I woke up this morning and did my routine, the strong coffee and sat to read the bible. Of course Bailey woke up as soon as the coffee was made and said, "Daddy, can you carry me downstairs?". I held held out my arms and she jumped forward into my arms and held me so strongly, put her whole weight. I loved it, her full trust and embrace.
I wish I treated my heavenly father like that. That kind of embrace and trust. I was reading Hebrews 11 and was very convicted. I battle coveting way too much. I am embarrassed to say that I sometimes want more and better, bigger and newer. I won't go into too many details here but I know that I sin constantly and I am not happy about how easily I forget. I forget what is really important, I forget that materials won't satisfy, I forget that the power money gives is deceitfully dangerous, I forget that I have way too much already, I forget how many others don't have even the basics. Coveting is really a lack of trust in God. Coveting is a rejecting of His provision.
It says, vs 6 "Without faith its impossible to please God, because anyone who who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him". I do want to be rewarded but unfortunately I struggle with faith. I struggle with believing.
Then I read this passage that blew me away, "By faith Abraham lived in tents . . for he was looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God". WOW. Abraham lived in tents on earth so that he could live in God's eternal mansion.
I certainly don't live in a tent, in fact I have been given an amazing beautiful and spacious home. I have no reason to covet bigger homes (in Dallas, there are so many). The truth is that if I let North Dallas determine my standard of equity or justice, I will be deceived in thinking I have less than _____. The truth is that I have more than 95% of the world. Stop coveting! Stop rejecting the good things God has given you! Be content! You have been blessed so much.
So jump, embrace your Father and thank Him!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Racism and Police in Dallas
Did you see this article in the Dallas News?
09:11 AM CDT on Saturday, October 24, 2009
Dallas police wrongly ticketed at least 39 drivers for not speaking English over the last three years, Police Chief David Kunkle announced Friday while promising to investigate all officers involved in the cases for dereliction of duty.
Pending cases will be dismissed, and those who paid the $204 fine for the charge, which does not exist in the city, will be reimbursed, Kunkle said.
The sad part is that there are many in our city that would support this kind of discrimination. I have never been too involved in accusations and issues on race. Part of the reason it is that I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley where Hispanics comprise more than 85% of the population. When I moved to San Antonio, there was more diversity but Hispanics still comprised a large part of the population and always have. Since before the Alamo, San Antonio has had a large Hispanic presence there. Then I moved to Dallas in 1990.
Dallas has a history of racial division and Hispanics have stayed out of the White vs. Black struggle. But our city has seen a huge immigration of Hispanics to North Texas. An area that was vastly populated mostly by Anglos with a large minority of Blacks has changed drastically since the 90s. The demographics experts say there are now over 1.3 million Hispanics in North Texas. DISD is now over 60% Hispanic. The fast growth is making some people nervous.
I usually side with those that believe that racism is exaggerated and used by special interest groups to gain power in our culture. Part of my problem has been that I am an optimist and try to think the best of people unless they prove me otherwise. I'm Hispanic but I have lighter skin, am 6 foot 2 and only have a slight accent, not the typical immigrant look.
But my eyes are opening to an ugly reality that racism does not just strongly exists here in Dallas, it exists in our churches as well. I have made alot of new friends in the past year that are either black or Hispanic. For some of them, their experience has been very different than mine. Some of my black friends have continually been under served at restaurants, ignored or looked at strangely. (I know some of you are going to say, "They are just too sensitive". Maybe some are but as I get to hear more and more stories, the picture become clearer).
The issue at hand for me is the treatment of undocumented workers. Somehow their "Illegal" status justifies the treatment they receive. I have had family members that are undocumented and have been deported. I myself had to go through citizenship court and become an American Citizen. I am very proud of my America. I am proud of the fact that millions come to find opportunity and a new life. If it wasn't for America, would I have ever heard about the saving Jesus? Would I have found my wonderful "white" wife? Adopted "white" children?
I will be writing on this subject. I will be stating my beliefs on what the Bible says on treatment of foreigners. I will also debunk some myths. Human life is sacred, a gift from God. We treat all people with dignity, compassion and respect.
Here are some myths:
Myth: Immigrants don’t pay taxes.
Fact: All immigrants pay taxes. Even undocumented immigrants pay sales taxes and real estate taxes
(either directly as homeowners or indirectly through rent). The Social Security Administration
estimates that three-quarters of undocumented immigrants contribute payroll taxes, including
$6–7 billion in Social Security taxes that will never benefit them.
Myth: Immigrants are a drain on the economy.
Fact: Approximately 26 million immigrants currently residing in the United States arrived after the age of 18 and are in prime working age. They represent roughly $2.8 trillion to U.S. taxpayers, who receive the benefit of their labor without the cost of their education.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Prayer at 5 AM - You are kidding me.
Some of my favorite passages from the bible are the accounts of Jesus praying all night or before dawn. It tells us that it was his custom to do this. I love to preach about this to motivate Christians to pray . . . but honestly, its not something I do. Yes, I am a pastor. Yes, I believe in prayer and I do pray every day. Nevertheless its not my custom to get up before the crack of dawn to seek my heavenly father. Is it yours?
My limited study on revivals and biographies of great people of God reveal a similar thread. There was an amazing movement of prayer that precedes great movements of God.
In just 7 hrs (5 AM Central) the LINC staff will be meeting at New Hope and will be praying for God to move mightily in East Dallas. Our friend Ramiro is helping us launch a new mission. He is from Columbia. Early morning prayers have been the foundation for the revivals in South America like it is in Korea. Our staff is excited and honestly struggling with the thought of this Jesus type of action. I am too . . . thanks Ramiro.
At Home Depot I saw my Muslim neighbor from Pakistan, he is an amazing friend. We were standing in the garden area talking when suddenly he said to his wife, "we must go, its prayer time, the sun is about to set." I was shocked and asked him about it. He said, "we pray five times a day . . .it helps keep us from doing bad things'. His wife followed him and they went home in haste without a purchase. WOW.
May we Christians be as serious about prayer as my Muslim friend. May we be so in love with our Father, that prayer becomes more important than what we eat.
"Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of the father". "Pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
My limited study on revivals and biographies of great people of God reveal a similar thread. There was an amazing movement of prayer that precedes great movements of God.
In just 7 hrs (5 AM Central) the LINC staff will be meeting at New Hope and will be praying for God to move mightily in East Dallas. Our friend Ramiro is helping us launch a new mission. He is from Columbia. Early morning prayers have been the foundation for the revivals in South America like it is in Korea. Our staff is excited and honestly struggling with the thought of this Jesus type of action. I am too . . . thanks Ramiro.
At Home Depot I saw my Muslim neighbor from Pakistan, he is an amazing friend. We were standing in the garden area talking when suddenly he said to his wife, "we must go, its prayer time, the sun is about to set." I was shocked and asked him about it. He said, "we pray five times a day . . .it helps keep us from doing bad things'. His wife followed him and they went home in haste without a purchase. WOW.
May we Christians be as serious about prayer as my Muslim friend. May we be so in love with our Father, that prayer becomes more important than what we eat.
"Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of the father". "Pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
Monday, June 8, 2009
Do churches kill community?
Just read a great article by John McNight called, "Why Servanthood is Bad" (originally published in The Other Side magazine in 1989).
His main premise is that many churches and many service organizations actually hurt community when they focus on people's deficiencies and insist on bringing in service systems rather than community and capacity. These organizations employ "professionals" to come into a community and solve problems. He says that what this actually does is it weakens neighborhood organizations. He calls them "community busters".
As pastors and leaders we must reject systems that ignore, devalue or marginalize the human assets of a community. True community transformation happens from the inside out not the other way around. McNight states that we must therefore "never do for others what they can do for themselves".
After being burned in Kenya, Peru, East Dallas, West Dallas and other places . . . some of these lessons that McNight espouses are sounding more and more true. Its a shame that in our exuberance and passion we could actually hurt communities. What if we had done a more careful study of how to transform communites instead of just pushing our evangelistic agenda? What if we had actually asked the people what they needed and how the problems could be solved? What if we had recruited them in the process of finding and implementing a solution. We would have had more local ownership, more long-term results and solutions.
Despite our youthful impetousness, God still worked in us and through us. Even when we make frail or powerful attempts the wrong way, the wrong time and the wrong places . . . .the Spirit moves. That doesn't excuse our ignorant ways but it does comfort us . . . it does bring peace to a heavy heart.
A friend told me once that we learn much more from our failures than from our successes. So true. I have failed time and time again . . . may I listen and be ready to change!
So leaders, pastors and missionaries . . . lets be a little more strategic in our campaigns . . .let be a little more humble and ready to listen rather than talk.
Lord, forgive us when we think we know more than others. . . Lord forgive us when we think we have the answer . . . Lord forgive us when we refuse to collaborate and rather go solo than work in community . . . Lord forgive us when we give too much credit to the experts, to our strategies and to the extravant. Forgive us when we judge the rich and the poor alike. . . when we sneer at ignorant and hypocrites. Forgive us when we laugh at traditionalist and trendy too.
As John Baillie wrote, "Let me never think eternal Father that I am here to stay. Let me still remember that I am a stranger and pilgrim on the earth. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. . . Do not let the happiness of this day become a snare to my too-worldy heart. . . .making peace more peaceful and joy more joyful and faith and hope more secure. AMEN.
His main premise is that many churches and many service organizations actually hurt community when they focus on people's deficiencies and insist on bringing in service systems rather than community and capacity. These organizations employ "professionals" to come into a community and solve problems. He says that what this actually does is it weakens neighborhood organizations. He calls them "community busters".
As pastors and leaders we must reject systems that ignore, devalue or marginalize the human assets of a community. True community transformation happens from the inside out not the other way around. McNight states that we must therefore "never do for others what they can do for themselves".
After being burned in Kenya, Peru, East Dallas, West Dallas and other places . . . some of these lessons that McNight espouses are sounding more and more true. Its a shame that in our exuberance and passion we could actually hurt communities. What if we had done a more careful study of how to transform communites instead of just pushing our evangelistic agenda? What if we had actually asked the people what they needed and how the problems could be solved? What if we had recruited them in the process of finding and implementing a solution. We would have had more local ownership, more long-term results and solutions.
Despite our youthful impetousness, God still worked in us and through us. Even when we make frail or powerful attempts the wrong way, the wrong time and the wrong places . . . .the Spirit moves. That doesn't excuse our ignorant ways but it does comfort us . . . it does bring peace to a heavy heart.
A friend told me once that we learn much more from our failures than from our successes. So true. I have failed time and time again . . . may I listen and be ready to change!
So leaders, pastors and missionaries . . . lets be a little more strategic in our campaigns . . .let be a little more humble and ready to listen rather than talk.
Lord, forgive us when we think we know more than others. . . Lord forgive us when we think we have the answer . . . Lord forgive us when we refuse to collaborate and rather go solo than work in community . . . Lord forgive us when we give too much credit to the experts, to our strategies and to the extravant. Forgive us when we judge the rich and the poor alike. . . when we sneer at ignorant and hypocrites. Forgive us when we laugh at traditionalist and trendy too.
As John Baillie wrote, "Let me never think eternal Father that I am here to stay. Let me still remember that I am a stranger and pilgrim on the earth. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. . . Do not let the happiness of this day become a snare to my too-worldy heart. . . .making peace more peaceful and joy more joyful and faith and hope more secure. AMEN.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Magic in Orlando
I can't believe the Lord chose me to be part of such a movement of His Spirit in urban America. The Devos initiative has His hand to bless the people in the trenches that are ministering to the urban youth. You can't get any closer to the action of real life ministry.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What is your mission in life?
I love this quote,
"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." - Fredrick Buechner
"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." - Fredrick Buechner
Blogging again
I'm back after taking months of a break from blogging. Why have I not blogged? Honestly, I'm not a true blogger, yet. I guess I don't think people want to read my thoughts on a subject, there are many good bloggers out there.
Exciting stuff:
DEVOS I had a great weekend in Pottsboro with my Devos Dallas team. It was our first workshop and it was just amazing. Nine urban youth workers being trained by the best people in the world. The Devos Urban Training material is very effective and inspiring. I am soooo excited to be linked up with this group. I learned alot about myself. In the DISC profile I am an "I" . .which stands for Inspirational. I also learned that I am a coach and need to work in being more directive with my people. I also was reminded that God created me with every detail of my personality and background for a very specific purpose.
So what did I really get out of it:
I need to make sure that I am doing what my mission in life is . . .not just a job.
I am reading two great books, "Fresh Wind Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala and "Unchristian" by Kinnaman. They are motivational for me and for my team. . . more on the books soon!
Exciting stuff:
DEVOS I had a great weekend in Pottsboro with my Devos Dallas team. It was our first workshop and it was just amazing. Nine urban youth workers being trained by the best people in the world. The Devos Urban Training material is very effective and inspiring. I am soooo excited to be linked up with this group. I learned alot about myself. In the DISC profile I am an "I" . .which stands for Inspirational. I also learned that I am a coach and need to work in being more directive with my people. I also was reminded that God created me with every detail of my personality and background for a very specific purpose.
So what did I really get out of it:
I need to make sure that I am doing what my mission in life is . . .not just a job.
I am reading two great books, "Fresh Wind Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala and "Unchristian" by Kinnaman. They are motivational for me and for my team. . . more on the books soon!
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