Beginnings

What a week it has been. I sometimes forget when I leave here how busy it truly is all the time. It seems like there is never a dull moment around Impact during the summers. Everything sort of speeds by out of control when we start the each week. I have been blessed during my time here already and it has quickly become a home to me again. I love these people so much and the opportunities I get to love and be loved.Over the past two weeks we have done quite a bit. We got our interns about 10 days ago and they have all been working extra hard since then. They're a great group and I'm confident that our teamwork will be outstanding. We've mainly been focusing our efforts on a two-week reading camp that we are smack dab in the middle of. Each afternoon, about 50 children come to strengthen their literacy skills by participating in a Charlotte's Web themed camp. They seem to love it.My big role starts in one week when we begin our mega prep for 4 weeks of VBS. I'm really excited about this part of the summer. On Wednesday all of the youth ministers, children's ministers, and interns went out to Cypress to do a ropes challenge course. We had an absolute blast! It was so great to see the way our teens stepped up to tackle each of the tasks. We did two high elements, which were a gigantic zip line and a huge swing. Needless to say, I am still very sore and achy from doing belle all day.It's easy to get caught up in the routine of ministry and just to go trough the motions. However, yesterday something happened that humbled me unlike anything before. I pick up one of the high school girls who is interning for VBS this summer. She doesn't live too far from where I am staying so it's not a big deal. Yesterday was the last day I will pick her up because her sister will be in town to do it in the coming weeks. It's important to remember that high school interns get paid once a week, and today was payday.

So as we are pulling onto her street, she says to me, "Jeremy, I'm going to give you something and you have to promise to not say no." So I say OK and she goes on to pull out two $10 dollar bills to me. She said, "It's for the gas". My immediate reaction was [impolitely] say, "No" which I had just promised not to do. But I caught myself, and let her know what it meant to me that she would do that.

On the way home, I couldn't help but get emotional. I had just experienced a true gift from the depths of someone's heart. I felt like I had never been served like this before. She took the time and thought to give ME something. It was a punch in the gut from above that it is not all about me and what I am trying to do for people. It is about what we do for each other. I'm reminded of the widow that gave two shekels because it was all she could give, but it was the richest and most savory offering to God. Marilyn's gift to me is sweeter than anything I could receive from the wealth of the world.

This was definitely my lesson for the week and maybe even the summer. It put everything in perspective. In other news...a ninth grader whose mom and sister are in a women's and children's shelter is staying with me for a few days. He didn't really have a place to go, so my "family" here was gracious enough for me to take him in for a bit after he's been with a different intern for a few days. He really just needs to know that things will turn out alright and there is some consistency amidst being without a home.

Well, I think I'm going to take a little bit to run some errands and then take SeDarious out for his birthday. Some of the interns went to the Space Center today, so maybe we'll go there. For now, have a blessed day and have some peace.

summer in [humid] houston

I can't believe summer has already come and settled in. The last month, for me, was filled with the busyness of springtime graduations for Jacqueline and many of our friends from home. It seemed like there was a party or celebration or blessing every night of each weekend. It was a nice reminder of what church is and the kind of family that only God can bring together.

I write this entry from the Winter's home in Houston. I could not have asked for a better place to call my home for the next two months. I have the whole upstairs to myself (right now) and there is a Starbucks like half a mile away. I'm all set.

Tomorrow we start "work". For those of you who are out of the loop, I will serve as VBS Director for the summer. There is much to be done. We spent last week in several neighborhoods searching for more kids to sign up for this month-long experience. We'll get our interns on Wednesday and begin the official start of the summer for Impact's children's ministry.

Today I taught Kindergarten and was reminded of how church is an all day affair. I didn't get to lunch until 1 and then didn't get home until 3. Whoa. But I was blessed to have Tyree, DaJanae, Sedarious, Diamond, and Kiara sit with me at church. I'll try and get some pictures together soon!

Here's what YOU can do!: PRAY. Pray that I will make myself available for my fullest abilities this summer. Pray that I will stay focused on the core of what we are doing: Loving people and sharing God with them. Pray that I know my limits. Pray that I have a positive attitude. Pray that I don't stress. You can also send any financial assistance to me that you might have available. Kidding. But seriously.

That's all for now. I miss you if you're not in Houston. Call me. I have plenty of time to talk. There's no cable here. Very refreshing. Peace.

i'm a senior!

Just thought I would let you know. I lack 26 hours until I'm done with college. At least this part anyway. That's all.

i like aggies

I'm not really sure why, but whenever I spend time with Aggies, it makes me feel good. There is just something about them that is difficult to find anywhere else. I can't help but wonder how life would be if I had chosen to walk down that path. It's so good to maintain a connection over the miles of friendship though. I find it funny how God's people can stay within such a deep network of connection with others no matter where they are on the planet.
So tonight, a group of AFCer's came up to Abilene to share some skits during the 9 o'clock devotional on campus. It was pretty dang awesome. I got to share in some fun memories with many people who I hadn't seen in quite some time. Afterwards, we talked and talked and made plans to do more stuff in the coming weeks.

In other areas of my life...I am still planning to serve as co-director of VBS at Impact Church in Houston. I decided tonight that I'm staying with Tim and Jenny Winter. I hear they are a pretty neat family and it'll be nice to be around another young family all summer. Plus they live close to the church and in a pretty cool neighborhood.

I'm still working with the Friendship House here in Abilene. The past few weeks have been insane. I planned a going away bar-b-que for the Fletchers that seemed to be a big hit. All the families came out to share their memories and send them off with a blessing and thanks for their hard work in the neighborhood. We had a crazy Mom's Night Out and Teen Day Out this past weekend that also went wonderfully. I'm really starting to get feel the emotions of Lee and Steph's move that approaches. I'll hopefully still be there as we all transition to a new family in the house. Ah, sad.

This is the last week of class! I can't believe it! It has gone by so fast. I do not feel overwhelmed for some strange reason. God has really stood by my side this semester as I have had an overbooked schedule. Thanks to him, and only him, I've made it through 6 long semesters. Senior year here I come.

Other than that, I am preparing myself for some really tough goodbyes. It's gonna be horrific to say bye to several friends who are departing at the end of the term for other places around the world as they follow God's guidance for his service. I get to go to Nebraska with a friend for a few days to help him move. Never been there. I also get to stay a few weeks in Abilene with the FH crew to make some summer plans and help them clean out and pack up. With all of this, comes the typical goodbyes we make before a break.

Emotions+Stress=Potential Tears

Spring Break 2008

Last week my roommates and I had some incredible fun. It was such a blast to just be guys and let our guards down for a few days. What a blessing it was to take a little break in the middle of a busy semester of studies, work, and the busyness of everyday life. Personally, I was rejuvenated because I took a sabbatical from thinking about anything that wasn't this trip and these guys. Things can get cluttered in life, but taking a true break has given me the energy I need to finish out the semester. I'll leave you with a few pictures to capture the adventure we experienced together on this trip of a lifetime!

Viva Las Vegas!

Today, 3 of my roommates and another friend and I are packing up the car to head to the great states of Arizona and Nevada for Spring Break. I do love the American West. It could not come at a better time. We're spending a few relaxing and adventurous days in Sedona where there are bike trails, hiking trails, and some beautiful scenery!

While we're there, we'll hit up the trails (we're taking 5 bikes!), spend some time outdoors, go see the majesty of the Grand Canyon, head to Phoenix to see the Rangers play a Spring Training game, and finally, head to Las Vegas for a night on the town! \

We are stoked and cannot wait. We'll be on the road today for about 14 hours, so pray that God watches over us and keeps us safe. I hope each and every one of you has a relaxing and FUN break as we will also!

Peace.

bored and wasting time

Here I sit, wasting yet another Tuesday evening. I often wonder why the ACU Social Work department manages to place the most boring classes during the evenings. "Research Methods for Social Work" is the title of the course. It has turned me to conduct a bit of my own online research of church/friend blogs, potential internships, and job opportunities for the future (in social work of course). Therefore, I feel as though I am staying the course. This is appropriate justification, right?

I found out tonight that, though I have never met him, Larry James is one of my heroes. Check out his blog and see what's going on in community redevelopment in Central Dallas. It's pretty inspiring to see the needs of our own backyards and how so many have risen to the occasion of extending hope to a city. Again, I am revisiting question I've so often asked..."Why have I never contributed to the work of Central Dallas Ministries?" Maybe you have a thorn of question such as this sticking into your side. I think I'll pursue CDM as a potential site for my internship next Spring.

I also visited the website for Teach for America. This organization gives young people the chance to change the lives of inner-city and underprivileged youth around the country. Upon graduating from college, you live and teach in a community that are in need of increasing education potential. Americorps takes care of setting you up with housing, finances, schools, and subjects. I think this is truly a great opportunity to make a mark on the world. Maybe I can do this for a while instead of grad school. (Especially since the professor talking in class right now is currently motivating me to drop out of school altogether...or at least for the night, haha).

In other areas of my life:

• Still taking 16 hours. Thoroughly enjoying most of them, with the exception of Research and Practicum Seminar. We're talking about "atonement theory" (the how's and reasons for being saved) in my Bible class that's really blowing my mind. I am becoming interested in art history (my 8 o'clock class)...why is that?
  
• Still banking 12 hours per week at the Mental Health internship. Today I went to the Juvenile Detention Center. Last week I went on some home visits. I'm still learning al ot, though also realizing I would rather be doing some ministry with this social work stuff.
  
• Still working at the Friendship House. The Fletcher's (the family that currently live there and operate it) are in their transition "out" of the house. It's kind of sad and weird. I'm prayerful that I will still be used and feel a part of this ministry after they leave. The kids are still crazy as ever and seem to love being around. I started leading a bible study for the teens on Tuesday afternoons. They write in journals and spill out their thoughts each week. It's intense.
  
• I have recently begun co-leading a small group (Lifegroup) that'll begin meeting at my casa next Sunday for food, discussion, and prayer time. Again, great experiences in discipleship.
  
• I'm looking at getting a puppy (newborn lab). I think it's a great idea. I have always wanted a dog, though it will take a lot of work to train it at first. I think I'll name it Toby if I get it.
  
• Me and 4 other guys are headed to Arizona in 3 weeks for Spring Break. We finally get to have a real road trip. We're going to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and doing some cool recreation activities in the city we're staying in. I'm stoked! (and will be broke after).
  
• I don't know if I mentioned this last time, but I'm directing VBS at Impact in Houston this summer. I can't wait to do it. I hope that some of the kiddos remember me. We'll see.
  

That's all (and wayyyy to much for now). Hope you have a peaceful day!

RIP Dell

Welp, I've converted. My Dell has been giving me trouble for the past several months. The battery lasts about 10 minutes, Word takes about 5 to open, and it started to freeze up if I opened more than 3 programs at the same time. So I began the pursuit for a new computer over Christmas Break.

I let the possibilities mellow for a couple months as I did some looking around. After lots and lots of deliberation, one week ago I made the decision to get this nice pretty MacBook and I love it! I got a refurbished one that is fully loaded for top performance. I saved around 400 dollars with a student discount and the refurbished discount.

Using this Mac is much different than what I'm used to, but already I am realized how easy to use it is. It will be awesome for sharing pictures and videos with all of you in the future! I hope that you are blessed today amidst the frigid temperatures outside! Peace.

We are Family

Well, it's difficult to put into words how this past weekend went, but perhaps the best thing to say is....WOW! The team that I am on to go to Chile kicked off the initial part of our official training process with an awesome retreat. There was much to be learned and fun to be had. We had house church on Sunday with a great breakfast together.

It was such a wonderful blessing to all be together as a group as we continue to get to know each other. We are so very excited about what the future holds for us as we simply seek to live out God's plan to love people. Pray for us as we patiently and eagerly step out into unfamiliar areas.Here's us acting crazy...from left to right....me on top of Reid Overall, Sarah Lukkason, Deanna Meredith looking naughty, Chad Lukkason holding Wes's leg, Lauren Sutton laughing uncontrollably, Ellen Shutt stretching out in front of Wes Shutt.

It has begun

Well, it's official, the new semester has begun, and I can feel it. This has probably felt like one of the longest weeks I can remember for a long time. On Tuesday night I laid down and thought "Is this really just the second day??" haha.

However, it's such a blessing to get back to seeing old frields across campus, having people over, and catching up with the group. I love getting back into a routine. That seems to be where I function best. Sometimes I get a little too into my routine and get busy, but so far, it has been wonderful.

Here is an update of the current status of my life:

This semester I'm taking 16 hours. On Monday, it felt a little overwhelming as I went to 3 classes (I had just one on MWF last fall). All of my classes are 400 level, which basically means they're senior level and really tough. I think I'm going to be very challenged, but I also think I'm going to learn a ton of stuff.

For my social work degree I have to do a field practicum at a local agency. I was placed at Betty Hardwick Center MHMR. I get 3 hours credit for doing 10 hours per week there (150 semester total). Therefore, I am technically in class or at this internship for 27 hours per week...whew! I know. It's going to be incredible to work with the children and teens at this agency though. More to come as we go...

I'm still "working" at the Friendship House. I love it. It's perfect ministry for me right now and it's fulfulling to be used as I'm in Abilene to gain a deeper understanding of the ways I can serve God with what he's given me. We haven't started the afterschool program yet, but it will gear up in a week or so.

Hello new job, goodbye old one: That's right....I stopped working a couple night shifts at the dorm and am now "instructor-in-training" for Everfit...an outdoor fitness and group personal training program. I've gotten up at the ungodly hour of 5:15 3 days this week to workout and it's doing me pretty well right now. I'll just be doing one morning per week beginning next week.

I've decided to go to Houston this summer and direcet their summer-long VBS and summer reading program. I'm SO excited for what this experience will mean and how God will once again open my eyes to His people in Houston, TX.


Oh one more thing...I'm joined a team of good friends planning to do ministry in Concepcion, Chile in a few years. We've just begun the "official" training for that, so we'll see how that goes! I'm excited to see how God works on this path. More to come on this as well.

Peace!

New Year's Resolutions

Boy, oh boy it's been a while since my last post, hasn't it! If there really are still any readers out there, I express my sincerest apologies. I loved Christmas, although it was busy and crazy as always. I hope yours was also filled with joy, food, family, rest, and relaxation.

Because it is a new year, I've come up with several things that I'd like to either change or begin in 2008. It's such a good feeling to start fresh and have the ability to feel a sense of accomplishment as our calendar rolls over again. Here goes...

1. Exercise 3 days per week, every week
2. Read the whole Bible
3. Be more decisive
4. Train and run a half marathon and a full marathon before the summer
5. Have 30 minutes of queit time and prayer time each day
6. Journal more
7. Eat out only when necessary
8. Go through my cell phone and call the people I haven't talked to in over a year
9. Limit my text messaging
10. Love more
11. Visit another foreign country...maybe a place in Africa
12. Learn Spanish
13. Stay committed to my campus minsity and lifegroup
14. Walk to campus, never drive
15. Be a positive influence on my roommates
16. Maintain a pure heart
17. Use my soccer shoes for the first time in the U.S.
18. Be joyful about every part of life, even the hard times
19. Kick my caffeine addiction so I can enjoy a cup of coffee
20. Hang out with kids without feeling like I need to for work
21. Eliminate negative vocabulary
22. Worry less, pray more
23. Study for my classes even when it seems pointless
24. Make my faith a reality, not just sticking with words and big talk
25. Be real...with myself and with others

I'm really going to try and make these work this year. Sometimes I say I want to do things and never get around to it. If you know me and have any to add- bring 'em on! Peace

here i go again...

Rather than posting some of my own words this morning, I am going to listen to the word of God and for once really soak it in.

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matt. 6:6

"After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray." Mark 6:46

"So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." 1 Cor. 14:15

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone." Matt. 14:23

"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."Luke 22:46

"Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you." 2 Thes. 3:1


Here's a song that I'm currently listening to:

When everything you love
And everything that's good slips away
When everyone you trust
And everyone that's close becomes afraid
When all the things you fear
And everything you hate becomes too real
When all your life is torn in two
Rest in truth

When the world is on your shoulders
Let Him in
When the world is on your shoulders
Let Him in

When the bitterness you hide
Slips into your blood and controls your life
When you've fought and fought and tried
But everything's a ruse
Rest in truth

When the world is on your shoulders
Let Him in
When your heart has been abandoned
Let Him in

When the World is on
When all hope has gone
When love that's been
Let Him in, Let Him in

My heart is free...

First Impressions of the Past...

Tonight I spent a little time skimming through my journal from the summer. It's funny to look back and see inside your mind through a bunch of words. Speaking of words...I think it's important to write things down so we don't forget them. However, I am a firm believer in speaking these words because they have no meaning if they are not shared. Therefore, I have decided to share just a few of my excited journal entries from the summer. Hopefully they as encouraging to you as they are to me.

June 7, 2007 6:04am:
"Well, I'm not sure if I'm ready yet, but I sure am excited! I'm sitting here on the plane watching the sun begin to rise over the Andes. It's a beautiful sight that keeps getting better as the minutes go by. There's a map on the screen that shows our flight progress and it looks like we were over the ocean most of the night. I have to admit that leaving was bittersweet. I'm very excited and anticipatory about this journey, but it's always difficult to leave friends and family. As I left, I prayed for God's protection and guidance of this trip. I can't wait to see what comes!"

June 16, 2007 12:00pm:
"I suppose I should recap the last week so I don't forget any of the memorable details of this trip. So here goes...When I first arrived at the Santiago airport, I was so excited, yet so unsure of what this summer will hold. As I left the airport and went through customs, it became real to me that I was in this new place that was nothing like I had ever seen before. It was such a strange feeling to be in a place where Spanish is being spoken all around you and everyone looks just like one another. Turns out, the Chilean National Soccer Team was behind me in customs and I had no clue until I left. Way to go Jeremy."

June 25, 2007 10:52am:
"Well, we made it to Peru! It's much different here. The people look very different and seem to have a unique presence about themselves. My first impressions of Lima were more surprising that I'd expected. The drive to our apartment from the airport was through shantytowns where the poverty level obviously ran high. The streets are surrounded with tiny houses or buildings that barely look sturdy enough to stand. We're going to be staying in La Molina, a borough of town that is apparently middle to upper class. So far, I've been more tired that anything else because of the lack of rest. We got in from Chile at 4:30am on Sunday morning and went to church at 9am. The people of the congregation were extremely welcoming! Lots of people were very eager to learn about my home and to extend their welcome to me. It was a good start to what I hope will come. The church in La Victoria is a little lower in class that where we are currently living, but we hope to spend lots of time there."

June 27, 2007 1:05pm:
"God I pray right now for my heart and for my attitude. Let it be hopeful and open to what plans you have for us here. Allow me to put my trust in you and be confident in the ways you work and will work. Bring out the desires of my heart and let them be a burning passion for you. Please allow me to find ways to share your love with those around me this summer. That's why I'm here. I desperately want to be in love with you and to feel it right now. Thank you for your blessing and approval upon my life and for giving me so much I don't deserve. I love you. Watch over and guide me."

Choo Choo!!

What a week! And still more to go! It's not very often that we spend hours and hours preparing for a block party, but this week has just been one of those weeks. Yesterday was the Second Annual Friendship House Fall Festival. There was food, there were families, there was fun! Tons of people came out to help with this celebration of good weather and community spirit. I believe I was at the Friendship House for 13 straight hours, but it was well worth it to see the beauty one another coming together in good spirits. Thanks to everyone who made it possible and especially Team Lima for your hard work!

This week will conclude with a Trivia Night Fundraiser benefiting Connecting Caring Communities. People from all over the community (hopefully) will come have some fun answering trivia questions, having food from Starbucks, Domino's, Buffalo Wild Wings, & Chic-fil-a, and also helping out CCC a bit with their presence. Pray that people come and it goes as well as planned!

Other than that, I am anxiously seeking a confirmation to the decision I am making with Conce and the future. I have spent most of the semester looking for God and what he would have of me. Honestly, it's not been the easiest process because it involves so many factors. I just take things one step at a time and pray that I am continuing to follow God's will. Thanks for the support and guidance that so many of you have generously provided me.

Richly Blessed

The past week has surely been a blessing to me and to many others. It's hard for me to explain just what's going on as far as the future goes, but one thing is certain- things are happening, some big things...

First of all, I got to meet the famous Deanna (in person, for real this time!). I've spent the past year and a half hearing about her dreams and talking some on the phone, but we got to actually spend some good time together this past weekend. She's a load of fun and has a heart that's eager to share good news with others.

Next, I got to meet the Chad and Sarah Lukkason. They are a couple at Oklahoma Christian that are looking at grad school at ACU and possibly at partnering with "the team" to Chile in the future. It seems like they have much to offer in terms of sharing some good news.

Finally, I discovered some incredible news from back home in G-town. My home church, Saturn Road, does a big fundraiser for our annual missions funds. Each year a goal is set to reach in order to support missions throughout the coming year. This year the goal was $500,000 big ones. I know, crazy and bold right? Well guess what...God graciously provided a whopping $631,041 dollars for the work of His kingdom this year. This week has left me silent at the work of God in these few powerful ways. The faithfulness of our Father has awed me and humbled me.

I believe God knows what He's doing. It's not by chance that these events have occurred simultaneously in the same weekend. I am seeking to understand what exactly God would have of me, though the more I learn, the more I believe it's already been clearly placed before me. Now all that's left to do is continued and constant prayer. Thanks to God for the beauty of the ways in which He works.

Friendship House

Last night was one of the best night's I've had in a long time. Lee and I got to spend the evening with some of the Dad's from the neighborhood having some good food at Buffalo Wild Wings, and then showing our skills at the bowling alley. Hearing about the lives of these men made my heart tender as we engaged one another's lives in a "chill" way. What a blessing!

Take a few moments and watch this video about what the Friendship House is all about. Hopefully you will experience some of the passion that lives there.

Racism in Housing: our history

Here are a few questions that absolutely fascinate me and that for the life of me I cannot fully find the answer to:

• How does urban sprawl so perfectly move from the city center outward?
• How has suburbia come to be what it is today?
• Why do people willingly segregate themselves?
  
• What are people most afraid of in their communities?
• What does it take to make a difference in our cities?
• What will happen to all the poor people as the rich flock back to the urban centers from the suburbs and tear down their houses?

So this week I've done quite a bit of thinking about typical North American cities and communities. Today I had the privilege of viewing a movie in my Cultural Diversity class about the construction of post-WWII cities. It had a great deal to offer in the field of racism and class status that influenced where new housing was being established during this time to accommodate such a large influx of primarily white families. Because the new home market was booming, the most logical place to plan neighborhoods was on the outskirts of town. What a great day for everyone. Families could purchase a cheap note on a house and pay it off with reasonable credit for up to 30 years, right?

Unfortunately what we didn't get taught in history class was that during this time, the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) intentionally adopted a racist policy in its official documents that prevented anyone of color from being eligible for such home loans. Therefore, there was virtually no way that African Americans could purchase a home anywhere remotely close to the new, white "suburbs" that were coming to exist.

What was the justification for such discriminatory policy?

From the FHA underwriting manual of 1934: "if a neighborhood is to retain stability, it is necessary that properties shall continue to be occupied by the same social and racial classes." Blacks were forced into remaining mainly in concentrated public housing projects in the inner cities to prevent "problems" for the white neighborhoods.

It was all good business according to the Realtors. People wanted the luxuries of a new home, and were willing to pay for them. It wasn't so much that the common person was a racist, it was that there was a governmental protection on the current state of economic growth that no one wanted to halt by throwing in racial diversity.

It gets worse...

What makes the year 1968 significant? This was the year that The Fair Housing Act was enacted that prohibited discrimination based on the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, and familial status. This is very interesting to me because of my own family history.

My dad and his family were raised in Pleasant Grove, which if you know Dallas, is just outside of Loop 12, the first loop in the strategically planned highway system of many Texas cities. My dad's family, along with about 6 other families living on the same street suddenly decided that it was time to move to Garland, which is just outside the city's second loop, Interstate 635. This was the case all over the nation.

Want to take a guess as to what year this occurred?

1969. The year after the Fair Housing Act was put into place.

As soon as it was suspected that blacks might be moving close, masses of people put their houses on the market. As soon as one person "sold out" it was a neighborhood wide-turned nationwide domino effect. Property values went down when African Americans moved in, as people protected their dearest asset, their home, and moved away.

I was born and raised in Garland not far from where they moved to, though there are two other loops outside this location. My family is a product of what occurred in the racist housing market of the 1950's and 1960's. My dad's not afraid to tell me of how his family left when "they started busing blacks in and letting them move next door."

It's so strange that as I would not consider myself a racist, I reap the benefits a racist past of white privilege in this society where whiteness means power.

People continue to move further and further away from what used to be considered the suburbs. People run in fear of what they do not understand. It's likely that the rich, the white are more fearful of what is coming from our neighbors to the South. It looks like this cycle will continue as many of my friends were raised farther than me from the center of Big D where the newer developments are.

You might be surprised to know that the newest development north of Dallas (where most economic growth occurs) is actually closer to the Oklahoma/Texas line than it is to downtown Dallas. And yes, people are commuting from there.

What will it take to change? When will segregation actually be part of the history and not part of the present?

Now is there any doubt as to why there are "ghettos" or "bad parts of town"?

The Dance of Life

A close friend of mine added a link to this video on his blog earlier this month. This video left me with chills at how true to life it really is. It perfectly shows how so many of us feel in our relationship with God. Please take 5 minutes to experience the power of this video.

Missing Peru

Tonight has reminded me of how much my heart goes out to my family and friends in Peru. For spending such little time there, I long to know how each of my friends is doing on their walk lately. I often find my mind drifting to thoughts of what they might be doing at this very same moment, or where they might be headed in traffic, or if they're eating at some of the same restaurants where we shared good conversation.

I pray tonight for Flor in her difficult house keeping duties; I pray for Alan to be strong at work where he makes Chifa and as he might confront temptation daily; I pray for Miguel and Gladys that they're educational pursuits remain a priority; I pray for Corina and Jackie to stay women of God with pure hearts.

Culture has a way of sweeping you off your feet. It can change you and it can challenge you. I miss how exciting life seemed in Peru and how I saw something new each day. I'm charged up to keep those same eyes here in the states where God is clearly moving and as I take part in that. How great it is that God is the same there as He is here!

Management as Ministry

It is my belief that not very often do people find it romantic to relate organizational administration with the workings of God. However, the past couple years have offered a bit of insight regarding the whole concept of integrating faith and action. Since the time my eyes were opened to the vast needs of individuals in this world, I have found myself swept up in a relentless call to do something about it. This is tough, because I distinctly remember the urgency and passion that hit me all at once, but I had no idea how this was going to happen or by what vehicle God had in mind for such a desire to be executed into action. What's a guy to do with a good heart and a passion, but lacking in direction?

Last week I had the blessing of attending several lectures that pricked at my heart. The theme verse comes from Micah 6:8 "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." This automatically put me in an exciting state because it encompasses so much of what I have been trying to understand about God's design for your life and for mine. I have often placed too much weight on the specifics when God is asking for the common. It's so easy to get caught up in a frivolous interrogation of what exactly God would desire of me, but Micah puts it simply!

It's such a beautiful opportunity to see what we do each day in the light of God or as my freshman Bible professors used to say "with Kingdom eyes!". Lectureship helped me see how each of our desires, our gifts, our passions can be effectively used by God if we're willing to submit those to Him, for Him. Praise God for the blessing of being used by Him in an infinite amount of ways!