New Year!

It's been quite a while since I've written an entry. While much has changed since I have returned from my Summer in the District of Columbia, I still think of it often. In fact, it made several appearances in the law school applications that I wrote and am nervously awaiting hearing about...
But, in the meantime I have made 2 'New Year's Resolutions'
1. To not drink Soda. That's right, quit cold turkey.
2. To read 12 books. For those that think I read, well...I have fooled you.
Seeing as it's January 9th, I'm doing pretty well. I haven't had soda (one day was really tough, but otherwise I'm managing) and I finished my first book. It was "To Timbuktu" and recounted travels of a couple that traveled to Thailand, Morocco, Laos, Vietnam and worked in China and Mali. Basically, it just reignited the travel bug I have fought on and off since my time in Sheffield in 2011. It was a light read that had illustrations by the guy while the girl wrote. I would recommend it for a plane ride or something.
Both of these resolutions are going to be difficult to keep throughout the year. I'm actually more hopeful for the soda one than the book one. But, these are the other 11 books I hope to read by years end.
1776 by David McCullough
My Journey by Tony Blair
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Globalization and its Discontents by Joseph Stiglitz
Keynes by Robert Skidelsky (I read this book a few years ago, but seeing that I have now taken 3 economics courses since then, I figure that I would have a different perspective)
Smoking Typewriters by McMillian
The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross
The Healing of America by T.R. Reid
Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden
America in the Age of Decline: Time to Start Thinking by Edward Luce
and, the last one that I have started and hope to finish by the end of the month: The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria
I hope those of you who made resolutions are able to stick with them! Those of you who didn't, keep on keepin' on.
-Tim

Reflection.

As I fly out of Reagan this morning, it seems appropriate to try to reflect on what all has happened this Summer. But, doing that without music would simply be boring. So, I picked a few songs and will write a little bit under each of them to give you (the viewer) something interesting and me something to try and steer my thoughts.

While I know I am not the only one who ever sleeps in DC, I felt this way a lot when thinking about leaving the city...or District of Columbia.

I loved this song before I got here. And, I still very much do. I think it's the energy contained in it, and the optimism or hope that seems to come from these electronic sounds. Plus, there many funny times involving this song.

I first heard this song while on the lawn of the Capitol during the Fourth of July celebration. It just seemed fitting to be where I would one day like to serve that I could 'make this place my home'.

I had never heard this song until I worked in DC this Summer. While I think it is much more beautiful when sung by teens and a simple guitar, I think this version does a pretty great job. Oftentimes, the realizations about the audacity that humanity has took me to my knees in prayer and shame.

I performed this song during our karaoke time as a staff, but no...I didn't need the words on the screen, I already knew them.
There is no need for any explanation: London 2012.was.incredible.

When landing in DC, I had no idea what to expect. But, since it is contains many of the symbols of freedom, liberty, and the American Federal Government is housed here...it seems fitting to have the national anthem. The chaos that Hendrix adds to the song I believe fits how our society is, and will always will be because freedom creates a constant tension sometimes hard to understand and appreciate.

Now, is it a cheesy song? yes. Is it overplayed? yes. Does it actually have any significance other than teen girls always played it in the car when going places? Yes, it does.
I like to think that God (in a non-creepy, teen love way) is singing many of the same thoughts. We are His creation; and yes, every bit of it is beautiful.
I'll see many of you soon.
Tim

It's not goodbye, it's see you later.

Today, the last group I hosted left. And, honestly they were one of the most memorable probably because it was 'my last [insert activity here]'. I felt privileged to get to know them and see God moving powerfully in their lives.
Saying goodbye is not something I'm a big fan of. At all. Primarily because I don't think that things end, they just have breaks in the middle. Saying goodbye to my coworkers was a unique experience. The sense of closure we all felt allowed for us to truly say that it was a 'good' bye. Not sad. Not emotional. Not hurt. But, a sense of joy that all of us had knowing that deep down, we were good with what happened this Summer. That we were proud of the work that we were allowed to be a part of. There's a  more off-color phrase 'It's all good in the hood'. And, that is the best way I can describe right now.
The sense of community that mainly underprivileged communities have is desperately missing from more affluent areas. And while problems will always exist, it is with honor and pride that I as a member of Christendom look at my job and know that God will one day say "Child well done". It is with the audacity of Christ's death and resurrection that I have any chance of knowing him. And with that, my job is done.
I'm going to be in DC for a few more days having fun. I hope to be able to fully reflect on my time here and prepare for the upcoming year. For those that have been reading this blog, Thanks for your wishes and prayers. You're the best :)

Last Work Day Eve

Tonight before my last full day of hosting was very...interesting. I have never more passionate about speaking to a crowd about God in my life. Never. Usually, I'm very cautious and careful...meticulous about what I say. Not tonight. It was quite raw. And, strangely the most awesome I have felt at a debrief at the end of a night.
I talked about the 'beautiful struggle' which is what I like to call 'fighting the good fight' mentioned in 1 Timothy 6: 11-end. And, man do I have a road in front of me. While it feels like I have been here years, I know it has only been a few short months and I can't even describe fully everything that has gone on. I'll try to when it is all said and done, but I won't make any promises because I probably won't be able to communicate via blog. It's a passionate feeling of anger, hurt, and love that the District of Columbia has brought out of me. I can't wait to see what is in store for the rest of my walk with God. I know it will be a tough road, but the sight will be something to see.
That's it for now. I have too much on my mind to focus.

in The Darkest of Knights, the powerful will Rise

Forewarning: This deals with the newest Batman movie and is not the shortest piece I've written, so only move forward if you have the time to finish it! And, it is kind of a jumbled collection of thoughts.

When I saw The Dark Knight Rises, I was really pleased with the movie and had been looking forward to it for quite some time. In fact, I had began to like what I saw with the first trailer I watched when I was overseas last fall. Being able to tie current popular sentiments of culture into an advertisement for a movie already made is pretty impeccable. Nevertheless, there was one particular point that really resonated with me the other night.
"When structures become shackles"
And, this week truly let me see that. Unexpected and uncontrollable events made my week of leading a very challenging one. After two 'terrible' days of nothing going right, I realized something strong. I Have No Say over when kids throw up. I Have No Say when it rains.

But, I can make a difference. And, seeing the RFK Center for Social Justice and Human Rights today really inspired me. It's funny how small the world is...RFK being one of my heroes, and a woman that I worked with this week being a teacher of some of his great-grandchildren. >>>>What. Just.Happened.
It was so neat to see the work that they have been doing and the advocacy they do here in the US and abroad. Needless to say, I forgot all of the 'issues' the week had presented and was presented with the radical ideas the great men (including God in Human Form, Christ) throughout history have eloquently spoken. That equality and justice are the fabric of a legitimate society. That humanity must take care of one another. That barriers erected are to be torn down in the name of reconciliation.
I have one last group here in DC. I can't wait.
-Tim

An Indescribable Depressing Situation/Hope Into Victory

 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5


This week the International AIDS Conference is taking place here in Washington, D.C. 
Sadly, it is not far away from the battlefield of fighting this horrific modern plague. It is on the front lines. I strongly encourage to watch the link attached. It is about 4 minutes long. It describes some of the realities of the community that I have had the honor of serving in for the past several weeks. 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18919153
Today, I took my team to a non-profit that serves individuals with life-challenging illnesses. For the first 12 years of their organization, it was solely for victims of HIV/AIDS. Now, it encompasses more but are still dominated by that particular illness.
As I came back from my route, I saw a kid from another group wondering why condoms were in a basket on a desk at the organization. I told him the story about the work that they do and the people that they serve and while he was young, he didn't seem to understand that it is a non-curable disease. Hopefully, as he gets older he will not have to live in a world where it remains an issue. But, until then, We all do. Therefore,
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am an advocate for a healthy and committed relationship between individuals who has committed themselves for life and before God. But, if you are active: use protection. Get tested. Be open. Be honest. And, do not hide from reality. We as brothers and sisters in humanity need each other to lean upon in difficult times. And, as humanity we lean upon the Cross and the sacrifice it represents. 

2 Months.

Today is the 2 month anniversary of me starting my time in Washington, District of Columbia. At first, it seems like it has been a lot longer than that because of the multitude of experiences that I have had the privilege of having while here. But, at the same time it seems like I haven't been here for very long. I think part of that has to do with the pace of the ministry life here, but I'm not quite sure.
There have been moments that have allowed me to be tested in patience, humility, and servanthood. While those moments often came at the most 'inconvenient' time possible for me, I guess that the biggest lesson was to go ahead and never plan anything. Why? Because something is always in store that is unexpected. After reading this morning's headlines, I hate to think that sorrow is often a part of that story.
But, pain is a constant part of the human existence. On a daily basis, I have seen individuals who are struggling with mental instability, homelessness, poverty, injustice, discrimination, lack of hope, and a constant cycle of a world that views them as: a blight on their city, a statistic...if they are viewed at all and not just completely forgotten. And, in a city full of organizations that were built on the idea of individuals having dignity and worth it seems unfathomable that it is so visible to the willing observer.
As a student of politics and a Christian, I am disheartened by much of the discourse that goes on (if any) concerning urban politics and society. While it was one of my favorite courses so far in my discipline, God allowing me to see the problems head on was quite a blessing.
Seeing a man dig out of a trashcan just a few blocks from where I reside, seeing a kid not be able to do problems well below their grade level, and seeing the long lines for social services make me (as a hopeful member of government one day) want to explode in rage. As a Christian, I feel that Jesus in the temple overthrowing tables of money changers is completely appropriate in many instances I have found myself in this summer.
The brokenness of communities however, is not a lost cause. Non-profits and especially, churches are doing valuable work trying to take care of their neighbor. Many have been fighting these problems since the 19th century and emancipation here in Washington. Thank God that they have. No longer is DC the murder capital of the nation as it was in the 1990s. But, the problems go far beyond the headlines. The voices of those who can't get a voice in the halls of the federal government, the voices of the immigrant trying to begin life on a fresh start, and the voices of men and women trying to do the will of God by reconciling race, ethnicity, socio-economic class, and political affiliation to see that what unites us is Love.
I have a few weeks left and I can't wait to see what is in store.
-Tim