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.

No liquid on airplanes

This guy really didn't want to waste his vodka...

Oakland anyone?

So, if you read this you may know we're planning on moving to Oakland in April. ReIMAGINE is helping us launch a new organization and team, and we're excited about it. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare and plan to move forward. If you or someone you know is interested in helping us start something beautiful in Oakland (intentional community, projects to serve the neighborhood, experiments in following Jesus in an urban context...) let us know. We're looking for partners and friends to join us in our new neighborhood, maybe even some folks looking for college credit and a season of intentional spiritual formation. So after you read this post hit me up with an email with contact info for dozens of young radicals who just told you they want to be a part of a special community in Oakland, California...

Photographs

My friend Daley Hake takes beautiful pictures. Check this out...Andrea says I look like I'm trying to look tough. Hey, some people just look tough naturally. What can I say?

A good Saturday morning

I took the kids to Farmer's Market by myself. I love our Farmer's Market. We picked up some yummy and healthy fruits and vegetables before heading home. The walk back up the hill with Chase on my back, Kayla in my right arm and the groceries in my left arm even provided some quality exercise. I'm happy to be resting on the couch now.

Would Jesus spam?

Thanks to NextGener.AsianChurch for introducing me to this poem. It may be a bit trite but it's still amusing and makes me think...

Did Jesus use the Internet at the Sermon on the Mount?
Did He ever try spam e-mail to send His message out?

Did the apostle Paul use powerful memory and the latest version?
Were his letters posted on a bulletin board with his email, Paul@rome.com?
When he left Macedonia send a text message asking “Is it OK to go?”

Did Moses use a game controller to part the Sea?
Or use a Satellite Guidance Tracking System to show him where to go?
Did he write the Ten Commandments by hand,
or were they archived on CD?

Did Jesus really die for us one day upon a tree?
Or was it just a hologram,
or computer trickery?
Can you download the video?

If in your life, the voice of God is sometimes hard to hear…
with other voices calling, if His doesn’t touch your ear…
Then put down your laptop, Internet, -and all your fancy gear-
And return to simplicity
-and then God will draw near.

The Mission

We watched The Mission with some friends last night. Wow, what an amazing movie with an incredible cast (Robert DeNiro, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Aidan Quinn...) and spectacular scenery from South America. It would have been worth the time to watch it even without the amazing story. Jesuit missionaries to the Guarani people (natives) decide to stand against the decision of the Vatican to hand the territory over to the Portuguese. The Portuguese and Spaniards are hoping to destroy the missions and enslave the people. The characters of DeNiro and Irons take different routes to caring for the people. One refuses to believe that violence is the answer, and the other eventually takes arms against their attackers. It's one of the best movies I've seen with an explicitly religious theme. If you haven't seen it check it out.

I got a VHS copy from the library that reminded me of ages past...our VCR still works! Dan suggested I sell it as an antique, but we'll hold off.

Picture Share - Pumpkin Patch