During the holiday season, we're often reminded to count our blessings. That's good....but I invite us to go deeper. Don't just count your blessings...share your blessings. Bless others with our blessings - especially the vulnerable.
Today is Giving Tuesday - a day set aside to intentionally support organizations seeking to pursue the common good. As you consider other orgs, I sincerely hope you'll also joyfully give to @onedayswages. Our work is unique in that we don't re-invent the wheel. We don't do the work on the ground but we exist to support and elevate others - Including and especially local, indigenous leaders. We want to highlight them, support them, and help build their capacity.
And because of some anonymous donors, the first $25,000 will be matched today
Thanks for partnering with us. (Link in bio.)
On this Veterans Day, it's a special and unexpected gift to be in Washington DC. In addition to soaking in various events I made sure to stop by a memorial that personally means much to me and my family: The Korean War Memorial.
I hate war. I hate violence. I have no desire to romanticize war. I long for peace and want to devote my life to pursuing peace and fighting for the vulnerable. But I also acknowledge the broken world we live in - where we have conflict, violence, and war. As my father once emotionally said to me years ago when I took him to soak in this memorial, "We're here because of these soldiers and veterans. They didn't know us. They came to a foreign country and helped us. We are indebted to them. Never forget_.
Thank you to each and every person that has served in some way or another. As we honor our veterans, may we do so in both remembrance AND as we contend for peace.
30 years. And the importance of planting seeds.
Recently, I had the chance to go to my 30 year high school reunion at Lowell High School in San Francisco! It was the first time I set foot back at the school since graduation.
So emotional. So nostalgic. Lots of memories of some good, some bad, and lots of struggle with identity.
Over the years, I've never been able to go to any of the HS reunions because of church responsibilities. And even with this one, I wasn't planning on going but shout out to Curtis and Trisha for reaching out and encouraging me to come.
Honestly, I haven't kept in touch with hardly anyone.in part, because I wrestled with many things during that time - and even throughout college. For years, I wrestled with shame for hurting people along the way but as I look back now,, I'm filled with gratitude and I wanted to take the opportunity to thank people in person. While I didn't become a believer until after high school, I'm especially grateful for people like Curtis, Roland, and Tammy for inviting me to church and planting seeds about Jesus in my life. I often said no to their invitations but I know those seeds were not planted in vain. And shout out to human beings for not yet having invented the internet because, well, I would have no chance today. Lol.
And to my HS friends: Thank you so much. Thinking of Duckie, Terra, Helen, Jason M., Curtis, Roland, Andy,, Linda, and so many more. And of course, I think of the teachers and coaches who invested in me. Shout out to Coach Lloyd, the toughest, meanest, cruelest, greatest coach who believed in what I could be. Thank you so much.
Keep planting seeds, y'all. They matter. Every word, invitation conversation, smiles, meal, prayers, act of kindness...they all matter.
And for SF and Bay Area folks, I'm finally coming back to preach in the Bay! I'll be at Reality SF this coming Sunday and then at Menlo Church on June 7. God is so gracious!
We don’t need men that JUST do Christian comedy, Christian music, Christian sermons, or Christian leadership. We need men that live out what they say, sing, preach, and teach.
To be about the former without the latter makes us mere salespeople who peddle the “gospel” for selfish gain and to feed our narcissism. To be one without the other fuels dissonance and hypocrisy. We become an empty gong, a stumbling block, and the duplicitousness that is wreaking havoc in the lives of other human beings created in the image of God and also in our credibility and witness - to both the Church and the larger world.
We need imperfect men who are self-aware of their imperfections but nevertheless, remain committed to integrity and character; to steward with humility and generosity any influence and power we hold; To encourage one another; to love our families, to honor women which means we do not degrade, manipulate, intimidate, or abuse. To mentor and empower youth. To protect and advocate for the vulnerable. To love mercy, seek justice, and walk humbly.
Lord, may this begin with me.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Well, I'm too emotional to write anything long.
First, I'm sorry for my naked toes but isn't that picture crazy?! Second and most importantly, our eldest turns 21 years old today. It just seemed like last year that we dropped her off at preschool. And now, she's 21. Double majoring in college. Kicking butt as a designer. Has her own college radio show under her alias DJ Noona, and also works as a dormitory Resident Advisor. Passionate about people, justice, and sticking up for others.
Jubilee: We love you so much. Mom and I are so proud of you. You've gone through a lot in your short life already but we're filled with gratitude for your life, health, passion, and faith. As you pour out for others, please take time to care for yourself. Happy Birthday!
My hoop dreams were crushed at the tender age of eight…when I realized I had no athletic talent! But it took until my 20s to realize I would not be a famous artist. I guess that’s part of being an adult – realizing the encouragement our parents gave us to follow our dreams was probably just a tad overblown. 🙂
i realized in my college years that my attempt to become a bonafide actor was for not when i wasn’t getting casted for anything as a theater major.
it’s called radball.
that looks scary to me.
Ha! Yeah, I just want to know how this was invented…extreme boredom?
For real, do you bike much? I’m sure there are some great spaces to bike around in Seattle, no? Cycling or Mt Biking can be relatively cheap and can work wonders for the calves (and Achilles) with a nice cyclical/low impact motion. Plus, this activity can turn into a hobby with all the ‘tinkering’ one can do to the bike.
Sorry, a passion for me…
Second cycling. Just got into it recently.
I would keep ballin….but if you really want to give it up then I would like to suggest rock climbing.
golfffff!!!!
by the way, be thankful that you had hops to begin with! I had hoop dreams too, but never had the hops (maxed out with a two-foot vertical)
golf is too expensive.
Ahh, the misguidedness of youth. Guitar-hero dreams are gone, though I can still play. Not sure the tour bus would make a good home for my 4 kids and baby on the way.
One thing I learned is that if it is a self-inspired dream, rather than a God-inspired dream, it’s likely to disappear.
My hoop dreams failed when I substituted humility for ego.
SLAMBALL!
Or Starcraft 2… but then you’d have to compete with millions of other Korean dudes.
Wow. That looks like so much fun.
buy some large pots and grow some gochu and ghenip to consume. =)
that actually sounds really peaceful.
You are an immensely talented person, P.E. You and your family are extremely deserving. Keep up the great work and may GOD’s face shine on you always!
you can dunk almost as nice as kevin mchale
Respectfully, the Hmong may love me, that’s fine, you tried that ‘what are you talking about’ and total love brother, but we should make sure the Union Teachers get sued for giving fraudlulent job evaluations while the public slaves for them to pay their pensions and health care. Yes, again, anyone may say I am just babbelling.
Cooking 🙂
In the fifth grade I knew I was destined for the NBA. I went to a camp where Charles Barkley talked to us. He told everyone to go to school and give up on being the next Michael Jordan. I was incredibly sad. Nothing like having Barkley crush your dreams.
That is a really cool picture of you. 😀
Dreams? Eh, I had too many that’s why I never achieved any of them.