Rejoicing with those who rejoice

Today, is a special day.

Today, my friend, my brother, my son in Jesus, and a reason for my joy in this world graduates from high school.

Abner Campos, my heart goes out to you and I wish I could be there today.

May you walk in the footsteps of Jesus always, though your route differs from mine, though your personality differs from mine,

and your calling ends up looking much different than mine,

may we remain knit together as brothers. And may we both follow in the footsteps of the One we call Master,

because He is not afraid of unity in diversity.

I send you my congratulations. You have made many proud, and I know Jesus smiles down upon you today.

Continue to be faithful in today's work, continue to persevere, flee youthful lusts and stay true to the mark.

Jesus is the mark.

A warm hug and a round of applause to you and to your classmates. Your journey has but begun,

so celebrate this landmark and anticipate with joy where the Spirit will lead next.

*****

Ah, but it is not over. Today is a special day.

My friends, Jonathan Sanchez and Gisel Tejeda are wedded today.

I wish I could be there to watch you two commit yourselves to Jesus as a married couple. I am filled with delight as I anticipate the ways in which you will glorify the name of God as a team. I know He will lead you to unforeseen joys, guide you through unexpected rocky paths, and safely bring you two together into the age to come; both of you having blessed each other, blessed others, and blessed God Himself. I can only begin to imagine the joy in heaven today. May your household be patterned after the counsels of Sister White, may Child Guidance be lived out, and may the love of 1 Corinthians 13 emanate from within your household.

May God abide with you both.

Things will probably get rough at some point.

His strength will sustain, though.

Congratulations friends. I hope you cracked a real smile today, Jonathan. :)

Thank you, friends

Hello there!

So this is a short blog post to publicly show our appreciation to all our friends and family who donated to Jacqueline and I's Birthday for a Cause on One Day's Wages. To be quite honest, we were both a bit apprehensive about our $1000 goal because we are nobodies. However, you, our friends and family, really came through in a big way and we were blessed to break our goal.

The final report is that Jacqueline and I were able to raise a total of $1059 for One Day's Wages Human Trafficking Fund. And to be honest, we only received $30 after the first four days. That is to say, our community helped us raise $1029  in four days! This leaves us totally speechless. We are humbled to be a part of such a wonderfully supportive community.

Thank you for those of you who showed us support and we are especially joyful to have seen so many give to our Birthday for a Cause.

We know Jesus, Lord of All, will reward you according to the measure of your generosity, yes and even more.

Blessings!

Confessions of a two year old

Last year, I wrote about my one year old's epiphany.  I wanted to continue the tradition this year. Two years ago on this day, I was rebaptized. These are the things I learned as I turned two years old in Christ.

Humiliation

It is an uncomfortable word. It is an uncomfortable experience. Yet, while I look back over the course of this past year, I have a deep appreciation of the moments of humiliation in my life. See, I am a stubborn and hard-hearted man, and so I have realized that while affirmation and encouragement can be meaningful, it is not what really pushes me into greater growth. The experiences in my life where I fall down on my face in humiliation are the ones that ultimately create more growth in me. I cling to Christ closer. I am made small in my own eyes and it causes me to depend more fully upon Jesus. As my mentor Matt Minikus said to me, Cling to the things which humble you. I normally run away from them, but over this past year I have found these moments to be the ones where heaven draws nearer to me.

Bigotry

I have it. I was very surprised when I realized it. I didn't expect it. I didn't see it coming. I always considered myself a very open and accepting person, but it turns out that I am a bigot. To be bigoted is to reveal an obstinate belief in the superiority of one's own opinions and a prejudiced intolerance of the opinions of others. Those of you who know me personally will probably agree that I struggle with this a lot. I realized some months ago and I have continually realized it over the course of this year, perhaps because I dedicated the year of 2013 to fighting my personal bigotry. What I realized is that my bigotry was tied into who I was and that it didn't matter what ideological tendencies I leaned to. I have gone through hyper conservative, hyper liberal, and very backslidden phases and I can attest that no matter what I believed, I had the tendency to look down upon the 'others.' I believe it is a human plague and it doesn't matter whether I am particularly religious or not, it is going to emerge. Therefore, I am wielding the weapons of Christ against it this year. I mean, you tell me, is there any room for bigotry in the fellowship of believers where we are supposed to reflect a unity in Christ comparable to the one the Father and Son enjoy?

Joy

Last year, when I turned one year old in Christ, I was still struggling with a lot of grief and a lot of bitterness. I cannot say I have been totally healed from those things. I must admit there are times where I still struggle with wanting to disengage, be depressed, and throw a little self-pity party to which no one has any interest in coming to. So yes, I am not totally healed, but over the last year, I have recovered my ability to enjoy. It's come slowly, much to the chagrin of my old ARISE intern friends. I had such a hard time letting loose and having fun when I was with them. The warmth, compassion, and love of friends, family, and my girlfriend, have made them vessels of the Spirit to guide Bryant back into the folds of joy. I know that I am positive and optimistic at heart, but much sin, guilt, and heartbreak have created barriers and suffocated the roots of joy in my heart. I thank the Lord Jesus Christ who has been able to give life to these seeds though. As I turn to two years old, I find myself laughing more often. I find myself being able to take a night off and make small talk again. Heck, I even find myself using smileys often. My happy dancing is back!

>)")>    ^(")^      <("<(

There are my honest reflections as I turn two years of age in Christ. I am ever grateful the Spirit called me and continues to call me. I know I am far from the mark, but as I look back over this year, I find reason to have faith the Lord is raising me up. And with faith, comes hope. Now, hope does not disappoint, right?

A Chance. To Rest.

First of all, I would like to thank all those who have shown their support to Jacqueline and I’s Birthday for a Cause. I would especially like to thank those who have given a donation. As it stands now, we are at $999 and our goal is $1000, with four days left. That is HUGE - we practically reached our goal! We are beyond thankful, but yet, we're not quite done. The fight is not quite over.

For these past three days, the thought of being able to peacefully rest at night and the privilege it is has been gnawing at my conscience. It is beautiful, isn’t it? To lie down and be content - to rest in peace. I don’t always wake up feeling very refreshed, but I know I have the freedom to lie down at will and be satisfied with my work day. Now, over these three days of raising awareness for One Day’s Wages Human Trafficking Fund as my mind contemplates in a greater manner the plight of so many millions of people, it has dawned on me that - like I said earlier - the ability to peacefully rest at night is a privilege. A gift, really.

Because there are plenty of people who are unable to enjoy this privilege. And there are some who are in oppression and have been robbed of their opportunity to have this privilege. Due to the diabolical behavior of other humans, there is a child, a woman, and a man somewhere right now who is approaching the night with a sense of anxiety, desperation, and restlessness. They have no peace. For some of them, their exploitation begins at night.

No rest. No opportunity to rest.

As a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian who not only enjoys peace and rest in the nights, but also one whole day to enjoy shalom (peace) and shabbat (ceasing) with friends, family, and the Lord, my heart is especially broken to think of someone not having this gift.

They have no chance at rest in the nights, much less a chance to spend a day with loved ones and the Lord. Thus, as some of you give your one day’s wages (and more) to this Birthday Cause for the Human Trafficking Fund, I know you are being gospel workers. Because sometimes, God wants more than your prayers. Your finances are working out liberation and an opportunity for individuals to enter into rest both at night and for eternity.

At this point, as I mentioned earlier, we are practically there, and it has been in large part to sizable donations. Thanks to you, our friends. But if you are able to donate even $10 or $20, please do not be shy. Your $10 is better than your wishfulness. And many $10s are better than no $100s. (If that makes sense). In the very least, consider sharing our video, or our ODW profile, or this blog post to your social network. Perhaps someone you know will want to help.

So please, Jacqueline and I appeal to you help the captives. When we freely give to gospel work, God supplies. (Philippians 4:16-19) Moreover, as we enter into our Sabbath rest this weekend, can we really sit still and offer our praises while ignoring a multitude of God’s children who may never taste of nightly rest, Sabbath rest, and the “better rest” which awaits us?

Our goal for this project was $1,000.

We're at $999.

Consider it.

Not just giving your dollar to merely reach this goal.

But perhaps more.

Because in reality, should there ever be a limit to help save a life?

Para mi mama (To my mother)

Gracias, mami. Aqui va una poesía pequeña y muy simple, pero viene de toda sinceridad y con todo mi cariño. Desafortunadamente, esta en Ingles. ^_^

I can't ever know, I won't ever know. The amount of energy, the limits I pushed.

The late nights I caused, while you waited for me to return. Sacrifices on my behalf, not oftentimes appreciating them.

Sometimes, I feel like I get it, I feel like I understand the depth, the intensity of your love towards me. But no, it is still too mysterious.

On your lap I was raised, en tus ojos aprendi mucho, your prayers sustained me, you were a vessel for my salvation.

I still have much to learn in the way of being a son, todavia dejo mis cosas para el ultimo momento, so here's a hug, here's an I-miss-you-mum.

May you be rewarded for the efforts, rewarded for the cariño maravilloso, por el buen Señor Nuestro. I promise to not let it waste.

I can't ever know, I won't ever know, pero gracias mami, muchas gracias.