Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | January 16, 2014

On My Short List of Heroes

I have a short list of personal heroes, people for whom I have the highest respect and admiration, and Elmo Johnson is on that list. For the past 30 years, Elmo has served as pastor of Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church in Houston’s Fourth Ward. But beyond that, he is also a pastor to the people of the Fourth Ward, once known as Freedman’s Town, a community originally settled by freed slaves.

Elmo and I have been close friends for almost 20 years. In that period of time, I have seen God use him to bring about community transformation in neighborhoods once known for crack houses and drug deals. He cares deeply about the Fourth Ward and those who call this historic part of Houston their home. No matter where I go when I am with Elmo, people know him by name and his phone rings too many times an hour for me to count.

Elmo loves people and the people of the Fourth Ward love him. They know he cares. He knows people by name and he knows the struggles and challenges that they face every day. He feels a personal sense of responsibility for all of the people who live in the place where God called him to serve when he was just a young man. And he is still as passionate, probably more so, about preaching and living out the gospel as he was when he came to serve at Rose of Sharon.

Elmo Mike Omar
Earlier this week, Elmo invited me and our dear mutual friend Mike Briggs to join him for lunch in the Fourth Ward. It’s been a while since the three of us have been together. Elmo wanted to encourage Mike who lost his wife Mary to cancer last year. Mary and Mike often joined Elmo to help people in need. Elmo also wanted for us to meet an elderly man who had recently moved in to a single occupancy room at one of the church’s elder care centers — a lonely and frail little man who has no one left in the world.

Elmo Mike Groceries
When the old man opened the door to his room, a pungent odor greeted us along with his handshake. This man will likely spend the remainder of his days in this room. On the single nightstand beside his unmade bed, he had a list of grocery items scribbled on a wrinkled envelope. We decided to take that list and buy all of the items for the man. When we returned an hour later, he was visibly happy and so full of gratitude for this simple act of kindness. We unpacked the items and filled his little dorm-room-sized refrigerator.

As Mike and I drove back to Katy, we talked about Elmo and how he is famous among the poor, the lonely, the addicts, the weak, the elderly, the troubled, and the least of these. Elmo’s only ambition for the past 30 years has been to live incarnationally among the people of the Fourth Ward and to bring glory to God in his community.

Like Jesus, Elmo is always moving in the direction of people in need. He is drawn to them like a moth to a flame because he cares. Every time I visit Elmo I come away encouraged but deeply convicted that I too must do the same — love God and love people without condition and always move in the direction of those in need.

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | January 12, 2014

My Kindergarten Graduation

In the Fall of 1992 I read a delightful book by Robert Fulghum entitled “All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten.” Fulghum’s common-sense observations about life resonated with millions of people, propelling his book into the top spot on the New York Times bestseller list.

Robert Fulghum Books
Fulghum believes that what we really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be we learned in Kindergarten — things like share everything, play fair, clean up your own mess, say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody, wash your hands before you eat, be aware of wonder, and much more.

Mrs. Espericueta
On July 23, 2010, I had the wonderful opportunity to reconnect with Mrs. Espericueta, my Kindergarten Teacher. I had the best time sitting with her and listening to her share stories about how she started the first Kindergarten program in my hometown of Mission, Texas in an old one-room building with broken windows. She not only saw potential in the abandoned building, she also saw potential in each of her students.

I’m also glad that I had the opportunity to tell Mrs. Espericueta what I remembered about her class. I was frightened on the first day of school but she calmed me down. I did not speak any English but she patiently worked with me to learn English one word at a time. Mrs. Espericueta was also a woman of faith and taught us how to pray. In fact, she taught us many of the things Fulghum talked about in his bestseller.

My Dad called me today to tell me that he had just learned that Mrs. Espericueta passed away on Saturday. She had spent the final years of her life living with a daughter and passed away peacefully. I told Dad how glad I was that I had the opportunity to thank Mrs. Espericueta for investing in my life and blessing me with good memories of Kindergarten.


Mrs. Espericueta had us dress in white caps and gowns for the occasion and gave each of us a Kindergarten diploma. It was a big deal at the time — first-fruits of things to come, the first milestone on my educational journey. And today, looking back on it all, it’s still a big deal. I am grateful for Mrs. Espericueta and count it a special honor to have been a member of her first class of Kindergarten graduates. She was indeed a wonderful person and a gifted teacher.

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | January 8, 2014

Travel Light

I pulled into my driveway at about 8:30 last night after my final meeting of the day. Because I was not interested in unwinding in front of the television, I decided instead to get my backpacking gear out of the closet and reassess the weight of everything in my pack. My hope is to hike the 100+ mile Lone Star Hiking Trail in late March, so I am giving lots of consideration to how much weight I will carry in my backpack.

As part of my research for my upcoming hike, I have watched lots of YouTube videos on ultralight backpacking, read all sorts of backpacking blogs, and talked to a few guys who have considerable backpacking experience. The common denominator among all of these sources is that with careful planning anyone can shed ounces and even pounds from the load they intend to carry on a backpacking trek.

Backpacking GearAt first glance, it seems kind of goofy to even give those few extra ounces another thought. So what if my flashlight weighs 8 ounces instead of 4 or my cooking pot weighs 7 ounces instead of 5 or I wear hiking boots instead of a lightweight trail shoe. All of the guys who are serious about backpacking will tell you that the weight you carry on your back and on your feet matters, especially when you plan to hike a long distance.

So, last night I sat on the floor, looked at my gear, and considered ways to shed a few ounces here and there by packing lighter gear that can also serve more than one purpose. The savings in ounces can result in a pound or pounds less that I will not have to carry on my back over a period of a week. This will allow me to hike a little more comfortably and efficiently.

As I sat and meticulously looked at each of the things in my backpack, the Lord whispered to me to take a look at what I am carrying around in my heart. For example, Proverbs 12:25 cautions, “Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down.”  And Hebrews 12:1 admonishes us to “lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us.” God is concerned that we not carry around more than we have to because the extra weight can wear us out and wear us down.

My look at my backpacking gear last night resulted in something unexpected — a look into my heart. I not only want to hike well on the Lone Star Trail, I want to live my life well, one day at a time. In order for me to run the race that is set before me I need to periodically unpack my heart, lay it all out before the Lord, and be willing to “lay aside every encumbrance” so that I can travel light.

Last night I ended up shedding a few unnecessary ounces from my backpack and what seemed like a few pounds from my heart. That’s a good thing, a really good thing, because I still have a long way to go on my journey.

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Posted in Hiking & Camping, Lone Star Hiking Trail, Personal Growth

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | January 4, 2014

Be A Tree Planter

Magnificent — that’s the word that best describes the huge live oak trees at Brazos Bend State Park. These stately giants elegantly dressed in Spanish moss have lived through lots of years of Texas history. As a kid I learned that scientists can determine the age of a tree by counting the rings in the trunk of the tree. The term for the study and dating of annual growth rings in trees is dendrochronology, from dendro (tree), chronos (time or events in past time), and ology (the study of).

Big Oak
This morning, my buddy Brian Stone and I headed to Brazos Bend for a day of mountain biking. This was Brian’s first time to ride the trails at the park and, as I expected, he loved it. Before we had clocked our first mile our conversation turned to the topic of trees. You can’t help but wonder about the ages of the really big trees as you walk or bike the trails at the park. Although I don’t know anything about the science of dendrochronology, I do know that these trees have survived lots of stuff through the years, including hurricanes and droughts and other threats.

Dendrochronology
As we biked our way down the trails, I shared with Brian a great thought by Warren Buffet that I had recently read in “Forty Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World,” a book authored by Buffet’s son Howard. Buffet said, “We do sit in the shade of trees planted by others.” He continued, “While enjoying the benefits dealt us, we should do a little planting ourselves.” What a great thought and reminder that there is wisdom in planting trees.

Big Tree
Like John Chapman, the American pioneer nurseryman also known as Johnny Appleseed, those who plant trees have a vision that extends beyond their lifetime. Tree planters invest in the next generation and have faith in a future they may never see. They are not afraid to take on big projects or to start things for which they may never see an end result. And yet they plant anyway because they believe that someone in the future will one day enjoy sitting under the shade of the trees they planted.

Brian Big Tree
The huge trees at Brazos Bend did not get huge overnight. And the trees that we plant will not get big overnight. Good things, including growth and maturity, take time. In the parables of the kingdom (Matt. 13), Jesus likened the kingdom of God to a tiny grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. That tiny seed, Jesus said, eventually grew into a big tree that offered shelter to the birds of the air. Big things often have small beginnings.

Tree up Close
So, after this day of enjoying the shade and the beauty of the big trees at Brazos Bend, I am thankful for the reminder to be a tree planter, to see beyond my own generation, and to not underestimate small beginnings. Not every seed that we plant will grow or survive the ravages of time, but some will. And those that do will provide shade for people we will never meet. That’s the beauty of it all. Each of us can indeed help to make the world a better place by thinking beyond ourselves and by doing something to bless those who will come after us.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Hiking & Camping, Texas State Parks | Tags:

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | January 2, 2014

The Trail Ahead

I have been doing lots of hiking and biking over the past few weeks, all part of getting in shape to do my first 130-mile thru-hike later this year. Thru-hiking is a term that refers to hiking the entire length of a long-distance trail from start to finish. As when I prepared for the Texas Water Safari ultra-marathon canoe race, I know that I will have to do lots of training in order to get in the best shape to hike the Lone Star Hiking Trail through the Sam Houston National Forest.

Hiking Books
In addition to hiking and biking, I am also preparing by reading a book on the Lone Star Hiking Trail on my Kindle app and just purchased copies of two other books on hiking trails in Texas and near Houston. I am amazed at the detail that each of these books includes about hiking trails in Texas — everything from distance, elevation, degree of difficulty to recommended times of the year to hike particular trails. The one thing that each of my new hiking books have in common is that they only share information on charted trails.

Every trail I have hiked or biked over the past months is a charted trail. I know that not because I read it in a book but because I have seen the evidence of those who ventured down the trails before me. Whether seeing the prints of hiking boots in the dirt or the imprints of mountain bike tires or a random piece of litter, all of these are indicators that someone else hiked or biked these same trails before me.

A couple of days ago we all took our first steps into the new year. The trail ahead of us is uncharted. There are absolutely no human footprints on this particular trail nor are there any trail maps to tell us how long we will journey down joyful or painful paths. We do, however, have some wise counsel from a man named Joshua, the guy who led the children of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

As Joshua prepared to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, he ordered the Levitical priests to lead the procession by carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the national symbol of God’s presence. Joshua then ordered the people to follow the ark. “Do not come near it,” Joshua warned, “that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before” (Joshua 3:4).

When Joshua and the children of Israel stood at the trailhead into the unknown, he instructed the people to follow God’s leadership because they were going to a place that was unfamiliar to them. No one was permitted to walk or run ahead of the ark, the surest way to get lost. That’s still good advice for us today. Although there are no human footprints on the sands of tomorrow, because God inhabits eternity (Isa. 57:15) He is already at tomorrow waiting for us to get there. May you have an adventurous 2014 as you follow God on the trail ahead one step at a time.

Bike Sign

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Posted in Hiking & Camping, New Year Reflections | Tags: , ,

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | December 30, 2013

New Trails in 2014

Determined to make the most of my remaining vacation days, today’s 40-degree temps, cold winds, and cloudy skies were powerless to keep me indoors. I woke up early this morning determined to reach my goal of hiking all of the trails at Stephen F. Austin State Historical Park. Named after the “Father of Texas,” the park is situated along a scenic bend of the Brazos River near the old townsite of San Felipe de Austin, the colonial capital of Texas. This area is one of the most beautiful in the Lone Star State, even in winter.

Winter Hike
I figured it would be easy to meet my goal since there are only 6 miles of trails at the park. Of course, I ended up hiking 8.6 miles because I had to retrace my steps a few times in order to access all of the trails. One good thing about the cold weather today is that I had the trails all to myself. All of the other park visitors were snuggled in their campers or enjoying breakfast around their campfires.

Shoes and Leaves
The trails at the park are fantastic. Every trail I walked was carpeted in rust-colored leaves cast off by skeletal trees patiently waiting for their new Spring wardrobes. The trails wind their way through an amazing art gallery of twisted vines and branches and giants brought crashing to the ground by storms and termites. There was never a dull moment and plenty of photo-ops every step of the way.

Tangled Vine 2
As I hiked today, I reflected on the people I have met as I have trekked near and far this past year. I thought about and prayed for the Syrian refugees I met in Jordan who have suffered unimaginable personal horrors as a result of the civil strife in their homeland. And the Zabbaleen people of Egypt who somehow manage to subsist on the few dollars they make each day by collecting and sorting through Cairo’s garbage. The trail is always hard for them.

Termite Tree
I also smiled as I thought about all of the people in Central America that received the gift of clean water because we followed the trail to their remote villages in order to drill a well for them. Other trails took us to places in Africa and throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia where we had wonderful opportunities to share the best news in the world. All in all, we journeyed down lots of trails together both near and far this year in order to share and to show God’s love to others.

Vines on Tree
In a matter of hours we will take our first steps down a brand new trail. Each of us will have opportunities to make a difference in the lives of those we meet along the way in the coming year. May we wake up each morning eagerly anticipating what lies around the next bend. May we have the courage to go beyond — to venture into uncharted territories. And may we embrace the adventures that God has in store for us as we venture down new trails in 2014.

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Posted in Hiking & Camping, New Year Reflections, Personal Growth, Texas State Parks | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | December 27, 2013

Think Outside

For the past few years, my friend Brian Stone and I have shared a friendship in which we regularly challenge one another to think deeply in order to live wisely. I appreciate the moments Brian and I spend together because he really does think deeply about things and challenges me to do the same. Brian has a very good theological head on his shoulders and a heart that is committed to making wise application of what God is teaching him.

A few years ago I read a post by John Piper in which he encouraged pastors to blog. In that post, he wrote: “If you strive to write well, you will at the same time be striving to think well.” I can attest to the truth of that statement. Among other things, blogging has helped me to think intentionally, to think deeply, and to think well on a daily basis. Writing regular blog posts holds me accountable for being an active rather than a passive thinker.

Running Cottonseed Rapids on the San Marcos River.

In recent years I have re-engaged with the outdoors — something I enjoyed as a kid and as a younger man. It all started when my son Jonathan got me to do some kayaking and camping with him and later the grueling Texas Water Safari ultra-marathon canoe race. This year I added hiking and most recently mountain biking to my regimen of outdoor activities. And I couldn’t be happier.

Omat Tree
In the process of enjoying the outdoors, I have rediscovered how being outside helps me to think more clearly. For me, at least, being in the great outdoors is like getting a soothing brain massage. Maybe it’s the fresh air or the sound of the wind as I hike down a lonely trail. Whatever it is, I like it because it refreshes my mind, calms my heart, and relieves whatever stress I happen to be experiencing.

Spanish Moss
As this year comes to an end and we prepare to welcome the new year, I want to challenge you to think outside. Take advantage of whatever opportunities you have to get outside your home or office, even if only for a few hours. I agree with John Muir, the great naturalist and conservationist, who said, “Few places in this world are more dangerous than home. Fear not, therefore, to try the mountain passes. They will kill care, save you from deadly apathy, set you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action.”

Think Outside

So, make “thinking outside” one of your resolutions for the new year. Being outdoors will force you to slow down, cause you to take deeper breaths, and engage all of your senses in dynamic ways. You don’t have to travel far to think outside, you just have to go outside. Whether you take a walk around your neighborhood or hike or ride down a wooded trail at a nearby state park, make it a point to spend some time outdoors in the new year. And while you are at it, invite a family member or friends to join you.
BBSP Dec Ride

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | December 23, 2013

I Need Christ

“Who needs Christ during Christmas?” is this year’s annual anti-Christmas initiative by the secular atheist group known as American Atheists. The campaign comes as no surprise. Every year, atheist and humanist organizations launch their predictable attacks on Christmas. This year’s campaign comes complete with personal testimonies by atheists who declare that they need neither Christ nor religion to enjoy the season. Ironically, the added testimonial element makes this year’s campaign feel somewhat religious.

Who Needs Christ
I have stated in previous years that I am neither offended nor threatened by these irreverent attacks on Christmas. Instead, I have come to regard them as opportunities for non-believers and believers alike to think deeply and to dialogue openly about the meaning of Christmas and the Person of Christ. And that’s not a bad thing. As Christ-followers we must never allow the business and stress of the season to distract us from Christ, the central figure of Christmas.

We should think and talk about Christ at Christmas. As believers we are called to love God with all of our mind, to own our beliefs, and to be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). While we can’t stop atheists from exercising their First Amendment rights, we can use what they say as a springboard to share an opposing view.

When you think about it, anti-Christmas campaigns are nothing new. They are as old as Christmas itself. Herod launched the very first one. He didn’t need or want Christ either. I have visited Bethlehem, the place where Jesus was born. At the time of Jesus’ birth, Herod lived in the Herodium, a large and luxurious palace built on top of the highest real estate in the area.

Herod’s palace was so imposing that the first rays of the sun painted its shadow across Bethlehem each morning. Jesus was born in the shadow of Herod’s greatness. Today, Herod’s palace lies in ruins and he is remembered as the paranoid megalomaniac who killed babies (Matt. 2:16-18) in an effort to maintain his power. And yet, one baby born beneath the shadow of his palace became a greater king than him and changed the world forever.

So, it’s really not surprising that the attacks on Christ and Christmas continue today. Like Herod, every person must decide for themselves what they will do with Christ. As for me, I am not ashamed to confess that I need Christ during Christmas and every day of the year. For me, Christianity is not a religion and Christmas is not about religion. It’s about a personal relationship with the One who came to us in the most vulnerable and humble way in order to show us what love looks like. I will always keep Christ in Christmas.

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Posted in Apologetics, Christmas Reflections

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | December 20, 2013

Hiking Brazos Bend

After hiking 16.9 miles today, I finally reached my goal of hiking all 35 miles of trails at Brazos Bend State Park. Over the past several weeks I have walked the beautiful trails at the park a few miles at a time. Although I only lacked about 10 miles to complete my goal, I had to cover ground I have already hiked in order to get to some trails and double-back in order to reach others, thus the additional mileage. Today I hiked three different sections to meet my goal.

Dec 20 2013 Hike
I hiked all day today under gray skies and drizzling rain, but it still beat staying indoors. I just happen to love the way gray skies add drama to landscapes. And there was plenty to enjoy today. Walking through the woods is like walking through an art gallery. I took almost 70 pics today and could have taken that many more. I can’t wait to revisit these trails in the Spring for a different perspective.

Big Oak
As for me, I am more than a little tired after hiking 32 miles in two days — but tired in a good way. Hiking longer distances yesterday and today has given me a better idea of how much more hiking I need to do in order to prepare for the longer treks I’d like to do next year. But beyond that, I enjoyed every mile of solitude, the opportunity to spend time in prayer, and simply being outdoors. It’s worth taking the time to slow down and to listen to the sounds of the birds or the wind rustling through the trees.

Here are a few of the photos I took as I hiked today.

Ferns on Trunk
Fungus
Thin Vines
Trunk View
Dead Wood on Trail

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Posted in Hiking & Camping, Texas State Parks | Tags: ,

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | December 19, 2013

15 Miles Closer

With a couple of vacation days at my disposal this week, I decided to get closer to my goal of hiking all 35-miles of trails at Brazos Bend State Park. This beautiful park is located within easy driving distance of Houston, perfect for a quick and relaxing escape. The first thing you notice when you enter the park are the huge live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, also a common sight along many of the hiking trails. One visit and you’ll understand why Brazos Bend was named one of America’s top state parks by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.

Big Tree Trunk
My goal for today was to hike the farthest and more primitive trails at the park plus one trail that has been closed on each of my previous visits. This meant covering some ground I have already hiked in order to reach these farther away trails. No problem. It was worth it all when I arrived at the Creekwood Lake Trail — comprised of a short loop and long loop trails that are absolutely magnificent. I had them all to myself, with the exception of a couple of feral hogs that I surprised along the way.

Fungus Tree
Although I had some idea of the distance I would cover today, I was pleasantly surprised when my new Map My Hike app recorded my hike at 15.01 miles. I completed my hike in 4 hours 16 minutes with one ten-minute stop to snack. I averaged 17-minute miles which is slow enough to enjoy the journey. In addition to feral hogs, I saw whitetail deer and lots of birds. The park boasts more than 300 species of birds, 298 of which I can’t identify although I do enjoy seeing them.

Map My Hike
Today’s hike was good for me as I continue my preparations to do some longer thru-hikes later in the year. I am trying to gauge how far I can reasonably hike per day with a 30-pound backpack on an extended trek. I know this much — I need to do lots more hiking to get ready for the bigger challenges, much like the numerous training runs I did in order to prepare for the Texas Water Safari earlier this year. So, I will be on the trails at Texas State Parks as much as possible in the coming months. I am tired this evening but happy to be 15 miles closer to my goal of hiking all of the trails at Brazos Bend, one step at a time.

Long Loop

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Posted in Hiking & Camping, Texas State Parks | Tags: , ,

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