Lessons in Love?

I really have no desire to try and fully understand the way God works. It is a marvelous balance that is always perfect and always revealed in due time. I guess the thoughts that are going through my mind are about how God uses the situations we're in to teach us how to live, to teach us how to love.

I'm living in a house with 14 people, most of which I would probably never be friends with under normal circumstances. The ages range from 19-28. There is no possible way that everyone can be on the same level as far as maturity is concerned. Gossip happens, people get on peoples nerves, dishes don't get washed, some like to stay up late, some like to get up early, some like to eat meat, some don't, some follow Jesus, some don't, some talk loud, some talk quiet, some are neat and some are very messy. Everyone is different and we're called to love without prejudice the way that Christ loves us, in spite of ourselves.

We all naturally have a God sized void inside of us that can't be filled by anything else... It breaks my heart to see people trying to fill that void with alcohol, drugs, or even other people. I have an enormous capacity to love these people because I know what it feels like to be where they are... I've been there, I've felt the brokenness, I know the satisfaction that Christ brings to our lives!

That being said, the people I have little capacity to love are the ones who annoy me... It's hard for me to write this post because I've claimed to be a lover of all people for a long time now. I really need Christ to mold me into a man who can love with out prejudice... I am full of preconceived ideas about people when I first meet them based on the way they look, or talk, or smell... This can't go on...

My prayer right now is that I die to myself, and daily take up my cross and follow Christ... Selfishness is something I've always struggled with and it's even harder to deal with in this land of material excess called Los Angeles. I pray for a humble heart and a servants attitude. If you're reading this I'd ask you to say a prayer for me in these areas. I am adjusting to my new surroundings and I'm not sure that is always a good thing...

Until next time,
D-Wreckosaurus

So much to say, so little time!

It's been a little while since my last post and a ton has gone on, but yet again I don't have time to talk about all of it so I'm just gonna post a few pictures and you can ask me about them if you like cause each has a very interesting story!

Rick Warren's Prayer at the Inauguration.

Almighty God, our Father:

Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone.

It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.

History is your story.

The Scripture tells us, "Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one." And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now today we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States.

We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama,

the wisdom to lead us with humility,
the courage to lead us with integrity,

the compassion to lead us with generosity.

Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans--united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you--forgive us.

When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone--forgive us.

When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve--forgive us.

And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.

May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.

And may we never forget that one day, all nations--and all people--will stand accountable before you.

We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, 'Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,

for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Just Stop and Think

I came across a short film today that really made me "just stop and think" which also happens to be title of the video. It is available to watch online HERE . Check it out and let me know what you think!

D-Wreck

I have sinned...

I have sinned

I have broken your heart

I have strayed

From the path that you laid down for me, Lord

And what can I do

I am the problem

And I am helpless in myself

I have been crucified with Christ

And no longer live

I am a new creation now

Just a little song by a guy named Justin McRoberts called Galatians 2:20. It is such a powerful song and speaks volumes about what I'm feeling right now. I've been shown over the past week that I really am helpless in myself and I really desire to completely rely on Christ...

The Battle

So, after a little more than a week here in L.A., things are going pretty good! We spent a week learning about how to tell the TOMS story and getting the details of our team and tour. I learned to drive a 15 passenger van and didn't wreck or break anything. Again everything has been going great and I am absolutely loving my job and my fellow vagabonds!

That being said, I am struggling emotionally! I miss my friends from home... I miss my relationship with my boys asking me hard questions about my walk with God! Don't get me wrong, I have some awesome Christians in my life, but I'm just not at the place relationship wise that they are calling me out for being stupid... I need those people in my life and I'm seeking it out right now. I have tons of questions that I'm hoping I can figure out the answers to soon so that I can fully adjust to life in this new city.

I guess the first question I have is how to balance the most ridiculously hectic life I've ever been a part of with a growing relationship with Christ? I really need to focus more on getting one on one time with God. It is so hard to get alone time when you live in a house with 14 people. I guess it really means being more intentional and getting up when it isn't exactly comfortable to read the Bible and pray... Maybe it means going to bed a little bit earlier also... I really don't know, but I know exactly what to do all at the same time.

Given the right context, my personality allows me to put my faith in my relationships with others while straying from God. I feel like I'm moving in that direction right now, but I know this about myself and I can make changes. Another personality flaw that I have is justification... I'm really good at justifying my actions...

I knew before coming out here that I would have tremendous opportunities to grow as a person and it has already started. It is way easier to see your flaws and have them pointed out to you when you're amongst the same 13 people all day every day. I guess my prayer for the moment is that I find someone to call me out for being stupid and to spur me on toward growth in Christ. I love everything about this experience so far, and I hope that I can maintain an open mind and a loving heart toward everyone I come in contact with! I want to be the change I wish to see in the world and I want to love like Christ loved.... Unconditionally and without prejudice...

Sorry for the somber tone, but maybe this picture will cheer up the mood of the post:-)

The Real World - TOMS

After three days in California getting settled in to work for TOMS Shoes, I feel like I'm just now settled enough to begin to reflect on everything. Let me just start by saying that prayers have been answered with regards to my fellow vagabonds! They are amazing people and getting to know them has been a ridiculous trip so far! I spent all night Friday night talking and getting to know one particular teammate and I learned a lot about myself from talking to her. Really weird when that happens, but very cool! I really love deep conversation... I love it more than anything that is of this world!

I came here to grow as a person and I feel like having my history fresh in my mind is a great way to not commit the same mistakes. I've done lots of dumb things, but the crazy thing is, I have forgiveness that I'll never be able to deserve from God. That thought blows my mind! It's also cool to see how he's molded me as a person into someone who can handle the stresses of all that is and will be thrown at me. I mean I'll probably still make mistakes and get angry and annoyed, but just to see where I am now compared to even just one year ago is pretty amazing!

Anyway, here is a run down of everyone and I'll come back with something cool that I've learned about them in a later post/s. Ana, Tia, Liz, Hajar, Carolyn, Krysten, Sloan, Carmin, Jenny, Justin, Kelli, Blair, Caitlin, and, of course, me. All in all that is 14 and J-Dawg and D-Money are the only two fellas...

Anyway work starts on Monday and it looks like it's going to be crazy! I think we're gonna check out a church or two today so I'll try to give a run down of that assuming I can find time:-)

Love, Peace, and Toficken Grease,

D-Wreckasaurus

Faithwaders pt. 1

So, I don't know if you've ever been aroused from sleep by someone saying that there is poo flowing out of the bathtub and toilet onto the floor.... but I have:-)

Last Friday and group of friends and I started out on a journey to North Carolina to catch the Mieneke Car Care Bowl in which WVU was playing, and then on to the Ridgecrest Conference center for the annual Faith Walkers Conference. The trip down and the bowl game were awesome and we had some great spiritual conversations and some not so spiritual conversations:-) Everything was great until the morning after we arrived at the conference center...

I went to sleep Saturday night after a great worship session with the band from OSU not knowing what I was about to wake up to... My first memory of the morning was hearing Billy get out of bed and walk into the bathroom and come out and sit on the couch. Someone else got up and went in the bathroom and I remember hearing a distinct EWWWWW!!!! and Billy was like yeah I thought the level looked high on the toilet...lol... Anyway, about five minutes later the poo water was pouring out of the bathtub and toilet and onto the floor!!!

I luckily had taken a shower the night before so the things I had to do to get ready didn't involve the bathroom because we had a sink outside of the bathroom. By the time I got out of bed it was time for me to prep my coffee and brush my teeth, both of which involved making it to the sink which was surrounded by a sort of mote that was trying to keep sleepy travelers from making it to the one sink that was sort of accessible.

Needless to say I straddled that mote and got the important things, like making coffee and getting rid of morning breath, done. It wasn't until after we narrowly escaped the flood that I first heard someone use the term Faithwaders. It was then that I knew I needed to blog my side of the story and let people know of the dangers of letting Billy go to the bathroom first in the morning... The only logical theory on how this whole situation went down is that he did SOMETHING when he went to the bathroom before anyone else was up:-) I guess we'll never know for sure though... Anyway, love ya bill-bill and sorry for being hard on you even on my blog...:-)

I'll probably write more about the past week a little later after a little more processing time!!!

Until then,

D-wreckasouras