Needless to say, it’s been a while since I’ve visited this blog, let alone written anything.

Our change of address over the past 6 months is the main culprit (you can ask me for more info if you’re interested in the gory details.)  For those of you still following from home, I’ve seen 1/09 as the target date - for either re-entering the proverbial blog-o-sphere, or for bringing an official close to things.  And while I don’t extend voting rights to anyone, I welcome any opinions in the next few days on the topic.

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Read it here first: The latest ministry update.

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This satirical commentary on athletes and their poor use of money grabbed my attention. The most bone-chilling stat - “Filing for bankruptcy is a long-standing tradition for NBA players, 60% of whom… are broke five years after they retire” - really caught my eye.

Click through or read the whole article below Read the rest of this entry »

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A few things from the blog-0-sphere that I read through more than once:

- I work on a commuter campus, so can relate to Eddy Ekmekji’s post “Ministering in the convenience” about a recent Atlantic Monthly article about the state of community colleges or as the article labels them, colleges of convenience.

- “Give us your Black Sheep” - Jeremy Del Rio posts on the creative explosion when space is given to explore the ideas of otherwise malcontents.

- Marriage: The Public Debate - I really appreciate reading Richard Mouw’s (President of Fuller Seminary) as he articulates about the intersection of religious conviction and public policy-making in a pluralistic society, in this case, addressing the recent developments in California on same-sex unions.

- The Institute - Anthony Bradley links to story of 11-year old girl in Romania that was raped by her teenage uncle and who sought permission from the state for an abortion at 21 weeks.

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This is great to watch.

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Just starting using toodledo.com to help me stay on top of the “todos.” Especially with my house being a little turned-over these days as we prepare to sell/buy/move, I need a little help.

P.S. Problem is, having a to do list doesn’t tell you what do to, just tells you what needs to be done, if you catch my drift.

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Great Comission vs. Field of Dreams. Sort of.

A great read on Disabled Christianity, both in terms of reaching & serving those with disabilities, as well as, for that matter, anyone.

“The passage states, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…” …It doesn’t say, “Sit here and wait in Galilee and people will come.” It says go to the nations.

I am confident that relates to persons with disabilities as they are just members of the nations. We should go to them as we would go to any other member of the nations and invite them in. Jesus’ command is “Go” not “Build it and they will come” or “We will serve them if they come to us.”

There is a big difference between going and sitting and waiting.”

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As proverbial wisdom teaches:

The one who states their case first seems right,
until another comes and states theirs.

This is a controversy clash that won’t go away.

“…allowing same-sex couples to force religious individuals or organizations to act out of accord with their faith is not cost-free either. Their dignity is no less affected. Unless claims rooted in equal protection under the law are to sweep away claims rooted in freedom of religion, a more sensitive balancing approach is essential…

If past rulings are any guide, it is religious rights that are likely to be “obliterated” by an emerging popular majority supporting same-sex relationships — and it seems unlikely that the California courts will intervene. That’s a shame.”

From opinions article in LA Times, contributed by Marc D. Stern - general counsel of the American Jewish Congress and a contributor to a forthcoming book, “Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty.”

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Since my blog got hijacked for the weekend, I couldn’t post this ’til today. But it’s still mine & it’s still true.

I’ve got a lot of opinions about fatherhood. Professionally, I’ve met a lot of fathers – some good ones, some great ones, some mediocre ones, some bad ones, and often, sadly, a lot of just absent ones.
And personally, as a son with a father and with many friends with many fathers, I’ve formed many opinions about fatherhood. It’s hard not to. And you’ve done it to, so don’t judge me.
I’m sure there have been many days that I’ve thought I had fatherhood figured out.
But on this Father’s day, I’m realizing that the few real lessons I’ve learning about being a father are from one who as of yet has no words to speak, yet who has taught me volumes about being a dad.
She has taught me that fatherhood is Read the rest of this entry »

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I know, for some of you this is the “way - too - late - where - have - all - my - photos - of - Isa - been” edition.

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If this doesn’t prove a point, I don’t know what does.

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“Jesus was not just one more character in history, however important—rather, he was and is the founder of a new history, a new humanity, a new way of being human.”
-Douglas Wilson

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While the following opinion may end up betraying my general apathy about America’s supposed pastime, I’ve been confused lately in reflecting on the drastic inconsistency of rationales regarding granting amnesty - one of leniency for steroid users in baseball, and one of strictness towards undocumented immigrants.

One the one side, there are multi-millionaires being Read the rest of this entry »

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I have mixed reaction to this proposal to change this LAPD practice (Special Order 40) regarding inquiring about the immigration status of known gang members. I’m all for suppressing criminal activity - even though I question the effectiveness of blanketly deporting undocumented criminals - but I am concerned for how undocumented victims and potential witnesses might be impacted by a change in practice.

NOTE: National Geographic did a program that addresses the impact of gangs and immigration practices - World’s Most Dangerous Gang

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I’ve already noted that my blogging frequency has hit an all-time low.  Thankfully (for everyone), my daughter’s innate beauty is strong enough to carry this blog in its low point.

I’m realizing that one of my main blocks in blogging has been the unfinished thought. For a while, I thought it was time, but I don’t lack time to blog, I’ve lacked the completion of my thoughts with which to make time to blog.   Anyway, having come upon this realization, I’m going to attempt to reengage my blog with my (huge archive) unfinished thoughts.  God willing, some of them will go somewhere.  But at least you’ll see where I’m starting off.

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Urban. Young Men. Students. Bonding. Incarnational. Relevant.

Based on a conglomeration of these things, I’ve been ushered into a on-the-fly introduction to hip-hop over the last month or two. In my own opinion, I’m about a decade slow (if not more) in this whole arena, but hey, the turtle beat the hare, so I’ve got a chance.

And since I’m serious about learning, I’ve attached Read the rest of this entry »

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Yeah, it’s been that kind of week…

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Loads of Isa at Easter photos in this week’s Fix

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Mami y Papi con Isabel

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No, she isn’t falling asleep on the job; she is supposed to be doing therapy & stretching

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