The Eagle has landed.

1st day at new job assignment with Boys and Girls club

This Fall will be a new venture for Communities in Schools Houston as they formalize a partnership with 'The Club.' That's the name the Boys & Girls Club of America uses here in the North Side of Houston. The Y.E.T. building was installed in 2004 for the 38th Super Bowl... in fact, there are two Youth Education Town buildings here in Houston. The other is across the street from my previous assignment at Wheatley High School.

Here at the James Driver Park, the Y.E.T. center has the capacity to serve 175 students at one time... My GOAL... make it happen!

I will be both recruiting, and directing Social Service delivery for the children and families in this community to develop a model that can be replicated across the country with BGCA & CIS in partnership. Many of you who are in other Urban Centers across America would be a great resource to me as a sounding board for some of my 'crazy' ideas and even direction or shared wisdom to avoid possible pitfalls in attempting to serve our communities. Feel free to comment here, or in any other way.

JOB ONE: Trust in someone much higher than I.

PAX

Traders Village Pow-Wow

The 2nd weekend in November is one of the biggest Indian Pow-Wows in the Texas Gulf Coast area. Indigenous tribal members travel from across the country to share and compete in dancing and tribal dress competitions.

There's a New Sheriff in town!

Adrian Garcia Victory Message from Alex Luster on Vimeo.


Congratulations Adrian! Proud to say you are my friend.

Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards

My musical Mohawk friend, Jonathan Maracle, has been nominated along with Broken Walls (the band) in 6 categories in this Music Award show on November 6th & 7th. Congrats Jonathon!
Safe Journeys!

You're not ready for this...

Changing Expectations

EduPunk - the anthem

Election 2008 - The Game!

Election 2008 - the game! (nice claymation)

I'll tell the full story in a moment, but this MOST history-making election in the life of this existing generation has led some people to make the most amazing declarations in the name of their 'choice.' I've heard some recent mentions to the plight of a nation who chose to leave the 'rigidity' of a Theocracy for their Autonomy as a people - and they reaped what they sowed. Somewhere I have read, "The heart is wicked above all things, who can know it." On our best day, we most likely should not choose to presume that we know the WHOLE PLAN. Western 'civilization' (dubious) has presumed it's way into one mess after another since we have believed our own rhetoric about being the Greatest Nation on Earth. If great means SIZE, a few other land masses hold one or two other countries bigger than the Good, Old, U. S. of A. If great means NUMBER, shut up! We're killin em bout as fast as we can. If great means ACCOMPLISHMENT, there's a little rock that rebounded after an atomic near-annihilation that makes some of the most sought after technology on the planet. What have we done for our nation [and our neighbor] lately?

Someone sneered at a remark I made the other day when I quoted a favorite speaker/author/servant/martyr, "He who would be great, must be the servant of all." Serving your fellow man is one of the costliest actions we will ever take in life. It means deposing our own kingdoms (little k) in deference to The Kingdom (MOST capital K!)! Siding with a political party, ethnic culture, religious clique or rebellious rabble in the name of being RIGHT is, in my mind, ASSuming toooo much.

And now, as Paul Harvey says, "The REST of the story..."
As I bemoan my plight of a busy schedule, I so regret not taking care of one major piece of paperwork. While working in California in 2007, I voted in a local election. In Texas a few weeks ago, I heard a news story reminding all to make the Monday deadline to register - so went online to verify my voting status here in Harris County. Well, long story short - I didn't get away from the 'Tyranny of the Urgent" in the lives of these wonderful children at the school where I work. I missed the deadline to change my voting privileges to the area where I live. I missed the deadline to mail in a vote. Unless I jump on a plane and fly in to the NorCal/Bay Area on Tuesday and stumble down to East Palo Alto, CA 94303 - I miss the opportunity to vote in this MOST history-making election in the life of this existing generation.

Can you be encouraged to make your vote count? I don't know very many people who are apathetic about this election. Some are Laodicean in light of the perceived impact of 'just my little vote, ' but will you hear the heart of a wistful voter - VOTE!

When you have opportunity - check out the dialogue on this posting: Do U C What I C - and weigh in with your thoughts.

[if I find a buddy pass to San Jose Airport, I'll amend my pathetic story - meanwhile - PRAY for a Divine Direction in your heart as you go to the polls this Tuesday.]

Pastor's Recognition Day

Pastor J.C. Cantu was recognized by his congregation at El Tabernaculo, Houston.

All was wonderful - with these children being a highlight to Juan Romero's "Vision Pastoral."

Sean n Nickii

Pastor & Mrs. Cantu came over to Sean & Nickii's home to do a prayer of dedication for this young couple who are putting it all in God's hands.

God is good! These two young people are putting their hands to the plow, and God is Faithful!

Congratulations Sean & Nickii!

What my Momma taught me

I OWE MY MOTHER . . .
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.
I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you
into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not
going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times.
Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who
don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE .
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. (And my favorite)
My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.

CIS @ McReynolds Middle

Found a great set of pictures about Communities In Schools at McReynolds Middle School. It's good to see parents involved with their children.

Anything Chinese

Quoting: "Did you know? Sometimes size does matter. If you're one in a million in China, there are 1,300 people just like you. In India, there are 1,100 people just like you.

The 25% of the population in China with the highest IQs is greater than the total population of North America. In India, it's the top 28%. Translation for teachers: they have more honors kids than we have kids.

Did you know? China will soon become the number one English-speaking country in the world. If you took every single job in the US today and shipped it to China, it still would have a labor surplus." [end quote]

(Read more of this VERY INTERESTING blogpost by clicking here on this link)

Wheatley Steppers

PBS Palin Poll: Is Palin qualified?

PBS has an online poll posted, asking if Sarah Palin is qualified.
The poll will be reported on PBS and picked up by mainstream media. It can influence undecided voters.
Please do two things -- takes 20 seconds.
1) Click on link and vote! Here's the link:
http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

2) Then send this to others, and urge them to vote and pass it on .

Let your "viewers viewpoint" be heard on this PBS poll.

"Book Report on the Bible" [humor]

I received the following story recently. For a Friday eschatological challenge, I thought I would pass it on. Read this with 'GRACE' in your heart. -rmt
______________________________________
Someone sent me a "Book Report on the Bible" purportedly written by a child. If true, I wonder how often we take for granted that children understand what we are teaching???

Through the eyes of a "child": The Children's Bible in a Nutshell

In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says, 'The Lord thy God is one, but I think He must be a lot older than that. Anyway, God said, 'Give me a light!' and someone did. Then God made the world.

He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad Apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden. Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars.

Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel. Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except for Methuselah, who lived To be like a million or something. One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.

After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.

Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.

God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your Neighbor's' stuff. Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother.

One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.

After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me. After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore. There were also some minor league Prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them.

After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the Star of The New. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.')

During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Republicans. Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him. Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.

But the Republicans and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead. Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again.

He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.
______________________________________

Ah - technology...

Gotta love it!
dunno what this whole tilt-shift video really is, but I like it. See for yourself!


Bathtub III from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Street crime takes my friend.

I received news this afternoon that my good friend, Kim Bui, passed away today after being shot in an attempted carjacking. Her husband was also wounded in the incident. The early story is on this Fox26 news story, and Kim has since died of her injuries.

Kim's testimony was always uplifting in the Harris County Agricultural Extension office (Better Living For Texans). Her son was also a valuable asset to the office of the Urban Youth Leadership Development. My heart is sad that a mother and wife's absence will bring grief to a family, but I know that her Joy is complete to now be in the presence of her Redeemer.

Houston Food Bank

The C.I.S. [Communities in Schools Houston] office facilitated the distribution of food to several school sites for Hurricane Ike related affected families.

There was a great deal of cooperation required to make all of this possible, and I am grateful that so many people are willing to press on through these difficult times.

Thanks to all of those who donate to Food Banks across the country (and the world) to benefit all of these families in need.

Click Here to make a Tax Deductible donation to CIS and their continued work for children.

CIS Houston Food Bank Distribution

ICM High School Student Ministries: Max Torres Visits ICM Youth

I found this link to a date in the past when I actually wore a suit! That was a great weekend, and I appreciate the victories in the lives of Mr Lopez & Mr Alfaro - Langdale roxz! North - S I I D E E!

My visit to ICM Youth in Laredo

Some (funny) scary pranks

Oh well...

not until -

I have POWERS!!

Message: Tnx to Michael & Keith of North Houston Power finally reset the transformer for our block. Thanks to all who are diligently restoring the houses of millions. Thanks Mike & Keith

Play Voice Memo

Impact Now reaching the streets.

Impact now presented stunning dramatic messages - live and in color!

Sun dried...

And no whitey tighties -

Pax

The PEACE (PAX) before the storm.

Mom's fideo...

... (or vermicelli - for those uninformed) ... was so well timed when I went to San Antonio to pickup a generator from my brother. It was good to sit with my Mom and Dad over a hot plate of home cooked food for the first time since the power went out in the wee hours of the morning as Hurricane Ike rolled through the 4th largest city in the United States.

No likey Ikey

	The message scrawled on the back window of this van says it all for this family... No Likey Ikey!

6pm winds pickin up

7am and all is windy

Well... I lost 2 or 3 small trees and some 30 or 40 ft of fence. 8 hrs to go

Uproot tree twinbrook
--
Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

lost 2 or 3 small trees and some 30 or 40 ft of fence. 8 hrs to go <<MM>>

Power finally went out at 3:20am. Sitting in dark hallway watching bright green lightning. Winds gusting 50 to 80 mph. Safe! <<MM>>

Twelve mph!

You have a Picture Mail from RM T

Message: Another twelve hours til the last of storm passes us. Options View Picture Print at Retail Reply to Sender Reply to All Forward Send and receive Pictures and Videos through Picture MailSM. For more information go to www.sprint.com/picturemail.

Please be aware your friends can forward your picture, video, and album share invitations to others or post the unique Web link to your share invitation on any number of sources (e.g. blogs), through which others could also gain access to your online photos. If you have private or sensitive photos you are sharing, please share them only with those you trust.

© 2008 Sprint. All rights reserved.

more Miracles!

You have a Video Mail from RM T

Message: Branch just broke and landed between car and house:) if its hit anything, it didnt leave a mark. Thanks God Options View Video Reply to Sender Reply to All Forward Send and receive Pictures and Videos through Picture MailSM. For more information go to www.sprint.com/picturemail.

Please be aware your friends can forward your picture, video, and album share invitations to others or post the unique Web link to your share invitation on any number of sources (e.g. blogs), through which others could also gain access to your online photos. If you have private or sensitive photos you are sharing, please share them only with those you trust.

© 2008 Sprint. All rights reserved.