Hosive

periodically, i stop and rest. and give pause. rest, reflection and refreshment.

sometimes there is something bigger than me that forces me to stop. 2 things this week:

i’ve been reflecting on the upcoming birth of my baby girl….in my faith, we give thanksgiving offerings as a sign of gratitude for such a gift. such a grace. i’ve decided to give to speak up, an international human rights organization committed to the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking. this is a gift for a better world for my girl…and a lot of other baby girls.

Speak Up has asked my friend jonathan wu to film and create videos to help promote their ongoing efforts. he also hopes to make a short documentary about Speak Up’s work and capture a bit of life in Bangkok. his trip will last 10 days, and he’s seeking financial support. If you’re inclined to give, his goal is to raise $1,500 to cover travel, housing and equipment costs. There are two ways you can donate:

1) Send a check payable to SPEAK UP by April 14th to:

Speak Up
PO Box 5595
Pasadena, CA 91117
(write Jonathan Wu in the memo section)

2) If you’re on Facebook, go to http://apps.facebook.com/causes/252674 and donate through
Speak Up’s Causes page. Again, by April 14th if possible.

Speak Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making your donation tax-deductible. Please send me an email and let me know if you’ve donated, as this will help keep track of the amount being raised. also, i am interested in matching your donation to double your giving power. please touch bases with me on that.

second……

we’re entering holy week….the highest holy days in the christian faith when we focus on the last week of jesus’ life before his death and resurrection. we start off with his jubilant entry into jerusalem, celebrate with the last supper and communion before we descend into his betrayal, trial, torture, crucifixion and death. usually, stories that end in death….end. but the story was not over yet. this was only friday…..sunday was coming.

for the next week, i’ll be posting a video a day to retell the story. these videos were made by leo chen, a bsg fan, videographer and movie maker in my church….of leo-graphy, my friend leo fame.

periodically, i stop and rest. and give pause. rest, reflection and refreshment.

sometimes there is something bigger than me that forces me to stop. 2 things this week:

i’ve been reflecting on the upcoming birth of my baby girl….in my faith, we give thanksgiving offerings as a sign of gratitude for such a gift. such a grace. i’ve decided to give to speak up, an international human rights organization committed to the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking. this is a gift for a better world for my girl…and a lot of other baby girls.

Speak Up has asked my friend jonathan wu to film and create videos to help promote their ongoing efforts. he also hopes to make a short documentary about Speak Up’s work and capture a bit of life in Bangkok. his trip will last 10 days, and he’s seeking financial support. If you’re inclined to give, his goal is to raise $1,500 to cover travel, housing and equipment costs. There are two ways you can donate:

1) Send a check payable to SPEAK UP by April 14th to:

Speak Up
PO Box 5595
Pasadena, CA 91117
(write Jonathan Wu in the memo section)

2) If you’re on Facebook, go to http://apps.facebook.com/causes/252674 and donate through
Speak Up’s Causes page. Again, by April 14th if possible.

Speak Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making your donation tax-deductible. Please send me an email and let me know if you’ve donated, as this will help keep track of the amount being raised. also, i am interested in matching your donation to double your giving power. please touch bases with me on that.

second……

we’re entering holy week….the highest holy days in the christian faith when we focus on the last week of jesus’ life before his death and resurrection. we start off with his jubilant entry into jerusalem, celebrate with the last supper and communion before we descend into his betrayal, trial, torture, crucifixion and death. usually, stories that end in death….end. but the story was not over yet. this was only friday…..sunday was coming.

for the next week, i’ll be posting a video a day to retell the story. these videos were made by leo chen, a bsg fan, videographer and movie maker in my church….of leo-graphy, my friend leo fame.

periodically, i stop and rest. and give pause. rest, reflection and refreshment.

sometimes there is something bigger than me that forces me to stop. 2 things this week:

i’ve been reflecting on the upcoming birth of my baby girl….in my faith, we give thanksgiving offerings as a sign of gratitude for such a gift. such a grace. i’ve decided to give to speak up, an international human rights organization committed to the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking. this is a gift for a better world for my girl…and a lot of other baby girls.

Speak Up has asked my friend jonathan wu to film and create videos to help promote their ongoing efforts. he also hopes to make a short documentary about Speak Up’s work and capture a bit of life in Bangkok. his trip will last 10 days, and he’s seeking financial support. If you’re inclined to give, his goal is to raise $1,500 to cover travel, housing and equipment costs. There are two ways you can donate:

1) Send a check payable to SPEAK UP by April 14th to:

Speak Up
PO Box 5595
Pasadena, CA 91117
(write Jonathan Wu in the memo section)

2) If you’re on Facebook, go to http://apps.facebook.com/causes/252674 and donate through
Speak Up’s Causes page. Again, by April 14th if possible.

Speak Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making your donation tax-deductible. Please send me an email and let me know if you’ve donated, as this will help keep track of the amount being raised. also, i am interested in matching your donation to double your giving power. please touch bases with me on that.

second……

we’re entering holy week….the highest holy days in the christian faith when we focus on the last week of jesus’ life before his death and resurrection. we start off with his jubilant entry into jerusalem, celebrate with the last supper and communion before we descend into his betrayal, trial, torture, crucifixion and death. usually, stories that end in death….end. but the story was not over yet. this was only friday…..sunday was coming.

for the next week, i’ll be posting a video a day to retell the story. these videos were made by leo chen, a bsg fan, videographer and movie maker in my church….of leo-graphy, my friend leo fame.

periodically, i stop and rest. and give pause.  rest, reflection and refreshment.

sometimes there is something bigger than me that forces me to stop. 2 things this week:

i’ve been reflecting on the upcoming birth of my baby girl….in my faith, we give thanksgiving offerings as a sign of gratitude for such a gift. such a grace. i’ve decided to give to speak up, an international human rights organization committed to the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking. this is a gift for a better world for my girl…and a lot of other baby girls.

Speak Up has asked my friend jonathan wu to film and create videos to help promote their ongoing efforts.  he also hopes to make a short documentary about Speak Up’s work and capture a bit of life in Bangkok.  his trip will last 10 days, and he’s seeking financial support.  If you’re inclined to give, his goal is to raise $1,500 to cover travel, housing and equipment costs.  There are two ways you can donate:

1) Send a check payable to SPEAK UP by April 14th to:

Speak Up
PO Box 5595
Pasadena, CA 91117
(write Jonathan Wu in the memo section)

2) If you’re on Facebook, go to http://apps.facebook.com/causes/252674 and donate through
Speak Up’s Causes page.  Again, by April 14th if possible.

Speak Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making your donation tax-deductible.  Please send me an email and let me know if you’ve donated, as this will help keep track of the amount being raised. also, i am interested in matching your donation to double your giving power. please touch bases with me on that.

second……

we’re entering holy week….the highest holy days in the christian faith when we focus on the last week of jesus’ life before his death and resurrection. we start off with his jubilant entry into jerusalem, celebrate with the last supper and communion before we descend into his betrayal, trial, torture, crucifixion and death. usually, stories that end in death….end. but the story was not over yet. this was only friday…..sunday was coming.

for the next week, i’ll be posting a video a day to retell the story. these videos were made by leo chen, a bsg fan, videographer and movie maker in my church….of leo-graphy, my friend leo fame.

periodically, i stop and rest. and give pause.  rest, reflection and refreshment.

sometimes there is something bigger than me that forces me to stop. 2 things this week:

i’ve been reflecting on the upcoming birth of my baby girl….in my faith, we give thanksgiving offerings as a sign of gratitude for such a gift. such a grace. i’ve decided to give to speak up, an international human rights organization committed to the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking. this is a gift for a better world for my girl…and a lot of other baby girls.

Speak Up has asked my friend jonathan wu to film and create videos to help promote their ongoing efforts.  he also hopes to make a short documentary about Speak Up’s work and capture a bit of life in Bangkok.  his trip will last 10 days, and he’s seeking financial support.  If you’re inclined to give, his goal is to raise $1,500 to cover travel, housing and equipment costs.  There are two ways you can donate:

1) Send a check payable to SPEAK UP by April 14th to:

Speak Up
PO Box 5595
Pasadena, CA 91117
(write Jonathan Wu in the memo section)

2) If you’re on Facebook, go to http://apps.facebook.com/causes/252674 and donate through
Speak Up’s Causes page.  Again, by April 14th if possible.

Speak Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making your donation tax-deductible.  Please send me an email and let me know if you’ve donated, as this will help keep track of the amount being raised. let me know if you are interested in doubling your giving through a matching fund.

second……

we’re entering holy week….the highest holy days in the christian faith when we focus on the last week of jesus’ life before his death and resurrection. we start off with his jubilant entry into jerusalem, celebrate with the last supper and communion before we descend into his betrayal, trial, torture, crucifixion and death. usually, stories that end in death….end. but the story was not over yet. this was only friday…..sunday was coming.

for the next week, i’ll be posting a video a day to retell the story. these videos were made by leo chen, a bsg fan, videographer and movie maker in my church.

periodically, i stop and rest. and give pause.  rest, reflection, refreshment.

sometimes there is something bigger than me that forces me to stop. 2 things this week:

i’ve been reflecting on the upcoming birth of my baby girl….in my faith, we give thanksgiving offerings as a sign of gratitude for such a gift. such a grace. i’ve decided to give to speak up, an international human rights organization committed to the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking. this is a gift for a better world for my girl…and a lot of other baby girls.

Speak Up asked my friend jonathan wu to film and create videos to help promote their ongoing efforts.  he also hopes to make a short documentary about Speak Up’s work and capture a bit of life in Bangkok.  his trip will last 10 days, and he’s seeking financial support.  If you’re inclined to give, his goal is to raise $1,500 to cover travel, housing and equipment costs.  There are two ways you can donate:

1) Send a check payable to SPEAK UP by April 14th to:

Speak Up
PO Box 5595
Pasadena, CA 91117
(write Jonathan Wu in the memo section)

2) If you’re on Facebook, go to http://apps.facebook.com/causes/252674 and donate through
Speak Up’s Causes page.  Again, by April 14th if possible.

Speak Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making your donation tax-deductible.  Please send me an email and let me know if you’ve donated, as this will help keep track of the amount being raised. also, i am interested in matching your donation to double your giving power. please touch bases with me on that.

second……

we’re entering holy week….the highest holy days in the christian faith when we focus on the last week of jesus’ life before his death and resurrection. we start off with his jubilant entry into jerusalem, celebrate with the last supper and communion before we descend into his betrayal, trial, torture, crucifixion and death. usually, stories that end in death….end. but the story was not over yet. this was only friday…..sunday was coming.

for the next week, i’ll be posting a video a day to retell the story. these videos were made by leo chen, a bsg fan, videographer and movie maker in my church….of leo-graphy, my friend leo fame.

as i enjoyed a slow, lazy long weekend during christmas, others in palestine/israel were enduring a different kind of long weekend. having spent a summer in israel and palestine, the news stories from the region are never just (disposable)news.

both sides will blame and accuse…in this case, the israelis are bombing gaza in response to rockets…the palestinians are promising more violence…..the details matters little to me…i subscribe to the theology of “their lives were bigger than any big idea”. so i mourn. i pray. i pause. on the christian sabbath after one of the main christian holy-days, i pray that people will turn from their violence…learn to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with their God.

our true violent selves have risen above the surface….

unfortunately, more to come….

Posted under a different world, politics, prophet

around this time every year, i used to preach a graduation sermon to my graduating high school students about what a different world they are about to enter. the inspiration for the series of messages came from the show ‘a different world’ which was a spinoff of ‘the cosby show’. the themes of my talks were the same on the cosby sequel: there is another world out there and its beyond what you can imagine.

something mind boggling has happened in burma/myanmar. a cyclone slammed into the country last week and the projections include 100,000 dead and millions displaced. articles are a-plenty about the situation. i’ve included a few links from diverse sources:

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gBw5sUoXe5e0Q25UniUtc29D2lYQ

http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/pray-for-burmamyanmar/#comments

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/893E25D5-625D-4ECC-A56C-FA267738DFA1.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/08/myanmar/index.html

meanwhile in this country….its a different world…..we do not have to worry about water, shelter or burning our dead….instead many are preoccupied with what to do with our $600/$1200 rebates from the government. i was challenged by a passing comment that i heard: most folks are only thinking about how they are going to spend it on themselves….and not thinking about how they can bless others.

i think i know what we’re doing with our rebates.

if you are thinking of giving, two groups that our church has worked with on the issues of disaster and relief are world vision and samaritan’s purse. we sent a team down to new orleans to aid with the clean up and rebuilding. we also have been sponsoring children(all in the one village)in rwanda. so we like both of these groups and trust their work. both are receiving donations.

perhaps this is a visual parable to how different a world i live in….i was struck by the amount of packaging and waste needed to get me my replacement headphones. shure sure makes some fraking good headphones. and they have a great warranty….replacement or repair up to 2 years! my left earbud went out and i happily sent it back in for an exchange

to my shock, i got this packaging limo for my headphones. look at all that plastic, cardboard and bubblewrap needed to get me quality sound! i also got 5 copies of instructions in 5 different languages! rather than “waste” time with shipping different booklets to different countries, they give everybody every volume!

i live in a world where headphones get better treatment than…………

(for those unfamiliar with parables……you may have to do some work to connect it to (your own) real life)