Today is a day to celebrate for me. First of all, it is my teacher’s birthday, the teacher who initiated the single most important bible study I’ve ever learned and now teach, and who founded the church in which I have become a minister.

It’s also a day to celebrate because for 6 years I have been fretting and worried about how I was going to pay back my school debt. To go to animation school in California I spent $90,000 which by the time I pay off in 30 years would be more like $120,000. I’ve prayed about it a lot and tried not to worry, but debtors relentlessly call, email, and send letters, not only to me but those who agreed to help me whenever I was out of the job and was having a hard time to make payments. On any given month I was paying anywhere from $300 to $900 in loan payments!!!

But today I finally registered for a direct consolidation loan from the government initiated by President Obama’s administration. On this program you just have to pay 10 – 15% of your income each month for 25-30 years and then they forgive the rest of your loans after that. Your payments adjust according to how much or how little income you are bringing in. The flexibility is nice, but it still leaves that lingering though, “Guess I’ll be free from debt by the time I’m 60 years old.”

The coolest thing about this loan is that if you make payments while working for the state, as a teacher for example, then your payments will be forgiven after only 10 years (or 120 montly payments)! This is great because it means I can finally pursue my hope of becoming a teacher, even if it pays less and is less stable! Even if you’re a substitute teacher only working part time, those payments still count towards your 120 payments!

I worried for so long because I just couldn’t see how I was going to get out of so much debt. As a church planter, minister, and educator, it never seemed wise to make plans that depend on any large amounts of money suddenly coming in. But bankruptcy is not even an option for school debt, life without credit after default would be fine with me but not for those who cosigned my loans, and even a full-time salary income barely makes a dent when dealing with such numbers.

Every time I prayed I knew Jesus would make a way, but I just couldn’t see how. It’s hard not to worry until you see at least some possibility of hope. Now suddenly after 6 years, things don’t seem so bad. As a matter of fact, I feel, free. Free to be an educator. Free to do the inglorious work of pioneering churches. Free to be a minister of the Lord.

What a happy day of life! Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus. 

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This is a 3 minute excerpt from the Radiolab podcast episode titled Time. 

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https://vimeo.com/22864297

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Sermon delivered by: Pastor Naomi

Scriptures: 

Isaiah 40: 28-31

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Matthew 17: 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” 

Matthew 18: 19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

Matthew 21: 18-22

18 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. 20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. 21 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” 

John 1: 1-3,

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 10: 35-36

35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came–and the Scripture cannot be broken–36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

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I know why people love, and I think I know why people hate. But I can’t figure out why people love to hate. 

I’ve heard of a man claiming to be God, and I’ve heard it said that God became a man, but I’ve never heard of a man even claiming to understand women. 

When a guy describes anything as, “complicated” it means that he’s not half the expert on the subject that he first claimed to be, or that there are women involved (or both).

Sometimes I see women and I think, “Wow, God, you really do exist.” But sometimes after I hear them speak I think, “Wow, God, I guess creation is a work in progress..”

I would like to never stop at another gas station for the rest of my life. Hey Technology, what is the hold up?

I used to be a substitute teacher. I don’t miss the pay, but I do miss the troublemakers. To all the kids who are not afraid to try to out wit an adult with 20 years + more experience on them, I sincerely hope one day you will beat the odds.

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Merry Christmas to the one and only, 
who came to this place that was dark and lonely, 
though those who accept you are few,
for them you make everything new

There are no words to describe,
how much love you brought to my life,
let us forever be together,
and leave this world full of strife. 

This world made you shed tears of blood, 
when I think of it I shed tears of love, 
now let me live with you forever above.

He who was humble, the proud he makes stumble,
to this world He is just, all the harsh words he will hush.
Let us not fight, before the King of Peace it’s not right.

To the families who are broken,
to all our loved ones whom we’ve not spoken
let us give up the pride which makes us mean
repent, make amends, and become clean.

To all who enjoy the season,
please remember He who is the reason,
Family, fun, gifts, and good food they cannot compare
to love He will give, if with him, you are willing to share.

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I like these infographic style images. I like the idea of placing QR codes on postcards. I think I’ll try this some day.

Also, here’s my newest evangelism flyer design. 

See the full gallery on Posterous

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For those of us managing lives, this is kinda funny

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[A poem I wrote after my a/c went out in my car with windows that don't roll down]

I care not for this heat,
or the hot winds that churn,
Next to the road I see,
grass fires they burn.

It is not pleasant,
this hot summer breeze,
hotter and higher,
More than 100 degrees!

This weather in Texas,
the forecasts they vex us,
When will it be over?
Probably not till october.

No rain its so dry
"yet so humid" we cry.
The grass has turned orange
So dead and forlorn.

My skin it is crying,
The old folks they're dyin!
Like sweat drops they're falling,
911 they keep calling.

Heat stroke can kill,
No joke I'm for real.
Young or old it doesn't matter
The death toll is shattered.

One moment he's shaking,
Oh no he's fainted!
But this time…
he'll never awaken.

To the One who gives rain,
I shall not complain,
for I know what's on His mind, this weather… it's a sign.

Our maker seeks love,
yet finds only lust,
From men who are not worthy, letting his love turn to rust.

How long will it take,
for them to see?
I guess until,
they lose their A/c.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts and bad weather,
none of this was in His original intentions.

But of the sins that lie within,
are these storms a reflection.

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