I was homeless, so I had to move back home, which meant a lot of chaos as my step-dad would abuse my mom then I would kick my step dad’s arse on a weekly basis. He was a pro boxer & truck-drive type, so I’m glad he was always drunk. I almost went to jail when I threw him through a window…He tried to press charges but the police officer was cool…But I digress!

I arrived home and I told my mom that I became a Christ-follower. My step-dad overheard and got pissed and kicked me out. He refused to let a Christian live in his home. This Jesus thing was not looking good at the moment.

So I was homeless again…

I called my friend and told him the news. This is the same friend who took me to this camp. His mom got on the phone and asked me if I wanted to live with them. They lived in a two bedroom townhouse and they were not wealthy, it was a sacrifice. Three of us roomed together. My only other option was some friends or my sisters, they were all drug dealers so in my amazing wisdom I accepted the invitation to live with my friends family!

That night I had a new home, a new “black/filipino” family, structure and love. For God’s sake they would always HUG ME-which drove me insane, I don’t like hugs PEOPLE!

So today I have two thoughts:

1. Normal people can do normal things and make a huge impact. If we are willing to sacrifice and serve we can change lives.

2. The fact that America has a black President is amazing and I’m really excited. All politics aside this is a good thing for our country, and our world. It’s hard to describe the meaning of this week. I look back to all the conversations I had with so many of my “black” friends. So I’m very excited for them to see and experience this moment and this week!

 
-Friday night we made our way to Stubbs to watch The Rocketboys. Great show and lot’s of fun with Wades and Mangums.
-Yesterday Necole and I decided to take a trip to Enchanted Rock. We drove two hours into the Texas Hill Country and then it took us about 40 minutes to hike up to the top of the rock. We had lot’s of fun, felt good to get away and hang with the family and be outdoors.
- After the hike we headed over to Fredericksburg, which is a quant little town in the Texas Hill Country. We ate at Fredericksburg Brewery. Great beer and good pizza, pretty cool little upscale country city with vineyards, b&b’s and lots of restaurants. 
- As we were heading home we wanted a coffee. However most places were already closed. We did manage to find a Christian Coffeeshop. (you knew it was Christian by the three crossed out front-sigh) But they did have a very cool house-turned-into-a-coffeeshop vibe. But truth-be-told…It was the worst latte I’ve had in years. 
-This morning we went to Austin Stone. Stew was speaking on mission and community. It’s good  to see a bunch of Vista peeps and the message was great. That church is truly doing some cool things.   
-After church we went to lunch at Zocalo with a bunch of people and then headed to Medici for a yummy latte.

Wish the weekends did not end so fast and I wish my house was not a disaster. But hey life is short and you gotta live it up…Now it’s time for dinner…girls in bed…and Jack Bauer.

For whatever reason I got this overwhelming sense of stress. We have so many unknowns in our future. Usually I’m at peace with transitions. I’m used to them. I’ve lived in at least 50 homes growing up as a kid and Necole and I have moved a lot. 

We have lot’s of decisions to make and no matter what choice is made there is still immense stress. Yet in seasons like this it seems like we draw closer to God, seek Him more and learn how to “walk in the Spirit.” 

So as we consider moving back to Raleigh or staying here in Austin, launching a non-profit, starting a new business for Necole and all sorts of other things, we would appricaite your prayers.

Laugh, do it!!!

But God had other plans. I went to church for the first time in my life, (like 12 times that week-sigh) and I became a Christ-follower when the preacher called me out of the crowd and told me some stuff that nobody else in that room knew. That night I also was called into the ministry (which is confusing because we are all called into the ministry).

I saw the Spirit and the power of God and the love of Jesus the very first moment I became a Christian. It’s what I know, it’s who I am and it’s what I want to be-one who walks in the Spirit and see’s the Spirit using my life to demonstrate the Kingdom of God and His power.  I read this scripture this morning and I could not help but ask, “how much do I talk and I much do I act?” As I read 1st Corinthians I could not help but feel this desire to see God at work and the demonstration of the Spirit and His power.

With God’s help we could wipe-out extreme poverty in my lifetime. With God’s help we could plant Gospel-Centered Church that see city transformation. With God’s help we could live like Acts 2 and become Acts 29…30…etc.

Talk is useless and action is vital. People like me who are filled with vision and passion can still become “talkers” as opposed to actually living out the “way” of Jesus and serving my generation and seeing the Spirit’s power.

My prayer for the Simply Missional community is simple=lets act on what we believe.

Some further thoughts:

• Did you know Eugene Cho is one of the wealthiest humans in the world? Amazing. That blog post was just another reminder that I live the good life and I need to be thankful for that.
• Go help Charles change the world by voting.
• Steven has some updates on the Zimbabwe issues and he also has a friend who decided to live on the streets of Cape Town for 16 days. Love it when people are willing to sacrifice and do something.
• The recent terrorist attacks in India remind of the evil that exist. Praying that country.

What I love about Thanksgiving is the simplicity. No fireworks, or dress-up or presents to purchase, no large crowds to deal with. Just family, food, football and faith. Seems right, more pure and enjoyable.

Hope you had a great day!!!

My prayer yesterday was “Lord help me to learn how to trust you one-day-at-a-time.” For most Americans this is not easy, but for many in the world this prayer is not optional. Yesterday I woke-up with some anxiety; today I woke-up with a deep sense of peace. The difference: Trust…I know God us building character and stretching my faith.

What area’s of your life do you need to trust God?

Of course we closed on our house. It all went smoothly. Actually the whole process went smoothly. So that is good. We are very grateful and the kids are super happy. 

After closing Necole and I watched Lost. I can’t wait for next year. I liked parts of it and other parts I was confused. It’s going to be interesting to see where they go next year. 

And then…I watched the Laker game. Man…Kobe just went off in the 4th. This time last year I was a very frustrated Laker fan. I knew this team had potential. But the last two years we kept getting injured and all. So it’s been amazing to see them come this far. 

Anyhow, I think we will beat Boston or Detroit. Should be a good series either way. But why do I have to wait a week before the finals start? Easter Conf series will be over by Sunday or tonight. Not happy about the 7-day layoff. 

Anyhow..Yesterday was a good day in my little world. 

I was like the rock-star-newly-saved-guy-at-school.” So I was asked to lead the the christian club. I had doubts that these cats were Christians (kidding) so I decided to start my own Christian club for those of us who were “on-fire” for Jesus.

Therefore the other club decided to join our club. A few months later I got the “boot” from High School. But it was fun while it lasted

By 12th grade I got into a major fight at a Carl’s Jr in Cali. Needless to say it caused a local riot at my High School & Youth Group. One day I was in school (English class-NO JOKE) and the po-po (police) rolled into my class and took me away. Why, because their was like 50 gangsters looking for me. Later that night they found me at youth group. All hell broke loose and the police were called out. I was reaching out to multiple gangs at one time. So the situation kinda got out-of-hand. My close friends stood up for me (IN A BIG WAY) and things almost got ugly…real ugly.

So my High School kicked me out. I was the President of the Christian club. But sometimes the past catches up with you and life happens. At Carl’s Jr I was just getting lunch with two neighborhood friends and they saw a rival gang member and the fight occurred. My friend jumped out of my car and slid through the drive-thru window and beat some dude pretty bad. Problem was the place was full of said dudes friends. So I kinda had to help my two friends. 

Funny thing is a pastor from my church was eating lunch and saw the whole thing. 

After High School I went to Bible College in Sac-town and got a degree in theology.  Then I studied business in Seattle. I even avoided English in college  

So one of my personal goals is to learn how to become a better writer. Why, because I love to write. I just suck at it the formal side of it. 

If you have any recommended resources let me know. 

Their are many excuses that I could use. But truthfully it would be just an excuse. Therefore not pleasing to God or being faithful to the community I serve or the vision that’s been given to me by God.

Some key areas are:

1. Spiritual: I’ve simply struggled to spend time seeking God, reading scripture and mediating. This is my life-blood and without It life always goes astray.I’m lacking a “prayer-closet” in my life. A place where I meet with God.

2. Health: I’m eating like crap, not working out, sleeping like 4-hours a night (NBA playoffs can do that to a man) and not allowing my body to rest well. Again, this is not wise on my part and I’ve got to change.

3. Daily Rhythm: If I’m not HIGHLY productive I get very mad at myself. Yes…I’ve been mad at myself a lot lately. I’ve allowed a lack of focus to demoralize my weekly habits. I get up in the morning with a lack of clear goals and I come home at night wondering what I’ve accomplished-yet dead tired. Its not like I”m not busy. I’m working hard, but hard work can be overrated. I want to work smart, be effective and move forward.

So tomorrow I will take the entire day to re-think my personal leadership, repent and create a better plan that will please God. I must steward my life well. It’s the cost of leadership and discipleship. I’m accountable to God and others. So I must stop sucking and start moving forward and creating a more productive culture.