Fifth and Forgotten

The Kentucky Derby’s own, Verrazano!

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:49:28 -0400

The Kentucky Derby’s own, Verrazano!

Staten Island Ferry Terminal from 1995

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:32:25 -0400

Staten Island Ferry Terminal from 1995

"After the Hurricane, it’s like the earth sped up, BRO. Everything gives you agita."

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:40:00 -0400

“After the Hurricane, it’s like the earth sped up, BRO. Everything gives you agita.””

- ..Overheard at the local pizzeria

Staten Strong - Rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:47:52 -0400

Staten Strong - Rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy

The New York Knicks are Staten Strong!

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:30:01 -0400

The New York Knicks are Staten Strong!

Photo

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:00:07 -0400

Staten Islander emerges as Boston hero

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:12:24 -0400

Staten Islander emerges as Boston hero

WWE Wrestlers talk to Staten Students

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:36:00 -0400

WWE Wrestlers talk to Staten Students:

Anti-Bullying Campaign invades I.S. 51 during Wrestlemania weekend.

Staten Island should not be treated as the forgotten step-child...

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:39:35 -0400

Staten Island should not be treated as the forgotten step-child of Manhattan any longer!

Heart-breaking.

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:14:32 -0400

Heart-breaking.

Photo

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:48:57 -0400

My two great burdens: social justice and cultural reconciliation

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:22:00 -0400

Looking back to my younger years in the close-minded suburbs of Staten Island, I realize that I’ve always been burdened for social justice and cultural reconciliation (but didn’t even know it at the time). Whether it was my multi-ethnic friends from public school, standing up for the weak and marginalized, or hating the divisiveness that cliques have caused, these experiences have all shaped me into the Christian I am today, flirting with the idea of social suicide (THINK: the Jewish Moses defying his sister’s prejudices and marrying a black woman while God incidentally strikes her skin with white leprosy, in effect saying, “You like being light-skinned Miriam? I’ll make you light-skinned.”)

Surely, my upbringing and preferences have always told me to play it safe by sticking to “my own” (dating, friendships, social settings) while remaining another product of my environment (ignorant, racist, conformist), but followers of Christ must move toward need, truth, and justice, not mere comfort and security.

We simply cannot neglect, idolize, or systematize social justice and cultural reconciliation. We must be aware that these real issues have real consequences and a real God must be at the epicenter. We can’t just talk about these things and love whom we choose to whenever we choose to. There is no reward in that. Yes, we must stay true to our context & calling, but we should always be willing to venture out & become inclusive.

Furthermore, we cannot let ethnic and social struggles get in the way of our deep, personal, and intimate relationships or we’ll be left feeling despair and disarray. If God values cultural, ethnic, and racial differences, and I’d like to think He does, so shouldn’t we? I mean, Jesus was persecuted by fellow Jews and murdered by Roman soldiers, yet still reconciled them both to Himself and one another.

The Gospel has never been a call to prudent living. Life is hard. And the more you love, the harder it gets. I guess that’s why I never felt burdened to become a law abiding police officer, a faithful husband, and a lay leader who loves his borough until witnessing its brokenness firsthand - cold-blooded murder, suffering, sickness, an addiction epidemic, authoritative corruption, family conflict, & natural disaster - all but nothing in comparison to the Jewish carpenter who suffered for it on a bad Friday yet rose from the grave.

Come on baby let the good times roll!

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:36:14 -0400

Come on baby let the good times roll!

Building the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:32:00 -0400

Building the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

Staten Island’s Own

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 03:33:12 -0400

Staten Island’s Own

Photo

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 01:02:00 -0500

Repent Staten Island!

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 00:55:12 -0500

Repent Staten Island!

Harlem Shake (Staten Island Ferry)

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:44:13 -0500

Harlem Shake (Staten Island Ferry)

An open letter to my best friend

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 22:02:00 -0500

I’ve been hesitant to comment publicly and personally about your nightmare. I want people to hear it firsthand from you and your family on your timing alone. I wrote this letter publicly because people need to publicly see how you’ve affected my life.

If this is supposed to be where I tell you how sorry I am for your loss, I can’t even begin to imagine, let alone understand or speak.

If this is supposed to be where I throw you a cutesy Christian catchphrase, well, it’s hard as hell to believe in anything right now, let alone Anyone.

If this is supposed to be where I say to let me know if you need anything, my pride might like that too much, and your pride might not let me.

And if this is supposed to be where I share a fond memory of your beautiful & sassy sister, Sarai, the truth is, I’ve only met her a hand full of times.

I am however thankful for getting a glimpse into her life by the wider portrait you and your family have painted in the past four years alone. I am also grateful that this momentary affliction is merely a blip on a radar in comparison to the glory that awaits us. For now, we shall divinely reflect:

-On the courageousness of a brother and a husband traveling to the ends of the earth in pursuit of a loved one when all is bleak.

-On the strength of a mother who put food on the table, clothes on your back, and raised you with a faith that has upheld your family.

-On the unification of a church, local and universal, united in prayer & support of a small family from a small neighborhood in a small New York City borough.

-And on the graciousness of a God who has answered prayers according to His will, orchestrates behinds the scenes, uses the foolish, sweats blood in anguish, weeps sorrowfully with friends, flips tables in anger, and was brutally, unjustly, and bloodily murdered “too soon” for our sake and for our sin.

Oh Hallelujah, what a Savior!

I know you have always admired your “big brother” Steve, and I’m sure his kids look up to you both in the same, but on this day, and forever after, you are each an inspiration to the entire world. May God use it all for His glory. May God have mercy on those who wrong His people. May the Jimenez & Sierra family receive the parental peace of the Heavenly Father. And may Sarai Sierra’s legacy continue throughout all of your lives.

(Please consider buying Sarai’s photos to help raise funds for the funeral. Here’s the link: http://instacanv.as/memyself_sarai)

“Spring is coming!” Staten Island Chuck predicts.

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:58:00 -0500

“Spring is coming!” Staten Island Chuck predicts.