Passion.

I lost a piece of my Mexican heritage while living in this American country. Passion.

By nature, Mexican people are extremely passionate. Usually to a fault too. We are so passionate that we act impulsively. However, as I've grown up in this country, I've learned to keep my "passions in check." Americans don't like passionate people. They like productive people. In fact, that's SO evident in their churches too (slight  diss). I managed to graduate high school, complete degrees in youth ministry and biblical/theological studies while doing so unpassionately (Is that even a word?). How did I come to realize all of this? It took me visiting a similarly passionate culture-- The good ol' Irish.

These people get passionate over a glass of Guinness and its beautiful. Their tradition is safely kept in their youth. Family is NATURALLY important too. There doesn't even have to be an emphasis on family like Americans try to do. I think its because the Irish are SOO driven by passion... that it just happens...

Once again, let me be brief... At what point did I personally sell out my natural Mexican passion for this American utilitarian approach? At what point did you?... IF you don't know what that word means, look it up. Take it as homework. For now... Think about what I just said. I'm out... Word to your consciousness. God is good.

Identity.

Here's a Christian cliche' for you-- Find your identity in Christ.

Gah! Come on.. Seriously? Willing to bet half of these Bible drummers don't even know what that means (Includes me). I've been thinking a lot about the concept of "Identity." First off, I'm not sure I have my OWN personal identity. I tend to react based upon other peoples thoughts (basically, I do or don't do what I wanna do based on what people tell me to do). Having said this, how in the CRAP am I suppose to "lose my identity" and then "find my identity in Christ" if I don't even know what the CRAP I'm losing and finding?

Think about that. Don't just say you did. I know you didn't if you read this and it doesn't bother you. As you read me reflecting on myself, now ask yourself this-- WHO ARE YOU? Answer: You don't know either. Ever read that children's book about the little duckling called, "Who Am I?"... No? It's okay. It's been a while for me too. I've been too busy reading my bible just like every other Christian (...not).

Again.. Let's keep it brief. Who am I?... Who are you? What's "identity"? How do you lose something you don't understand, like your own identity, and then try to gain Christ's "identity"? Wild guess, but I'm pretty sure Christ's identity is prooobably harder to understand than your own insecure, sinful, pride-ridden, and UNKNOWN to you, personal identity...

Anyways, I'm out. Word to your consciousness. And by the way, God is STILL good.

Broken.

I've been reading Psalm 51 a lot lately.. I encourage readers to SKIM through it for full effect. As you do that, stop at verse 17-- where it says:

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit (ESV).

For more than a second, think about that. But not just to say you did. Really think about that. Is "broken" a description that individuals use to describe themselves? No. However, I'm sure you described someone else this past week with a related synonym (HAAATERS). May sound stupid, but BROKEN is where its at. That King David fellow? He was on to perhaps the most freeing revelation one could ever conceptualize in their finite and temporary, but often wrongly overhyped, human brain. He sought to be broken after BEING broken (Read Psalm 51 and its context to understand what that means). And its not like this dude was a 'tard. He had everything. He was like Lil' Wayne times 5.

Let me be brief. I'm broken and so was David. Thankfully, he was broken first soooo.. I can follow through the echoes of love he left us with (The Psalms). I'm no "Modern Psalmist" but... I am so... Keep reading. You may just learn something. By the way... God is good.