Random Thoughts . . .
In the midst of a chaotic and "historic" election, millions without power or homes in Houston from Ike and the worst financial crises in decades do you ever wonder - WHO IS IN CHARGE?
Its obvious that we are NOT. I am glad God is still in control.
I have not blogged since May, sorry friends. . .or maybe you are not complaining. Another late night not being able to sleep. Micah kept me up until 12:30 am . . . my mind has not been able to stop. I'm glad God is still working.
I have been humbled recently. As I was confronted by some of my mistakes and omissions, I realize how I hurt others more now than in the past. The more responsibility, the more people that you lead the more you disappoint, hurt and offend. I'm glad God forgives me and heals others that I have hurt.
I can't imagine what these politicians go through when they run for office. There is so much hate for the other candidates from the media and general population. How do they handle it?
In times of chaos, grumbling, strife and division, keep loving others.
Lord, regardless of my mistakes, keep me humble and let me always love, even my enemies.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another". - Jesus
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
STAND AND DELIVER . . . A Day in an Urban High School
"I don't smoke pot everyday anymore" .. . These were the words from a High School sophomore. I visited an DISD High School yesterday to speak to two classes of sophomores to motivate them to stay in school and make good choices. This student was moved by my story of my own use of drugs as a teenager. He and I connected and I hope somehow I made a difference in his life. I have been approved to be a volunteer in this High School and I intend to get involved because they really need help.
I was appalled at the condition of the school and the programs. DISD now only graduates 40% of its Hispanic freshman. This school I visited is overwhelmingly Hispanic, its also popular in news reports of the teen killer drug, "Cheese". . . a slang name for heroine. The students were friendly and many of them smiled at me but the emptiness and depressive state of the school was deafening. TAKS scores were out that day and the tension was high. This school has been on probation before and it looks like it might return to that status. As many as 50 seniors of 250 could end up failing the TAKS. For these seniors that are about to graduate it means failure. They won't get their diploma and for most they will give up. I went to meet the principal but he was not there, I hear he is rarely at the school . . . MIA. The counselors are not much better. Its a few teachers that are holding down the fort for the sake of the students. . . Who will stand?
Compare this 40 % statistics to the 90%+ of Plano High Schools. Why such a huge disparity? Obviously such issues are very complicated but the fact remains that we are allowing this to occur. It broke my heart to know that these students are destined to very limited lives. Worse is that they don't even have access to the gospel. Over 90% of immigrants from Latin America do not have a clear understanding of saving faith. Their kids are much worse. So who will go to these schools and be a light and salt. Who will divest themselves of their resources to help these students? Who will share the loving message of Jesus? Who will Deliver?
All it takes is ONE! There is one Christian young lady that is now an English teacher at this High School. I watched her firmly instruct her students and she would not let them push her around but at the same time every word, look and action was filled with encouragement and love. I was blown away how she could be so firm and so patient. The students can't leave her class without feeling like someone believes in them. This teacher is not Hispanic and is not from the neighborhood. She is a Plano High School graduate and could have found a teaching job in the comfort of the suburbs. Instead, she intentionally chose to work at DISD with the hope of landing in a school like this. I applaud this missionary and pray for more.
What can we do?
1. Pray
2. Speak out against these kind of injustices to our ruling officials, school officials. Racism is real in Dallas, speak against it.
3. Adopt a student or school and volunteer, its easy to get involved
4. Get your church to adopt a local school.
5. Leave your job and join the ranks of the front lines of missions
Great Quote from Stand and Deliver
"There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of those two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do"
I was appalled at the condition of the school and the programs. DISD now only graduates 40% of its Hispanic freshman. This school I visited is overwhelmingly Hispanic, its also popular in news reports of the teen killer drug, "Cheese". . . a slang name for heroine. The students were friendly and many of them smiled at me but the emptiness and depressive state of the school was deafening. TAKS scores were out that day and the tension was high. This school has been on probation before and it looks like it might return to that status. As many as 50 seniors of 250 could end up failing the TAKS. For these seniors that are about to graduate it means failure. They won't get their diploma and for most they will give up. I went to meet the principal but he was not there, I hear he is rarely at the school . . . MIA. The counselors are not much better. Its a few teachers that are holding down the fort for the sake of the students. . . Who will stand?
Compare this 40 % statistics to the 90%+ of Plano High Schools. Why such a huge disparity? Obviously such issues are very complicated but the fact remains that we are allowing this to occur. It broke my heart to know that these students are destined to very limited lives. Worse is that they don't even have access to the gospel. Over 90% of immigrants from Latin America do not have a clear understanding of saving faith. Their kids are much worse. So who will go to these schools and be a light and salt. Who will divest themselves of their resources to help these students? Who will share the loving message of Jesus? Who will Deliver?
All it takes is ONE! There is one Christian young lady that is now an English teacher at this High School. I watched her firmly instruct her students and she would not let them push her around but at the same time every word, look and action was filled with encouragement and love. I was blown away how she could be so firm and so patient. The students can't leave her class without feeling like someone believes in them. This teacher is not Hispanic and is not from the neighborhood. She is a Plano High School graduate and could have found a teaching job in the comfort of the suburbs. Instead, she intentionally chose to work at DISD with the hope of landing in a school like this. I applaud this missionary and pray for more.
What can we do?
1. Pray
2. Speak out against these kind of injustices to our ruling officials, school officials. Racism is real in Dallas, speak against it.
3. Adopt a student or school and volunteer, its easy to get involved
4. Get your church to adopt a local school.
5. Leave your job and join the ranks of the front lines of missions
Great Quote from Stand and Deliver
"There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of those two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do"
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
I have a SON
I always wanted a second child but it seemed to me like time had ran out an God had just not wanted me to have one. After seeking several avenues we wondered why God had not open up doors for us to have another child. We had spoken to adoption agencies and three different young ladies that were considering giving their baby to us for adoption. Doors closed again and again. I had honestly prayed to God many times, not the normal prayer like "God give me child" but more on the "what are you doing God?" kind of prayer. Don't get me wrong, I was not in dispair but I was losing hope.
"Search me God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts" - David
Then the phone call came on a Sunday afternoon from a good friend, he said, "our teen daughter that is 8 months pregnant has prayed alot and has decided that she wants you and Jen to adopt her baby". Whoa! What the . . .Why . . . when . . you name it, all the questions rushed in my mind as my heart began to pump at a incredibly fast pace, kind of like when I get up to get the remote from the TV. I could not believe this. . .is this is? Is this His plan? 8 Months pregnant? No way! That means we only have one month to prepare all the legal and medical stuff plus then our home, baby room, etc. . . "Lord I call to you; come quickly to me, Hear my voice when I call you" - David
After days of prayer and seeking counsel from family and friends, we agreed that it was the Lord's will. Oh crap! (in our household crap is not a foul word but feel free to judge me, I don't care)The next six weeks are a blur . . . I have not been so stressed to get so much done in a very long time. Within three weeks we completed our home study for adoption and had the basics to receive a baby. We began to get excited but it was tempered by so many stresses of getting ready. I have to admit that I need to figure out how to be excited in the midst of great stress. . . not there yet. "Count it pure joy when you face many trials" - James
One more thing . . . the baby is a BOY! We never planned for a son though I always wanted one. We were thinking of two girls orginially so all our stuff is pink. Who cares . . .a SON! I have to admit that I was thrilled to imagine another male in our family. I think of camping, fishing, sports, basketball, baseball, karate, hunting, guy stuff and more guy stuff. Not that I won't do many of those things with Bailey, I plan on it. But there is a special thing about doing them with your son. "God gave His only begotten SON"! - John
On the day the baby was due we got the call, about 1 am. The doctors said the baby would probably come late but not our son. He came on the day appointed and he shall be called, "Micah Gabriel Benavides". For almost a month we looked at over 500 boy names and could not agree until the name, "Micah" came on our lips. Bailey picked it out of our top three names. Micah means, "Who is like our God". Of course Micah is was an awesome prophet who penned these words, "What does God require of you oh man? But to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Micah was born on April 23, 2008 weighing 6 lbs 10 oz. He is beautiful! Kimmie the birth mom and Logan the birth dad were amazing. They were so united and so loving to us. Our families bonded and we knew that this was a "God" thing. I don't want to decieve by ignoring the facts that adoption is not easy, especially for the birth parents. There is much grief, doubt and pain. But there is also great peace and joy knowing that you are in His will and doing the best for this child. May the Lord always bless Kimmie and Logan for their sacrifice and obedience. We will always be thankful for the gift that God gave us through them.
Today is Micah's three week B-day . . . Thank God for His wisdom. What are you anxious about? Not married? Don't have kids? Don't have the right job yet? Whatever it is remember our story and this:
"Don't be anxious about anything but instead take it up to God in prayer" - Paul
"Search me God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts" - David
Then the phone call came on a Sunday afternoon from a good friend, he said, "our teen daughter that is 8 months pregnant has prayed alot and has decided that she wants you and Jen to adopt her baby". Whoa! What the . . .Why . . . when . . you name it, all the questions rushed in my mind as my heart began to pump at a incredibly fast pace, kind of like when I get up to get the remote from the TV. I could not believe this. . .is this is? Is this His plan? 8 Months pregnant? No way! That means we only have one month to prepare all the legal and medical stuff plus then our home, baby room, etc. . . "Lord I call to you; come quickly to me, Hear my voice when I call you" - David
After days of prayer and seeking counsel from family and friends, we agreed that it was the Lord's will. Oh crap! (in our household crap is not a foul word but feel free to judge me, I don't care)The next six weeks are a blur . . . I have not been so stressed to get so much done in a very long time. Within three weeks we completed our home study for adoption and had the basics to receive a baby. We began to get excited but it was tempered by so many stresses of getting ready. I have to admit that I need to figure out how to be excited in the midst of great stress. . . not there yet. "Count it pure joy when you face many trials" - James
One more thing . . . the baby is a BOY! We never planned for a son though I always wanted one. We were thinking of two girls orginially so all our stuff is pink. Who cares . . .a SON! I have to admit that I was thrilled to imagine another male in our family. I think of camping, fishing, sports, basketball, baseball, karate, hunting, guy stuff and more guy stuff. Not that I won't do many of those things with Bailey, I plan on it. But there is a special thing about doing them with your son. "God gave His only begotten SON"! - John
On the day the baby was due we got the call, about 1 am. The doctors said the baby would probably come late but not our son. He came on the day appointed and he shall be called, "Micah Gabriel Benavides". For almost a month we looked at over 500 boy names and could not agree until the name, "Micah" came on our lips. Bailey picked it out of our top three names. Micah means, "Who is like our God". Of course Micah is was an awesome prophet who penned these words, "What does God require of you oh man? But to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Micah was born on April 23, 2008 weighing 6 lbs 10 oz. He is beautiful! Kimmie the birth mom and Logan the birth dad were amazing. They were so united and so loving to us. Our families bonded and we knew that this was a "God" thing. I don't want to decieve by ignoring the facts that adoption is not easy, especially for the birth parents. There is much grief, doubt and pain. But there is also great peace and joy knowing that you are in His will and doing the best for this child. May the Lord always bless Kimmie and Logan for their sacrifice and obedience. We will always be thankful for the gift that God gave us through them.
Today is Micah's three week B-day . . . Thank God for His wisdom. What are you anxious about? Not married? Don't have kids? Don't have the right job yet? Whatever it is remember our story and this:
"Don't be anxious about anything but instead take it up to God in prayer" - Paul
Monday, March 24, 2008
Horrible Massacre, Drug Abuse and now a Lutheran
(name and country have been changed to protect anonymity)
Last week, I got the call from Carlos. He wanted to be confirmed at our LINC church so we began a discussion on theology, salvation and forgiveness. He had obviously done well in his adult confirmation classes but I did not know him well.
I was stunned as he shared his past of a horrible massacre, long struggle with drug abuse and divorce. He is a relatively young man, in his thirties.
First he shared that when he was a young, he joined the military in his home country of Nicaragua. In his stint as a soldier he participated in what he described as a "massacre of women and children". Though he did not want to be part of it, his guilt would not leave him after 15 years of torturing memories.
It was then that he began the binge drinking that took control of him for the last 13 years. He combined alcohol with other drugs and soon found himself alienating himself from anything that was good but especially his family. Now married and with kids his wild living was a huge reason for his wife leaving him. He even got into a fist fight with his brother-in-law during this time.
He was at the end of his rope early in 2007 when he read in the newspaper about a group that helped alcoholics. He called the number and our LINC staff picked him up within an hour. He soon was plugged into a 12 step program. It was then that he realized that he needed God in his life.
He has not touched alcohol or drugs since that day. Carlos trusted in Christ and has been in discipleship classes since. He hopes to continue his growth and then hopes that maybe he could go to Seminary and become a pastor.
Carlos was a murderer and drug addict. Carlos is now a believer, a confirmed Lutheran and a witness of God's grace. God saves and changes people!
Pray for Carlos that he
1. Keeps growing in his faith
2. That he can be reconciled with his family and children
3. That he can get his GED completed
4. That he gets properly "documented"
Read this from Titus 3
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Last week, I got the call from Carlos. He wanted to be confirmed at our LINC church so we began a discussion on theology, salvation and forgiveness. He had obviously done well in his adult confirmation classes but I did not know him well.
I was stunned as he shared his past of a horrible massacre, long struggle with drug abuse and divorce. He is a relatively young man, in his thirties.
First he shared that when he was a young, he joined the military in his home country of Nicaragua. In his stint as a soldier he participated in what he described as a "massacre of women and children". Though he did not want to be part of it, his guilt would not leave him after 15 years of torturing memories.
It was then that he began the binge drinking that took control of him for the last 13 years. He combined alcohol with other drugs and soon found himself alienating himself from anything that was good but especially his family. Now married and with kids his wild living was a huge reason for his wife leaving him. He even got into a fist fight with his brother-in-law during this time.
He was at the end of his rope early in 2007 when he read in the newspaper about a group that helped alcoholics. He called the number and our LINC staff picked him up within an hour. He soon was plugged into a 12 step program. It was then that he realized that he needed God in his life.
He has not touched alcohol or drugs since that day. Carlos trusted in Christ and has been in discipleship classes since. He hopes to continue his growth and then hopes that maybe he could go to Seminary and become a pastor.
Carlos was a murderer and drug addict. Carlos is now a believer, a confirmed Lutheran and a witness of God's grace. God saves and changes people!
Pray for Carlos that he
1. Keeps growing in his faith
2. That he can be reconciled with his family and children
3. That he can get his GED completed
4. That he gets properly "documented"
Read this from Titus 3
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Staggering Demographic Change in DFW
When I moved to Dallas /Ft. Worth in 1990, I noticed the cultural diversity was different here than where I came from in San Antonio. The Hispanic population was much smaller in North Texas. For three years I knocked on doors in the Hispanic areas of West Dallas sharing Jesus with all that would open a door. The largest ethnic groups were Anglo and African American. How things are changing.
Here are the demographics (Excuse the spacing, this program doesn't do it right)
.................................2000 ........ 2007........ 2012
South Dallas ...........43% ..........52% ..........59%
West Dallas .............75% .........84% ..........90%
Downtown ...............50% ........54% ..........61%
East Dallas-Mesquite 24% .....33%......... 41%
North Dallas ...............25% ......33% ........40%
Ft. Worth Northside 43% .......52% .........59%
What does this say? It says many things but this is what I'm thinking.
1. Dallas and Ft. Worth proper are now largely Hispanic areas. In five years it will increase dramatically. Anglos and African Americans are moving to the Suburban areas but so are Hispanics.
2. Our (LCMS) churches' ministry to Hispanics number about 300 worshippers on a good day out of over 1 million Hispanics. We must plant new work now!
3. Our churches and LINC NT must partner together to reach this huge segment of our population that we are not reaching.
This is NOT the time to ponder . . . its time to act. Its time to invest our resources in reaching these millions with the gospel. Join LINC NT right now, partner with us to move forward to plant 60 new faith communities in North Texas.
For the lost sheep,
Pastor Oscar
Here are the demographics (Excuse the spacing, this program doesn't do it right)
.................................2000 ........ 2007........ 2012
South Dallas ...........43% ..........52% ..........59%
West Dallas .............75% .........84% ..........90%
Downtown ...............50% ........54% ..........61%
East Dallas-Mesquite 24% .....33%......... 41%
North Dallas ...............25% ......33% ........40%
Ft. Worth Northside 43% .......52% .........59%
What does this say? It says many things but this is what I'm thinking.
1. Dallas and Ft. Worth proper are now largely Hispanic areas. In five years it will increase dramatically. Anglos and African Americans are moving to the Suburban areas but so are Hispanics.
2. Our (LCMS) churches' ministry to Hispanics number about 300 worshippers on a good day out of over 1 million Hispanics. We must plant new work now!
3. Our churches and LINC NT must partner together to reach this huge segment of our population that we are not reaching.
This is NOT the time to ponder . . . its time to act. Its time to invest our resources in reaching these millions with the gospel. Join LINC NT right now, partner with us to move forward to plant 60 new faith communities in North Texas.
For the lost sheep,
Pastor Oscar
Monday, February 25, 2008
No Pain - No Gain
This is my first blog. Wow. It feels like . . . like word.
This will be my new way of communicating with many of you friends. Thanks for reading my blogs. I will attempt to make them actually have some value . . . otherwise, I will shut my fingers.
Workout. Got my membership at LA Fitness. Its an intimidating thing to go to the gym. I signed up for the free "personal trainer" session. What I didn't know was that it would cost me more than I thought. First it wasn't about improving my physical fitness only, it was about selling me their personal trainer package. Somehow I was left with the impression that I can't do it on my own. Maybe that is not far from the truth based on my history of many false starts. The reality is that they want to charge me $60 per session. Wow. That is what some professional counselors charge. This 26 year old fitness student wants to charge me $60 an hour to "motivate" and "instruct me" on how to kill my body. I would really like to have a trainer but not at that rate. She worked me out hard. I felt like such a wimp. . . almost cried like a girl during the workout. What was embarassing was that some of the weights had like 15 lbs on them. I bet she went home and laughed with her husband about me.
I barely made it home, my arms were too worn out to even steer. I'm not kidding. Little did I now that the worst would not come for a couple more days. By Sunday, my arms were incredible soar that it was even painful to lift my arms up to my mouth when eating a hamburger. After 10 tylenols, gobs of tiger balm and a great massage by Jen, I still feel like crap. Why did I do this?
They say, "No pain, No gain". This has been very painful. Discipline is required.
What about my spiritual walk? There is also a degree of discipline that is required to walk close to God. Not just going to church or skipping out on the big sins. It takes conscious effort to make time for God in our lives. I'm not talking about fleshly attempts at reaching God. I'm talking about the spiritual disciplines. I have also fallen short and had plenty of disappointing false starts. Maybe this time, it will stick. Never give up!
This will be my new way of communicating with many of you friends. Thanks for reading my blogs. I will attempt to make them actually have some value . . . otherwise, I will shut my fingers.
Workout. Got my membership at LA Fitness. Its an intimidating thing to go to the gym. I signed up for the free "personal trainer" session. What I didn't know was that it would cost me more than I thought. First it wasn't about improving my physical fitness only, it was about selling me their personal trainer package. Somehow I was left with the impression that I can't do it on my own. Maybe that is not far from the truth based on my history of many false starts. The reality is that they want to charge me $60 per session. Wow. That is what some professional counselors charge. This 26 year old fitness student wants to charge me $60 an hour to "motivate" and "instruct me" on how to kill my body. I would really like to have a trainer but not at that rate. She worked me out hard. I felt like such a wimp. . . almost cried like a girl during the workout. What was embarassing was that some of the weights had like 15 lbs on them. I bet she went home and laughed with her husband about me.
I barely made it home, my arms were too worn out to even steer. I'm not kidding. Little did I now that the worst would not come for a couple more days. By Sunday, my arms were incredible soar that it was even painful to lift my arms up to my mouth when eating a hamburger. After 10 tylenols, gobs of tiger balm and a great massage by Jen, I still feel like crap. Why did I do this?
They say, "No pain, No gain". This has been very painful. Discipline is required.
What about my spiritual walk? There is also a degree of discipline that is required to walk close to God. Not just going to church or skipping out on the big sins. It takes conscious effort to make time for God in our lives. I'm not talking about fleshly attempts at reaching God. I'm talking about the spiritual disciplines. I have also fallen short and had plenty of disappointing false starts. Maybe this time, it will stick. Never give up!
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