involved in the community. I hope to start a company called kick.com on collaboration, innovation, communication and community service. I want to start a Neighbors Abbey where we explore faith, do book clubs and get to know our neighbors. There are so many doors God has opened for us in two years I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the dream coming true.
There are so many other things that are small but amazing gifts from God, simple stuff that make us happy. My gym the YMCA is 2 mns from my house and it's so nice, there David also gets to play basketball on nice rims, nice floors for very low costs, he's part of the Jr. Nuggets.
Rachelle works part time at EL Foster a place where she feels accepted and a school we both love. Our house is getting a top of the line roof this week pretty much for free (thank you hail storm!) I have a great life coach just minutes from work, Denver Seminary is not too far, CU Boulder is a great college, affordable and in a really cool town Boulder, CO. Denver is beautiful, nice streets, amazing pubs, sports bars, Coors Field, Invesco Field, Pepsi Center, all within walking distance, the skate park. And even though we are not mountain people, the Rockies are gorgeous and the times we've been we've had a great time.
We have great medical coverage with Kaisser (and their offices are close by), our Volvo has held up nicely and owes us nothing, we have a simple TV, our bed has no bed frame, we hardly have any decorations in our house, we love our fireplace, we live a very simple life. We have a nice backyard with green grass (right now it's dead, winter can be depressing), it is sunny here most days, they dryness sucks but oh well.
Somedays, I go outside at night, like two nights ago, look up at the stars, you can see the Big and Little Dipper just about every time, and I feel like the luckiest man on earth.
Has it been hard at times? Oh yes. Do we miss home? Yes. Do I miss the diversity, culture of Long Beach, CA, the ocean? All the time..But going back every 6 months or so has really helped, mom and dad, my best friends Matt and Rim they're all there in SoCal just miles away from each other, we still own our home in the LBC and it's being used by church planters and missionaries, it makes us feel like we're helping the Kingdom of God become tangible.
Move back? Sure, it'd be easy to give up and just be comfortable again. But I sometimes feel the small and temporary trials we've experienced are getting better. Life is getting easier. And what if all these trials are part of a grand story God is trying to do in us? Not one to make us rich (I'm just glad to have a job), not one to make us fat (well, I am fat but you know what I mean) but to live a life that is worth living. The struggles just make me appreciate all I have even more.
I have everything I need here in CO. Yes I miss my friends, and sometimes I get lonely and depressed, or feel unwanted. But most days, I feel I'm living a dream, I love my wife, we do things together, our children are amazing. God's redemption has been made clear to us in amazing ways.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Over the last two years I've processed and experienced a lot of new things, some tough (no friends, struggled with feeling accepted), some amazing (snow, fireplaces and easy access to many things). In all those things, I've seen God shaping me and changing me, mostly into something positive. Here's a summary:
1. Working with Latinos. An amazing joy has been volunteering at EL Foster Elementary school where our children attend. I've had the privilege to mobilize Latino parents to do various activities and be an activist for this community. At EL Foster I feel supported and loved by the staff and parents. It's been an amazing experience. Leigh, Katherine, Mrs. Webber, Ms. Amanda, Alma and many others have been a dream staff to serve with.
2. Immigration Reform Team. Piper and the American Friends Society have been an amazing place for our whole family. We've been a part of a team trying to do visitation at the Aurora Detention Center. We've done rallies in front of the Capitol in Denver, done vigils, passed out flyers. Meeting Piper and her staff has been a dream come true. Both Rachelle and I feel alive when we're with them and feel we're making a difference in the lives of immigrants and Latinos in CO.
3. Music. A great joy has been working with some amazing people in music. Just tonight, I once again was in awe of the talent and stories of hope these guys bring. Just about every week, I leave the stage happy to have played with great people, do beautiful music and do it for a greater purpose than ourselves, we're doing it for God and His Kingdom.
4. Our Neighbors Abbey. Our neighborhood is sleepy, older people live here, it's sort of a retirement community, some young families but not many, but still we've made some amazing friendships. The latest thing we did was a Thanksgiving Open House where 20 of our neighbors and friends came and ate together. We feel so thankful for the relationships we've established here over these two years.
5. Our Staff. I continue to be in awe of the vision and staff at work. Steve, Jeff and the rest of the guys are a dream come true, a combination of excellence, heart and skill. I get to work with some amazing people every week, every day, yes, some challenges, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. They support me, believe in me and I often feel I'm given opportunities to grow and be myself.
6. Easy Access. Something I love about Denver is how simple and easy it is to go places, get involved, make a difference. For example I'll never forget paying a ticket at the DMV in Denver, the whole thing literally took 10 mns, and that was on a Monday at noon.
7. The Snow. I have learned to really enjoy the snow, in fact, I hope to get more into snowboarding, and just enjoying it in the winters. After all, we have some of the best snow in the world here. All I need is a 4WD and some gear and off we go!
8. Community Service. Both Rachelle and I have have met some "amazing" missional people here in CO. Michelle is her good friend and she does backpacks for Foster children in Jefferson and soon Denver county. Linda does a Clothing Store for the poor, others do work in Mexico, others help the homeless, we've done coat drives at our elementary school. The other day First Annuity Bank called to have me possibly help them get more involved in the community. I hope to start a company called kick.com on collaboration, innovation, communication and community service. I want to start a Neighbors Abbey where we explore faith, do book clubs and get to know our neighbors. There are so many doors God has opened for us in two years I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the dream coming true.
There are so many other things that are small but amazing gifts from God, simple stuff that make us happy. My gym the YMCA is 2 mns from my house and it's so nice, there David also gets to play basketball on nice rims, nice floors for very low costs, he's part of the Jr. Nuggets.
Rachelle works part time at EL Foster a place where she feels accepted and a school we both love. Our house is getting a top of the line roof this week pretty much for free (thank you hail storm!) I have a great life coach just minutes from work, Denver Seminary is not too far, CU Boulder is a great college, affordable and in a really cool town Boulder, CO. Denver is beautiful, nice streets, amazing pubs, sports bars, Coors Field, Invesco Field, Pepsi Center, all within walking distance, the skate park. And even though we are not mountain people, the Rockies are gorgeous and the times we've been we've had a great time.
We have great medical coverage with Kaisser (and their offices are close by), our Volvo has held up nicely and owes us nothing, we have a simple TV, our bed has no bed frame, we hardly have any decorations in our house, we love our fireplace, we live a very simple life. We have a nice backyard with green grass (right now it's dead, winter can be depressing), it is sunny here most days, they dryness sucks but oh well.
Somedays, I go outside at night, like two nights ago, look up at the stars, you can see the Big and Little Dipper just about every time, and I feel like the luckiest man on earth.
Has it been hard at times? Oh yes. Do we miss home? Yes. Do I miss the diversity, culture of Long Beach, CA, the ocean? All the time..But going back every 6 months or so has really helped, mom and dad, my best friends Matt and Rim they're all there in SoCal just miles away from each other, we still own our home in the LBC and it's being used by church planters and missionaries, it makes us feel like we're helping the Kingdom of God become tangible.
Move back? Sure, it'd be easy to give up and just be comfortable again. But I sometimes feel the small and temporary trials we've experienced are getting better. Life is getting easier. And what if all these trials are part of a grand story God is trying to do in us? Not one to make us rich (I'm just glad to have a job), not one to make us fat (well, I am fat but you know what I mean) but to live a life that is worth living. The struggles just make me appreciate all I have even more.
I have everything I need here in CO. Yes I miss my friends, and sometimes I get lonely and depressed, or feel unwanted. But most days, I feel I'm living a dream, I love my wife, we do things together, our children are amazing. God's redemption has been made clear to us in amazing ways.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Monday, January 25, 2010
Our Story is Really Happening
Welcome back. You belong here.
When we moved to CO almost two years ago, we said as a family "Why are we moving to CO? To change the world for Jesus". Big statement right? But the exciting thing is that we're seeing it happen. What do we mean by changing the world for Jesus?
1. Change the world - we came to CO not to live a more comfortable life, in fact it's had it's challenges (like any good story has), but to make a difference in our home, neighborhood, city and the world.
2. For Jesus - we want our faith to be the source of change, to rest in God and be seekers of God, and that this change would speak of our love for God. We hope others see that and consider how to do the same.
I've been reading Don Miller's latest book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" about stories, and how stories are a "character pursuing a dream in spite of challenges and persevering to get there." The book has struck a cord with me, with our move to CO and things we've done as a family to live out a great story.
The other night we had family council, all five of us meet every Sunday afternoon to talk about our lives, our feelings and what's going on with our family. Canela (almost 11) said "I feel creative! I feel energy!" The day before she had spent 2-3 hours with a mentor who taught her how to croche. She's been on fire ever since, it's so her, and it's been great to see. That's a way she is seeing her life be changed.
In Don's book, he talks about a 13 year old girl who started to smoke pot. Her father was concerned, didn't know what to do. So they talked about how his daughter had been with this bad boyfriend, making wrong decisions because she was bored, she was not living out a significant story and how every person is meant to live a great story. So the dad came up with this crazy idea to build an orphanage. The whole family, his wife, including his daughter went about raising $25,000 to help build this orphanage. The daughter got totally into it, dropped the loser boyfriend who had told her she was "too fat", stopped smoking pot and got her act together because she was living out a great story.
Being here in CO has had it's challenges, but every great story has its ups and downs. But the great thing has been that we're trying to live this amazing story of making a difference in the world around us and learn to trust God.
How have we done this? I could go on and on telling you stories from our school, our neighborhood, the children's involvement in Peace Jam, UNICEF and more. But let me just say that what makes my heart content, is that we're seeking a great story.
There's no guarantee our children will never smoke pot or have a boyfriend we disagree with, but my hope is they'll always remember the feeling of living for something greater than themselves. This great story is not over, it continues every day and wherever God has us in 3 years or 3 months, the story remains. The question will be, will we remain focused on living a great story or simply live life.
For more on our great story, go to our family blog here.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
When we moved to CO almost two years ago, we said as a family "Why are we moving to CO? To change the world for Jesus". Big statement right? But the exciting thing is that we're seeing it happen. What do we mean by changing the world for Jesus?
1. Change the world - we came to CO not to live a more comfortable life, in fact it's had it's challenges (like any good story has), but to make a difference in our home, neighborhood, city and the world.
2. For Jesus - we want our faith to be the source of change, to rest in God and be seekers of God, and that this change would speak of our love for God. We hope others see that and consider how to do the same.
I've been reading Don Miller's latest book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" about stories, and how stories are a "character pursuing a dream in spite of challenges and persevering to get there." The book has struck a cord with me, with our move to CO and things we've done as a family to live out a great story.
The other night we had family council, all five of us meet every Sunday afternoon to talk about our lives, our feelings and what's going on with our family. Canela (almost 11) said "I feel creative! I feel energy!" The day before she had spent 2-3 hours with a mentor who taught her how to croche. She's been on fire ever since, it's so her, and it's been great to see. That's a way she is seeing her life be changed.
In Don's book, he talks about a 13 year old girl who started to smoke pot. Her father was concerned, didn't know what to do. So they talked about how his daughter had been with this bad boyfriend, making wrong decisions because she was bored, she was not living out a significant story and how every person is meant to live a great story. So the dad came up with this crazy idea to build an orphanage. The whole family, his wife, including his daughter went about raising $25,000 to help build this orphanage. The daughter got totally into it, dropped the loser boyfriend who had told her she was "too fat", stopped smoking pot and got her act together because she was living out a great story.
Being here in CO has had it's challenges, but every great story has its ups and downs. But the great thing has been that we're trying to live this amazing story of making a difference in the world around us and learn to trust God.
How have we done this? I could go on and on telling you stories from our school, our neighborhood, the children's involvement in Peace Jam, UNICEF and more. But let me just say that what makes my heart content, is that we're seeking a great story.
There's no guarantee our children will never smoke pot or have a boyfriend we disagree with, but my hope is they'll always remember the feeling of living for something greater than themselves. This great story is not over, it continues every day and wherever God has us in 3 years or 3 months, the story remains. The question will be, will we remain focused on living a great story or simply live life.
For more on our great story, go to our family blog here.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Who's That Talking?
Welcome back. You belong here.
Yesterday someone told me "Trig, you can be that guy! I think you are the guy to [do x]" The inner child in me who wants to know I have value, believed it, swallowed it hook and sinker without a second thought. Although I do have a passion for the issue we were talking about I don't think I'm supposed to change my plans.
The problem is that just a few days before, the real me had determined something completely different, but because someone I respect said something positive, I almost changed my mind. So who's talking? Is it the real me or voices inside my head? That often happens when I am led by what others say, not by what I know of myself.
Part of the change I see in me is to stop believing the negative stuff people say as well as the great plans others have for me. I'm learning to be myself and follow what I believe I'm on this earth to do.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Yesterday someone told me "Trig, you can be that guy! I think you are the guy to [do x]" The inner child in me who wants to know I have value, believed it, swallowed it hook and sinker without a second thought. Although I do have a passion for the issue we were talking about I don't think I'm supposed to change my plans.
The problem is that just a few days before, the real me had determined something completely different, but because someone I respect said something positive, I almost changed my mind. So who's talking? Is it the real me or voices inside my head? That often happens when I am led by what others say, not by what I know of myself.
Part of the change I see in me is to stop believing the negative stuff people say as well as the great plans others have for me. I'm learning to be myself and follow what I believe I'm on this earth to do.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Haiti: Be Careful who you give your $ to
Welcome back. You belong here.
The recent tragedy of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in the island of Haiti hits close to home. For more relief work efforts read the Help for Haiti - White House Blog.
Being from Nicaragua, a country that looks very similar to Haiti, and having been raised in Southern California, the pictures are haunting. That could be me, my family, any of us. Leaders and pastors at our church are personally affected by this tragedy as well. We are all in the process of raising awareness and funds for this great need.
And a note of precaution for Andrew's blog: "Be careful who you give your money to..."
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
The recent tragedy of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in the island of Haiti hits close to home. For more relief work efforts read the Help for Haiti - White House Blog.
Being from Nicaragua, a country that looks very similar to Haiti, and having been raised in Southern California, the pictures are haunting. That could be me, my family, any of us. Leaders and pastors at our church are personally affected by this tragedy as well. We are all in the process of raising awareness and funds for this great need.
And a note of precaution for Andrew's blog: "Be careful who you give your money to..."
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Immigration Rally and Vigil
Welcome back. You belong here.
Over the last few months my wife and I have been attending prayer vigils, signed petitions and been a part of a visitation center group advocating for comprehensive immigration reform.
It's been an amazing journey, new to us to some degree, although I've been dealing with immigration issues my whole life. Tonight, we signed a petition to ask our congress representatives and senators in CO to do something about immigration reform.
If you want to sign the petition go here.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Friday, January 08, 2010
My Community of Theology and More
Welcome back. You belong here.
My theology is a process, some day I will post more about that here. Suffice it to say it's been and continues to be quite a ride. But the purpose of this post is the richness of doing theology in community, specifically with my friends/pastors here in CA. I did church with these guys for 5 years, but more than that, we've lived in community with each other.
We've seen each other through struggles in church, our marriages, birth of children (many of them!), moving away, church transitions, loss, grieving, raising teenagers (not yet me) and so much more.
And even though we now live in different parts of the country (well, I do, they're practically neighbors), our community remains. We email, call each other, I travel to see them (hint, hint) a couple times each year and every year we do a monastic spiritual retreat where we talk, process, make decisions, have a lot of fun and spend time with God.
This community, regenerative friendship, sustains my theology, is a safe place for all three of us to dialogue, disagree?, sharpen, refine, challenge, and most of all grow. It's a wonderful thing.
We're all doing church in three different contexts now, three different models, which only brings more meat and bones to our talks. The reason this matters is because I feed off of it. I'm a thinker and my thinking leads my actions. So to have a group where I can talk and process is huge. It often, like this recent trip, leads to different actions in my life.
I'm grateful for my friends, their influence and our commitment to each other.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
On God and Culture
Welcome back. You belong here.
Over the last five years there continues to be a shift among young people towards the pursuit of more traditional church. What I mean by that is that more and more unchurched young people (20's and 30's) seem to want a more black and white style of preaching, church doctrine, and church service.
I saw this again at a young-hip 20-something church in Hollywood, CA called Ecclesia (they even have the cool-so-5-years ago Greek thing going).
The crowd looked more like call backs for the latest Twilight movie than your typical Sunday morning crowd. And even though the pastor was hip, handsome, tattooed, pierced, everything they did, said, talked about would have to be considered traditional, reformed, fundamental. No signs here of emergent, postmodern type stuff. In fact, next week they start on series called "Know and Decide" on truth, knowledge and how you can know things like the existence of God and the reliability of the Bible.
No doubt it was attractive, even for my less linear leanings. I could easily see why so many young people, perhaps lacking truth and black and white in other areas of their lives (that could be a completely wrong assumption), are drawn to this style of church. It's the best of both worlds - hip yet straight and narrow.
There are many churches like this that fit under the Young Reformed church camp, Mark Driscoll being their most famous son. Matt Chandler's church The Village also comes to mind. I have friends that are planting young reformed church communities.
While I don't think this kind of church is for all unchurched younger generations, I do think that our culture is changing once again, and that instead of relevance, hip and cool, young people are in need of guidance.
The challenge I see for all communities, whether emergent or reformed, traditional or open source is the issue of community and relationship. My concern with young reformed churches is the lack of love. My concern with emergent movements is the lack of guidance. I think we need both.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Hace 5 Años (Five Years Ago)
Welcome back. You belong here.
Today marks the 5th anniversary of my abuelita's death (grandmother). I was raised by my abuelita basically since age 6. My abuelita cleaned homes her whole life. She gave me everything she had and died of an unexpected brain anyurism at age 78.
Today, I spent time with my good childhood friend Hugo (Juice). We talked about a lot of things, including abuelita. At one point Juice said to me, "I loved your grandma, she was a great woman". I loved her too and she was a great woman. She taught me everything I know, from sacrifice to endurance and hard work. She taught me the value of suffering and being long-suffering yet she was a woman who laughed. I remember her laugh.
I remember just about everything about that day, her hospital bed, conversations we had and then her burial on Jan. 7th, it was a rainy day, my friend Juice was by my side, so was the rest of my family. But that's not all I remember. I remember her wisdom, her tough love, and huge heart. I remember her advice, her singing, her laughter, her voice on the phone with Tia Alicia or Tia Sonia. I remember her tears, her hair, her knees, her feet, her hands, her beautiful face.
I basically lived with mi abuelita from age 12 to 26 and she then lived with me the last five years of her life. That's about 30 years of being together every day.
I don't remember her favorite perfume, although it'd come back to me if I smelled it, but I remember her favorite shoes, familiar clothes, her church outfit, her pj's. I remember her favorite TV shows (Sabado Gigante) and countless soaps in Spanish. I remember her singing worship songs to Jesus, I remember her Bible, her chair, her doing her bills and talking to my Tio Albino. I remember her voice, everything about her I miss.
Today I remember mi abuelita, mi viejita que se fue muy temprano (died too soon). I honor and respect her, and thank her for all she taught me. I miss you abuelita, there will never be another one like you in my life.
May my life be lived in respect and appreciation for all you did for me and may I live in a manner worthy of your life.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Friday, January 01, 2010
Top 10 Events 2009
Welcome back, you belong here,
My Top 10 Events in 2009:
1. Started working out again (1month ago)
2. Went back to counseling (also 1 month ago)
3. Celebrated 14y of marriage with my wife
4. Near completed year2 (in March) post move to CO
5. Turned 40 (ouch, that one hurt)
6. Dealt with ear infection, dizzyness, MRI for 5weeks (better now)
7. Went snowboarding for 1st x (in CO of course)
8. Joined immigration reform interfaith group, held vigils and peaceful protests outside detention center
9. Mobilized 30 Latino parents to speak against closing of their school
10. Had open house Thanksgiving event at our house, 20 people came
Ok, a few more...
1. Took 10ppl Christmas caroling in Old Town
2. Helped organize help for children at our school - 30 coats, 30 food boxes through Angel Food and 10 families through Shining Star
3. Saw six co workers lose their jobs
4. Went to monastary in Big Sur, CA with friends for spiritual retreat
5. Worked to resolve issues with co worker
6. Talked about my job with executive team
It was a great year, tough at xs, but good nonetheless. Gods grace surrounded me.
Into the future,
davidT
My Top 10 Events in 2009:
1. Started working out again (1month ago)
2. Went back to counseling (also 1 month ago)
3. Celebrated 14y of marriage with my wife
4. Near completed year2 (in March) post move to CO
5. Turned 40 (ouch, that one hurt)
6. Dealt with ear infection, dizzyness, MRI for 5weeks (better now)
7. Went snowboarding for 1st x (in CO of course)
8. Joined immigration reform interfaith group, held vigils and peaceful protests outside detention center
9. Mobilized 30 Latino parents to speak against closing of their school
10. Had open house Thanksgiving event at our house, 20 people came
Ok, a few more...
1. Took 10ppl Christmas caroling in Old Town
2. Helped organize help for children at our school - 30 coats, 30 food boxes through Angel Food and 10 families through Shining Star
3. Saw six co workers lose their jobs
4. Went to monastary in Big Sur, CA with friends for spiritual retreat
5. Worked to resolve issues with co worker
6. Talked about my job with executive team
It was a great year, tough at xs, but good nonetheless. Gods grace surrounded me.
Into the future,
davidT
Saturday, December 26, 2009
You Are Them
Welcome back. You belong here.
An email I wrote to my two best friends:
"Dear friends,
Earlier today I was reading a couple of emails from my father in law's good friend John. John and Dennis have been friends for 50+ years of friendship, ministry, life, marriage, etc. John is a pastor, author and more recently the director of www.notalone.org
Today's email was written by John to Dennis (dad), and it was about Christmas Day golf. John wrote of how every year on Christmas Day he golfs 9 holes while his wife is home making dinner. They live in Scottsdale, AZ, dad of course lives here in Cypress. The email was funny, witty, with a familiarity and comfort that only comes from years and years of genuine friendship.
Earlier, John wrote another email, inviting dad to some November golfing/resort/hang-out/with friends, wives and families. They're planning ahead.
As I read the emails, I wondered who are my friends? Who will be the friends I will write emails to in my 60's regarding golf on Christmas and November hang-outs in 2010. It didn't take me long to realize you are them.
What we've experienced as we hit our 40's (yeah you're still in his 30's but he'll catch up), is priceless. We have experienced ministry up's and down's, marriage, crisis, moving, I went to CO, you to Francis Valley and back, and you, well, you're just better than us, you're still there.
It's a little different keeping up with our friendships now, things have changed, but our love remains the same. Our admiration of each other, how we refine each other, how we've been there for one another doesn't seem to change and I doubt it ever will.
We may never "do ministry" together again, but I think we're moving onto something better, what some call doing life together. I don't really know what that looks like and I don't even like the phrase, but one thing I know is that whatever life we each have remaining on this blue planet, I want to spend it with you guys."
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
An email I wrote to my two best friends:
"Dear friends,
Earlier today I was reading a couple of emails from my father in law's good friend John. John and Dennis have been friends for 50+ years of friendship, ministry, life, marriage, etc. John is a pastor, author and more recently the director of www.notalone.org
Today's email was written by John to Dennis (dad), and it was about Christmas Day golf. John wrote of how every year on Christmas Day he golfs 9 holes while his wife is home making dinner. They live in Scottsdale, AZ, dad of course lives here in Cypress. The email was funny, witty, with a familiarity and comfort that only comes from years and years of genuine friendship.
Earlier, John wrote another email, inviting dad to some November golfing/resort/hang-out/with friends, wives and families. They're planning ahead.
As I read the emails, I wondered who are my friends? Who will be the friends I will write emails to in my 60's regarding golf on Christmas and November hang-outs in 2010. It didn't take me long to realize you are them.
What we've experienced as we hit our 40's (yeah you're still in his 30's but he'll catch up), is priceless. We have experienced ministry up's and down's, marriage, crisis, moving, I went to CO, you to Francis Valley and back, and you, well, you're just better than us, you're still there.
It's a little different keeping up with our friendships now, things have changed, but our love remains the same. Our admiration of each other, how we refine each other, how we've been there for one another doesn't seem to change and I doubt it ever will.
We may never "do ministry" together again, but I think we're moving onto something better, what some call doing life together. I don't really know what that looks like and I don't even like the phrase, but one thing I know is that whatever life we each have remaining on this blue planet, I want to spend it with you guys."
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
Monday, November 16, 2009
What will Happen
Welcome Back. You belong here,
What will happen
If we open our hearts
If we think of another
And give ourselves away
Into the future,
davidT
What will happen
If we open our hearts
If we think of another
And give ourselves away
Into the future,
davidT
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