CCDA Conference

Andrea and I got back from the CCDA Conference on Monday. The theme was "Shalom", which is also the name of our little start-up in Oakland, so we had to go (I'm wondering if they would care if we stole the logo? :) We were surrounded by wonderful people. The plenary session speakers were inspiring and the seminars were actually extremely helpful and informative. I can be quite a critic of conferences, organizations and institutions, but the CCDA is legit. There's something about being with people who have a common vision and projection in life. A guy leading a seminar talked about moving into a new house with his Mom helping and then having the family run upstairs while there was a shootout in front of the new house, followed by repeated attempts at getting someone to talk to him after dialing 911, and we chuckled, sighed and groaned with familiarity. There is something beautiful about being with people who have similar stories. Side note: I was actually quite proud of my own mother when she took my kids to the nearby park and found blood all over the playground and was very calm about the whole thing.

We were reminded to be patient in our work here in East Oakland, to never neglect our own spiritual and emotional health, to worship the loving, peace bringing Jesus of the Bible, to care for our family (we were even we shouldn't be guilty about not sending our kids to the local elementary school) and to be confident in our calling in the midst of all the craziness in our country. I particularly enjoyed seminars on starting a mentoring program for children (led by this crew), the community and movement that made Martin Luther King Jr. the leader he was, "neighboring", and urban consumerism.

Andrea and I found a ridiculously inexpensive hotel a few miles away from the conference center, so we had an hour long bus ride twice a day. It didn't compare to my Greyhound trip to New Mexico a couple years ago, but it was a interesting little experience. I have to say that I prefer my normal mode of transportation...the bicycle. One of these days I'll get a helmet so Damon will stop reminding me to get one.

Now it's back to work...

Polarization

For some reason I thought we were moving towards a less polarized society, all this talk of "third ways" and independent voters and post-evangelicals...but I'm starting to think I was terribly wrong. I once heard Donald Miller explain political polarization as a byproduct of the way we teach debate (two opposing viewpoints). The media obviously rolls forward with this way of thinking (for the most part). You put two people with opposing viewpoints on camera or radio together and hope that sparks fly. The problem is that we all know (I think) that very few issues of any kind are actually that simple.

Perhaps I'm becoming cynical by reading too many blogs and looking at facebook postings. People are so predictable. Provocative and bold statements are made, or links to provocative and bold statements are made. Your friends enthusiastically encourage you with subtle hints that anyone who disagrees is absolutely insane. Every once in a while someone from the "other side" hops and and starts an argument, and everyone can jump in and spout some statistics or logic or maybe even a Bible verse or two. I'm always tempted to jump in, but it just seems so pointless. Is anyone actually open to the other person's viewpoint? Are Christians who consider environmental activism to be of the devil actually going to consider another way? Are people who have been over talking about "penal substitutionary atonement" for years actually going to listen to someone who quotes MacArthur on the issue? How many McCain/Palin supporters don't despise Obama, along with, of course, the "liberal" media? How many people who are voting for Obama don't think Palin is the stupidest person of all time and will never be convinced otherwise? Any conservatives ready to listen to a long conversation about liberation theology, the black church and Jeremiah Wright? Wanna have an intelligent conversation about Christianity and abortion on the Internet? Have fun with that.
Seriously, I may be way off, but it seems like most of us make up our mind one way or the other about things, and all the reading we do from that point on just serves to inspire us to believe in our idea with even more passion, or convinces us that all people who believe in another way are complete total morons who hate God and America and have some ridiculous evil agenda. Then again, people do change their minds about things, perhaps due to a new environment, new friends or new experiences. Who knows, maybe someone just read a facebook rant/debate and saw the light about an incredibly important idea! Maybe...
Perhaps I'm just tired of this election season, but thanks blogger for letting me vent.

Quote of the Week

"Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their

names are anger and courage: anger at the

way things are, and courage to see that they

do not remain the way they are.”

--St. Augustine

I swear he just does this on his own...

Kayla has gone to the rec center with me a hundred times and watched me shoot around. She was attending men's league games as a baby and was given a basketball hoop by her grandparents, and she has probably tried to shoot a basket five times in her life. She is bewildered by the idea of playing catch or even rolling a ball back and forth. So Chase came along and I never tried to get him to play catch with me or have any interest in balls or hoops, but it's all he wants to do all day. Andrea thinks maybe we should get him on Letterman for a shooting exhibition by the not yet two year old.

CCDA Conference anyone?

Andrea and I are heading out to the CCDA Conference in Miami in October. Anyone who reads this going to be there?

"The mission of CCDA is to inspire and train Christians who seek to bear witness to the Kingdom of God by reclaiming and restoring under-resourced communities."

Quote of the Day

Selfishness ... feeds an insatiable hunger that first eats up everything belonging to others and then causes a creature to devour itself.

- Dom Helder Camara
Brazilian archbishop

From the Voice of the Day over at God's Politics

An Extremist

Excerpt from "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr.

...But as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a bit of satisfaction from being considered an extremist. Was not Jesus an extremist in love - "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you." Was not Amos an extremist for justice - "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the gospel of Jesus Christ - "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Was not Martin Luther an extremist - "Here I stand; I can do none other so help me God." Was not John Bunyan an extremist - "I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience." Was not Abraham Lincoln an extremist - "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free." Was not Thomas Jefferson an extremist - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." So the question is not whether we will be extremist but what kind of extremist will we be. Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice - or will we be extremists for the cause of justice? In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill, three men were crucified. We must not forget that all three were crucified for the same crime - the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thusly fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. So, after all, maybe the South, the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.

I think I could just blog quotes from MLK for the next few years, and even if no one read them I would have a wonderful time typing them up and thinking about them myself.

I think this idea makes a lot of sense

I read an interesting quote the other day that made a lot of sense to me...

The key to making progress is to do the right thing as often as possible. The best way to do that is to make doing the right thing as EASY as possible--so easy, in fact, that it's more effort to do the wrong thing. Weight loss success stories are loaded with simple techniques like "I started packing my lunch," and "I put the snack food on a high shelf," and "I joined a gym that was closer to my house," simple habits that make the right thing easier and the wrong thing harder.

I read this on a website about exercise and fitness, in an article advocating for the consumption of protein shakes because of their convenience. He says, "You could--and maybe should-- eat nothing but whole, natural food day in and day out. But convenience will almost always trump good intentions. Strapped for time, it's easier to resist an empty-calorie bagel by mixing up a quick shake than it is to whip up a steak on the grill. Try to do it all with whole foods and you're bound to screw it up from time to time, leaving your body with less fuel than it needs for optimal recovery."

While some people reading this may care less about how much protein they consume each day, I'm thinking that this simple idea may have implications in many dimensions of our lives. Small simple choices make up the fabric of our lives, and I wonder if simply making the better choices a little easier could change our lives for the better...any thoughts?

Kayla's first day at her new school

Kayla just had her first day at her new preschool in Oakland, Little Sprouts Preschool. It is connected to New Hope Covenant Church in the San Antonio Neighborhood. They are good people.

As I expected, my girl had no problem jumping in and making new friends. On her first day we waited anxiously, prepared to stay longer and provide emotional support, and she was ready for her Mommy and Daddy to leave after about 30 seconds. That's my girl.

The Fam

Shalom Poem

SHALOM

Shalom to you
Shalom for us
For you and me and we and everyone

Together we yearn
Together we groan
Together we cry

Together we search
Together we sweat
Together we pray

For SHALOM
For an end to bloodshed
For things to be made right again
A revolution of love
For salvation –reconciliation – redemption - transformation

So in anticipation we walk
On the journey
To love, peace, friendship, safety, salvation, goodness and wholeness

To be healed in our hearts, minds, souls and bodies
To be made new in our families, schools and neighborhoods

We believe in a Kingdom best explained by beautiful stories
And we believe in this Rabbi/Storyteller/Messiah/Savior/God
Who is the Prince of Peace
The Prince of Shalom

So would you follow Him?
Take a walk with Him?
Jump into the rabbit hole of something more

Leaving behind the worry and fear
Taking steps towards justice, mercy and love

Would you open your eyes to the bad and the good
Following the gentle nudge of the Spirit that you cannot ignore for one more second

And dream with me
And hope with me
And love with me

Love with your heart and your hands and your feet and your life

So do that thing you’ve only dreamed about…

Tell her you’re sorry before it’s too late
Tell him you love him and you’ll try
Sell it and give the money away
Ask for help with your addiction
Spend more time with your family
See that counselor
Invite your neighbors over for dinner
Move into that neighborhood
Open your doors to the outsider
Welcome the lonely
Forgive the insult
Turn the other cheek
Walk the extra mile
Visit the hospital and the prison
Find your enemy and give him a hug

Trust

Trust that the words of your Savior are worth following
Trust that He knew what He was talking about
Trust that your Father is still at work in the world
Trust that the Kingdom of God is at hand
Trust that the walls really can be rebuilt
Trust that we can be His hands and feet
Trust that in losing your life you will find it
Trust that you’ll receive a hundred times more
Trust that being last is being first

We can be the conduits of peace
The messengers of love
The proclaimers of grace
The advocates for Shalom
Because HE – IS – WITH - US

Jesus for President - this Friday

A sad weekend

It was a sad weekend for East Oakland.  Read more...

Pray for Shalom.

10 Things I love about Oakland

Sun and warmth

Striking diversity

Friendly neighbors

Live Gospel choir practicing next door

A backyard full of dirt and eventually vegetables and flowers

Quality basketball pick up games whenever I want them

The police helicopters overhead entertain the kids

Our friends Damon and Alice have a house in our backyard

Watching fireworks after an A's game

Craig and Lora's pool (I haven't visited it since we moved, but just the thought of using it makes me happy)

The feeling that this is where we are supposed to be...it's home

A new day

I've decided to actually start posting on this blog again.  Life feels fresh and new.  Our long awaited move to East Oakland took place on Saturday, aided by wonderful friends from near and far who cleaned, packed, bought more boxes, bought food, drove the UHaul and even took down the Direct TV boxes from our new house.  I was reminded how blessed we are to have a multitude of friends and family who care about us.  My parents watched the kiddos for a long weekend while we worked on the move.  Since the move my father in-law (since called a rock star by some friends) has been rebuilding and repairing all sorts of things around both houses.  We are sharing a duplex with our dear friends Damon and Alice Snyder.  Our house is in the front and their house is in the back, with a yard in between.  I'll post pictures later.  

I'm realizing I'll have no problem coming up with things to write about.  My mind is swirling with thoughts about Oakland and the people we have met in the last few days.  This morning I woke up to the sounds of Dr. Dre blaring from the apartment complex next door.  I would have thought that was so cool when I was 15, but it was  not so cool this morning.  I suppose it has something to do with the fact that I'm now twice the age of 15 and I have two kids and I'm tired. 

Stay tuned for pictures of our new place.  Peace

Stuff White People Like

This blog is hilarious. If you haven't already, check it out. Here's a good post about San Francisco.

Yesterday was a good day

Yesterday was a good day.  We've been looking for a house in East Oakland for some months now, but it's beginning to seem like years.  I've been frustrated and impatient with the process.  We've been waiting to hear back on a house that is a short-sale for a month.  It has seemed like the perfect neighborhood and a great place.  Then, on Saturday, we found a house just a couple blocks away with more space and for fewer dollars ($65,000 actually).  We made an offer and it was accepted yesterday morning.  East Oakland here we come.  Our prayers have been answered.  We'll be moving in 30 days.

Then, to top the day off I downloaded the new Roots album, Rising Down, with an iTunes gift certificate my friend gave me on my birthday.  It's amazing.  Thanks Craig.

Be careful what you wish for

Since I moved to "The City" (our term of endearment for San Francisco which I may stop using out of respect for our beloved city of Oakland), I've been whining about a lack of people to play basketball with and lift weights with.  Since I turned 30 a few weeks back (February 23 for those of you who forgot to send me a card), I've been looking at myself and who I am and who I want to become.  I decided to recommit myself to being a competitive basketball player for a number of reasons.  I truly enjoy playing.  It keeps me in great shape.  I will meet people in Oakland while playing who may never talk to me otherwise, etc. etc.

So I emailed one of my favorite people in the world, Paul Davis, and asked him for a workout plan.  When he asked me what my fitness goals were, I just told him to imagine I was trying to make the NBA.  He didn't just email me a workout program, but he mailed a DVD that outlines a strength/plyometric/jumping program for basketball players.  So on Monday I got up early in the morning, went to the weightroom in our garage and got after it.  

Later in the early evening I went to shoot a few baskets over at the Potrero Hill Rec Center.  A couple guys over at the other end of the court invited me to do a basketball workout with them. Turns out one guy played for Pepperdine a while back and the other guy was the leading scorer for USF and the entire West Coast Conference, including Gonzaga, St. Mary's, etc.  I know only like two people reading this care about those couple details, but I hope you two people enjoy them.  So we did this strenuous workout of shooting, dribbling, and sprinting, and after my morning workout I felt like my legs were going to fall off, but wow, it was so fun.  The guys invited me to workout with them three days a week.  Suddenly I've got a plan and seriously talented guys to practice with.  By the time I get to Oakland (mid-May?) I'll be ready to play some basketball.

Good Ol' Dietrich

'...the restoration of the church will surely come only from a new type of monasticism which has nothing in common with the old but a complete lack of compromise in a life lived in accordance with the Sermon on the Mount in the discipleship of Christ.  I think it is time to gather people together to do this...' 

  -Dietrich Bonhoeffer in 1935

I Dream

As I walk along these city streets I dream
Of a Kingdom come
His will be done
Laying down our weapons
Casting aside our hatred
Along with our ambivalence

All Creation knowing and realizing
The HOPE that was promised long ago

We dream, we hope, we trust
That somehow we can be
The advocates of love
The conduits of peace
The messengers of grace

We know that a force beyond comprehension
Can take root inside of us
And transform us into a new humanity
We yearn for the focus, the discipline, the sacrifice
To become one with this good force

To feel the flow of a Spirit
Guiding our hearts, minds, hands and feet

Let us be the people we were made to be
Present in every moment
Aware of your presence
Awakening to our true purposes

I dream that this dream would be realized
That this way would be inhabited in the real world
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven

My wise little girl

Just after Christmas my brother (also known as Uncle Noah) and I took Kayla out for a night on the town. After almost being run off the road by a couple of taxi drives, I found a great parking spot. On our walk from the car to Union Square my little girl quickly noticed the men sleeping in front of the closed doors on the dark streets and asked aloud why they were sleeping there in the cold. I did my best to explain that some people don't have houses, like my friends under the overpass near our house. She asked "Why?", her questions she asks me 8,000 times a day, and we had a little talk about some people having more money than other people for lots of different reasons.

Yesterday Kayla and I went on another date, this time to a coffee shop. After thoroughly enjoying her treat from the beloved coffee shop, Kayla asked why the big girl was talking to people in the middle of the parking lot. Well, the truth was the girl was asking people to let her wash their windshields in exchange for some money. "Why?", asked my little girl. I was about to ask the same question since it was raining outside, but that thought is for another story. "Well, some people don't have enough money," I tried to explain. "Everybody should have enough money," Kayla quickly replied, before adding, "Daddy, the girl doesn't have enough money just like the people who sleep in front of the stores downtown?" I was speechless...shocked she could put this all together in her head, proud of her to care and think about it, and saddened at the truths she was calling out. We talked some more but I can't even remember what I said. A few moments later I pointed out the new condos being built that our car was now passing. "Daddy, are those new houses going to be for the people without houses!?" She said it with such hope and joy, like she had it all figured out and she was so excited about it, that I didn't want to dash her hopes and tell her the truth.

The crazy thing is that I don't have long talks about social justice and poverty with Kayla. Most of the conversations I initiate with her are very simple. I want her to know that her Mommy and Daddy love her, that God loves her, that she should take care of her little brother and share with him, things like that. But something in her little head starts churning when she looks around this City, and I love the truth and hope that comes from somewhere inside of her when we have our little conversations. I can't imagine what we'll be talking about when she's 4.

the unexpected

I was having one of those days. Got up a little later than I meant to, tired from the kids being sick and having a hard time sleeping. I thought I had a few minutes to chill before my next meeting, but then I got a text...could I meet right now instead? Sure, no problem, just need to find directions to the cafe for me and my bike from BART...got it. I'm in a hurry and hop onto my bike and down the hill. I'm at the entrance to BART and quickly realize I am without a wallet, or a BART card, or any cash, or any change. What to do, what to do. Ride back up the hill, get my wallet and be exhausted, sweaty, grumpy and late anyway? No thanks. Other options? None are coming to my mind. What if...I just ask people for money? I'm standing here next to the gate going through my pockets with obvious frustration and anxiety. Maybe someone will notice and want to help? Maybe one of these nice looking people who probably have extra money. I look at the people walking by, and they all make an obvious effort to look away, or even walk away. The Moms with kids, the business professionals, the hipsters, they all walk by. Suddenly a rather pudgy man wearing faded sweatpants, beat up tennis shoes, an old beanie and several days of stubble walks down the stairs. He looks straight at me and asks what is wrong. He says he wants to buy me a ticket, for people have done far more for him. He tries to enter his credit card several times, because he is pushing it in upside down. Contemplating giving him some tips on buying a BART card, I hold my tongue and wait. He finally uses cash and buys me a ticket for $1.50, just enough to get to the Embarcadero. I try to express my sincere gratefulness and desire to pay him back, but he tells me not to worry. "What goes around comes around, right?" he says and waves me ahead to my important meeting.

Creative Assistance

I have an assignment for all you dedicated readers out there ...

We are in the process of starting an intentional community and a non-profit organization to initiate missional projects in Oakland, and it needs a name. I love the word and deeper meaning of SHALOM. It means so much...peace, safety, well-being, friendship, health, salvation. All my hopes and dreams for what we could see happen are contained in the meaning of this word. I'm just wondering if it really works, and if it does, what goes with it... "The Shalom Initiative", just "Shalom"?

So, for all you creative thinkers out there, please give me a little help. I'd love your honest opinion of Shalom, and if you don't think it works, suggest something else. Thanks.