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 donāt 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 āgospelā 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 Jesusā name.
Amen.
