Choice quote:

"The problem of illegal immigration has been left to fester for decades. Every effort to address it has provoked a groundswell of angry obstructionism and demagoguery. Disingenuous calls for greater border security are now part of that obstructionism. The President blames, quite rightly, congressional Republicans for blocking reform, but plenty of Democrats, both in Congress and in the statehouses, have no stomach for tackling the issue, either—certainly not in an election year. Given the emotions that the topic arouses, the battle to pass immigration reform may end up making the struggle over health care look mild. It is time, nonetheless, to try to finally bring millions of men, women, and children in from the dark." link

I assume a break from all the street art posts is necessary, isn't it?

Today marks the 241st birthday of the city of San Diego. Named after St. Didacus of Alcalá, the city was founded in 1769. Since then, San Diego has–often reluctantly–grown from a sleepy coastal village to a major, multicultural, metropolitan city.

I love this city. As my family and I took a walk through the neighborhood last night, I was pondering how much I love this place. We are truly a city than has stuff going on year-round. But there is something electric in air when Summer hits. Summer time is the sweet spot for San Diegans.

Have you ever heard stories of couples that when they first met, they couldn't see themselves together? In fact, maybe they dated but broke it off a few times. But it was inevitable that, eventually, they saw they were to spend their lives together.

I kind of feel like that's been my relationship with San Diego. For over a decade, I was looking for my exit strategy. I just didn't see how I could live my life in my hometown. Yet, each time I've tried to explore moving further away, I have been drawn closer and closer to the heart of this city. And in the process I have found myself loving this city more and more while realizing this is exactly where God wants me.

We're a unique city. We are connected to another major city like no other as well, Tijuana. Together, we're an uncommon mega-city. San Diego is the landing place of peoples from all around the world. A border town. A military town. A tourist attraction. And, of course, we've got amazing weather.

If you're interested in learning more about this city, I'd encourage you to check out a few resources. First, The Journal of San Diego History has a lot of great information on the city's history. And Under a Perfect Sun is an incredible book detailing the "other side" of San Diego's history. Lastly, The Reluctant Metropolis is about the political history of Los Angeles urban development but San Diego's urban development is not much different than LA's. Along with the other recommendations, Fulton's book is helpful in understanding why this city developed as it did.

So, happy birthday, San Diego. Here's to another year with you.

Can't wait to get out of the office to go check this out!

So excited to go see this show at Museum of Contemporary Art downtown.

Today, I am praying for the families of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas and Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca. Rojas' heart stopped after being tazered and Sergio was shot and killed. Both at the hands of U.S. Border Patrol agents.

I said recently that I wasn't certain what God would think about particular issues. But I'm certain these deaths break God's heart. Armed agents slaying boys with rocks is inexcusable. Were this man and boy breaking laws? Yes. Did they deserve to die? No.

So, I'm praying for these families today. But I'm also praying for repentant hearts of the agents. And I am praying that the leaders of this land will reconsider policies.

I don't want to take away from the palpable grief of these families. But we would be deceiving ourselves if we neglected to recognize that these deaths are a result of our border related policies. Viewing Mexican news footage of the family grieving Sergio's death, I can see the stark economic difference between his family and mine. Economic relations with Latin America, border enforcement policies and immigration laws are all related to each other. With that in mind, I am hoping for a holistic rather than myopic or partisan view of these issues. And I am praying that we will be motivated by hope, not fear or naive idealism. Lastly, I realize that I can not rest this solely upon the shoulders of agents and politicians. I participate in this system. How I shop, how I vote and how I treat others need to be a reflection of my prayer today. So, I'm praying for the wisdom and capacity to live as Christ did amongst those of my neighbors that while different... are still neighbors.

My daughter gave me an early Father's Day gift this weekend. Local folk-jazz singer, Miss Erika Davies is starting to get some attention 'round here. Davies played last night at the grand opening of Make Good in our neighborhood. Her crooning is reminiscent of Billie Holiday yet her instrumentation brings to mind much of the modern folk bands that are all the rage. Either way, it was a treasured gift and a worthwhile listen. Check out her music here.

This a beautiful thing... hope to see more of this happen in San Diego.