A Look Back At 2012

What a year...

If you had told me on January 1, 2012 everything that would unfold and take place in my life over the course of the year, I would have called you crazy! But here I am, a year later, still in awe of all that God has done and all that I've learned. It was a year of crazy changes in my life: college graduation, a move to another state for a job, new friends in a new city, traveling to places I had never been before. I just wanted to take some time to reflect on all that He had done in my life.  

JANUARY: Fresh Start

I knew 2012 was going to be a year of transition. I just had no clue how big those transitions were going to be. God was preparing to clean my slate, to give me a fresh start, and usher me into a new season of life. It was going to be a big year filled with change and I knew it, and I was excited for it. January has always been a month of hope for me; it's a time of the year that constantly reminds of God's love and grace in my life. That my best days are not behind me, but ahead of me. There is hope in January.

I set out to begin the year expecting God to accomplish great things in me and those around me. I was also preparing myself to be ready for whatever God called me to.

FEBRUARY: Renewed Strength and Vision

In early February, ONE Conference in Miami kicked off the month in an extraordinary way. God was getting ready to accomplish some amazing things in Miami and I felt it as I worshiped and learned alongside thousands of people, listening to great men and women of God like Francis Chan, Christine Caine, Greg Laurie, Franklin Graham, Brian Houston and countless others. In a city as culturally and ethnically diverse as Miami, it was a reminder of how important unity is and how we need to stand firm.

Then just days after that conference came to a close, I went out to Dallas, Texas for the C3 Conference. It was the first time I ever really traveled on my own, which was an experience in itself. I made new friends, caught up with some old ones, and learned a boatload from leaders like Steven Furtick, Kevin Gerald, Stovall Weems, Lee Strobel and many others. Between ONE and C3, I had an informational and spiritual overload! I'd never learned so much in such a short period of time and from time to time I still pore over the notes I took that week.

February was a month that drove me deeper and at the same time gave me a focus and a vision to reach up, reach out and reach in; to make an impact for Christ where I was.

MARCH: Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone

About a month later, Spring Break was my chance to really get out of my comfort zone and do something I'd never done before. I went with CRU at FIU to Panama City Beach for Spring Break, one of the rowdiest party locations in the country, with the aim of reaching out to people there and engaging in spiritual conversations with people.

In my conversations with people, listening and taking in what people thought, what people believed, what people want in life... it was an eye-opening experience. I was blessed to have conversations with these people, some who were very curious, some who were stand-offish, some who were receptive, some who weren't. It was a reminder that many people have a warped view of who God is, a misunderstanding of what it means to be a Christ follower.

It was a powerful and challenging week, but also a fun and enlightening trip that included some quality time with some of my favorite people in the world!

APRIL: Be Prepared, Be Willing

I was entering my last month as an undergrad, about a month away from graduating... and I had no idea what was ahead for me when April 1 rolled around. I began making plans, backup plans, counter-plans to my back-up plans. I was trying to get everything together, plan ahead. And then God tore it all to pieces and dropped something completely different for me: I got a call out of the blue from my old boss and friend about a job opportunity in San Antonio. Before I knew it, I interviewed for the job and got it. It all happened in a matter of days, and I had a decision to make.

God was calling me out. To go out on my own for the first time in my life. To live 1,400 miles away from the only home I ever knew. I had a choice, but it really wasn't a choice at all: Follow God or ignore Him? This was the biggest step and change I've ever had to make up until that point in my life. I was filled with uncertainty and doubt "Can I do this? Am I qualified to do this?" Then I was reminded that God often doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

So I said "Yes".

MAY: Go

May 3 was moving day. The days leading up to it were the most difficult, filled with good-byes/see-you-laters to the only friends and family I ever knew. The only home I ever knew. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.

I didn't know a soul in San Antonio. I barely knew anything about the city other than that the NBA had a franchise there. But I knew God was with me. That first month was incredibly difficult. I was lonely, second-guessing myself, wondering if I had made the right choice. But through it all, God was there. Comforting me, standing with me, giving me the strength and confidence to move forward.  

When the time comes, when a door opens, walk out in faith. God will take care of you.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be afraid; 

do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 

- Joshua 1:9

JUNE: Lean On God

Everything was so surreal. A new environment, a new reality, a new everything. My feeling of loneliness hit its peak during this period; I missed my family, my friends back home, I missed the comforts of the life I had left behind. I asked God if I had made the right decision, if I had done the right thing. But even in the midst of this time, I pushed forward, leaning on God, who had proven Himself worthy of my trust. When you remember all the times God has proven himself faithful, when you remember the truth of His promise and His word, peace prevails over fear. Joy prevails over sorrow. Even in the midst of your loneliest moments, the God of the universe is there by your side to pull you through. When the silence is deafening, God is there.

JULY: Work Diligently For the Lord

As I moved into the heart of a blazing San Antonio summer, I begin to get into a rhythm. I was enjoying what I was doing, blessed to be honoring God and others in my workplace with the gifts, talents and abilities He had put into my heart. After a couple months of settling in, getting accustomed to my new surroundings and getting into the swing of my work schedule. Having my family visit and cram into my small apartment was also a lot of fun! It helped having loved ones close, plus I was able to learn a few more tricks for living on my own that I wasn't really aware of before I had left.    

AUGUST: God Provides

It was odd spending my birthday away from home, but at the same time it was a chance to take inventory of all the blessings God had provided in grace. A wonderful new church family at Revolution Church, a job I truly enjoyed, new depths in my relationship with God that came as a result of stepping out in faith. God will honor obedience. He will provide for our needs. He will not abandon you. He will not forsake you. Knowing all this and seeing all of it play out as truth in the short time I had been in San Antonio renewed my strength, my confidence and kept my eyes looking ahead at what was to come instead of back at what was already done.

SEPTEMBER: Dig Deeper

September was an opportunity to really dig deeper, to get more involved. And not only dig deeper, but also build on the foundation that was laid down here in San Antonio. Being involved with a REV Group, our church's community of small groups that meets up once a week, serving on a REV team and greeting, developing personal study habits and truly making an intentional effort to grow and stretch spiritually, physically, and mentally... all of it helped me make a strong push towards the end of the year rather than slow down.

OCTOBER: God Stays The Same

Towards the end of October, after the team that I worked for had its season come to a close in the playoffs, things began to change. Circumstances changed. And with that, uncertainty began to arise. Again. I didn't know if my job was safe. I didn't know what the next step was. I didn't know what steps I should take. All I knew was that even when the circumstances around us change, God does not. When seasons change and new faces show up, God remains true and faithful.

NOVEMBER: We All Fall Down

November reminded me how easy it is to fall down, to make mistakes. That I'm just a man in need of a savior. Like everyone else. I will make missteps. Distractions will come that take our focus and attention off of what really is important. What truly matters. At the same time, forgiveness is there. Grace is there. The consequences are still there, and we can decide how long and how far we drag our missteps for. But when the Holy Spirit is guiding you towards something, you move. You can only try and ignore it, rationalize your actions, deceive yourself for so long before you realize that you are only hurting yourself and those that are around you. Don't waste time chasing things that ultimately distract you from God.

DECEMBER: Focus On God In The Rough Times

When things seem to be falling apart, when circumstances cause frustration and anger, we can choose to focus on the circumstance or on God. To sit there and pout, or pray and move. Tough times will take place no matter who you are. That's just life. How long we're stuck in a bad situation depends on us. As the year ends, I find myself entering yet another transitioning stage. I'm now facing the possibility of moving back home, in the midst of another job search. But while waves of doubt and fear and anxiety try and crawl their way to the surface, I remember all that God has already done. I remember the doors he opened that I never saw coming. I remember Him being there in my loneliness when I was second-guessing myself and doubting the choices I had made.

As I enter 2013, I can say that 2012 was a year of incredible transformation and an experience I will never forget. I learned more in the last 12 months that I ever could have any other way. I can only imagine what the New Year will bring!  

The Fallacy of the Dumb Dichotomy

di·chot·o·my  

[dahy-kot-uh-mee] 

noun, plural -mies.

1. division into two parts, kinds, etc.; subdivision into halves or pairs.

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This or that. A or B. One or the other. Us or them. Choose.

It seems like every day a new controversy arises that forces us to make a decision, to pick a side on a particular issue.

A dichotomy is an "either... or" mindset. A dumb dichotomy is where one truth is positioned against another truth, causing us to think it’s an "either... or" scenario. A situation where we are made out to think that we have to choose one and give up the other.

We see these dumb dichotomies play out in the Church, in our daily lives, in the political arena, in the workplace... almost any place where we confront decisions, we are approached with dumb dichotomies. 

Make no mistake, there are certain areas that are black and white, where there is no room for debate. But there are so many unnecessary dichotomies that cause unnecessary disputes that end up leading to unnecessary division. And over what?

Especially in the church today, we're seeing a bunch of debates being had that have broken us into different camps; we point and tell the other side why they are wrong. We elevate a preferred truth over another truth and we squabble over it.

When I went to C3 Conference in Dallas earlier this year, one of the speakers, Pastor Kevin Gerald of Champion's Centre in Tacoma, Washington, spoke about these dumb dichotomies and gave a few examples of some that the Apostle Paul faced and a couple others that you've probably heard at one point or another.

1) Should we follow Apollos' example or Paul's? 

BOTH. One plants, another waters, God gives the increase. Each person has a role to play, and in the end it's going to be God that ushers in the results. Whether you sing, greet, work in production, provide the food... you have a role to play! Don't put people down because someone doesn't have a particular set of skills!

"For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere human beings?
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building." - 1 Corinthians 3:9

2) Is it about law or grace? 

BOTH. Law was schoolmaster and it’s by grace that we have been saved. Each serves its own purpose, the law acts as a mirror to show us our need for a savior and we are saved not by fulfilling the law, which is impossible, and not by any action of our own, but by God's grace. It's about both.

"Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:23-26

3) Is it by faith or is it by works? 

BOTH. You show me faith without works and I will show you works by my faith. It shouldn't be one or the other; it should be about both. Our works should be evidence of our faith. And what good is faith if it doesn't get you to move?

"But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works... For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." - James 2:18-26

4) Should I follow man or should I follow Christ? 

Paul responded by saying to follow him as he followed Christ. Again, it's BOTH! Find people who follow and imitate Christ as you follow and imitate Christ yourself. Will we do so perfectly? Absolutely not. But surrounding yourself with imitators of Christ, people who will be there with you during the good times and the bad, will help you grow.

"Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ." - 1 Corinthians 11:1

"Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus..." - Philippians 2:5

5) Is our church going to be attractional or missional? 

BOTH. 

Jesus said “Come and see” (John 1:39) and He said “Go and tell” (Matthew 28:19-20). Why does the “go and tell” have to exclude the "come and see"? Churches should be attractive to people. People should be able to come and see what God's love is, investigate Christianity and ask questions, and do so in a safe and friendly environment. Churches should be the most creative and engaging places on the planet! Why shouldn't we want people to see what the local church is all about? 

Simultaneously, we should be going out into the surrounding community, and even around the world, to make an impact and spread God's love to a world that is in desperate . My awesome pastor Zak White dubs it as making a "Glocal" (Global + Local) impact. Why do we have to choose one or the other?

6) Are we going to preach the sovereignty of God or the free will of man? Which one? 

Pastor Gerald nailed it on the head:

"God has decided in His sovereignty, to a great extent, to limit His involvement in this world to the willingness of human beings. So think about this way: God willed that we would will that His will would be done in our lives. We cannot without God and God will not without us. So I’m gonna tell people that God is sovereign and that our greatest power is our power to choose. God doesn’t make our choices; we do. There’s a power of choice that God has given to man and that doesn’t mean that God is not sovereign. The purpose of the Lord stands firm; the purpose of the Lord is already predetermined; His purpose will prevail. Why do we think we have to get hung up on a dumb dichotomy. Why one or another; why not BOTH?" - Pastor Kevin Gerald

When Pastor Gerald spoke about this at C3 Conference 2012 this past February and the message stuck with me for a long time since hearing it in Dallas. 

It's a big problem the church, and really our society in general, faces today. We have become addicted to division. To choosing sides. Even I've been guilty of that. We need to know when we need to stand up for the truth and when to realize we're dealing with a dumb dichotomy. Why elevate one truth over another? Why not both?

Below is a clip of Gerald's message in February (Click HERE for the entire message, well worth the half hour):

The Reaction

I had a rough week.

We've all had them. A week when it feels like the ground under our feet is beginning to shake. When people you thought you could trust end up turning a blind eye. When feelings of loneliness, isolation and frustration return to the forefront of our minds, battling for our attention.

It's alright. It happens. It happened to me last week.

Difficult circumstances are a part of life. They will show up. But most of the time, these circumstances are completely and utterly out of our control. We can't control what goes on at school or at the office. We can't control what other people are going to say. We can't predict changes in the status quo.

We might not be able to control circumstances, but we can control how we react. We can choose to believe the lies and worry relentlessly over a situation, or we can rest in God's truth. We can keep our head high and keep pressing on towards the goal, or we can dwell and stress. The reaction belongs to us. The reaction often reveals a lot about us. The reaction reveals our need for a savior.

I confess: Last week, there were moments where I began to fear and worry. And then I remembered: God has a plan for my future (Jeremiah 29:11). Will worry add one day to my life? Will it solve anything or bring God glory in any way? Absolutely not (Matthew 6:25-34)! I also remember that in my deepest moments of doubt and fear, God always made a way. He always opened a door. He always gave me hope and held me up whenever I was dismayed (Isaiah 41:10). That isn't changing now. I just need to be prudent and keep moving. God will take care of the rest.

I confess: Last week, there were moments when I was bitter, angry, hurt and disappointed. There were moments I wanted to lash out. To hold a grudge. To be bitter and fight back. And then I remembered: There is only one opinion that really matters. Only one person I aim to please: Jesus Christ. He knows my heart. He knows me more than anyone ever will. He died so that I could live again. I don't have to please anybody. He knows my intentions and where my heart is (1 Thessalonians 2:4). So why am I angry? Why am I bitter? What can man do to me (Psalm 118:6)? Jesus forgave me for all the junk in my life, so who am I to reject that same forgiveness to anyone who has wronged me in my own life (Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32)? Do as Christ commanded: Forgive others (Matthew 6:14). Pray for them (Luke 6:28). Love them (John 15:12). And, so, I shall do the same.

I confess: Last week there were moments where I felt completely and utterly alone. And then I remembered: I am not alone. The Holy Spirit is within me (Ephesians 1:13-14). God placed me here in San Antonio to show me that He was all I ever needed and all I would ever need. That no matter where I am, that this world is not my home; that my real home lies ahead of me. My treasure is not stored up here in the present or in earthly things, but in heaven and in what lies ahead (Matthew 6:19-21). And when I was feeling the loneliest I've ever been, God brought a new group of friends into my life, a new church family, to do life with. They share in my struggles and pray on my behalf. And at the same time, my friends and family back home are doing the same. I am not alone.

So what's it going to be? Life is too short to allow circumstances to knock us down for extended periods of time. There are things to be done. People to serve and love. Faith that needs to be put into action. Are we going to allow circumstances and events determine our attitude and outlook or we going to remember the truth that our God is good and our God is great? With Him, all things are possible. Through Him, we are able.

When our eyes are fixed on the Lord, there is peace. There is joy. There is hope. Even when it seems like things are falling apart, we are reminded that this, too, shall pass. That the pain, loneliness and chaos is all temporary. But our God is eternal. He is our fortress. He is our rock. And if He is for us, then who can possibly be against us?

A Son's Perspective

If there's one thing I try NOT to do, it's look too far ahead. After all, a lot of the time I feel like I have enough on my plate right now as it is. But sometimes I do anyway. Whether it's a good thing or not, I'm not really sure. I guess sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

I'm not a father. I hope to be one day. But right now I truly don't know what it feels like to be one. How can I? I'm not a husband. I hope to be one day as well. But again, I can't really know what it's like to be a husband. How can I? And I won't begin to know what it means to be in either one of those roles until I hold my first child in my hands for the first time and until I say "I do."

At my current church and my home church back in Miami, there's been a huge emphasis placed on the roles of parents and also marital relationships. Series after series based on the family, on sex and marriage, on parenting. And rightfully so. I've learned so much over the last couple of years from pastors, fathers, husbands and others who I look up to and who have lived out what it means to honor God in their relationships with their spouse and their children. Truly amazing men and women that I would be foolish to ignore.

So, naturally, I've been thinking about parenthood and how difficult it must be to be a parent. How scary it must have been for my parents. Funny... I've never really asked them how hard it was for them. If they had fears or doubts when my brother or myself were born. If they even really had time to.

What must it be like to see your child go through the same things you went through? Go through the same trials you endured and walk through the same fires you had to walk through?

What must it be like to offer your love, your comfort, your advice and your open arms to your child, only to watch them walk the other way? What must it be like to listen to your own child blame you for a rough situation?

What must it be like to see your child fall down and get hurt? To see your child go through a betrayal? To go through disappointment, pain and despair? To see your child turn their back to God?

On the other side... How amazing must it be to see your child take their first steps and say their first words? To see them off to their first day of school?

To see them graduate from high school and then college? To see them excel and succeed? To see them fall in love with God and actively walk in faith? To see them stand up for what is good and right?

To see them go through adversity and deal with it gracefully, coming out stronger than they were before?

But then I go back to what I am right now. What I have been from the moment I was born: I'm a son.

We talk about all the responsibility that parents and husbands and wives have, but what about the responsibility we have as sons and daughters?

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' - which is the first commandment with a promise - 'so that it may go well with you 

and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'" 

- Ephesians 6:1-3

"A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother." 

- Proverbs 10:1

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." 

- Colossians 3:20

As a son or a daughter, we have a lot of power and responsibility. And not only to our earthly parents but to our heavenly Father, as well.

I think a lot of people in my generation in general don't realize the kind of power we have. How much our actions impact those that are around us, those that we claim to love so dearly. Are we bringing joy to our parents or are we bringing them grief? Are we honoring our parents, aiming to make them proud? Are we aiming to make God proud? Are we listening and obeying their commands not out of obligation, but out of love? Do we realize that those commands are not there to restrict us or constrain us, but to help us grow and reach our potential?

I know I've made decisions that disappointed God and my parents. But because of the grace and love of God, reflected in my parents I've been able to move forward and grow. I'm far from perfect, but now I'm free to lead a life that is hopefully pleasing to them and to God, confident in their love for me.

Even if you have earthly parents that have hurt you, let you down, disappointed you, not shown you the love and support you needed, may I challenge you to still try and do right by them? If you're holding on to bitterness and pain and ill will towards them, can you try and offer forgiveness and let it go? Because if you don't, the only person that it hurts is you. And it won't only hurt you, but it'll hurt your future family as you carry that pain and bitterness into those relationships.

Responsibility doesn't just come when we have families of our own. Our responsibility as children started a long time ago. And it doesn't stop when we leave the house, either.    

The Men We Ought To Be

"But you, man of God... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness." 

-1 Timothy 6:11

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The video below might have been specifically for the ladies, but I think men need to hear it as well! Take a look:

Too many times, especially in today's culture, we seem to be expected to lower our standards and settle for mediocrity; especially when it comes to dating and relationships.

Talking to men, and myself, for a second: we need to start stepping up to the plate when it comes to reflecting godly character in our lives and in our relationships. Fellow singles: are we making an effort to pursue the values listed in 1 Timothy 6:11? Those in relationships and marriages: are these values a part of your character and are you pursuing these values with your significant other?

Ladies: Do not settle for mediocrity. Make no mistake: We're not perfect and we never will be (Shocker, I know!), but if our lives are not reflecting the values in 1 Timothy 6:11, if we are not eagerly pursuing these things on a daily basis without you, we don't deserve to be with you.

And don't be afraid to call us out on it! Let's face it: men can be pretty clueless (Exhibit A: Me!), we are not mind readers (ala Mel Gibson in What Women Want), and often times we don't realize we are in error until someone else points it out (we're stubborn like that). If we're messing up, say it (In love, of course!).

So, gentlemen, let's start pursuing. And ladies, don't demand anything less from us!

RIGHTEOUSNESS

"The one who in faith gives oneself to the doing of God's will is righteous,

doing righteousness, and reckoned righteous by God."

- James 3:23

It's important to remember where righteousness comes from. It does not come from ourselves. On our own, we are not righteous. We cannot be righteous on our strength and ability. Our righteousness comes from having Christ in our lives. From seeking Him out. It's not something that is EARNED, but it is something that is GIVEN to us through faith in God.

We might be persecuted and ridiculed because we pursue righteousness. Count it as blessing. Let us stand out from what culture says (1 Peter 3:14). Training for righteousness comes from scripture. Therefore, we have to spend time in it in order to pursue righteousness.

In Christ, we know what is right. We know what is true. Are we pursuing that?

GODLINESS

"This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."

- 1 John 2:5-6

According to the Holman Christian Dictionary, godliness is an attitude and style of life that acknowledges God's claims on human life and seeks to live in accordance with God's will.

Do we have respect for God and divinely ordained institutions? Do we love the church? Do we have a reverence for God and are we teachable? Are we seeking to become more like Christ on a daily basis?

It's important to be willing to learn, willing to be changed and to lay down our own pride, wisdom and understanding.

FAITH

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

- Galatians 2:20

My treasure is in heaven. Not here. Are we living by faith and not by sight? Doubt is a part of life. We are all going to have doubts and there are going to be things that we are uncertain about.

But when push comes to shove, are we faithful? Do we remember the love that Christ has for us, that even when we didn't deserve it or earn it, he was faithful enough to take the cross in our place? Do we trust in the plan that God has for us? Not the plan of an easy life, but a full life lived with Him working in us, through us and for us? Friends, our faith is not blind. It is anchored in the truth of God's word. In the truth of His promise.

LOVE

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Do we truly seek to love people the way that God loves us? Are we pursuing love in our relationships? Without love, everything we do is worthless and empty.

If love does not motivate us to action, then it is all for nothing. In our relationships, we should be constantly striving to live out the love that God extended to us and continues to extend to us: a sacrificial love that overcomes all things. Love God, love people.   

ENDURANCE

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

- James 1:2-4

Life is hard, guys. Relationships are hard. The best things in life usually aren't the easy things, but the hard ones.

When things get tough, do we flail on commitments and wither away or do we stand firm ? Do we lean on God for help or do we try to tough it out on our own? Time will test all of us. Endurance comes from being tested. Are we willing to go through it or take the easy way out?

Let us be men that persevere and commit in our relationships.

GENTLENESS

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

- Ephesians 4:2

One of the issues I have had to deal with in my own walk with Christ has been my anger. My impatience. My desire for perfection and success in competition. When I failed, I used to lash out at those around me. Looking back, I was not always gentle. I was not always kind.

Anger is one letter away form danger. It's dangerous. Don't be ruled by anger, but be gentle to others. Be kind. Men, let's treat everyone with respect, gentleness, and grace. Let's put the needs of others above ourselves.   

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You know what the tricky thing is for us men when it comes to pursuing these values? It requires us to lay down our pride, and that can be a hard thing to do! In my own life, when I see a need or a problem, I want to be the one to fix it. I want to take the initiative. I want to take the first step. But really, the first step we need to take is one of surrender; acknowledging that I can't, but He can!

We are not righteous, godly, faithful, loving, enduring or gentle men on our own strength. All of these characteristics come as a result of allowing Christ to penetrate our lives and create in us a new heart and mind. These characteristics are counter-cultural and go against our own basic nature. In a "YOLO" society that encourages us to chase after short-term gratification and think of ourselves above others, it takes some pride swallowing to say "It's not about me."  

To be 6/11 men means acknowledging God is first. That others come first. It requires us to lay it down and say "Jesus, I need to change and become more like You."

Let's take that first step!

On The Run

"And I ran... 

I ran so far away

I just ran...

I ran all night and day

I couldn't get away."

- I Ran (So Far Away) by Flock of Seagulls

That song is probably the greatest one-hit wonder of all time. At least Top 5!

In this fast-paced world that we live, it seems like we are always running around. Running to and from places. Running everywhere or running nowhere. Running to stay ahead or running to catch up with everyone else.

Have we ever stopped for a moment to look at where our running takes us? To take note of where we are and where we're going? Who we're running life with? How far we've come and how much farther we need to go? Or maybe we're running from something... an unhealthy relationship, an addiction, a dangerous situation.

There have been plenty of times where we feel like we're running and running as far and as fast as we can from something, but then we stop and realize that we end up right back where we started.

Running away from danger is the wise thing to do, but where are we running to? Are we running to God in our time of need and crisis? Are we running away from one dangerous situation and right into another? Are we running towards others who can help us make wise choices or to people that will point us towards more danger?

RUN AWAY FROM DANGER

"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, 

but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body." 

- 1 Corinthians 6:18

Too many times we walk on the ledge of danger, checking to see how close we can get the edge before falling off. We bend the bar of morality, checking to see how far we can go without breaking it. Many times we play, as my pastor put it this past weekend, this game of Jenga with our lives, making little compromises here and there that we think are harmless, but eventually one of them will cause everything to come crashing down.

Is it worth playing this game with our lives? Is it worth losing valuable relationships? Great opportunities? Precious time?

We all, at one point or another, have pushed the limits. Tried to see how far we can go without having everything fall apart. From my own experience, there is no gain from it. There is nothing there but regret. We look back and ask ourselves how we could have been so dumb and reckless!

When the alarms go off in your head, telling you that this situation is not where you should be, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.

RUN TO GOD

"The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." 

- Proverbs 18:10

When we run, we need to have a destination. And the only true place where we are safe is in the arms of Christ.

Many times we will run looking for comfort and safety in all the wrong places, chasing after things that ultimately cannot satisfy us. In Christ, there is forgiveness, healing, protection, and strength. All of which equip us for the challenges and temptations all of us will face in the future.

Temptations in life are not a matter of if, but when. Where we run to in the face of crisis is just as important as running from the crisis in the first place. Because if we don't end up in the arms of Christ and into the arms of someone or something else, we're setting ourselves up for failure.

RUN ON HIS PATH

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding... Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statute. and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." 

- Psalm 119:32, 34-37

Run on the path God has set for your life. Don't steer to the left or the right. Don't veer off course. Don't try and take shortcuts or detours. We have to keep our eyes set straight ahead, fixed on Christ.

Running on this path is one of sacrifice. If we are going to run on this path, we're going to have to drop some of the junk and the funk that distracts us from the blessings God has planned for us. Maybe it's an unhealthy relationship that needs to be severed, a call to move elsewhere, a career change... whatever it is, make the necessary changes and eliminate those unhealthy distractions from your life!

I'm starting to realize that in order to stay on this path and not allow compromises to drift me off course, extreme standards need to be set in order. I have to ask myself: How far am I willing to go to protect myself? To honor God? To run on His path?

RUN WITH PURPOSE

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air." 

- 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

How are we running: Are we running with strength, confidence and humility? Or in fear and timidity? 

Running a race requires alertness, readiness and awareness; It requires discipline, wisdom and focus. If you have ever trained for something, you know that it requires time, dedication and maximum effort if you're going to succeed. Are we putting in the kind of training necessary to run the race God has set for our lives? Or are we simply stumbling along?

We need to keep running, and continually prepare for the challenges of life in away that allows us to run strong. 

9 Things I've Learned in 64 Days

It's been just over two months since moving to San Antonio... It feels like it's been much longer! A lot has happened and a lot has changed. I've learned more in these past 64 days than I've learned in a long time. God has shown me a lot about life, others and myself in this span... I've gone through a gauntlet of emotions, ranging from happiness, loneliness, peaceful, anger, frustration, amazement and everything in between.

In no particular order, here are some things I've learned (and some things that have become more clear to me since I got here) so far:

1) I'm a terribly inconsistent blogger. Well, I knew this before I left. Sorry! Still working on that...

2) Don't be afraid to try new things. Living on your own forces you to do new stuff you probably didn't do much of before, which is a great thing. Learning how to cook has been really fun! Do something different. It's good for you!

3) Don't let things pile up. Whether it's a mini-mountain of dirty dishes in the sink or a series of tasks to get done at work, don't allow things to get out of hand. Take care of what needs to get done on the spot. Because it's amazing how quickly a to-do list of one or two things becomes 10 or 11. Avoid stress. Take care of things one-by-one.

4) Begin every day spending time with God. Life can move pretty fast and schedules can get pretty hectic. There were times when I went several days putting off spending time in prayer. Time in God's word. I felt myself drifting away and as I tried to push through each day on my own strength, I was quickly reminded that I could not do this on my own. I was heading towards a burn out. I could feel it. When I started each day spending time with him, turning off my phone and my TV for a half hour and filling my heart and mind with his truth, it made a difference. My strength, confidence and hope rests in the Lord. If we are to truly seek a relationship with God, make it a top priority.

5) Plan, plan, plan. Time is an extremely valuable resource, and whether it works for you or against you really depends on you. Take a look at your schedule. Make a list of priorities and stick with them. Set aside time for work Set aside time for yourself as well. Make meal plan so that you know what to shop for every week and you don't waste time and money. Set aside an hour to exercise. A little time to reach out to people. A little time to just relax and unwind. If you plan things out, life becomes a bit more manageable.

6) Don't be afraid to divert from the plan. At the same time, having a set schedule and strictly going by it all the time can get mundane and boring and stale really fast. Do something different once in a while. Changes things up. Make breakfast for dinner once in a while. Go explore a new place. Take a detour on your way home. If you feel God calling you to spend more time with him or go out of your way to do something, listen. Keep things fresh and, if necessary, shuffle your schedule every so often. As much as we plan, be ready for God to come in and completely mess up that plan. And when that happens, remember that God's plans are always bigger and better than ours.


7) Know your resources and stay within your means. Be smart and prudent with your resources. Know what you have and what you don't have. Adopt a "10-10-80 Plan": The first 10% to God, The next 10% in savings, and how you use the other 80% is up to you. But it's in that 80% where we can really mess up. Honor God with that 80%. Honor God with your musical purchases. Honor God with what you spend on food. If you can, donate and invest into the lives of others. I would recommend making a budget and seeing where your money is going (I use Mint.com. It's easy and free). If we're not careful, we can easily become a slave to our finances. Don't let that happen. 


8) I'm not alone and neither are you. There have been times here where I have felt as lonely as I've ever felt. Moments where I felt I made a serious mistake in coming out here. But it's in those moments where I have felt God's hand in my life. Remembering his faithfulness to those who love him. There is no one I need more than Jesus. Sometimes it takes being away from everything and everyone you ever knew to realize that in a whole new way.


9) Trust God completely. Keep moving forward taking steps of faith. God will take care of the rest and will never give you more than you can handle. Time and again, I've tried to wrestle control away from God. Tried to take the wheel and determine my own direction. That's my natural reaction when I face mystery and uncertainty. All that has done is add unneeded stress and worry into my heart and that can rob of me of the blessings and joys that God has placed right in front of me. I don't need to know where I'm going. All I need to do is trust. 

Never Alone

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted... 

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you." 

- Psalm 25:16,21

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One of the best pieces of advice I've ever heard was the "H.A.L.T. Principle": Don't make any major decisions when you're hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. 

It is a fantastic piece of advice to live by. Looking back, I know there were plenty of dumb and idiotic things I did or was about to do because I was in one or more of those emotional states. It's not a fun place to be because that's when we're most vulnerable. Our defenses are lowered, our thought process is reduced to a jumbled mess, and we just get downright stupid.

Right now, especially in the last couple days, my major struggle has been with loneliness. I'm gonna be straight up honest with you here, because I have a feeling we've all been there before. We have all dealt with bouts of loneliness in our lives. Either from physical distance. Emotional distance. Hurt or pain. Betrayal. There are a bunch of factors that could lead to loneliness creeping into our lives and jacking us up. And that loneliness can drive us to anger and sadness... which could lead to even more personal wreckage.

In a new environment without no real friends, no church yet, no family, no real support system to speak of... things can get pretty rough. Which is why it is so important to have community with people you trust and who you know will be there for you no matter what. Surround yourself with those people.

But what happens when all that is taken way? Sometimes we need to have it all taken away. There are benefits to time alone; even Jesus took the time to draw away and pray.  I'm finding out I needed things to be taken away and to be separated from the people I care about in order to let God work in my own heart. So that he could get my attention and focus, which many times can be easily shifted to other areas of my life. And also so that I can turn immediately to him instead of other people. God should be the first person we run to in times of trouble. He is our counselor, our refuge, our shelter. He is all I need and all I will ever need. Every good thing comes from him and him alone. He will never leave me nor forsake me. That truth has become real loud and clear here in San Antonio.

One of the many things that this move has revealed to me was how dependent my emotions could be on people and on circumstances. 

The last three weeks have been some of the toughest I've had to face... very few other times in my life have I felt more alone than I feel right now. Physically... emotionally. 

But God is reminding me over and over and over again that he is constantly present. That he is always there. Maybe his presence is clearly evident in our lives or maybe he's feeling distant (I've been through both), but he is there.

The best thing to do when loneliness settles in is to remember who you are and whose you are. When the enemy whispers "You're all alone", you can call him a flat out liar. God has promised to fight for us through difficult times and through the storms that we encounter in our lives.

Take the time to "HALT", take a deep breath, and remember the greater vision that God has placed in our lives. That he is God and I'm not. Remember how faithful he was in other times of need when we fully and completely surrendered to him. Remember that our joy is not determined by circumstances, but by the truth that outlasts them all.

No one said the road was easy. No one said it would be pain-free. No one said it would be without sacrifices. It's time to start making mine.

I kindly ask that you pray for me as I go through this. I know I might feel lonely, but I'm definitely not alone.

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SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Luke 5:16, Joshua 1:5, Isaiah 41:10, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 34:18-19

I Don't Know. And That's OK.

"This is what the Lord says: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 

'and will bring you back from captivity...'"

- Jeremiah 29:10-14

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Chances are you've heard Jeremiah 29:11, the part that I did not embolden in the scripture above. It's one of the most encouraging and popular verses in the Bible; a reminder that God is in total control, that he is good, and that he has a good plan for our lives even when we don't always see it. 

But I was brought to this passage a couple mornings ago and I began reading around the verse. I love verse 11, but what about verse 10? When the Israelites were exiled and put in captivity, there wasn't a big feeling of hope. The Lord told them that when seventy years are completed in Babylon, then he will come and fulfill his good promise. 

Seventy years? I don't know about you, but that's a long time to wait. We love that God has a plan and future for our lives, but are we willing to wait on him for it? Am I? Or do we want God to fulfill his promises on our timetable, schedule and Google calendar? 

Like I mentioned in my last post, I've been tempted to sometimes look ahead. Plan ahead. Map out my future. Or at least attempt to. All that seems to do for me, however, is sort of overwhelm me. Now don't get me wrong: having long term goals is great. I have my own share of those that give me a sense of direction. But make sure that you don't take God out of that plan-making process. And sometimes, many times, the best course of action is to surrender the future to him instead of trying to get into the little details of everything. Embrace the vision God has placed in your life and just let him take care of the details.

How long have we sometimes planned ahead for? A year? 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? We can make all the plans and charts and projections we want... but if God has another plan, you might as well throw them out to the curb. And if he does have another plan for you, are you willing to throw your own away? It's a choice we all have to make. We all have to answer God's question: "Do you trust me?"

And then there's the couple verses after verse 11. There's a lot of action taking place in those couple sentences. Call. Come. Seek. Find. Listen. Pray. Our faith cannot afford to be inactive and passive. In order for us to realize God's plans for our lives, we have to move. We have to take action and take that critical step of faith. That's often the hardest thing to do. I don't want to be the person who doesn't take those steps. Sometimes it's easy to just sit back and take the easy route instead of making the kinds of sacrifices God is asking us to make... Our faith needs to be fueled by action. 

What it all boils down to is this: I don't know where God is going to have me in five years. Or 10 years. I really, really don't. But I do know that God is going to be with me through it all. And that's all I really need in the end.

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SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Proverbs 19:21, Psalm 20:4, Proverbs 16:3 

A New Start

"Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? 
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

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Well, it's been a week since I have arrived in San Antonio... It feels like it's been a month! It feels like graduation was ages ago.

Part of me still can't believe I'm really here. Just month ago I barely had an idea of where I would be at this point in time. I never would have guessed that I would have had to drop everything in my life for an opportunity that God just dropped into my lap. 

The hardest part of this first week has definitely been adjusting to a new reality. Realizing that this is not Miami. I'm 1,400 miles away from a family that I love and that loves me; from my closest friends who I've done life with over the years; from a church where I have grown and served for years; from everything that I've ever known.

Without a doubt, the most difficult thing I had to do was say goodbye.

But I know that God brought me here for a purpose. To make a difference. He cleared every obstacle and created a clear and straight path that I knew I needed to take. So here I am. 

Now more than ever before, I've had to lean on God and trust in his plan for me. There are moments where I thought "What am I doing here?" "This was a mistake." But I knew that wasn't God. That was me and my own fear. That was me trying to do everything at once and on my own, trying to take control of the situation. I might be far from home but the struggles I faced with surrendering control to God, a struggle that he has chipped away at for years through my walk, lingered. 

I quickly understood that I couldn't keep going like this. I might have gotten away with it in Miami, when there were other things that I could fall back on (albeit temporarily), but not here in San Antonio. It was trust either trust in God, who brought me here, or sink trying to rely on my own strength and ability. The right choice was clear, although truly making that choice and walking it out sometimes proved difficult. 

After one week here, I definitely feel more confident and more comfortable that the first couple of days. But it's not because of what I have done, but because of what God has already done. It was understanding that my role in all this was simple: step out in obedience. He'll take care of the rest. He always has. And I know he always will.

If you are entering into a transitional period of your life, maybe a new job, a new location, a new school... whatever it might be, don't be discouraged. Don't fret. When everything is rushing through your head and you're not sure where to go or what to do next, just stop. Be still and breathe. And know that God is God. Know that he knows what you are going through and he brought you to where you are for a reason. Walk boldly and confidently in that truth.    

For those back home who have been praying and encouraging me, thank you. It means more to me than you'll ever know. I'm so blessed to have all of you at my back. Miss you all! 

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SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Philippians 4:4, Matthew 9:9, Corinthians 9:24-26     

Our Opportunities

So tomorrow I leave for San Antonio to begin a new chapter of my life... A lot is going on through my mind and I'm struggling to really process this whole thing. So I'll probably get more into that later. I just wanted to share a column that was supposed to come out in The Beacon's graduation issue that ended up never being published. So I'll share it with you. I wrote this literally hours before God set in motion the events that have me leaving Miami. It was a reflection of my four years at FIU and also my prayer for all of you. I hope it encourages you:

Many call this place called America the “Land of Opportunity.”

My grandparents and parents fled Cuba to come here almost 50 years ago because their opportunities were stripped away from them. So they came here. Made this place home. They had an opportunity to reclaim opportunity and they took hold of it so that my brother and I might have opportunities of our own one day.

It was not easy. It was not convenient. But they did it anyway, because it was what needed to be done.

Our lives will be determined by the opportunities we’re presented with and what we do with them.

We won’t be able to say yes to everything. I’ve turned down some opportunities, good opportunities, while accepting others. Those decisions are the most revealing. They reflect where my heart is, reveal my true priorities and determine my direction. We all have to make those tough decisions.

My four years at FIU have provided me with opportunities to discover my true passions. Opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them. Opportunities to excel and learn from individuals who have been where I want to go. Opportunities to go to places I’ve never been. Opportunities to forge friendships that I hope last a lifetime.

And the sum of all these opportunities has allowed me to discover what God has in store for me: a life filled with direction, with focus, with purpose and with hope.

This will be a time that I will be forever grateful for. I have been blessed with the opportunity to get an education that some members of my family never did, and I thank God for it constantly.

So many times we take opportunities for granted, letting them pass us by like the strangers we walk by in the Graham Center or allowing them to slip away.

My hope and prayer is that you do not let them pass by. Take a chance. Take a leap of faith. Instead of ignoring or stifling your life-long passions and interests, forge them into the dreams and visions of your life.

Never miss an opportunity to learn something new. I don’t think a day has gone by where I haven’t learned something I hadn’t learned before about the world around me or about people. Or even about myself.

The learning process does not stop when we check out of the classroom or when we clock out for summer break or when receive our degrees. It stops when we stop seeking, searching and asking the questions we need to ask. Don’t miss the chance to ask.

And most importantly, find opportunities to love people. Find ways to invest into the lives of those around you, because there is nothing more thrilling or more exhilarating than watching lives change. To lead others into leadership. To share in the success and joy of those we helped build up.

The knowledge we gain should not be jammed into a jar, locked up and stored away out of reach. It should be poured out constantly. Into friends, family, colleagues, classmates and anyone willing to listen.

What are you leaving behind for those who will follow in your footsteps? How will you be remembered? What will be your legacy?

It is never too early to start making a difference. You are never too young to lead. And it is never too late to start over again.

As I step out in faith into the next chapter of my life, there is always that shred of doubt that lingers about the future. The unknown. Faith is not faith if there is no doubt.

But I am confident in this: I know that my future is brighter than my present. That my tomorrow will be greater than my today. That while old opportunities may be expiring, new ones lie ahead.

An Empty Seat

"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." 

- James 4:13-14

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My Tuesday night class is pretty normal.

There are about 20 students enrolled. We meet once a week for about two hours. We get an assignment and talk about news writing. And then we go home. Repeat. 

But last Tuesday was different. A few hours before we met before class, I found out one of my classmates had passed away in a lethal car accident that involved the deaths of several others as well. She was 22. She was going to graduate from FIU next month just like me. 

I couldn't believe it. I had seen her just a couple weeks before. She sat right next to me in class. I wasn't particularly close to her, but we had spoken before. It was surreal.

Stepping into class that day, I looked over at her empty seat. Part of me still expected her to walk through the door as if nothing had happened. But, of course, she never did.

It was a reminder of how fragile life is. How quickly things can change and how tomorrow is never really guaranteed. It's something I routinely say from time to time, knowing it to be true but never really considering the sheer reality of it. At least not until now. That empty seat could have been yours. It could have been mine. What are we leaving behind? How will those around us remember us?

Glancing at that empty seat made me particularly uncomfortable. It got me thinking about my own life. About what I was doing with my time here. How I was treating those around me. My other classmates who occupy the other seats in the class. The people I work with and do life with. Have I been loving them? What do I know about them? Do I even know half their names?

Never waste an opportunity to drop an encouraging word to someone. Don't let a day go by without committing an unprovoked act of kindness. Strive for excellence every day. There's really no time for anything less than that.

Each and every moment of life is a gift from God and an opportunity to reflect his love in a world that is in desperate need for it. We are rubbing shoulders with people who are broken and thirsting for more. 

I think sometimes we fall for the lie that we are invincible and that nothing bad can really happen to us or those that we're close to. It leads us to fall into this place of complacency and we lose the urgency of what is really at stake. My hope and prayer for my life and yours is that we don't take this one and only life for granted.    

Never Take For Granted What's True

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." 

- Colossians 4:2-6

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Spring Break is over.

Back to reality. The grind. The way things are...

I spent my week-long hiatus in Panama City Beach. Most people going to this beautiful place on this particular week are there for any number of reasons. Partying. Drinking. Sex.

Why was I there? To share my faith. To connect with God. To get away from Miami. Rid my mind of distractions that had been clouding my mind.

I honestly had no idea what to expect and I was fortunate to be surrounded by other FIU students and over 1,000 other college students from around the country here for maybe the exact same reason (and probably many others). Big Break 2012.

For four straight afternoons, we went out on the beach and dove into conversations with random strangers. Talked about life. God. Their answers. Their questions. Their beliefs. Or lack of beliefs. I'll confess: I was petrified. Part of me didn't want to do it. Part of me would have rather been doing nothing. Laying on the sand. Watching TV. Reading a book. I hate that part of me. I silenced that part of me. The Gospel is bigger than my own comfort.

You learn a lot talking to other people. People from so many different places. Different backgrounds. Different social status. Different everything. But what shocked me the most was the misunderstandings people have about God. Some who didn't even know who Jesus was or what He did or why He did it. And who He did it for.

For so long I took for granted what I know is true. I let lies and subtle agreements settle in my mind for so long. Lies like "People know about Jesus. They've already made their choice."

Never again. Never again am I falling for that lie.

As I told my story to this skeptical guy from George Washington University, I could see in his eyes that he needed something more than what he was doing. As I saw this kid from Indiana thank my friend and I for sharing our faith with him, I knew more needed to be done.

I started thinking of home. What about my friends? My classmates? My co-workers? My family?

Now that I'm home, things have changed. I have resolved to make sure they have. How am I looking at those I claim to love? Am I really loving them like I should? I've never met a person God does not love. And I never will.

I can't change lives. You can't change lives. Only Jesus can change lives. Only a relationship with Jesus can change lives.

All we have to do is set up an invitation.      

People are dying. I've been hearing that. Seeing that. But I haven't been living like it.

Enough is enough. I'm not going to leave things the way they are. I've done that enough times.

Friends, never take for granted what's true. Never take Christ, our Lord and Savior, for granted. Never take for the Gospel, the hope of the world, for granted.