Renovate » Life and Love

Scattered Thoughts!

thecentro — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:37:32 +0000

For this Weeks Scattered thoughts: Fishing

My wife and I recently went to Hawaii to visit family for about 5 days. It was a great 5 days. But for one of those days my uncle, his brother and I went out deep sea fishing on their boat. I had gone out the last time with them and had an amazing time. This time I couldn’t wait to get out there.

We cruised out about 2 or 3 miles. As we got out to the buoy we just did some standard fishing (nothing deep). It was calming to be out on the sea and I could tell that my uncle was in his favorite place. And then I started thinking.

What does it mean to be a fisherman? As a way of life I can only imagine it to be frustrating (says the guy from California). Sometimes you don’t catch anything, sometimes you get a few fish, but every so often you get the big catch.

So for the first couple of hours we just cruised around the buoy talking about family and traveling. And then it dawned on me. I wonder what these guys would think if they had heard Jesus say to them “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. I sat with that for a while as I stared off into the vastness of the ocean. Then I thought, wait a second what does that mean to me?…

Here’s some thoughts…

1. I feel we need to look constructively at the way we evangelize/witness to people.

- So much of what I have been disgusted with everyone is there ability to memorize but not real thoughts and no heart. People who haven’t really allowed anything to simmer for a long period of time. I guess Lack of Discipleship?

- Too much of it is forced. I understand the urgency! but I don’t understand the constant bombarding of moral subjugation/oppression. Thats not what Jesus was about.

2. Its not just about telling people about Jesus! Its not just about telling people about Jesus!

- Its about living a life that exemplifies the characteristics of Christ. With all the mess, with all the pain, with all the joy. In its perfect incomplete form. Allowing people to see its not about a set lists of do’s and don’ts but a lifetime (process) of knowning and being known. Whatever that looks like.

3. Its not about pulling people into the church (the physical site location)

- its about teaching people to go out into the world as doctors, lawyers, gas station workers, truck drivers, policemen, CEO’s, stay at home mothers, people who just lost their house and represent Christ. And not even have to tell people the One’s name in which you go. Crazy huh!

Still more to come on this post….

Monday’s Scattered Thoughts

thecentro — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:21:28 +0000

For todays Scattered thoughts I wanted to talk about rest. Not just the “lounge in front to the TV while watching a great movie”. I’m talking complete/almost complete RESToration. When I think about it seems unattainable, almost ridiculous notion that I could be rested. Now in college I would sleep for days or at least all day and it was great but thats not rest. I could do nothing all weekend and be joyous for just BEING home, but thats not rest.

Well what is rest then? How do I achieve this goal of what seems to be proper self-managment? Can’t manage time because it is constant and infinite.

I think somewhere I draw true rest is in spending some ‘Q’ Time with the big man. I notice that when I am not making room for that communion that everything else seems to wear on me so much more. I also find that when I participate in authentic worship I feel that same connectedness.

Matthew 11:28-30

Just some random thoughts…

Bands I like!

thecentro — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:26:23 +0000

For this weeks Band I like, I decided to mix it up a little. Without fur ado I present “K-OS”, a fusion of hiphop/r&b/reggae and funk. His lyrics frequently focus on promoting a “positive message” while times expressing criticism of mainstream hip hop culture’s obsession with money, fame and glorification of violence. k-os usually performs with a live band, something that is uncommon in the hip hop. Best of all he is Canadian!

Check it out.

K-Os – Man I Used To Be

K-Os – Born To Run

K-Os – Sunday Morning

K-Os – Crucial

Enjoy!

Some Q time with the wifey

thecentro — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:24:53 +0000

I love my wife! She is everything that I am not. Driven, Great Multi-tasker, ability to think and see things that I can’t, and a great cook. But with all those things said, it doesn’t speak the volumes of what she has done in my life.

So today we decided to play hooky from church to spend some ”Q” time together. To be honest we really haven’t made much of this time so is due.

We have talked about starting a date night once a week or trying to make an overnight trips somewhere about once every three weeks or a month. We will see how it goes. We want it to be free flowing, nothing forced. Something that gives us some spontaneity and fun memories.

What is quality time look like with your significant other?

What do you find most rewarding?

Monday’s Scattered thoughts

thecentro — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:21:54 +0000

For today’s Scattered thoughts I want to share with you a conversation I had with God. It was simple, honest and humbling.

At this particular junction in my life I have to say that I am extremely blessed. A beautiful wife that I have been dreaming of since I was 12 (Crazy HUh!), amazing friends (new and old), and a God that knows when to speak and when to be silent.

I ended it with a open hearted response/monologue:

I heard HIM speak to me today

Or perhaps I was just ready to listen

“All you have come to know about me is only a fraction”

“But I love you, so let that be enough”

Perhaps my understanding of him will never come in full

But I felt the collapse of his arms around me

“Everything that is happening to you now is only just the beginning”

“But I have plans for you, so let that be enough”

Perhaps my understanding of relationship with God has been infiltrated with doubt.

Doubt of His true existence, doubt of my potential, doubt that I could actually live a life worth living. I grew up thinking it was wrong to have these thoughts. To express them would be blasphemy. Yet in the conclusion of my education, I am faced with a whole new set of standards and responsibilities. My fear is not that I will fail, but maybe more that I will portray the same image I received. Ironic that all the lies I was told have imbedded in the deepest of depths of me. Yet I recognize them and still even deeper is the desire to be more of me (whatever that looks like). For now my goal is to pray. Honestly, sincerely, passionately, kicking and screaming. This is good. Father I know you are there. You know my thoughts, you know my heart. Help me consider my potential, to be the type of person who is in you and you are within me. I want people to see you inside of me, I want people to hear you from the way that I live and speak. Not for my glory but for yours. And when I am frustrated or prone to wander, remind me to listen. Remind me that not everything is so concrete, that things pass and fade away. And when I fade away from you, my your grace embrace all the more. I will run and I will cry, but even in my inaccuracies I know that you will always remain. The constant sun the illuminates my core and exposes it for what it really is. Lack of knowing and being known, the inability to be shown, and the awesomeness of a choice.

Monday’s Scattered Thoughts

thecentro — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:20:30 +0000

For today’s Scattered Thoughts I thought I would be a little more random, hence the word “Scattered”.

Jami and I are finally serious about finding a house/condo to buy. With a very steep decline in prices for home we are so excited to begin our search for home to make our own. Now keep in mind we have had some great places to live and some not so grand. I would prefer a condo for now. It’s cheaper, they’re newer, and some offer some really cool amenities (Park, Swimming Pool, Gym). ON the down side, everyone is so close to one another, so no privacy, their may be people below/above you, I want to be able to bust out some music/or play guitar). I want a house but am hesitant because they are older (the ones in our price range), need upgrades stat, and can be more to maintain. I don’t know I’m excited but very wary.

I’d love any input.

Also I have been thinking a lot about going back to school. To pursue what? I am torn at the moment. While my passion is to get my M.DIV (Master of Divinity). I also want to go back and get my Masters in Psychology: Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy. I am torn because I don’t feel any strong pull in one direction. What am I passionate about? I am passionate about God and serving him, that’s about as general as I can get right I suppose. I feel more understanding will come as I submerge myself in reflection/silence & solitude as well as in service through the local church. So I wait. For an opportunity to present itself/ as well as searching/researching my options and where they can lead.

How did YOU know what you were called to do?

Monday’s Scattered Thoughts

thecentro — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:44:00 +0000

I know it is wednesday alreay but I was out sick so without further a do.

I really don’t have any desire to make more money! Crazy huh? I was thinking about it the other day. There is only one thing I desire when it comes to finances, no more SCHOOL LOANS! And for the next 10-15 years I have payments to make. I don’t regret my loans, it helped me get the education I desired so I’m happy about that. But still it would be nice to have some freed up cash flow.

Also out of that same thought process, I came to realize that I really have no aspiring career. Sure ministry would be great but that just doesn’t seem realistic at this time. I love my job, don’t get me wrong, I should probably complain a lot less than I do. I pretty much grew up that way though. I never had these dreams of being a cop or a fireman or a doctor or lawyer. Maybe thats because I thought I would be a sports star (5’10 white guy in the NBA, please!)Plus I didn’t have the heart/work ethic. So, here I am waiting…

Last thought:
My wife inspired me this weekend. She said that she was going to train to run a marathon. Now I wasn’t inspired in the sense of getting in shape, I’m not really motivated in that way. It was just like all of the sudden she had this goal, and automatically it was decided she would persue it. She called her friend to help her get back into shape and she is on that journey. So now I am on a quest to find goals……….

Monday’s Scattered Thoughts

thecentro — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:44:00 +0000

I know it is wednesday alreay but I was out sick so without further a do.

SUPER FRIES!!!

thecentro — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:40:00 +0000

So after much deliberation about what to eat for lunch, I decided to meander down the street to “Great Western Burrito” a.k.a “Alberto’s” off of Front Street by the Ramada Inn. Can I just tell you how pleased I am that I went there. So mid-meander I just start craving carne asada fries, so the meander moves to a brisky skip to my lue if you will. All the while whistling “Thinking of You” by the Umbrellas (good group, give em a listenin too). So I approach the window, ding the bell and wait in anticipation. IN my inability to focus I do notice something below Carne Asada Fries on the menu, SUPER FRIES!! What the freak? What the hell are Super Fries? SO I ask, and she says to me so eloquently, “Es Fries, Carne Asada, Sour Crem y Guacamole y Chees”. I think to myself “Man you had me Super Fries”. So I say, “That sounds good I think I will have that”. So I wait and I wait, wait a little bit longer, then I see her motion for me to come over and she asked me if I wanted anything to drink because it had taken so long. So I say “hells yah I do, make it a Jamaica”. Maybe not like that but I was pretty stoked. I took a drink and wow my taste buds were swimming in goodness. Finally my food comes and I make my trek back to work. By this time I am just ready to rip into this motha. I open it and it was seriuosly the most glorious meeting. (other than that with my wife) Got a fork and chowed down. SOoooooooo GOOD!
I highly recommend if you have no been. But with that there is a disclaimer: You have to block out like 3 hours for later.
I enjoyed and hope someday you will too!

Shoe Fanatic!

thecentro — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:37:00 +0000

I love shoes! 18 pairs and counting. I know ridiculous right? Funny thing is I just got rid of about 5 pairs. Last night I decided to make a trek over to Ross after dropping Jami off at work. So I perused the aisle knowing full well I was there to look at the shoes. I was in heaven!
First pair I noticed: A pair of Vans slip ons (all time favorite shoe, I got pictures to prove it) Black with dots and red on the back heal. Sweet Pair of shoes. $15!! These shoes usually run 30-50 bucks. SO there is my justification.
Second pair I noticed: After looking down the aisle I notice this pair at the bottom. It’s like it was fate J/K. But still I look at them and think to myself,”these are sweet but how much are they?” Well to my suprise they were on clearence for…. $10. I got a pair of grey New Balance running shoes for 10 Bucks! Crazy…. I love shoes. Call me materialistic, call me what you will. But I just love the feeling of a new pair of shoes.
Come over I will show you my collection. Pictures to come!