Growing Up

For the past few days, I've had the pleasure of watching over my two baby cousins while my uncle and aunt are away. Well...one of them is a baby. She's four. The other one is thirteen, and "OH" so mature.


Today, I woke up to the baby standing over me asking me, "why are you still sleeping?" It was 8am in the morning. I responded by telling her I was tired, and that I had a long day yesterday. She then replied, "I'm not tired!" I told her she wasn't tired because she is a little girl, with a whole lot of reserved energy...Big mistake lol. She wouldn't let me sleep after that. She screamed, "I'm not a little girl!" And, hit me with a throw pillow. According to her, she's not a little girl because I "can't even look up at the sky", and because "this was her cereal"...

That's that little kid logic. It may not make sense to you...may not make sense at all! But, it makes sense in the mind of the child, it's what needed to be said, and that's ALL that matters lol...

I always wonder what it would be like to be young again like my little cousin; that age where nothing matters...When your favorite TV show is the Backyardigans, and the key to world peace is candy, Disney Land, and a life-sized barbie set... when everything you can get your hands on is yours until someone at least 15 years older than you tells you otherwise...When no place is worth going, unless you can run there...When you can eat anything you want, eat as much as you want, and be as messy as you want, and it's all just "cute"....

My cousin is right next to me, as I type this, comparing all of the things she CAN do with all of the things I CAN'T do. For instance, I "can't even pick her up", I "can't even color in her coloring book", I "can't even reach the ceiling", I "can't even tie my shoes", and I "can't even count with my fingers"....

Life is SO precious! I just hate that it takes me babysitting my baby cousin for me to realize just how precious it really is. As much as I will enjoy watching and helping my baby cousin to grow into the beautiful Diva that I know she is destined to be, I just wish life didn't pass by so fast. I pray that she'll be able to cherish these early stages in her life as much as I do.

For, in a flash of time, she'll be 12, and I'll be 30...Still, trying to hold on to my youth as her generation slowly continues to rewrite the markings of my existance.

~T$ God Bless

Corinthians 7:29-39

According to Paul, it is better not to marry at all b/c when you marry, you are faced with many other worries. He says that an unmarried person only has to worry about his/her individual devotion to God; whereas, a married person is also drawn to the things of this world in order to please their spouse.

Thus, it is better for us not to seek marriage. However, if we come across someone who temps us (i.e. premarrital sex), we should marry that person in order to resist temptation. It is better for us to marry, then to risk suffering God's judgement; though, our spouse should be Holy. Once married, you should not divorce yoour spouse; yet, if you do seperate, you should not remarry.

Either way, we should not be searching for a spouse. We should cherish our unmarried lives, remaining completely devouted to building our relationships with God because he sacrificed a lot for us, and he is deserving.

Conclusively, we shouldn't worry about getting married. Work hard to focus on what you are called to do on this earth, but don't become obsessed with it's beauty. Remain faithful to God. If you can't help yourself around someone, then marry that person and protect your soul from God's ultimate judgement.

...Just know that when you leave this world, you can not take them with you.

~T$ God Bless

Duties Of A Great Leader

I leave August 17th to attend Trinity Western University; a school in Langley, B.C., Canada.
I have been fortunate enough to receive a leadership scholarship, which will pay for my first year's tuition costs.

Likewise, I intend to take several leadership roles within the University; not to mention, I will be practicing the full year with the men's basketball team for the University.

My goal is to do everything that I can to build my character, as an esteemed role model about the TWU campus. I've even taken steps within my community at home, along with strengthening my spirituality within the church, as I strive to become an adequate leader.

However, what does it mean to be an "adequate leader?"

I'd like to take this time to discuss my personal visions into what, I believe, represents those certain charater duties that make for a great leader:

1. Must provide strength for his/her leader
----Most leaders report to a person of higher authority. These are mentors, or guides, if you will. A great leader must also be a great follower, and must always maintain a certain level of peace, and faith in all that he wishes to accomplish. As a leader, your authority must always be able to trust that you are on top of things. It comes as a great relief when your authority does not have to carry his leader physically, mentally, or emotionally; for, he has too many other things to manage. A leader should be of the upmost assistance, constantly keeping his authority at ease within the mind, body, and spirit.

2. Must have a true and engraved sense of respect for his/her leader, and acceptance for/tolerance of his authority's personality, and way of doing things
----We are all different; thus, your way of doing things may not always coincide with your authority's way of doing things. However, those differences should never be allowed to cause a problem between you and your authority, as a leader. If so, there is a lack of respect that needs to be restored. The fact that you and your authority do not agree on how to accomplish any particular goal should not matter, as long as the goal is accomplished. As a leader, you must work hard and efficiently to walk in agreement with your authority at all times, submitting to his way at all times; for, the chemistry between a leader and his guide is much more valuable and important than who is right.

3. Must make the advancement of his/ her leader's wishes his/her top priority.
----At all times the teacher must be able to trust in his appointed leader's level of efficiency. At times, as a leader, there may be distractions or other matters of interest; However, as a leader you must uplift the wishes of your authority over your own with a passion for achieving a similar goal, which outweighs any personal desires, or individual contentment. A leader must remain devoted to the vision and purpose of his/her authority, following orders immediately and correctly.

4. Must possess endless strength, pushing through any resistance without giving way under harsh treatment.
----A great leader must not show weakness to his followers; It is through the leaders continual strength that the weaker individuals within the group become stronger. Likewise, a leader's authority must be able to count on his leader's strength to carry on difficult tasks in times of crisis or desperation. Never quit! It is through the maintaining of your strength, and the constant encouragement of your peers that you will develop character, as a valuable and trustworthy leader.

5. Must be an excellent communicator with the upmost support for his/her authority
----Communication skills are vital for every leader too attain. At all times, the authority must be able to trust in his leaders ability to relay messages or orders to his peers. This comes with establishing a healthy, close relationship between the leader and the person of authority. A leader should never hide anything from his teacher. In some cases, there may be situations that are better dealt with by the leader himself/herself; however, the leader should always feel comfortable going to the authority for advice on how to deal with the situation. If anyone ever says to you, "I want to tell you something, but you must promise not to tell the man in charge", you should feel comfortable as a leader telling them to hold their breath, as you will do no such thing. You owe it to your teacher to reveal anything that may cause problems for the overall team, or group, or community; for, it is he that possesses the expertise. Never tell your group something simply to save your reputation as a leader, which may corrupt the authorities ability to control his group. Both pride and secrecy are traps, which lead to failed chemistry.

By no means are these ALL of the qualities of a leader. There are many different ways to develop great leadership characteristics. However, I can asswure you that If you stick to these principles, you will be much more of a leader to your peers, than if you choose to simply ignore them.

~T$ God Bless

I Prophesize

It is unacceptable how many of us, when asked if we are religious, just claim to be Christian believers as some generic answer to make us seem like good people.

It's about time we show some accountablity.

Much too often we go to church on Sunday, after a late night partying with the Devil, expecting to receive a blessing. All the while, we sit in church dull, and lifeless as the people of the church shout praise to the Lord in tongues we don't understand; and, we feel uncomfortable because the pastor has said something that seems like a direct attack on our sinful character...

If I am talking to you, it's time you WAKE UP!

We are in the midst of a spiritual war, and it is up to you to prepare yourself. I can't help you. Your pastor can't save you. It's up to you to pick up your shield, sharpen your sword, and get right with God!

What's crazy is that you think this is some sort of joke. All the while, companies are going bankrupt, banks are being bought out, people are losing their houses left and right...Still you find it more imoportant to invest your hard earned money in happy hour every Thirsty Thursday.

There are demonic forces growing stronger every day, roaming earth in search of fake believers, just like you, to feed on your blinded soul...And, you wonder why you are always depressed, complaining about what you don't have, jealous and envious of all those material things you see on tv and in your neighbor's yard.

Stop worrying about everybody else. It's YOU who needs work. Find your place in God! Become familiar with His word. Fill yourself with His Holy Spirit, and I promise you that your blessing will come.

Too many of us go to church and depend on our pastor to preach his word, and touch us with his hand, delivering us from our sins. Do you really believe that that is all God wants from you? Is this honestly what we have come to believe is the way to eternal life?

Our pastor is simply our spiritual leader...our captain, if you will, within this War of Spirits. Why do you think Jesus appointed His twelve disciples? I guess it was just mere coincidence that when composing there different versions of the Bible, each disciple posessed the same overall message...

We can no longer depend on the church to save us because there is a war closing in on us at every horizon, and we must be prepared to fight, or lay down. Ask questions of your pastor and members of your church family; yet, at the same time, devout yourself to serving God at all times so that you may hold your own if the enemy may attack whenever your pastor is not there.

Drape yourself in the armor of the Holy Spirit. All of the armor you need is provided by God's word. Become a disciple in His name. Or, you can lay down and remain blind within your spirit.

Either way, Judgement Day is closing in on us; So, choose a side...because you are in this war whether you choose to be or not.

~T$ God Bless

Don't Ask

I'm sitting here with my homie, trying to figure out what to add to this blank page....
Frankly, I have nothing for ya...

I'm half-way watching this movie...Insomnia

I don't know what's going on though....I went to 7-eleven and came back with the most addictive candy I could find...Sweedish Fish.

I don't know why...it is waay too late for some damn fish candy. They are BOMB though.

It is hot as BEANS in this house. I'm about to go get some water...

Happy Father's Day!!

It sucks that I don't have a relationship with my real dad; otherwise, I'd call him right now.

This movie is really confusing me. I should probably be paying attention...

I saw my lil mama Court today!! I swear, I love that girl! I don't know why, though. She plays me all of the time...saying that she's gonna come see me, then I don't hear from here for the rest of the day...I can't hate though...she did surprise me today...

Have you ever had a protein burger from In-N-Out Burger...BOMB!!!
...I should've gotten a neopolitan shake...Damn that sounds good right now!

I eat too much.

I prayed a total of 13 times today. It feels good to be devoted to my religious beliefs.
...I can,t drink enough water.

My feet smell reealy bad right now.

I'm about to take a shower and go to bed...I'm mad tired...goood night all.

~T$ God Bless

Why? Not

About a year from today, I had the pleasure of visiting the church home of a dear friend of mine. The church service was absolutely amazing, and after the service, my friend introduced me to the pastor. As I shook the pastor’s hand, he just stared at me with this spellbound glare in his eyes. He informed me that he had never met another person under such an intense spiritual attack. The pastor, then, asked me a very interesting question, "Are you familiar with the definition of your name?" I answered, "No". The pastor then turned and left my presence, only to return seconds later with a book in his hand. I informed him that my name was Tristan, and he opened his book to a page which displayed the Christian definition of my name: "Strong and Bold". Under the definition, was a bible passage from the book of Joshua 1:6. The passage said, be strong and bold; for, you are to lead my people to the land that I promised to their ancestors.

Ever since that day I've kept that passage in the back of my mind. My encounter with the pastor was the first time I’d ever truly felt God’s presence. God merely used the pastor as a vessel in order to convey an important message, planting the seeds for my future. What I failed to realize was that when I arrived back in Canada God had plans to test my faith, pushing the outer limits of my sanity, with the knowledge that I would develop specific character traits. Looking back on my situation as a third year transfer from UFV into the Trinity Western program, the words “strong” and “bold” bare new experiential meaning; through which, God has called me to develop my leadership capabilities at TWU.
Be Strong. I arrived in Canada, and a lot of things had not turned out according to plan in regards to my life as a second-year student at my old school, UFV. For the longest time, I was unable to choose my courses due to holds that were place on my account for the previous year; Thus, I was forced to take classes that had nothing to do with my major. Midway through the year my housing situation drastically changed for the worst, and I was forced to move into a house that was a 45 minute walk for me every day under the weirdest weather conditions (rain, snow, slete, hail). Not to mention, my wallet and passport was stolen on one of my road trips for basketball, leaving me with no identification to get back into the states to visit my family, for 8 months.
Essentially, these unfortunate circumstances caused me to develop such a home-sickness that I adopted a completely negative mind frame, which complicated by ability to assert a love for school or basketball. I began to party too much, losing touch with all of those Christian values that I had worked so hard to develop. Heavily influenced by the Devil, I began to lose touch with who I was in a place that I was completely unfamiliar with. Still, I passed all of my classes and made it through the year; though, the entire time, I felt like I literally was left stranded in hell.
Be Bold. Towards the end of my school year, after my season was over, I had decided for myself that UFV just wasn't the school for me anymore. As a result, with about 2 weeks left in school, I left campus and headed to a University about 20 min away called, Trinity Western University. Upon arriving on campus, I visited a friend who played for the University basketball team to ask him about the school and check out the campus. He informed me of a practice that his team was having and said it would be a good idea for me to come with him and talk to his coach about the possibility of transferring. The coach seemed a little uninterested, at first, given that TWU had a pretty talented team already. However, he allowed me to play in the teams open run, seeing how the season was over and open run was casual. So I played. And, I played well. For the next two weeks, I attended every open run. TWU and UFV are rival schools; thus, I was caught in a bit of a tough situation, putting my scholarship at UFV on the line. However, determined to better my situation I continued to return to TWU, making the commute right after my classes at UFV.
LEAD. About a week before I returned to California, I did some research on TWU about enrollment. I found out that because both UFV and TWU are CIS schools and I'd have to sit out a year of basketball by attending the new school, I couldn't receive an athletic scholarship. With TWU being so expensive, I needed to find a solution to pay for tuition. I stumbled upon an opportunity that involved me writing an essay for a leadership scholarship. Provided that I could present evidence of such qualities, given some things that I had previously/continue to do in regards to leadership, I'd be able to get my tuition covered for the fall. I prayed and prayed until, finally, my acceptance letter came in the mail, illustrating that I had been awarded the scholarship on the basis that I take up some form of leadership within the school.
It wasn't until I returned to California, after such a tough second year at UFV, that I began to realize how God had predestined me to be on the path that I am on now. Moreover, as I became more active within my church community, working towards securing a scholarship at TWU, God began to reveal his character within me as I learned to overcome my struggles and transition with grace. At 23-years-old, I now have no more time to waste. God has placed a calling on my life for me to take steps towards further developing my qualities as a leader. I'm not sure what God has in store for me, but He has made it quite clear, by securing my place within a Christian University that I cannot afford to lose touch with Him again. It is for this reason that I have decided to go on a spiritual fast. Through this fast, I will re-strengthen my relationship with Christ, devoting myself to His word and righteous path, as I strive to give up certain comforts in His name. Furthermore, to answer the question, why am I doing this? It is really quite simple: “Through this fast I intend to grow closer to God’s calling, as I work to reveal myself as Tristan, the strong and bold leader of tomorrow.”

~T$ God Bless

Summer League 2008

http://www.livevideo.com/video/RicosGetBetterLeague/D3E08D9227E340DA845153B40C50FCD4/tristan-smith-team-future.aspx