Friday, March 30, 2007

Picture Share


My coworker Amy took my picture...I think she takes good pictures

Why did you come here?

This article on SF Gate.com alleges that the thousands of homeless people who move to San Francisco from across the country do so because of the cultural diversity and opportunity more than the chance to receive excellent social services that the City is known for. It's an interesting discussion...the vast majority of people I meet who are homeless in this City are from some other part of the country. I enjoy living in a place where people who felt hopeless or outcast for any number of reasons are looking for hope, acceptance and love.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

It's time for pics of the kids


ReIMAGINE Newsletter

If you are interested, you can grab the latest edition of the quarterly ReIMAGINE newsletter here

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

A tough decision...

So, last night I bit the bullet and did it, I ordered some New Balance basketball shoes with some birthday money I received last week. Now, it isn't a big deal that I spent the money on shoes. It's a necessary cost for a way that I exercise and meet people in our community. The big deal is that I ordered NEW BALANCE shoes. Oh man, it was hard for me. I remember looking at the "old guys" who would show to play basketball without shoes made by Nike or Adidas. I mean, Converse, Reebok, And 1...these are a bit questionable but still somewhat respectable on a basketball court. But New Balance shoes, wow, I'm positive I have never seen an NBA player where them. I'm fairly sure I've never seen a good basketball player wear them, only the old slightly overweight white guys with short shorts who you hoped wouldn't somehow end up on your team. But alas, I have ordered New Balance shoes. The reason? Nike is pretty much universally recognized as the worst when it comes to sweat shops and treating workers unfairly. I recently saw a scene from a movie where Phil Knight (Nike founder and CEO) admits he has never been to the factories where the shoes are made, and he has no desire to do so in the future. He just doesn't care. New Balance may not be perfect, but they are generally considered to be far more socially conscious than the other larger shoe manufacturers. They also have an "endorsed by no one" moto, so they can spend more money making shoes since they don't give NBA players multimillion dollar contracts. Supposedly the shoes are well made and good for your feet as well.

So, I looked at Nikes online for a while. I saw the fancy ads with my favorite players (including Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant and Lebron James...) and I closed the window and searched for New Balance basketball shoes. Then for a couple hours I realized it is virtually impossible to buy New Balance basketball shoes. No one carries them, anywhere. I called local stores. I searched the net. Finally I found a website based out of Indiana that sold them, only they didn't have the all white ones I wanted. I had to get the white and black ones. I know, big deal, you say, but to me, this was huge. I chose to spend my money in what I felt was a better way for the best interests of the people in the world, and it hurt. Man, it hurt.

I'm not writing this to ask for applause or toot my own horn. It's therapy for me, and an admission of my own vanity when it comes to basketball shoes. I have loved by cool Nike shoes for years and years and years. And now, a new chapter in my athletic life, New Balance.

Monday, March 05, 2007

Good

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster of experiences and emotions. While in the middle of an incredibly difficult couple of weeks, I consistently had encouragement and affirmation come from a variety of sources at the most needed times. Phone calls and emails coming from a wide range of seemingly random people have been an amazement. I have felt a strong belief that the hand of God is in our midst, caring for us just when we need it. I've had so many moments when it has hit me in fresh ways...there really is a God, and He really is at work in the world. He really does care about us.

And yet there is still pain and frustration...I think I've given up trying to have any sort of pat answer or set of bullet points to explain the darkness, evil and pain we all experience in life. I read a friend's blog who is dealing with the death of his baby boy. I have friends battling drug addiction. Other friends are divorced and still reeling. A man is shot to death for telling two kids to stop messing with someone. I talk to people who are homeless and addicted to alcohol without any indication that this will ever change.

I wonder why I felt such encouragement in the midst of pain when I haven't during other similar times in my past, and I talk to people all the time who struggle for any sense of God's presence in the midst of their own "desert experience" as we say.

I just don't know. I just don't get it, but perhaps all I can do is keep living and hold onto the times when I do hear the touch or voice of the Spirit of God. I can be grateful for the little blessings that make up my life. I'm amazed at the friends we have who care for us. I'm amazed that I get to live in such a wonderful city as San Francisco. I'm amazed that we get a paycheck each month. I'm amazed at the family God has given me. I'm amazed at my wife full of faith and beauty. I'm amazed at random emails from people telling me that I am spending my life on worthwhile things. I'm amazed that there is a beautiful sunny sky today and I get to ride my bike to work. I choose to believe that God is good and that the Kingdom of God is bursting forth with energy, despite realities that tell me otherwise.