tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61122483220456876622024-02-06T21:26:32.562-05:00ROMANS 13:10The personal blog of Christopher Abreu Rosario about life, work, and faith.Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-61016814466554912672019-09-04T22:15:00.000-04:002020-03-20T21:46:34.120-04:00Affinities: Seminary Year 2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_1r-qtjeB3HxI1-rfRXuN3XozYJO1ZWVk-Wwg2bsNfhuGkIvfs8KG84EbOdUn5POOt3FZjTo9LGOmqIwZNQOhFpKK2eZeoQgEN_Ok3wZ_uQGVEfVYsyIxXQfx_f3jlyEWrXDEiLJXIk/s1600/1920x1080_43.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_1r-qtjeB3HxI1-rfRXuN3XozYJO1ZWVk-Wwg2bsNfhuGkIvfs8KG84EbOdUn5POOt3FZjTo9LGOmqIwZNQOhFpKK2eZeoQgEN_Ok3wZ_uQGVEfVYsyIxXQfx_f3jlyEWrXDEiLJXIk/s640/1920x1080_43.png" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Artwork by </span><a href="https://www.jimlepage.com/" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Jim LePage</a></td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #444444;">“I’ll cry later because right now, I have to facilitate” ~ Rev. Maureen Gerald, “We Must Rise” Study Series at the 43rd Annual Covenant Architects Network Youth Celebrations Retreat.</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #444444;">Systems of Oppression. Racism. Paternalism. Patriarchy. Elitism. White-Washing. Grace. A summary of my second year at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. My sass is in full swing. If you are offended, deal and know that grace abounds, and if you are lifted, deal and keep going.<br>
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<b>Returning to CTS</b><br>
I returned to Columbia Theological Seminary last fall to a letter that the church I had been visiting the year before, <a href="https://jonieradrian.wixsite.com/collegeparkpc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">College Park Presbyterian Church</a>, was closing. At 118 years old, College Park was the only (Presbyterian) congregation with a Latinx pastor I could access via public transport. Searching for a new congregation to attend, I was reminded of the lack of websites for Latinx congregations in the PC(USA). So I reached out to Rev. Rosa Blanca Miranda, of the PC(USA) <a href="https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/racial-equity-womens-intercultural-ministries/hispaniclatino-a-intercultural-congregational-support/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hispanic/Latino-a Intercultural Congregational Support office</a>, and I shared with her my observations… and concerns.<br>
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It was weird to me that in the entire directory for Hispanic and Latinx congregations, perhaps twenty percent had websites, and more startling is that so few offered bilingual services. It was apparent that most Hispanic/Latinx congregations in the PC(USA) cater to immigrant communities. That’s wonderful, but what about us folk who were born and/or raised here? Life is different for us second+ generation (third culture) folk. She heard me out and then responded… “perhaps God is calling you to start such a ministry” (paraphrased). That’s not why I called Lady.<br>
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<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2019/09/affinities.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0701 S Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30030, USA33.7638326 -84.2817405000000127.3092080999999993 -125.59033450000001 60.2184571 -42.973146500000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-90764637481674107522018-09-04T01:47:00.001-04:002020-03-21T01:18:44.655-04:00In Search of Holy Spaces: Seminary Year 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS6n2_VF1NoOrQjizcw-fdPwCpg3TyBHI70k4gxauNXgCmObECudDEoHz0KEhE8bueGTxgHdZs7qrQDM_nlS42xpst398LfloIsGVZUVx_71Ao1oFFfTTlQagfgST5f6n3B-FqUTN99Y/s1600/1920x1080_33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Crux Sola by Jim LePage, Romans1310.com used with permission" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS6n2_VF1NoOrQjizcw-fdPwCpg3TyBHI70k4gxauNXgCmObECudDEoHz0KEhE8bueGTxgHdZs7qrQDM_nlS42xpst398LfloIsGVZUVx_71Ao1oFFfTTlQagfgST5f6n3B-FqUTN99Y/s640/1920x1080_33.png" title="Crux Sola by Jim LePage, Romans1310.com used with permission" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork by <a href="https://www.jimlepage.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim LePage</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2018/09/en-busca-de-espacios-santos.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">En Busca de Espacios Santos (<b>Versión en español haga clic aquí</b>)</span></a></div>
When I first visited Columbia Theological Seminary (CTS) in the fall of 2016, I witnessed a space that was full of life, love, and above all else, God. I cried during the visit, moved by an encounter with the communal spirit of pastors to be among pastors that are. This occasion was so moving, along with my visits to Austin Presbyterian and San Francisco Theological Seminaries, that I believed I was walking on Holy ground. I was wrong.<br>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2018/09/in-search-of-holy-spaces.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com6701 S Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30030, USA33.7638326 -84.2817405000000127.3084446000000014 -125.59033450000001 60.2192206 -42.973146500000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-91176280356310251732018-08-28T00:22:00.000-04:002019-09-05T01:52:54.778-04:00Tools for New and Returning Seminarians<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2c7L07KM5pHJ-pmI0Wv6yyljZSdfdVVv9PwtA8E-uJa94vNso9BtDY7r90Ia-ymM3Uo5fWMSd5XBi1U7jji6PTUJ3kES360KS7CGo4MTHYDBJQ3l-1exT8TQhYVnoPgE-nqIq1VLFHOc/s1600/CTS+Cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1600" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2c7L07KM5pHJ-pmI0Wv6yyljZSdfdVVv9PwtA8E-uJa94vNso9BtDY7r90Ia-ymM3Uo5fWMSd5XBi1U7jji6PTUJ3kES360KS7CGo4MTHYDBJQ3l-1exT8TQhYVnoPgE-nqIq1VLFHOc/s640/CTS+Cross.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Derek Maul (<a href="http://www.derekmaul.blog/">www.derekmaul.blog</a>)</td></tr>
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This first year of seminary has been a beautiful hot mess. I just returned to campus from a summer with San Francisco Night Ministry, a nighttime streetside ministry offering care and worship opportunities for folks. I learned a lot and grew in ways that I didn’t realize were possible, but more on that in another post. It’s the start of a new year at Columbia Theological Seminary, and one thing that I remember from when I first started out last year is that I could not find a suitable list of computer, web-based, or other resources for the new seminarian.<br />
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So, I compiled a list of all the apps and tools I used this past year and offer them here for any new (or returning) seminarian. The list will be updated as time progresses, so be sure to check back from time to time, and if you have any suggestions, please do so in the comments!<br />
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<li><a href="https://www.romans1310.com/p/seminarian-tools.html"><b>Check Out the List</b></a></li>
</ul>
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Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0701 S Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30030, USA33.763495 -84.28292199999998533.710696999999996 -84.363602999999983 33.816293 -84.202240999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-36595101587106776552017-10-31T06:07:00.000-04:002020-03-20T21:50:02.595-04:00The 33<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwUoY3JLn6iVEE5-w-5P9pppL6JHxmpwPYzDQzrb6w3BIx0DwWP4qQa2L1PXlzMCnLbnmN8iMUNA18MpNqe6rR_L9ElhFw50ctcUnLaEPmHZ1Cffy3ljYOgGudICTUZ-f5GhaO2BMuvQ/s1600/355315907_87a09557b5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwUoY3JLn6iVEE5-w-5P9pppL6JHxmpwPYzDQzrb6w3BIx0DwWP4qQa2L1PXlzMCnLbnmN8iMUNA18MpNqe6rR_L9ElhFw50ctcUnLaEPmHZ1Cffy3ljYOgGudICTUZ-f5GhaO2BMuvQ/s640/355315907_87a09557b5_b.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2017/10/los-33.html"><b>Para español haga clic aquí</b></a></div>
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Three weeks ago I turned 33. A significant number. Not because I’m getting older or because it is the age of Jesus, but because it is the number of children I once loved and lost, siblings that were never mine and yet were more than blood. These children shaped how I love and ultimately how I learned not to love.<br>
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It started with a group of three but centered on one. I never talk about him, my baby brother.<br>
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<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2017/10/the-33.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com4Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.3266004 -85.0334294 34.1713904 -83.7425354tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-34251691912073694142017-04-18T10:26:00.000-04:002017-04-18T16:57:45.375-04:00Discernment Pains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pf5iWpvA4cFoHozvCKnmjqhV8oTKXw_sEr4gszXAvZff059lFKtxry0cl-_9VtwZeMRwMC9iqnFt-336hURnyzyKvaT7ncBB4O7I4kY1uscGkAhZyzd3jAg80AbZ_KtjBVkoVVx-IQA/s1600/Discernment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pf5iWpvA4cFoHozvCKnmjqhV8oTKXw_sEr4gszXAvZff059lFKtxry0cl-_9VtwZeMRwMC9iqnFt-336hURnyzyKvaT7ncBB4O7I4kY1uscGkAhZyzd3jAg80AbZ_KtjBVkoVVx-IQA/s640/Discernment.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2017/04/los-dolores-de-discernimiento.html"><b>Para español haga clic aquí</b></a></div>
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Five years ago this month, just after my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/byChrisAbreu/videos/10101034341917968/?permPage=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">baptismal confirmation at Hillsong Church London</a>, my bible study leader and friend Lisette took me out for a celebratory dinner. My hair still wet from the full immersion dunking, I told her that being Christian was so easy. She looked at me and said “umm No.” I explained that though choices might be difficult to carry out, the actual choice would always be easy. “There is a clear right and wrong answer to every situation.”<br>
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I wish I could go back in time and smack the living sh*t out of myself. What an idiot.<br>
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Over the past few months, I have been deliberating which seminary to attend. I applied to <a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/11/a-heat-only-devil-could-love.html" target="_blank">Austin</a>, <a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/11/where-two-or-more-are-gathered-bring.html" target="_blank">Columbia</a> (Atlanta), and <a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/11/fallen-from-babel.html" target="_blank">San Francisco</a>. I was encouraged and tempted to apply to McCormick (Chicago) and Pittsburgh but in the end didn’t feel called to these schools.<br>
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<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2017/04/discernment-pains.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000136.9717915 -123.71030900000001 38.578067499999996 -121.12852200000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-38117749736032442502017-02-08T09:33:00.001-05:002017-04-08T22:46:07.133-04:00Unofficially Official: An Inquirer in the PC(USA) Ordination Process<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK61LskCUqhEffcn2pfoo8THXVO6WVTgMGhXpsKiae9dhh1L9M_Dbf-84vLXTFUZhIoeyoI_SNXZyb7muhZLnD1KRfJ35PVadfeUmIpjAwU0Ah-WBV6Xt13mU9tm6Y-EgUrnlYqm9DNt4/s1600/1920x1080_19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK61LskCUqhEffcn2pfoo8THXVO6WVTgMGhXpsKiae9dhh1L9M_Dbf-84vLXTFUZhIoeyoI_SNXZyb7muhZLnD1KRfJ35PVadfeUmIpjAwU0Ah-WBV6Xt13mU9tm6Y-EgUrnlYqm9DNt4/s640/1920x1080_19.png" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2017/02/extraoficialmente-oficial.html">Para español haga clic aquí</a></b></span></div>
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It took a few months to organize but I finally had my meeting with the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) with the Presbytery of San Francisco. I have discovered through this process of ordination that I am luckily surrounded by people who have my best interests at heart and who will not step aside when politics or regulations get in the way. Though I miss her greatly, my previous Pastor Rev. Dawn Hyde was there in spirit and my current Pastor Lacey Hunter has been instrumental in speaking a power into my truth that I will carry forward into my studies and ministry. I was physically accompanied by my Elder Advocate, Christine Boles, and Pastor Advocate, Rev. Dr. Leslie Veen. Surrounded by so many strong kick-ass women it is no wonder I am finding this process a rewarding one.<br>
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Strong Kick-Ass Women. Can I get an amen?<br>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2017/02/unofficially-official.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com3San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000136.9717915 -123.71030900000001 38.578067499999996 -121.12852200000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-66851467114356833702016-12-27T09:34:00.000-05:002017-04-08T23:27:12.051-04:00Because My Mother Named Me: Demands for 2017 and Beyond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dXVgcwMQaJMa0wkAbqhTcQMa0cEZ8GJT5sqR0ykc5bMbmCTWOduEU9nGyganGsCpAE-siYpCMZho_FV36reF79IUmz8w4xsfj3BRJkNfu0NejXzEQJPd7Yf-sTLnqEaYK7rUbaA56qM/s640/new-year-chapter-one.jpg" width="640"></div>
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Dear All,<br>
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I’ve spent the last few days putting together a rather lengthy blog post about my demands for the world and why I was making them. Then I realized that I don’t need to explain myself. This is the succinct version.<br>
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Let it be known that from this point forward, I require the subsequent list of demands to be adhered to at all times by everyone in my life, and most importantly by every single white person.<br>
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<b><u>Demands of 2017 and Beyond:</u></b><br>
<ol></ol><a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/12/because-my-mother-named-me-demands-for.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000136.9717915 -123.71030900000001 38.578067499999996 -121.12852200000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-18548025561444069232016-11-17T23:47:00.001-05:002017-04-08T22:47:00.970-04:00Fallen from Babel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqH2_Ad3A5iaiv0KVJwD2G8s5yF13EIMAdwXnYeBmCcJ9hZs7uLgN4zlIgGy0589pW6c-SyurlFhT3b7J32zqICvdDUw2h8j1wmiKw95rxy7uiIqjWOefiRo7iE82XbCNFb-BH2ffCbw/s1600/san-francisco-theological-seminary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="San Francisco Theological Seminary" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqH2_Ad3A5iaiv0KVJwD2G8s5yF13EIMAdwXnYeBmCcJ9hZs7uLgN4zlIgGy0589pW6c-SyurlFhT3b7J32zqICvdDUw2h8j1wmiKw95rxy7uiIqjWOefiRo7iE82XbCNFb-BH2ffCbw/s640/san-francisco-theological-seminary.jpg" title="San Francisco Theological Seminary" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2016/11/caido-de-babel.html"><b>Para español haga clic aquí</b></a></div>
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Inclusive Conversations, Newborn Babies, Dominican Seminarians, and Speaking in Tongues. Visiting San Francisco Theological Seminary and the wonderful aftermath that followed.<br>
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What is this place that lives on a hill looking over God’s creation? Could it be heaven? I always knew that the land surrounding San Fran was beautiful, but my God I was not expecting this. Nestled in the mountains of Marin, in the tiny town of San Anselmo, there is a modern day castle where theologians and future ministry professionals live and learn. I walked into Inquirer’s Weekend at SFTS expecting to hate it. My preconceived notions were put to the test.<br>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/11/fallen-from-babel.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Anselmo, CA 94960, USA37.9746458 -122.5616448000000137.9245843 -122.64232580000001 38.024707299999996 -122.48096380000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-5612889425809283342016-11-10T09:45:00.003-05:002017-04-08T22:50:07.915-04:00Where Two or More Are Gathered, Bring Out the Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2016/11/cuando-dos-o-mas-se-reunen-vamos-comer.html">Para español haga clic aquí</a></b></div>
<br>Sweet tea, Dark Presbyterian History, and Half Naked Men in Leather Harnesses. Four days in Atlanta, Georgia, visiting Columbia Theological Seminary.<br>
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<h4>
Thank you Lord, the Heat is Bearable</h4>
I think I gained 10 lbs. There was a meal or snack every couple of hours and I even refrained from eating donuts at one point. I declined donuts, good Lord there was too much to eat.<br>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/11/where-two-or-more-are-gathered-bring.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.3266004 -85.0334294 34.1713904 -83.7425354tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-50477736325172596282016-11-01T19:18:00.001-04:002017-04-08T22:54:04.987-04:00A Heat Only the Devil Could Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzWIhfjPmM58v6Mr4XxqX6EclGRMPJrVWnFyMHeTRrm8z2MoDnZJW-KHtZ8_NFwYsqfUHWrQhp_DsmnfMdUaVNnECD8NanTZo2TUoqW1l08stHqotq4t5pcg5aBsEq-mSFdRncGKlf14/s1600/APTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary" border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzWIhfjPmM58v6Mr4XxqX6EclGRMPJrVWnFyMHeTRrm8z2MoDnZJW-KHtZ8_NFwYsqfUHWrQhp_DsmnfMdUaVNnECD8NanTZo2TUoqW1l08stHqotq4t5pcg5aBsEq-mSFdRncGKlf14/s640/APTS.jpg" title="Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary" width="640"></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2016/11/un-calor-que-solo-el-diablo-podria-amar.html">Para español haga clic aquí</a></b></div>
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White People, Sexy Adult Babies in Diapers, and Homeless Jesus. Four days in Texas visiting Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.<br>
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As the plane approached the tarmac I looked out into the flat horizon and wondered if I could really give up the ocean and mountains, for this? I stepped out of the airport and was hit by a heat only the devil could love and started sweating like a knowing sinner on the day of his baptismal confirmation. I would know, I remember my full immersion event like it was only five years ago.<br>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/11/a-heat-only-devil-could-love.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0Austin, TX, USA30.267153 -97.74306079999996729.828484 -98.388507799999971 30.705822 -97.097613799999962tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-3480979203125717862016-10-25T10:14:00.000-04:002020-03-21T01:18:44.600-04:00Sweet Baby Jesus, I am Cray Cray!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvheVlHaIbCGb-irHif0cmAQnWy9p5YcGe8hbkkRDXjJ5xxF9oVbU5n_vod5MkurHZSnIgvV225iv-CEwrBWvNBW81dfNcJVhKtkh7y5jhiRccI8_6J7B_MrBgpJiFripu15d39TFTuw/s1600/1920x1080_35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvheVlHaIbCGb-irHif0cmAQnWy9p5YcGe8hbkkRDXjJ5xxF9oVbU5n_vod5MkurHZSnIgvV225iv-CEwrBWvNBW81dfNcJVhKtkh7y5jhiRccI8_6J7B_MrBgpJiFripu15d39TFTuw/s640/1920x1080_35.png" width="640"></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2016/10/jesucristo-estoy-loco.html">Para español haga clic aquí</a></b></div><br>
I always thought mental disorders were a sign of weakness. That persons inflicted were not strong enough, were not grounded enough in the real world, that they selfishly didn’t see how good they have it compared to others. That they didn’t pray hard enough.<br>
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That they didn’t pray hard enough. How arrogant and stupid of me? I should have known better, spent so many years praying to be alleviated of my own “sexual dysfunction.” Thinking for so long that my prayers were unanswered but knowing now that the best thing for me was to stay just as I was and to be who I was born to be… but that is another story.<br>
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In order to enter the ordination process with the Presbytery of San Francisco, I had to go under a psychological evaluation. Over the course of a few weeks I took several tests (called inventories) and met with Scott Sullender of the <a href="http://interfaithcc.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Interfaith Counseling Center</a> in San Anselmo, California. <br>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/10/sweet-baby-jesus-i-am-cray-cray.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373501499999996 -123.06486250000002 38.1763575 -121.77396850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-10623462732632468132016-10-04T10:00:00.000-04:002017-04-08T23:06:58.248-04:00Secrets, Secrets. Revealed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionCmqek_Dg8G03oaS0yJXxGfxcIpvcPU7cWFC-IqsaGEmpb5_1-RIDe7pW4VsG0vjbe7eqnIG1_JXR9nbUo_bZNHBT2VGUI9XddmjQnJuApIh-2zTho73x19d_8LWq1uxLDtbT7_OXHc/s1600/town3-COLOUR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionCmqek_Dg8G03oaS0yJXxGfxcIpvcPU7cWFC-IqsaGEmpb5_1-RIDe7pW4VsG0vjbe7eqnIG1_JXR9nbUo_bZNHBT2VGUI9XddmjQnJuApIh-2zTho73x19d_8LWq1uxLDtbT7_OXHc/s640/town3-COLOUR.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Town, illustrated by Zoe Andreas</td></tr>
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<b><a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2016/10/secretos-secretos-revelado.html">Para español haga clic aquí</a></b></div>
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On a break from writing seminary school application essays.<br>
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Goodness, the idea of going back to school. My undergraduate (Webster University) ten year reunion was just last week. Ten years since graduation, ten years since my senior thesis project <i>Secrets, Secrets</i>.<br>
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<i>Secrets, Secrets</i> is the story of a town that has no secrets, reality being that a witch keeps all the secrets in little bottles in her cupboard. This routine is broken when a traveling vacuum salesman visits the town on a quest to sell vacuums to every citizen.<br>
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The cast comprised of puppet townspeople, a faceless witch, and a human vacuum salesman. A miniature town was built as well as a full size interior witch's house and half size interior candy shop.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIHpOH50pH6eObOLUV7Km7DMD0jrGiImTdSxZkr4KaAoJcj66OYF8VUwDV14J0p3W3VJ0IU3JVZ8aQsWlpthFRc-WUOnou0r1tgRIKVMmKaiAED9IefVfgGonPmnEKvLhr3kWvplkk6I/s1600/all-characters1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIHpOH50pH6eObOLUV7Km7DMD0jrGiImTdSxZkr4KaAoJcj66OYF8VUwDV14J0p3W3VJ0IU3JVZ8aQsWlpthFRc-WUOnou0r1tgRIKVMmKaiAED9IefVfgGonPmnEKvLhr3kWvplkk6I/s640/all-characters1.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cast, illustrated by Zoe Andreas</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/10/secrets-secrets-revealed.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373501499999996 -123.06486250000002 38.1763575 -121.77396850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-89140049183931691292016-09-06T10:05:00.000-04:002020-03-21T01:18:44.628-04:00An Open Letter to Everyone I Have Ever Known<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMhkSwKe0KkA62FipwyL2rp1PyVH2YtgTowrMtIK2zJpkBCrjotp8t-WFWs115Y8jifRgFaUYuB5VTzfBzjwzvfOIAex0q5b8nbqj-R6VdpwdHBQmVgIDOR1BmRkBqMH6Ku3G3r5JAqU/s1600/1920x1080_27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMhkSwKe0KkA62FipwyL2rp1PyVH2YtgTowrMtIK2zJpkBCrjotp8t-WFWs115Y8jifRgFaUYuB5VTzfBzjwzvfOIAex0q5b8nbqj-R6VdpwdHBQmVgIDOR1BmRkBqMH6Ku3G3r5JAqU/s640/1920x1080_27.png" width="640"></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://es.romans1310.com/2016/09/una-carta-abierta-todos-que-me-han.html">Para español haga clic aquí</a></b></div>
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Dear All,<br>
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I have news that I need to share with everyone I have ever known. Forgive me for speaking so publicly and en masse, I have only told in person those whom I have been able to see face to face.<br>
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Five years ago today I put on a ring. A ring that symbolized I would live intentionally, to be faithful to my beliefs, to be good and generous at every opportunity, and to not let anything or anyone step in the way of my faith. Some see this ring as an outdated ritual that restricts any sexual activity but in reality, it is the outpouring of my understanding of the teachings of Jesus. To love all, to love myself, to only participate in acts that are mutually loving and none that are self serving. To love then, is the fulfillment of the whole law. (Romans 13:10)<br>
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This road has not been easy, it is in fact very challenging, but it has been good for me. It has been good to me. As many know, I am an Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) at Mission Bay Community Church in San Francisco. Here I have grown and learned a great deal about what it means to be in service.<br>
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I would like to announce, that as of July 30th, 2016 I have officially begun the ordination process to become a Pastor in the PC(USA). Over the next four years I will be in discernment, study, and candidacy with my home church (MBCC), the Presbytery of San Francisco, and a theological seminary to be chosen in early 2017.<br>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/09/openletter.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373501499999996 -123.06486250000002 38.1763575 -121.77396850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-76103315114734222232016-07-10T11:25:00.000-04:002017-04-18T17:44:07.192-04:00FlashMob at The Academy of SciencesEver since I saw the prom scene from 'She's All That' I have always wanted to be part of an "impromptu" group dance sequence. Thanks to our awesome dance teacher Linden Linty, our awesome students, and our awesome school, that dream became a reality.<br>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/07/flashmob-at-academy-of-sciences.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373501499999996 -123.06486250000002 38.1763575 -121.77396850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-89345182767159096802016-03-31T11:00:00.000-04:002018-01-21T19:12:50.080-05:00Once, I Had<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i4-kFUCXRNB07cUfyHSqSb7hUnUDK9ktWe5t-mP77XxDXuhlLe510bErWkBrPU2qIU6a58ZObENhaCdQWQdp6otWMpZOBYnWjsgWcoDnRRFdKbdFLlHsKGnjln5BhhQidobUe1fRYGM/s1600/Once+I+Had.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i4-kFUCXRNB07cUfyHSqSb7hUnUDK9ktWe5t-mP77XxDXuhlLe510bErWkBrPU2qIU6a58ZObENhaCdQWQdp6otWMpZOBYnWjsgWcoDnRRFdKbdFLlHsKGnjln5BhhQidobUe1fRYGM/s400/Once+I+Had.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<br><br>Stretching out as my legs kicked behind me, I pushed out into the cold. My breath grew tired and weak as the non-existent current tried to drown me. With exhaustion on the brink of my horizon, I stopped and allowed my feet to touch the ground. Looking up I saw that the other kids had reached the end of the pool. It felt as if hours had passed yet I was still at the beginning, barely the length of my height from the perimeter.<br><br>My scoutmaster looked on with squinted eyes and sighed as his gaze crossed mine. He scratched feverishly on his clipboard and walked away. I bobbed there, holding onto the side of the pool, watching him congratulate the other swimmers. They were so excited, and for a small second, I allowed myself to live in their bliss. Then I caught sight of my scoutmaster looking at me again. I couldn't tell if he was disappointed or just felt sorry for me. Either way, it wasn't a look I would care to see again.<br><br>The last time I saw that look on a person's face was the day I walked in on my mom smoking a cigarette in the kitchen. She didn't say a word, just gave me a stare that lanced straight through me. As I ran through the house that day, I noticed something was different. My dad was gone. His drawers empty, the closet where he hung his shirts bare, his briefcase gone. She never smoked before then, never smoked again after either. I'm not sure if she blamed me, but that look of hers was evident that things would never be the same again.<br><a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/03/once-i-had.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-65330486834402944862016-03-28T20:53:00.000-04:002017-04-18T17:45:44.643-04:00It's Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5IRKTfyn5SFEcwYjz7pKZVmdBY5EaS9AvK2KtzUmV1h0IqQ_fWsOqdTVTAGS_dtq_nq_DO_WreV35i5-MUbFuelNeQ-QHdl2bhcAWkZ4pWCSWXIo15iJxSHAXv2LEP5bdLMp6SMHAaU/s1600/IMG_20160328_135035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Angelman Syndrome Storytellers Christopher Abreu" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5IRKTfyn5SFEcwYjz7pKZVmdBY5EaS9AvK2KtzUmV1h0IqQ_fWsOqdTVTAGS_dtq_nq_DO_WreV35i5-MUbFuelNeQ-QHdl2bhcAWkZ4pWCSWXIo15iJxSHAXv2LEP5bdLMp6SMHAaU/s400/IMG_20160328_135035.jpg" title="Angelman Syndrome Storytellers Christopher Abreu" width="400"></a></div>
Ben is a 12 year boy with Angleman Syndrome that I work with after school and on weekends. We go on hikes, swimming, and traveling on public transport (he LOVES trains). During our adventures Ben likes to create small stories for everyone and anything that crosses our path (using a mix of sign language and pointing). It’s usually as simple as “That lady lives in that house” (that lady does not in fact live in that house) or “That dog is going to play soccer” (that dog is not going to play soccer). It’s amusing for both he and myself and today, as usual he came up with an interesting story for everyone we met during our hike.<br>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/03/its-time.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-21711440695849589582016-01-18T03:50:00.000-05:002020-03-21T01:18:44.550-04:00There Is No Such Thing as a Good Christian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthQtst_g_Ur4tYUS1JqwyDYB-Z0uCJgn6GEmSPxbX5Ronz-6Cj_NqYuddd-fD0ty6MIFb7-YlmGQaaqSH1FnscE7nL3jy0w54Cy5_2cJjsiPArCh82bcqpZqiSGP21vN1W6QkpYO4x78/s1600/IMG_20151018_161800%257E2_20151023130134182.jpg"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="I was a sinner and you welcomed me, Jesus, Christopher Abreu Rosario" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthQtst_g_Ur4tYUS1JqwyDYB-Z0uCJgn6GEmSPxbX5Ronz-6Cj_NqYuddd-fD0ty6MIFb7-YlmGQaaqSH1FnscE7nL3jy0w54Cy5_2cJjsiPArCh82bcqpZqiSGP21vN1W6QkpYO4x78/s400/IMG_20151018_161800%257E2_20151023130134182.jpg" title="I was a sinner and you welcomed me" width="100%"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few months ago, one of my closest friends was visiting from London. He and I have always been able to talk freely about my faith and his lack there of. We were catching up on our lives and I explained to him some of my current struggles, and the people involved in those struggles. His response was sincere but sharp: “They don’t sound like good Christians.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I almost laughed in in his face.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“There is no such thing.”</span></i></b></blockquote>
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</div><a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/01/there-is-no-such-thing-as-good-christian.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373501499999996 -123.06486250000002 38.1763575 -121.77396850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-41483354815313066492016-01-04T12:32:00.000-05:002017-04-18T17:48:40.173-04:00What's This Jesus Business?<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333440-pastrix" rel="nofollow" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><img alt="Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364922240m/17333440.jpg"></a><br>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333440-pastrix"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333440-pastrix" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1685874.Nadia_Bolz_Weber" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nadia Bolz-Weber</a></div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1492018935" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5 of 5 stars</a></div>
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<i><b>“With a universe this vast and unknowable, what are the odds that this story of Jesus is true? Come on, Nadia. It’s a fucking fairy tale.”</b></i></div>
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On Christmas Eve my <a href="https://www.missionbaycc.org/#section-our-leadership" target="_blank">Pastor</a> looked at me, handed me this book (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333440.Pastrix_The_Cranky__Beautiful_Faith_of_a_Sinner___Saint" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Pastrix The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint by Nadia Bolz-Weber">Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1685874.Nadia_Bolz_Weber" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Nadia Bolz-Weber">Nadia Bolz-Weber</a>) and just said “I don’t care much for her language but read this.”</div>
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This is the only book I have read in less than three days, it usually takes me three months, and my Pastor was right. This book is colorful to say the least, and considering I am a foul mouthed New Yorker who uses f-bombs and bit*hes in my daily vocabulary (even around Church folk) I was surprised by Nadia’s candor but fell in love with her truth and understanding of the Gospel.</div>
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</div><a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2016/01/whats-this-jesus-business.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-8922849875520832092015-07-20T12:44:00.000-04:002018-01-21T19:12:50.066-05:00Review: Four Sparrows<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25443764-four-sparrows" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="Four Sparrows: A Tale of Race and Survival in the California Gold Rush" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1430391373m/25443764.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25443764-four-sparrows"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25443764-four-sparrows">Four Sparrows: A Tale of Race and Survival in the California Gold Rush</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13862984.Daniel_C_Roddick">Daniel C. Roddick</a></div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1294553296">3 of 5 stars</a></div>
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This is the story of an ensemble cast of different races set amidst the California gold rush in 1850. The one major aspect that I think this book did well was acknowledge that San Francisco in 1850 didn’t look like the rest of the country, it also didn’t look like it does today. The main characters of this piece are Filipino, Chinese, Irish, Mexican, Australian, Chilean, Argentinian, American, and others. Daniel, the author, did a great job at identifying important conversations about race relations that were important then, and are very timely today. Though this is a work of fiction it is evident that a great deal of research went into telling as authentic a story as possible when explaining who these characters were and what their lives would have been like.</div>
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I firmly believe that the context of this story was well fleshed out, genuine, and intriguing but there were a couple of weak areas in the storytelling. Because there were so many characters, some of which only have minor roles or make only a few spread out appearances, it was hard to keep track of who was who. In scenes where multiple characters were traveling together and conversing, it was difficult knowing who was speaking. The one major flaw in the book was the narrator who took too much liberty in telling me things about the characters and story that should have unfolded in the story itself or reiterating information I would have concluded on my own. It was as if I was being told what to think and how to feel as opposed to letting the actions of the characters and consequences of the story speak to me on their own.</div>
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Nonetheless, I was able to connect with this story as it spoke to many of my own experiences. The relation between culture and emigration/immigration, fitting in while not losing your own cultural values, and understanding the role of what it means to “pass off” as white/american were all story elements that struck a cord in the world I live in today. I was impressed that there was no sugar-coating and that characters who were/are considered “different” met realistic fates. This is no fairy-tale and I appreciate that. I hope Daniel Roddick continues to write stories that inform on important topics as this book did and look forward to reading his next novel.</div>
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If you are studying or interested in history, sociology, and ethnic studies then I suggest you give this book a read. You can <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1508517894?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00" target="_blank">buy a copy here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/14544473-christopher-abreu-rosario">View all my reviews</a></div>
Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373502 -123.06486250000002 38.176356999999996 -121.77396850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-85797145628955743492014-12-01T00:32:00.000-05:002016-11-19T19:04:28.574-05:00KDHX Media and the Loss of Storytellers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Looking back on my career thus far, I can say there are a few projects that I am proud of. But the projects that bring a tear of accomplishment to my eye are those that I did not produce myself but instead were produced by those I taught.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2008 I freelanced for the education department of <a href="http://kdhx.org/" target="_blank">KDHX Media</a>, a local radio and television station in Saint Louis, MO under the supervision of then Education Director Aurelie Clement-Bayard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">KDHX Community Media is a “<i>non-profit arts and educational organization with a mission to build community through media, with diverse and independent voices that enrich the perspectives of our audiences. We promote civic and cultural participation by providing the tools, technology, and training vital to informed, creative expression.</i>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Their <a href="http://kdhx.org/about/history-of-kdhx" target="_blank">mission statement</a> is profound and very reflective of my own: To create and empower storytellers to do what is best for the world, and to do it through storytelling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That year, I taught two classes: documentary video for adults, which was housed at the Euclid Ave studios of KDHX TV, and a Youth Media Summer Camp on narrative filmmaking in partnership with <a href="http://www.stceciliaparishstl.org/" target="_blank">St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church</a>.</span></div>
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</div><a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2014/11/kdhx-media-and-loss-of-storytelling.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-33672464076942342182014-11-21T02:23:00.000-05:002016-08-14T03:51:34.683-04:00Eyes on the Stars by Story Corps<div style="text-align: justify;">An animated short on how one young black boy didn't conform and followed his dreams. Great piece.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/okF5UGpivR8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-53638383333626108692014-11-02T13:57:00.000-05:002016-10-25T01:52:20.611-04:00Review: The Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcLReS5LgFIv-tSaKQn0I2p17EWf7ke5jpkvRBo7etijL9PszdlYKJeMFbDHIFq7b8VWKeiVcutdtAHTnwmd825nMXFfNjrYzcP8c2X-23g750YrRP38LBhTfYWwts325Y-j-ByzGpUw/s1600/hafiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcLReS5LgFIv-tSaKQn0I2p17EWf7ke5jpkvRBo7etijL9PszdlYKJeMFbDHIFq7b8VWKeiVcutdtAHTnwmd825nMXFfNjrYzcP8c2X-23g750YrRP38LBhTfYWwts325Y-j-ByzGpUw/s640/hafiz.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72910.The_Gift" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Gift" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386925429m/72910.jpg"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72910.The_Gift">The Gift</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6461611.Hafez">Hafiz</a><br>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1085326394">4 of 5 stars</a><br>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I have fallen in love with a man who has been dead for 625 years. Hafiz, where have you been all my life? Or perhaps I am more in love with </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3879693.Daniel_Ladinsky" style="text-align: justify;" title="Daniel Ladinsky">Daniel Ladinsky</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> who has, loosely, translated the poems of </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6461611.Hafez" style="text-align: justify;" title="Hafez">Hafez</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> [a.k.a], known as the Great Sufi Master.</span><br>
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In <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72910.The_Gift" title="The Gift by Hafez">The Gift</a>, we are privileged to a collection of poems that speak on Hafiz’s love for God and the knowledge that that love has given him. I have never read such poetry that moved me so, and gave me an understanding I did not have before. I like poetry to tell a story, just how I like my books. With this collection a single line speaks volumes and a whole poem speaks a truth I can not convey in my own words.</div>
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</div><a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2014/11/review-gift.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373502 -123.06486250000002 38.176356999999996 -121.77396850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-40104903104364251882014-10-23T14:09:00.000-04:002018-01-21T19:12:49.745-05:00Review: here. : The Journey to Passion<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20441877-here" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="here. : The Journey to Passion" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407619969m/20441877.jpg"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20441877-here">here. : The Journey to Passion</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7737832.Jer_Johns">Jer Johns</a><br>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/969503384">3 of 5 stars</a><br>
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I originally set out to write about how much I hated this book. I was going to rip it to shreds, line by line, page by page. Now that I am here in front of the computer, I have since changed my mind.<br><br>In his book “<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20441877.here____The_Journey_to_Passion" title="here. : The Journey to Passion by Jer Johns">here. : The Journey to Passion</a>” author <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7737832.Jer_Johns" title="Jer Johns">Jer Johns</a> recounts on a year long journey as a homeless person living in New York City. I read it twice, the first time seeing everything I hated about it, the second time seeing everything I loved. The change in mindset came about because though I did not agree with his motivations and how he told his story I could see that he is in fact genuine in his approach. More importantly, I could see that he has a good heart, and a good heart is something that should never be trampled. Not by anyone, not by haters like me.</div>
<a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2014/10/review-here-journey-to-passion.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373502 -123.06486250000002 38.176356999999996 -121.77396850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-3523971686733077602014-10-22T18:30:00.000-04:002016-08-14T03:55:08.322-04:00Potty-Mouthed Princesses<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XqHYzYn3WZw?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
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Facing a future where women are still paid 23% less than men for the same work, and where 1 in 5 women are raped or sexually assaulted in gender-based violence, little girls between 6 and 13 years-old dressed as pretty pink princesses drop F-bombs to draw attention to society’s continued sexism. Asking the question, “What’s more offensive? A little girl saying f*ck or the sexist way society treats girls and women” these adorably articulate little ladies in sparkling tiaras turn the “princess in distress” stereotype on its head and contrast the F-word with words and statistics society should find shocking such as “pay inequality” and “rape.” The video also features a 12 year-old boy wearing a pink gown standing up against sexism saying, “When you tell boys not to ‘act like a girl,’ it’s because you think it’s bad to be a girl.”</blockquote>
Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112248322045687662.post-7773829944267097632014-10-19T16:18:00.001-04:002016-10-25T01:52:20.614-04:00Because Jesus Didn't Speak About It, I Will<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG6j7Ep99h9cflqd_IOqCyEbDc2-ba3ksxlj8vJwBjpPGpL9mPI-s3Vp-uYbnbGNzS1LbZVEq6MjrvBdYgLdXTshxSzlaWDfObDTAhHKZ2id94vtFS3iUhWGMaej5I6ifgV8riThfCaA/s1600/xxxxxx4e8025a7-d44hdvz0jl81o8g.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Hillsong Christopher Abreu" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG6j7Ep99h9cflqd_IOqCyEbDc2-ba3ksxlj8vJwBjpPGpL9mPI-s3Vp-uYbnbGNzS1LbZVEq6MjrvBdYgLdXTshxSzlaWDfObDTAhHKZ2id94vtFS3iUhWGMaej5I6ifgV8riThfCaA/s640/xxxxxx4e8025a7-d44hdvz0jl81o8g.jpg" title="Hillsong Christopher Abreu" width="640"></a></div>
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For almost a year now I have been attending <a href="http://www.missionbaycc.org/" target="_blank">Mission Bay Community Church</a> in San Francisco, before that Metropolitan Community Church in <a href="http://mccny.org/" target="_blank">New York</a>, <a href="http://www.joymcc.com/" target="_blank">Orlando</a>, and <a href="http://mccgsl.org/" target="_blank">Saint Louis</a>, and Hillsong Church in <a href="http://hillsong.com/nyc" target="_blank">New York</a> and <a href="http://hillsong.com/london" target="_blank">London</a>.</div>
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A friend of mine recently pointed me to the following article as posted in the Huffington Post:</div>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/17/hillsong-church-gays_n_6002762.html" target="_blank"><b>Hillsong Church Pastors Won't Speak Out On Gays Because Jesus Didn't Either</b></a></div>
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The title is self explanatory on their public stance on Homosexuality. They just won’t talk about it because Jesus never did. OK, I can accept that. If it were true. I do not know all the things Jesus said so I can not comment on that front. But I can comment of what Hillsong has done or said, maybe not publicly but certainly privately.</div>
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</div><a href="http://www.romans1310.com/2014/10/Hillsong.html#more">More after the jump »</a>Christópher Abreu Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655696338661930405noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373502 -123.06486250000002 38.176356999999996 -121.77396850000001