Memories and Discounts

As a teacher, I've been often asked, "What do you do during the summer?" My reply, "Whatever I want." It's a great schedule but it's also forced unemployment. But you take the good and the bad in any career, right? So today, the wife and I decided to run some errands together.

On a Friday, we dropped off my car to have it serviced, went to the mall for some shoe shopping (basketball shoes for me, running shoes for her), ate lunch, picked up my car afterwards, then finally took both cars to the car wash. While we were at the car wash, I introduce the wife to Maria, a lovely lady who works at the car wash who knew my mom. She was happy to meet the wife and proceed to give us a discount. The wife goes on to say, "Wow, you're mom was sure a special woman." She later posted this on my sister's facebook page:

Jr and I were in Montebello today getting his car serviced and then getting both of our cars washed. When we got to the car wash, the lady inside greeted Jr enthusiastically, and gave us a little discount... all because she knew your mom. :) Jr and I both enjoyed laughing at the fact that even years later- at the car wash of all places- we get benefits because people are so grateful for your mom and who she was! I'm so sad that I never got to meet her here on earth, but I'm so grateful that I'll get to some day in heaven. She sure was a special woman. :)

My sister replied:

Oh sis, u just made me cry a lil. That must've been Maria at the MTB car wash. They were friends. If my bro hasn't already told u, my mom was one amazing, classy, loveable lady. Where ever she went, she made friends. She is so loved even after these past couple of years that she's gone to heaven. I still get special treatment at some venues that my mom would go to just cuz I'm "Penny's lil girl". She would've treated u like a queen, not just sayn that, she really would have! I'm sorry u didn't get a chance to meet her here, but u will someday. I look forward to that day that I will be with her again too. I'm not just saying this cuz she was my mom, but she was a very special woman. Oh how I miss her everyday. Thanks for sharing honey, it makes me so happy that people hasn't forgotten her : )

(There's another story of when my sister was pulled over by a local Deputy [many years ago]. He had finished writing the ticket but my sister's then-boyfriend said, "Hey, don't you know this is Penny's daughter!" The sister was embarrassed and tried to crawl into a ball. But the Deputy said, "THIS is Penny's daughter?!" then took the ticket back and proceeded to rip it up despite the fact that he had already finished writing it [I'm not making this up]. My mom had some serious pull.)

This was just a reminder of the countless lives my mother touched. There are literally hundreds of stories to mention and this was one of them. There are not too many people who lived in that community that didn't know my mother. I remember when I broke the news to Maria that my mom passed away, she was completely distraught. Maria grew up Catholic but that didn't stop my mom from sharing the Gospel with her. Mom had this uncanny ability to touch people's lives simply by her presence. The first thing people notice is her joy. It wasn't pretentious but radiant. It was her joy that made people trust her and listen intently to her as she shared the Gospel, the source of her joy. I would watch people listen to my mom with the "I don't know what this woman is selling but I'm buying it" look on their faces.

I wish I could share the Gospel the way my momma did. That was truly one of mom's gifts. I really don't like rollin' by the old neighborhood. It doesn't exactly bring up good memories. However, when I run into people who knew my mom, I remember when I moved away to attend Biola University she continued God's work in that community. It's been nearly three years since her passing and her legacy continues. Amazing.

Autism and the "Image of God"

Summer time is my favorite season. Having the summers off is the main reason why I wanted to become a teacher in the first place. Moreover, nothing beats summer time in Southern California. The sun is always out, the beaches beckon, and best of all – no work! This summer was different. I decided that two months without working was more than I could handle. I decided to apply to teach summer school. The extra cash wasn’t needed but who couldn’t use extra cash? When you apply for summer school there is no guarantee on what class you may end up teaching. When I received my assignment my heart dropped because it was a 2nd/3rd grade Autism class. This was going to be a lot of work and I wasn’t sure if I was prepared for something like this.

I called my buddy Bryan and asked if I should take the assignment. He replied laughing, “Only the Lord would give YOU this assignment.” I thought to myself, “Let’s see here, I would miss half my summer, miss out on a family vacation to Mammoth during the first week of summer school, and I would be in a classroom all day with nine boys with severe Autism. I guess that IS the Lord!” My sister Vicky also laughed and didn’t believe I would be able to handle it. For all intents and purposes, she was right but I decided to tough it out anyway and keep the assignment.

I had no clue what to expect. Interestingly, as the days and weeks passed by, I realized that it is difficult for parents who have children with severe Autism. The Special Education department and the perception of disabilities have come a long way. People with severe disabilities used to simply be institutionalized- basically locked away so they could be out of the way. They would never grow as human beings and most often would grow worst in their deficiencies.

Through this past month I started reflecting on what it means to be created in the “image of God” and what it means to be human. Without hashing out the entire doctrine of humanity, in it’s simplest form, God created man in His image and man is therefore more like God than anything else in creation. Grudem says, “The fact that man is in the image of God means that man is like God and represents God.” However, through the sin of Adam, God’s image in man is distorted but not entirely lost. Dispite having a sinful nature man is still in the image of God, “in every aspect of life some parts of that image have been distorted or lost.”

Trying to teach these children was difficult. They would rebel, resist listening, kick, scream, and hit you. There were dirty diapers and urinating on the playground. The staff I was working with was remarkably patient. Unexpectedly, I was growing more compassionate instead of impatient. This would not be possible without having a good theological understanding of humanity and the working of the Holy Spirit in my life. I understood that just because these children have a disability does not mean they are any less created in God's image.

Furthermore, I also began to think how throughout Scripture God is a father to the fatherless and that he protects the poor and the widows. In the New Testament, during Jesus’ life and ministry, he gave sight to the blind, feed the poor, and healed the lame. I see God’s compassion on the sufferings of people everywhere. Now the Bible doesn’t say, “disabilities” but it’s the idea of disadvantaged people whom God deeply cares about and expects us to care for as well (James 1:27). The summer school program is a public school and therefore secular. These kids were being provided with care and services that were not available as recent as twenty years ago.



Today was the last day of school and I have to admit I grew attached to some of the students (very unexpectedly). I prayed for them every morning on my way to work and today I decided to let each of them know that Jesus loved them and died for their sins. I told each individual when I had the chance. I’m not sure if any of them understood what I was trying to say but I knew I couldn’t let God be an unspoken assumption.

Yes, I’ll get an extra paycheck and that is a blessing. But it’s the personal growth in Christ that I will remember this summer. I am truly amazed that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, decided to show more of Himself to me through a group of nine boys with severe Autism. I guess this is the kind of God who sends His Son to enter humanity and die for our sins.

A Sister's Love

Growing up I never really got along with my younger sister Vicky. Our birthdays are a day apart and I hated the fact that we had to share birthday parties and cake while growing up. In high school, she decided to steal my car and take it out for a midnight spin. Of course "someone else hit her" and she thought that simply parking it back in the garage no one would notice the next day. Well, my mom noticed and was ready to chop my balls off thinking I had crashed the car. Good times! I don't use the word "hate" that often but we hated each other with a passion.

After I became a Christian our relationship took a turn for the better. It took a turn for the better only in a manner that could be explained by the having redemption through the blood of Christ. Once I realized I was a sinner in need of a Savior and God graciously reconciled my relationship to Him, I realized that I needed to reconcile my relationship with my younger sister.

A couple of years ago our mother passed away. We've been through a lot since then to say the least. My sister Vicky still isn't a Christian but that doesn't mean I'll ever stop praying for her.

Interestingly this year, Vicky was excited about giving me a birthday gift. She's never been excited about giving me a birthday gift. She was convinced that I would be blown away but I wasn't sold. I mean, I already have everything a man could ever want (except a mansion, new car with GPS, an iphone, court side Lakers' season tickets, a six figure job, a dog that attacks on command, a wife who doesn't want kids, and cable TV). So when I went over to her place and unwrapped the gift, I noticed they were shoes (shoes that were way too big) and then I noticed that there was someone's signature on the shoes. It turns out to be Kobe's signature. Not only was it Kobe's signature but it was one of Kobe's game wore shoes from the 2008-2009 season (a championship season). I was floored. I didn't know what to say but my sister later put this on my facebook page:

I'm glad u love them (Kobe's game shoes)!!! This wasn't just for ur bday, it was also for being a great big bro thru the last 2 1/2 years since moms been gone. Thanks for all of ur support, words of encouragement and love. In addition, it is also to reward u for being an amazing husband to Katie and making her happy! Mom would be soooo proud, I know I am. The three of us love u!!! Enjoy!!! XOXO

I've been telling my co-workers, friends, guys at the gym, and even random people I don't even know off the street. I would be yelling from my car, "Hey yo, you know what my sis got ME?! That's right!!! Kobe's shoes!!!! KO-BE, KO-BE, KO-BE, KO-BE!!!" Our relationship has come a long way, indeed.



I think mom would be happy to know that we've grown much closer since her going home to be with the Lord. I also know that she would be happy knowing that Kobe won his fifth title and will be going for ring #6 next year. More importantly, I know my relationship with my sister wouldn't have been possible without the work of God in my life. I pray that she'll realize that more than anything else.


Go Lakers!!!

Kobe vs. Lebron 2010 part II of II

Kobe

To my Laker brethrens, remember that Kobe in 2004 opted out of his contract for free agency. Of course it wasn’t nearly the spectacle of the train wreck in that one-hour special on ESPN Lebron had to do. Interestingly, Kobe was also 25 years old at the time. We all know that he elected to stay and even demanded to be traded a couple of years later. No, Kobe is not perfect, far from it. But no one is.

I watched him his entire career, even when he was playing the summer league at Long Beach the year he was drafted. Yes, he’s made mistakes along the way but everyone does. I remember some of the dumb decisions I’ve made in the past and I would hate it if people held it over my head for the entirety of my life. We allow ourselves the room for natural maturation why not give the room for pro athletes?

Kobe is now older and when it was time for another contract to be signed, he did it, quietly determined not to let it become a distraction to the team because he has one goal in mind every year. Win the championship. No he’ll never be as good as Jordan but he’s the closest thing. I’ll take it.

By all accounts, Lebron will finish with a better statistical career than Kobe. He’s always been more gifted and athletic. I didn’t even write this blog during the year because it was no contest. Lebron had an amazing year. But when we start talking about who’s the better player we need to first define what a “better player” truly means. Here’s a question: Would you want the most gifted guy that will only reach 90% of his ceiling because he’s got other invested interests? Or a guy less gifted (but not far off) who maximizes his talent, wants to get better every year, and only cares about winning?

Look at it this way, when Lebron lost to Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009, he reacted by spending the summer promoting his book and documentary. He hung out with Warren Buffet to receive advice on investments. AND HE JUST LOST!

Kobe on the other hand, WON the championship!! He spent the same summer with game Hakeem Olajuwon working on a post!! He came back the next year with a nasty and wicked post game. Since guards weren’t use to guarding guys in the post, Kobe abused them, badly. I watched opponent after opponent shaking their heads in discouragement as they returned to the bench in foul trouble.

Kobe, after winning his fifth title (second without Shaq), has put himself in the conversation of Bird, Magic, Jordan, and Russell. Kobe haters cling onto his 6 for 24 Game 7 shooting performance like insecure elementary school children. Taking one line out of the box score without considering the context is like looking at a single Bible verse in isolation and interpreting it anyway we want. That’s how cults are formed. This article puts Game 7 in perspective better than I can. Regardless of his terrible shooting, he still contributed to the win by working his tail off on defense, rebounding (15 from the guard position is remarkable), and getting to the line late in the game when points were hard to come by.

In short, I would gladly take my less gifted guy who spent his entire career (14 years and counting) on my team (with all of his flaws – and yes, there’s plenty) who always looks to get better every year and has always cared only about winning (5 titles and counting) over the modern day Oscar Robertson for 7 years, 0 titles, and a big slap in the face one-hour TV special telling me how much I suck and that he’d rather be somewhere else.

Don’t get me wrong. I want Lebron to be great. I hope he matures and becomes the player we all know he could be but since he doesn’t have a strong father figure and a bunch of “yes men” for buddies I’m not sure he’ll ever get it.

By the way, do you think Kobe isn’t seething with all attention Miami is now getting? The “Miami Thrice” introductions were much more ostentatious than the Lakers’ championship parade. How many extra hours do you think he’s going to spend in the gym this year gearing to kick their butts? I know that’s how Jordan would be thinking.

Kobe vs. Lebron 2010 part I of II

Believe it or not I really don’t care about this argument. So why write about it? I’m writing about it because there’s a new twist to this argument now that Lebron had joined Bosh and Wade in Miami. It isn't about the stats but about drive and passion.

Lebron James was a free agent and by that very definition he is free to go anywhere he pleases. It is his right, and I don’t mind him leaving Cleveland. People have had different opinions about Lebron leaving for another team and that’s fine but what is unanimously agreed upon is the narcissistic, self-absorbed, and insensitive manner by which he did it. Bosh and Wade hired a production company to film the entire free agency process in order to make a “documentary.” This documentary will no doubt end with Lebron’s announcement as the climax in which he embarrasses his hometown over national television. This has left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth (expect in Miami’s of course). This is why EVERYONE will be watching them next year, not cheering for them but hoping they lose.

As it’s already been pointed out, no other professional athlete could generate this much interest in a decision other than Lebron. The reason being that he has the pedigree to be the best player of all-time. Which makes his decision to go to Miami all the more disappointing. If I were 25 years old, rich, and everyone worshipped me I would probably want to go to South Beach with my buddies too. But there’s a competitive fire in athletes that we admire that’s much bigger than a buddy system. Lets take a quick look at history.


Bird and Magic

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are great friends today. But it wasn’t because they played AAU together has kids. It wasn’t because they played USA Basketball together. It was because they tried to destroy each other every time they played against each other and they respected each other for doing it. They brought the best out of each other and as a result they reached heights they couldn’t have reached without driving one another to do so. Now, years after their playing days, they are linked closer to each other than they are to any of their former teammates. In the HBO documentary, Larry Bird said, “They’ll be talking about this [Bird and Magic] for a 100 years.” And you know what? He’s right.

Jordan

One of my theories on why Michael Jordan retired the first time after the 1993 season was that Bird and Magic were retired and there was no one left to conquer. He didn’t do well in baseball, got bored, and decided to come back to the NBA. He didn’t make a spectacle of it, just a simple fax with two words, “I’m back.”

Jordan came back with only 17 games left in the 1995 season and lost to the Orlando Magic in the semi-conference finals in 6 games. Magic forward Horace Grant was carried off as the hero on the Bulls court, having left the Bulls the previous season for Orlando because he “didn’t feel appreciated.” I’ll never forget the look on Jordan’s face during that game. He watched with pressed lips as though he was holding back the fire that was burning his soul.

Do you know what happened the following season? Jordan went full “Destroy Everyone” mode the entire year, lead the league in scoring (30.4 ppg), winning the All-Star MVP, regular season MVP, leading the Bulls to the NBA all-time best record of 72-10, won his 4th title and was named Finals MVP (his 4th). Now THAT’S how your react after losing! You don’t promote a documentary about yourself after you lose. You don’t promote a book about yourself after you lose. And you certainly don’t join the competition when you lose.

Jordan never cared about being a “global icon” or selling his “brand.” He was consumed by winning. Ironically, winning was how Jordan sold his brand and became a global icon. That’s something Lebron has yet to figure out.

Lebron

If Lebron truly wanted to win then why not go to Chicago where he clearly would have been “the guy?” He would’ve had D. Rose, an elite point guard who happens to play very similar to D. Wade but less polished. He would’ve had one of the best defensive/rebounding centers in Noah. He would’ve had a low-post threat in Boozer (something he’s never had).

The wife tells me, “I think it’s okay that Lebron is not wired the way everyone else wants him to be wired. If he’s content playing with his buddies and partying in South Beach during the off season then he should be free to make that decision.” Valid point. However, maybe that is part of the problem. An athlete as gifted as Lebron shouldn’t have that mentality. How is that not “burying your talents” instead of multiplying them?

Furthermore, Lebron has always wanted to be beloved by the people. How is he going to handle the villain role? Do you think only Cleveland is mad at him? What about the other cities he was jacking around? The Nets, Knicks, and Bulls aren’t going to be mad? Those cities fan base aren’t going to spit venom when he comes to town? He didn’t have the stomach to be “the hero” (although he keeps referring to himself as “the king.”) now he’s content with being a Mega-sidekick for D. Wade? How is this not disappointing?

As a Laker fan, I didn’t have a horse in the free agency race. But as a basketball fan, I want to see basketball at the highest level. Lebron going to Miami instead of Chicago or staying in Cleveland was a major let down. Bill Simmons says it best, “Michael Jordan would have wanted to kick Dwyane Wade's butt every spring, not play with him. This should be mentioned every day for the rest of LeBron's career. It's also the kryptonite for any ‘Some day we'll remember LeBron James as the best basketball player ever’ argument. We will not. Jordan and Russell were the greatest players of all time. Neither of them would have made the choice that LeBron did. That should tell you something.” This brings me back to my point about the Kobe vs. Lebron thing.

For part II click here.

The Decision – Made!

There has been a lot of ink spilled over “The Decision” Lebron has been so why bother writing a blog about it? What hasn’t been already said? Surprisingly, there are a few things that I want to address that haven’t been already said. Also, I’ve been in deep dialogue with my fellow Laker brethrens as well as friends in the Lebron camp. Let me start with a couple of things that have already been said.

For the record, I don’t blame Lebron for leaving. But Bill Simmons sums it up nicely,

“It's one thing to leave. I get it. You're 25. You don't know any better. You're tired of carrying mediocre teams. You want help. You want the luxury of not having to play a remarkable game every single night for eight straight months. You want to live in South Beach. You want to play with your buddies. I get it. I get it. But turning that decision into a one-hour special, pretending that it hadn't been decided weeks ago, using a charity as your cover-up and ramming a pitchfork in Cleveland's back like you were at the end of a Friday the 13th movie and Cleveland was Jason ... there just had to be a better way.”

I truly feel badly for the city of Cleveland. They really believe that God hates them. I’m starting to wonder myself.

Simmons goes on to say,

“Michael Jordan would have wanted to kick Dwyane Wade's butt every spring, not play with him. This should be mentioned every day for the rest of LeBron's career. It's also the kryptonite for any ‘Some day we'll remember LeBron James as the best basketball player ever’ argument. We will not. Jordan and Russell were the greatest players of all time. Neither of them would have made the choice that LeBron did. That should tell you something.”

What is the most disappointing thing about this for me, speaking strictly about basketball greatness, is that Lebron has set himself up where anything short of a title each year is a complete failure. Furthermore, if/when Miami does win a championship everybody would say, “Of course they’re going to win, look at those guys!” It would be the same pressure that Team USA goes through every Olympics but it would be for every NBA season. How much of that will take their mental and emotional energy? This has to be the first time in NBA history where everyone isn't gunning for the returning champions but for another team that’s being crowned before they play a game. How is this not a slap in the face to the rest of the league? How is every single team NOT going to bring their “Eff you” effort against them every night? EVERYONE outside of Miami will be cheering for them to lose. Lebron has the talent to be "the guy" on a championship team. But he took the easy way out. More on Lebron later.

At Least Two Years

Miami won’t win the title for at least a couple of years. The first year will be a major learning curve for all these guys to adjust to playing with each other. Also, the three have eaten up most of the cap space. Trading away Michael Beasley helps. But the league requirement is that you have 13 guys under contract. If the rumors are true that Mike Miller will take the 5 yr 30 million dollar offer that would be the rest of the salary cap. They already have Mario Chalmers under contract so that leaves 8 spots with only minimum contracts to offer (if they keep their two 2nd round picks that will leave 6 spots).

The media has been saying that there’s going to be plenty of veterans wanting to play with them and that Pat Riley will sell them on “being a part of history.” Now I admit that Riley is a mastermind but who’s really coming? Who’s playing center? Who’s playing back-up center? Who’s going to say, “Sure I'll go play with those dudes never shoot the ball, do all the dirty work, never get credit and do it for pennies. I'll even do it the year before the lockout." Are you really going to find 8 or 9 quality roles players that are going to say that? Not to mention, the market determines the value of players. This summer’s market:

Amare – Knicks 5 years, $99.7M
J. Johnson – Hawks 6 years, $120M
Haywood, Mavs 6 years, $55M
R. Gay – Grizzles 5 years, $80M
R. Allen – C’s 2 years, $20M
D. Wright – Warriors 3 years, $11M
A. Morrow – Nets 3 years, $12M

I could go on about the ridiculous amount of money for guys who don’t deserve it. But that’s how the market is going. Ironically, it’s due in large part to the very three guys in Miami with teams clearly cap space to make their pitch. As a result, there will be hardly any role players going to Miami (at least this year) playing for the minimum when there is a lockout looming. Everyone is getting money now while they can.

Last I checked it was Derek Fisher who won game 3 of the Finals and Ron Artest who won game 7. Also, who’s guarding D. Howard? The Celtics brought everyone back and I think they still have one year left in them to at least reach the Finals. The Bulls are up-and-coming. Do you really trust C. Bosh (who’s never played a big game outside of the Gold Medal game in 2008) to stick Pau Gasol? What would be the over/under for Pau’s PPG average, 40.5? Nothing is a given for Miami (or any other team for that matter).

The “Miami Thrice” in their second year, oh wait . . . are we even having a second year? The current NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement will expire the summer of 2011. We don’t even know if there’s going to be a season yet. But if there is it’s surely going to be shortened due to the lockout. Furthermore, how is Miami going to continue to build their team? One of things the owners are pushing for is getting rid of all the salary cap expectations (e.g., mid-level, bi-annual, etc.). These are ways that a team over the cap could continue to build their team. Miami's three studs will eat almost the entire salary cap for the Heat. It’s just a big unknown right now because there is not a new CBA in place. That’s why I don’t think Miami wins it in 2011 or 2012. I don’t care what Vegas thinks. After that? Look out! Maybe.

Tomorrow – My 2010 Kobe vs. Lebron blog with a new twist.

Confusing Justification and Sanctification Will Kill Joy

I was reading “When the Darkness Will Not Lift” by John Piper, which is about Christians who live without joy. There are many reasons why some Christians live without joy but one of them was confusing justification and sanctification.

Justification is a legal term. In the courtroom of heaven, we are all guilty sinners deserving condemnation. However we are declared righteous by faith alone and Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us. Our faith is not our righteousness but rather it is us being the recipients of Christ and all that he is for us is.

Afterwards, God gives us his Holy Spirit and progressively transforms us morally into the image of Christ. This is called sanctification, or the working out of our justified position in Christ.

It is crucial not to confuse or combine justification and sanctification. The reason, as Piper states, is that it “turns justification by faith into justification by performance” and ultimately undermines the gospel. God accepts us by virtue of what Christ has done and our simple acceptance of that free gift. The joy-robbing frustration often comes in through the slow and pain-staking process to become more like Christ. We get frustrated with ourselves and impatient because we feel that we don’t measure up. Sadly, there are even some church sub-cultures which make their members feel inadequate and contribute to this confusion.

Interestingly, John Bunyan, the author of The Pilgrim’s Progress (which sold more copies than any other book besides the Bible), struggled for a time with despair and joylessness. Here’s a section out of Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, which explains that decisive moment that John Bunyan received clarity on justification:

One day as I was passing into the field …this sentence fell upon my soul. Thy righteousness is in heaven. And …I saw with the eyes of my soul Jesus Christ at God’s right hand; there, I say, was my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, God could not say of me, he [lacks] my righteousness, for that was just before him. I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse, for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, “The same yesterday, today, forever” (Heb. 13:8). Now did my chains fall off my indeed. I was loosed from my afflictions and irons; my temptations also fled away; so that from that time those dreadful scriptures of God [about the unforgivable sin] left off to trouble me; now went I also home rejoicing for the grace and love of God.

The remarkable freedom we have in Christ, the riches of his spiritual blessings in the heavenly places, the lavishness of his grace, and the forgiveness of our sins, should make us delight in the same manner of realization as Bunyan. Moreover, we should know that though sanctification is a long, slow and pain-staking process, it is merely a “slight momentary affliction …preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”