Nicholas Dobkowski
Why Mission Year?
God is the Man, and He deserves all of me. I pray that this is a step towards that goal. As a corollary, I am looking forward to serving people in any context possible, finding true fellowship among my housemates, enjoying my church, and loving people. PS God is good! :)
About Mission Year
Mission Year is a year long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. We take teams of young people, place them in an area of need, and help them to serve people and create community. We are committed to the command of Jesus to “love God and love people,” by placing the needs of our neighbors first and developing committed disciples of Christ with a heart for the poor. Learn more about our first year program…
Nicholas Dobkowski's Blog
Worlds Apart (for real) / Apr 23, 09:17 PM
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16
The song “Worlds Apart” by Jars of Clay (which is quite awesome) brought this verse into sharp focus for me. It talks about how he constantly lacks the proper focus on Jesus and that he is always caught in the mix between serving Jesus and regressing to serve himself, often losing.
I know all about this. My life is all about me. When I have the chance to serve someone or God or myself, the overwhelming choice is myself. Thoughts that happen throughout the day are always self-centered. And you know what? I’m folding under the pressure. I can’t make my life work right. I can’t make my own life perfect. I can’t do a whole lot right, at least without putting myself under a bunch of stress. There is so much freedom that Jesus gives where you can be yourself and love yourself and love others because there is only one thing that matters. That Jesus loves me. In that, I am made perfect, and there is no end to what I might give away, because I have all things through Jesus. I can serve and love and live because what I need I already have. Does this all make sense?
Help me, Jesus, to live this out. I am tired. Tired of living for myself, for things that are not satisfying. Help me to see who you are, and what your promises hold.
NBA live / Apr 18, 04:16 PM
The joy that Jordan displayed when making his picks for the Stanley Cup playoffs inspired me to take a turn at the 2007-2008 NBA playoffs. This is what came of it:
East
Regional
1 Boston vs. 8 Atlanta- It’s nice to see you back in the post-season Atlanta, but don’t expect to stay long. Anyone can make it in the East. Boston rolls. Bean town in 4.
2 Detroit vs. 7 Philadelphia- A resurgent season for Philly means little against the best bench in the conference, if not the league. Detroit in 5.
3 Orlando vs. 6 Toronto- Toronto has been unimpressive to say the least this season, but put up a good fight against the unseasoned Magic. Dwight Howard leads the way (unfortunately, because he gets too much hype). Magic in 6.
4 Cleveland vs. 5 Washington- Washington’s commitment to defense holds LeBron down. The Cav’s Give it to Lebron and watch offense stagnates. Washington’s super sub Gilbert shines and proves himself a defender as well. Washington in 6.
Conference Semis
1 Boston vs. 5 Washington- You can commit to defense all you want, Washington. Against the best defensive team in the league and the Boston Threeparty, you’re watching the rest from home, fellas. Boston in 5.
2 Detroit vs. 3 Orlando- Orlando is not the real deal. Detroit is. End of story. Pistons in 6.
Conference Finals
1 Boston vs. 2 Detroit- Saving the best for last. This is playoff basketball at its best and a knock-down, drag-out series. Ultimately, Kevin Garnett is one of the most dependable post-player of the last decade (with Timmy Duncan), and there is no answer for him. Boston in a thriller in 7.
West
Regionals
1 Lakers vs. 8 Denver- The only sure thing in the conference. The two man show of Melo and AI can’t get there, but they put up a decent fight. Lakers in 6.
2 New Orleans vs. 7 Dallas- Dallas lacks mental toughness and is still integrating J-Kidd. Their cry baby mentality doesn’t help. New Orleans has been together all season without injury. The beginning of the end for this Dallas team. NOLA in 6.
3 San Antonio vs. 6 Phoenix- Now is the time for Phoenix to break through against the Spurs. Key injuries to Brent Barry and Robert Horry take their toll in floor spacing and the biggest clutch shooter this side of Michael Jordan. The Spurs are such a monster though, it’ll take all Phoenix has. It’ll take 7.
4 Utah vs. 5 Houston- Against my better judgment and the metronome consistency of Utah, I’m banking on T-Mac and the 22-games in a row Rockets to end his decade-long playoff futility. Rockets in 7.
Semis
1 Lakers vs. 5 Houston- The Cinderella effect is finally over for Houston. The Lakers have too much firepower and Houston’s offensive lapses don’t help. Lakers in 6.
2 NOLA vs. 6 Phoenix- Nobody has been giving this NOLA team credit. My credit for them ends here. The Hornets lack of experience hurt them versus a playoff-tested Suns. Suns roll in 6.
Conference Finals
1 Lakers vs. 6 Phoenix- The road out of the west for these two teams always go through the other, it seems. The Lakers are on top this time around, though. Expect some big things from Farmar. Lakers in 6.
NBA Finals
1 Boston vs. 1 Lakers- I’m not sold on the Lakers being able to penetrate Boston’s team-first defense. Expect Kobe to come up big as he returns to the Finals, and expect a Willis Reed type come-back from a certain MIA big. But Bryant has three rings, KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have a combined zero, and they are upset about this. Boston in 6.
Thoughts from the 6-1-2 / Apr 4, 04:03 PM
Hey all, how’s life? Here it is crazy but full. Here is a sampling:
My neighbors Cookie and Ze are awesome. I got to spend a couple of minutes with them before work, and it was a blessing. First, it is evident that they care a lot about us, which is always nice :) Also, Ze spent several minutes telling me about all the sweet things that God is doing in their lives. And of course, their children are adorable. Gloria was at school, but Z.J. and Zaria were there and were wonderful.
I think I decided what I want to do next year. It seems as though God is pushing me towards the Masters program at Eastern, so, pending any obstacles, it is very likely that this is where I end up. I want to learn more about Community Development in order to apply it to political or systemic change in cities. I think this will help me do that. I’ve been praying about this for a bit, and God has given me peace about it. This is a nice feeling to have, and it’s good to see God come through like that. I haven’t really prayed about a decision the same way I did this time. It’s reassuring to see (even though I believe this) that when I am faithful, God is too.
I’m looking forward to a full day of hanging out with my chess-playing brethren down at the library this Saturday. It should be a good day of relationship-building.
I’m reading a book called Under the Overpass, about two gentlemen who voluntarily became homeless. It is a true look at the hardships of the homeless and a spiritual journey that these two young men take while experiencing it. Working at Breakthrough, sometimes it seems like we know what it’s like, but in reality it is a lot harsher than we think. This is a good read to rethink one’s perspective on homelessness and a whole lot of other things. It certainly has given me a lot to think about.
Despite everything going on as far as paperwork and homework and newsletters and such, I have been seeing God’s blessings thoroughly the last few days, and I thank God with my whole heart. He truly is a Wonderful, Merciful God. Praise God! Amen.
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Tears of Joy / Mar 26, 09:37 AM
Sorry I haven’t written in a while; I have been lacking in introspection. At least the kind of introspection that lends itself to sharing.
So, you might be asking yourself, what was the most beautiful thing that happened to Nick today? By far and away, it occurred while reading the paper. There is a country in Asia called Bhutan that just became a democracy. The king was a kind ruler who only felt that the best way for people to be governed was for them to have the power. So he gave it up. And those who were elected to replace him vow to follow in his generous and loving footsteps, to serve the people and their “retired” king. Bhutan has a Gross National Happiness Plan (great name) which says that cultural traditions and the environment shouldn’t be sacrificed for economic development. It is a country like this that makes me love politics. Here are a group of people completely dedicated to the well-being of their country. The king gives himself up for others. It makes me cry and holds me in wonder. It is so rare and so precious that such love exists in such a context. I praise God for stuff like this, and pray that these leaders may never lose the vision.
Black History Month / Feb 26, 09:22 AM
With all of the emphasis on February being Black History Month, I just wanted to say something concerning it. Black history isn’t just black history but American history. Black history doesn’t merely chronicle the history of the African race but of the human race. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, let us realize that the future of the white race and the future of the black race (and other races, too!) are inextricably bound. We learn more about black history to learn more about ourselves. Black history doesn’t last for just a month. We see it everyday. So let us make new history. How we bridge the continued racial tensions between black and white will dictate the arc of our future together. Let us strive for the perpetual advancement of the black man/woman. Not at the expense of others but for the betterment of all. When we work not for what is only good for us but good for all, only then do we truly realize our potential as men and women who truly have a glorious future.
