No more lives torn apart /
That wars would never start /
And time would heal all hearts.

We’re in Big Bear for Christmas.  Tonight Rachel and I will sing those lyrics at my in-laws Christmas Eve service.  They are from the song Grown Up Christmas List.  Considering how much as I like to playfully harass my wife about her love for Amy Grant and only knowing songs by her from her childhood, it is kinda funny that we’re singing a song made popular by her.

A few nights ago those lyrics were swirling in my head as I tried to fall asleep.  After seeing some posts on Facebook about volatile current events, I was feeling very negative and a bit hopeless.  I thought, “Seriously? As great as this sounds, it’s ridiculous. It’s a bunch of hippy dippy junk. Everything seems to be falling apart and no one can even have civil conversations about it.  How will things ever get better?”
(PS – that’s not like me. I’m a bit of an eternal optimist.)

As I laid there and contemplated, my thoughts turned to Advent. Many of us are already saying Merry Christmas, but it’s still Advent.
Advent – a season of waiting. Anticipating.
In a long season of waiting and unrest, Israel held tightly to the hope that God would show up as he promised he would.  When much of what they could see brought despair, they could find hope, peace, joy, and love in what God promised he would one day bring.

And looking back from where we stand now we also know that restoration didn’t come as they expected.
But I’ll revisit that thought during the Christmas season.
Right now, it’s Advent.
No matter how bad things seem in the culture around us, I’m grateful that I can live in anticipation of a coming reality where God is in control and all is made right.
He showed up once bringing that reality with him.
We partner with God to bring about glimpses of that reality (on earth as it is in heaven), and look forward to experiencing the fullness of that reality someday.

Everyone would have a friend /
And right would always win /
And love would never end.

Today we anticipate and hope.
Tomorrow and in the days that follow we celebrate that love wins.
And that love never ends.
Regardless of what I see, I’m reminded that I can have hope, peace, joy, and love and sing with a sense of expectation rather than defeat because light WILL overcome the dark.

The people who walk in darkness
    will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
    a light will shine.
[Isaiah 9:2]

D is in her late 40’s and homeless.
She’s a part of project 180/180, which is how I got to meet her.
(I’ll post more about 180/180 in the future.)

If you saw D on the street, many of us might be tempted to ascribe a whole list of assumptions to her that we have about those in the homeless community.
I spent an hour helping her fill out an application for an apartment.
I don’t know a ton about her, but here’s a few things I learned in the hour I spent with her.

She has carpal tunnel, which is why I wrote most of her application out for her.
She has been in and out of homelessness for a while, it sounds like.
She is widowed and has 2 sons – 1 teenager and 1 who was murdered.
She was in a house for nearly 4 years.
2 years ago she lived there, and ran her own business.
The owner of the house was foreclosed on and she was kicked out.
She’s lost her income stream and everything she had shortly after.
She has been searching for a place to live.
Her income is less than many people reading this probably pay for a car payment.
She has a section 8 voucher that has had to be extended several times because she hasn’t been able to find a home that will accept her.  She’s come close.  Anyone who has looked for housing in Santa Cruz knows it’s not an easy task.
She disappeared for a while because she gave up.  She lost hope.

As we filled out the app, she mentioned how many times she’s done this.
She said she’s tired.
She thanked me and the others there for helping her as best we could.
She looked at us from behind a face that shows her almost 50 years of hard life and then some, and said she’s tired of being homeless.  She wants to start her business again but has nothing to get it started.
I kinda choked up as she walked out  of there, as another housing navigator encouraged her not to lose hope.

Today was just another good reminder that there is so much complexity to the issues of those who are homeless and under-resourced.
Everyone we pass on the street has a story.  A story that matters to God.
And lots of them would love to be out of the situation, and are even doing what they can to do so, but are starting at a disadvantage, be it situational, medical, whatever.
Thanks for the time we spent together today D.  It was good for my soul.
I can’t wait to celebrate when you get a home and take another step toward forward.

Here’s a great article I saw posted by some people on Facebook that has some great insights on poverty in America.

Part 1: Facebook sucks…
Part 2: Don’t make it personal.

Today…

If you have an idea, go for it…you never know what could happen.

I was watching another video of Jason being interviewed on Today Show in Australia.  I found it interesting that in it he mentioned that their goal for the video was to have 500,000 people see it over the course of the year.  As of me writing this almost 80 million people have seen it.

Too often we are moved by something, perhaps even want to do something about it, but figure we couldn’t really pull much off.
9 years ago when these guys came across an issue that moved them in Uganda, they probably imagined that they would ever reach the level of impact that they already have.
But they did something.
And it became bigger then they would have ever imagined.
And even before they got news out to millions of people, it was with it for those who they were able to help.

Recently my brother-in-law shared this news story he saw that hit him like a sledge hammer to the chest.
It’s about a Syrian baby that dies in the hospital while they are there.
It’s kinda graphic.  You’ve been warned:

He knew he had to do something.
Doesn’t know what that looks like, but for now, he’s putting together a website to at least share it and gather intercessory prayer.
I can’t wait to see what God does with it.

I talked to a good friend and mentor of mine the other day.
His name is Boomer.
He and his wife are in the process of starting a non-profit for global social justice issues.
The idea is to commission and gather artists to use their talents to make a difference.
Another one I’m excited to hear about as it comes together.

So what has moved you lately?
What ideas and dreams do you have that  you’ve pushed aside?
What cause or issue have you come across that you felt like you had to do something about?
Go for it.
Cause it’s better to try something than to do nothing.

Second thing that came to mind was less of a learning and I guess more of a reminder…

When people disagree with you, they seem to insist on making it personal.

What’s up with that?!
Some of the almost direct quotes I read (cause I’m not going to go look them all up)…

“… hipsters making themselves feel better…”
“…using this horrible situation to increase their own influence and finances.”
“…white people in acid washed jeans talking about Africa…can’t get their own priorities straight.”

So at the risk of sounding like I’m doing some form of name dropping…cause I’m not…I would call Jason Russell an acquaintance.
Nevermind, I call everyone a friend.  Even people I know less than him.  He’s a friend.
We did some theater theater together at CCT down in San Diego when I was in high school.
His dad, Paul, is the founder of CYT, an organization I grew up participating in and now work for and I would call Paul a friend.
Point is, I know several members of the family.
All that to say it’s easy to make generalizations and negative comments when you don’t know somebody.  I know them well enough to confidently say that they are great people with great hearts doing the best they can to make a difference.  And in the process, doing a lot more than most others.

Perhaps that’s why it bothered me so much and I kept feeling this need to defend them.

Landing point today…
I can live with people disagreeing with methodology.
Don’t think a movie is the best way fo raising awareness?  Fair enough.  Find a better way and do it.
Think there are bigger fish to fry?  Fair enough.  Go champion those causes.
But today when you come across someone you disagree with, there’s no need to slander them or their character in the process.
Have a discussion about methodology and principles, but don’t assume to know the intentions of someone else’s heart.
Be nice people.

This week, I decided to share a blog series on some things I learned or reflections I pondered as a result of the video and all that surrounded it.
And the first one has absolutely nothing to do with kids in Africa, Invisible Children, or Joseph Kony…

Lesson #1: Facebook Can Be Toxic To My Soul

For reason’s I’ll get into later in the week, I liked the video, I liked the cause, and I am a supporter of Invisible Children.
As with anything that happens these days, everyone has their own opinions.  And they aren’t always friendly in how they communicate them.
I spent a good portion of my online time last week commenting on negative posts about the video.  I felt like I had this need to defend them.
Not every post that disagreed with them was rude, so don’t assume that cause I commented on your status I think you’re a jerk.  Different opinions are OK.
Again, I’ll get into that later in the week.

But with all that it became clear how emotionally taxing something as stupid as being on Facebook was for me.
Now don’t hear what I’m not saying!
I’m not saying that Facebook itself is toxic.
As with most any tool, it can be good, or it can be negative, and most of the time it’s a little of both.
But for myself, I kinda reached my limit.
So I decided I’m gonna get kinda crazy.

I didn’t give anything up for Lent or anything, but hey…better late than never.
So I’m gonna take a break from Facebook til after Easter.
Would probably be smarter this year if I just took a break til November 7th!

Now there are a few small exceptions…

• Messages
  There are people who contact me through Facebook or that I can only reach by Facebook.  I’ve reconfigured my notifications so I’ll get an email of any messages I get through Facebook.
• Blog Posts
  I’m not taking a break from social media, just Facebook.  That’s the one for me personally right now that seems to suck my time and energy away.  I may still Twitter on occasion.  I’ve disconnected my Twitter from Facebook for this time so you won’t see them there.
  I plan to return to being a better blogger during that time, and the reality is hardly anyone comes over here from the RSS feed anymore.  So I’ll keep it posting on Facebook to let people know when I post.  But I’ll mention on each one, don’t comment on it at Facebook.  You won’t get an answer, at least not til April 9th.  Comment right here on the blog and let’s chat together here.
• Work/Ministry Pages
  I may use it on occasion just to update things I need to for Missio Dei Community and CYT.

There ya have it.
Facebook, see ya in about a month.

Which ones are your favorites? 

Early on after having Caleb I remember thinking about what it would mean to really hold him and my family open handed.
I wanted to be able to trust God no matter what, but when I saw that kid and fell in love with him I knew how hard that would be.
I asked myself if I could fully surrender him to God.  Would I be OK if God took him from me.
Last weekend some friends of mine had to actually come face to face with that reality.

That’s Scott and Stephanie.
And their daughter Eisley.
Eisley turned 3 a couple weeks ago.
Then last sunday morning, she just didn’t wake up.
The memorial service is in Costa Mesa today and they have been on my mind all week.

It is a sobering reminder that NONE of us are promised tomorrow.
Several times this week I’ve hugged my kids a little tighter.
The other night I checked on them before going to bed, and took a moment to feel Caleb’s breath on my face and breathe in the smell.
I’ve taken a little extra cuddle time with Micah on the couch watching Umi Zumi, even though I knew I should get back to work.

It’s also been pretty awesome to see the outpouring of love for their family from their faith community.
There has already been over $25,000 collected to help them pay for all the expenses that are coming.
Click here to check it out, and consider helping them out too.
And if you’re the prayin type, please say a couple for them this week.

And go love harder, hug more, and appreciate the people around you.
They’re worth it.

Then, last night, while in line for Harry Potter, my wife and Christal were handed this pamphlet.

Anyone else kinda wanna see that lion go for that doll looking girl’ss head?
Sorry.  moving on…

From the front cover –

They have a website too.  ChristianVeg.org.

Umm, sorry, but when I consider ‘going green’, a “planet based diet” isn’t quite what I had in mind.
Anyone wanna join me at Betty’s Burger?

• Lots of people sitting at Neverland hoping to get a glimpse of Michael Jackson's body.  Not gonna get that.  No public viewing will take place.
• The state of CA is now issuing I.O.U.s in lieu of actual money cause they can't balance a budget.  Enough said.
• Lady was complaining about the drought plan in place that only allows watering lawns on certain days only.  She's concerned about all the brown lawns that will pop up and the kids wanting to play in the sprinklers in the summer.  Sorry, we have no more drinking water, but at least the lawns are green!

Really though?
This is the state I live in.
But I love it anyway!