paradox please

The Surprise about Lot

2009-10-15T04:41:00.000-07:00

Quick post. This Wednesday I ventured to First Pres for lunch with a friend, where we heard a mini sermon by Pastor Ferguson on Lot. Recap as follows:

I. Lot's Selfishness - we see from the beginning, when Abram asks Lot which land he would like, Lot doesn't honor his uncle by saying, "no, you select first." Instead, he sizes up the property most aesthetically pleasing and proximately close to Sodom - knowing of Sodom's reputation. The most fertile hand here, the most morally dangerous.

II. Surprise of Lot's Righteous - 2 Peter 2 speaks of Lot's righteousness. We only think of his folly. He is the simul justus et pecator. Certainly nothing by his own merit has he accomplished anything, but it is God who rescues Lot. Abram interceded for Lot by praying and action of taking the army to rescue Lot from Sodom.

III. Aftermath of Lot's Life - It is an appalling tragedy. After God rescued Lot, Lot committed incest with his daughters. Was God's grace, by rescuing Lot, squelched? By no means. One of the sons from Lot's daughters named Moab came into the line of Ruth, who came into the line of David, who came into the line of Jesus. God blesses a mess. There's nothing messier that the cross of Christ.

How to Be Filled

2009-07-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

Found this gem of a book in dad's office. "How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit." It's from AW Tozer's "Pulpit Series." It's 60 pages of gold. Here's what he says on the assurance of salvation,

"Jesus Christ wanted to take the religion out of the external and make it internal and put it on the same level as life itself, so that a man knows he knows God the same as he knows he is himself and not somebody else."

Prior to coming to faith, I was entirely external behavior no internal life. God continues to remind me that my solitude is my religion - who I am when I'm alone. "Man looks at outer appearance but God looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

All Star interview

2009-07-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

A few nights ago at the All Star Game in St. Louis, President Obama was interviewed during the 3rd inning. One of the commentators was referring to the disparity between the AL and NL and asked President Obama if the NL could potentially receive a bailout jokingly and he said "no we're out of money." The NL team got a hit at that moment, subject changed. The next day I read of his adamant support of a health care bill for over a trillion dollars of money we don't have.

There are glaring discrepancies with Obama's actions over the last six weeks. I don't presume to have the answer and if you want to view discrepancies in anyone, come spend a day with me. I am merely trying to understand the irresponsible spending. I think the bill should be stopped in it's tracks until we can figure out how to operate with just an iota of fiscal discipline.

"How the Mighty Fall"

2009-07-17T07:58:00.001-07:00

Finishing up "How the Mighty Fall" by Jim Collins, which has been a good intermittent relief from the density of Augustine. Notice what he says about companies who face turbulence:

"Beware, if you get caught in the stages of decline during turbulent times - if you succumb to hubris, overreaching, denial, and grasping for quick fixes - your fall will be faster and more violent than in stable times...if you've fallen get back into solid management disciplines now."

I recognize that this is a book on companies - how they fall or succeed, but principally its not a stretch to relate this to the operation of a country. We are in tough (turbulent) times, ok, we all recognize this and hear about it daily. Even more clear, the US is entrenched in hubris, overreaching, denial, and grasping for quick fixes. Why is it so necessary that Obamacare pass in two weeks? It's a perceived quick fix, that will lead to further decline. The Cap and Trade bill that will reduce global temperature by .1 degree over the next 100 years. Wow. Why is that so pressing to get through? It's overreaching and denial that makes Biden says, "we had no idea it was this bad."

If we don't have discipline especially in spending, the market will never correct itself and my Madeline's children will have a ball and chain of taxes attached to them.

Augustine on Properity

2009-07-10T05:24:00.000-07:00

Prosperity, not a bad thing, obviously, but how is it used?

"For certainly your desire for peace, prosperity, and plenty is not prompted by using these blessings honestly, that is to say with moderation, sobriety, temperance, and piety; for your purpose rather is to run a riot in an endless variety of sottish pleasures, and thus to generate from your prosperity a moral pestilence which will prove a thousandfold more disastrous that the fiercest enemies."

Noticing...

2009-07-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

What I'm beginning to notice from reading CoG - two things:

1. Augustine has something to say about every subject I ever wanted to know about - not to mention plenty to say on issues I've never considered deeply or even cared to know anything about.

2. As I read, the more I say, "Oh, I guess that was Augustine that originated that phrase, not CS Lewis, Jonathan Edwards, or Luther. So that's who that came from." And his ideas flowed from God's Word after scripture was canonized.

Augustine on Suffering

2009-07-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

"When He exposes us to adversities, it is either to prove our perfections or correct our imperfections; and in return for our patient endurance of the sufferings of time, He reserves for us an everlasting reward." Augustine

God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.

Finally a reward that doesn't cease. I have plenty awards from sports growing up - I'm not talking about the "thanks for your participation" trophies they give out now to every kid because you played the sport and have too thin skin to not get a trophy kind of rewards. They're more the put in the center of my room somewhere when I'm growing up and polish awards. But just as any reward, the recognition dissipated and the rewards tarnished or broke. An "everlasting reward" that cannot be touched or tainted is worth endurance not for rewards sake but for Christ's sake.

Augustine: "God can move without moving"

2009-07-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

"Our God is everywhere present, wholly everywhere; not confined to any place. He can be present unperceived and absent without moving."

Blogging through City of God

2009-07-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

Considering it took me about an hour to get through 15 pages tonight this could get interesting. But I'm learning so much over the little I'm actually getting through. It's a slow but robust read (kind of like a good cigar or cup of coffee). I thought I'd share a few thoughts about Augustine as I plow through.

As Tim Keller described, Augustine was a pretty vehement womanizer in his twenties. Recently after he came to faith in Christ he was visiting a town where one of his old women approached him to embrace him and rekindle a former affair. He passed by her, literally shrugging her off. The woman thinking he merely didn't recognize her, approached him again saying, "Augustine, Augustine it is I!" He turned to her and replied, "Yes, but it is no longer I."

I read an aged sermon Piper gave on Augustine and it stirred up in me a desire for further research and even gave me motivation to read The City of God. So here goes...

Christ in Daniel

2009-07-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

So many similarities to the true and perfect Daniel, he foreshadows Jesus. Daniel, on trial for his life is tossed to be devoured by lions. Observe the comparison from Daniel 6:

- Daniel was betrayed for not violating the law. Daniel had no fault with him according to the law but he praised his God not the king. This infuriated the nobility so they convinced King Darius to create a law setting a trap for Daniel.

- Darius found no fault in Daniel. Just like Pontius Pilot washed his hands before he hands Jesus over to His death without fault.

- Daniel went silent to his death sentence. He didn't say a word before his accusers. On Jesus, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth" Isaiah 53.

- A large stone was rolled over the den where Daniel was fed to lions. On the tomb of Jesus, "And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large." Mark 16:4

- God delivered him from the lions causing them to slumber. "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead" 1 Corinthians 15:20

On the cross an innocent Jesus was forsaken by His Father accomplishing the jaws of death to fall asleep. He took on the sin of humanity that through faith in Him eradicates death.

Guilt

2007-12-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

Here's an excerpt from "GUILT THE EFFECT OF GENERAL REVELATION," an article by J.I. Packer speaking from Romans 1:19...what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

"Fallen humankind is in one sense ignorant of God, since what people like to believe, and do in fact believe, about the objects of their worship falsifies and distorts the revelation of God they cannot escape. In another sense, however, all human beings remain aware of God, guiltily, with uncomfortable inklings of coming judgment that they wish they did not have. Only the gospel of Christ can speak peace to this distressful aspect of the human condition."

Paradox Forward

2007-12-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

I do not usually read forwarded email, and to post one is borderline unfathomable. However, I been reading a book recently, the Progress Paradox by Gregg Easterbrook and this forward reminded me of it. The more we have the less fulfilled and content we are is essentially the inertia of the book. Here goes:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

"We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill."

Notes from Piper (did not clean them up)

2007-11-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to hear Piper at a pastor's breakfast on Tuesday, here are my unabridged notes:

Magnify Christ in how we love our people to increase their joy and ours. 2 Corinthians 1. Work for the joy of others: stay up late, get up early, pour over the word, over books for their joy in God. "Your joy is my joy, if you're hurting, I'm hurting." Faith is an awakening of Christ as radically supreme over all things, stunningly superior admiration in Christ. Faith is seeing Him as satisfier and not boring (John 6:35). Joy is not circumstantially rooted, it's Christ rooted. Questions to ask: how can I maximize my people's joy in Christ? How can I wean them off of tv, materialism, comfort, and idolizing the family.

Matthew 13:44 (opa coras) from joy he sold everything. Make Christ look like the treasure He is not the layer over the American dream. George Mueller's first task every morning was to "get his heart happy in God, then he'd roll 60 burdens on the Lord." Joy in Him and glory to Him are the same. Once you taste and see how good He is, He puts you on a track to find all satisfaction in Him.

Piper's devotional steps each day:
I: Incline my heart to Your testimonies (Psalm 119:36)
O: Open my eyes (Psalm 119:18)
U: Unite my heart to fear your name.
S: Satisfy me in the morning (Psalm 90:14)
S: Send me.

Poppy Campbell

2007-10-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

I just found out that my mom's father (my Poppy) had a stroke last night. This has sent a whirlwind of emotions my way. This coming after we just lost my wife's father last month. I don't know whether to be sad or angry. One thing that breaks me about this is that Poppy doesn't recognize my Grammy (his wife). Can you imagine? Walking with someone in marriage your entire life and getting to the last season of your life and not being able to recognize your best friend and partner? I'm realizing that there is much more pain and hard things in this life than I can bare.

Two truths here that I have to preach to myself: 1. There is One who can and will bare all that I can't possibly, "come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." There's no other true peace in the midst of turmoil and strife. 2. Though my Poppy doesn't recognize those around him, there is One who does recognize him and that is what is of highest importance. There is no disarray or confusion when it comes to God. Both of these are because of Jesus. I pray that me, Poppy Campbell, and others would experience these things on some level...

Peter, the end product

2007-09-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

Much is written about this man Peter, the "rock of the church," and I'm glad for it. Our family and staff team are studying 1 Peter collectively which has allowed me to take a closer look at who he was before during and after Jesus.

The thing about Jesus that gives me hope is that he saw through who Peter was at present to the man Peter would become. He says of Peter in Luke 22 that he will one day give his brothers great hope (which he does in writing the letter of hope - 1 Peter). The intriguing things is, Jesus makes this hopeful prediction just before Peter himself loses all hope in denying Jesus.

Essentially Jesus sees the process to the end product. In fact, He's committed to it. This is so critical for my own soul.

Wedding Ring

2007-09-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

I shattered my ring finger three years ago which has made wearing my wedding ring complicated. I had to get a special apparatus made to made my ring wearable. The ring ended up breaking and now resides somewhere in the Gulf. Having said that, I got a replacement ring today which caused me to revisit the whole situation.

When it shattered the doctor, evaluated, xrayed, and operated on my finger and was, what I thought, overly pleased at his finished product. In fact, he took my case to a convention in Toronto to show other doctor's on this kind of surgery. It was hard for me to share his sentiment because all I saw (and see now) is a fat knuckle. I think the reason it's hard for me to share his disposition is because I never really understood how bad it was to begin with. I never saw what he saw in xray and then when he operated.

This has reminded me of my soul and the gospel. I am a lot more broken (sinful) than I think I am and because I don't fully see this, it's hard for me to fully see how significant the cross is. It has mended me fully. God is pleased with me (His work). And the more I know the gravity of my mess, the more I see the overwhelming restoration of the cross and that has radical implications on how I live daily.

"Consequently, he (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." I want to know what the uttermost is, and not to stop there but to then ponder the weight, glory, magnificence of the cross.

Jim Fisher (1952-2007)

2007-08-15T16:21:00.000-07:00

Jim died this morning at 2:30 am. Jamie and I were awake in bed last night and were talking about how God had given us peace and closure in many respects that day, this before he had passed. Jamie was able to spend several minutes with him bedside, praying for him and talking to him. I was able to do the same. I thanked him for letting me marry Jamie. I asked him with his mind and heart to ask Jesus to receive him. We both told him that we loved him. I was driving yesterday in the car and asked God, “What are you doing here? Please let me know, it seems like You have something for Jim, for us, I want to know.” Few times in my life have I thought that God had spoken to me, but it was with remarkable clarity, that the answer was, “Brandon I’ve done so much already, be thankful for what I’ve done.” The reality is God has done huge and amazing things right in front of us. Do I know when, if at all, he came to Jesus? I don’t. I do know that everything was out on the table with Jim. As far as I know, the last two months of his life he entertained more conversation about Jesus than he did the previous 55 years of his life. He kept Jim alive this long when doctor’s said that he should have passed away two months ago. He woke up Connie a few moments before Jim breathed his last, so she could be with him for the few fleeting breaths that God gave him. He lived longer than any doctor predicted. God gave him a daughter who loved him freely.

The Lord brought Jim low physically, spiritually, emotionally – these are the situations when God blesses. When a man who is broken and at his end cries out for restoration is when God renovates men. Did God remake Jim? Not sure. But where is my trust in all of this? Not in a prayer or circumstance or a phrase that Jim said, my confidence is in the Lord and there it will remain. God ordains, He does what pleases Him.

26 This is the purpose that is purposed
concerning the whole earth,
and this is the hand that is stretched out
over all the nations.
27 For the Lord of hosts has purposed,
and who will annul it?
His hand is stretched out,
and who will turn it back?

Isaiah 14:26-27

Yellow jackets and sin

2007-07-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Recently I’ve been thinking greatly about the fact that every sinful thought wants to run its full course in a person’s life. It doesn’t want to stay merely a sinful thought, but it wants to grow up as a child would grow to be an adolescent and then an adult. A lustful thought doesn’t want to stay a lustful thought. It wants to become adultery or worse. A covetous thought doesn’t want to remain so, but spring up into a life consumed by consumerism and paralyzing greed. Something happened recently that gave me a vivid picture of this:

Last week as I was raking leaves for my wife’s mom, I felt something sting my arm then my shoulder. I heard someone yell, “bees!” and I sprinted down the hill only to see that my shirt was covered with them as a swarm of yellow jackets chased me. I shed my yellow jacket filled shirt and outran the mob to the bottom of the hill. Pain. My arms began to swell. I plucked out the stingers and went inside for medicine. On my way in I noticed over 50 yellow jackets swarming over their disheveled nest.

After about an hour, I determined to finish the job and spite the bees that inflicted so much pain on me. Gasoline. Lot’s of gasoline. I figured I can finish the leaves and gain my vengeance by incinerating the pile. After 30 minutes of flames, most of the bees had either been toasted or had fled. I went it for clean up and discovered the largest nest I’d ever seen. It was larger than my 3-month-old baby girl. I raked it out to the middle of the driveway and peered inside the nest only to find larva. It was a bee-making factory. Yellow jackets of all sizes and forms were either stationary or emerging from the nest. Some were half-way out of the nest, squirming, attempting their escape. They never made their escape. I burned them too. As I thought back about that experience and about what I’ve been learning about sin, the two seemed to converge. Those bees sought my destruction. Some were full grown some still in the nest, but their end was to sting me, not always, but in this instance. The phrase, “be in the business of killing sin because it’s in the business of killing you” comes to mind in some way when reflecting on this. Really, that's why Jesus says, "if you hate your brother, you have committed murder" because hate is the child form, essentially the same person and DNA, of the adult.

A Quote from a Quote

2007-07-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a thought from a friend on John Owen's mortification of sin:

“He goes on to say that sin never takes a break, it is always crushing and every sinful thought wants to go to its end. A lustful thought wants to commit adultery. Covet something? It wants to oppress people. Every "baby" sin wants to grow up and be a ravaging adult unless it is stopped dead in its tracks. Killed on the side of the road. Let it walk, and it will get stronger. Kill it now he says. How? Well, know you are too weak. Run to Jesus. Beg the Holy Spirit. Use the sword of the Word. Wrestle. Use the free will you have. Count on Christ. Call a friend. Confess. There are a lot of different ways to help. Here is the one thing you do not want to do. Don't take a break. Don't say, "I will take a holiday from killing sin." Never.”

A Call to Maturity

2007-07-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

Philippians 3:15-16
Paul’s call to maturity is running in a way that he wouldn’t look back (to see how far he’s come or to dwell on the entangling sin that once hindered him) or to look to either side of his path that the world may pull his gaze from Jesus. God will reveal it to you if you are really one of his and if you are running in a manner than isn’t pleasing to Him. How can He reveal this to us? Through His Word, written and spoken, he brings the dark corners of our hearts into the light. And through close fellowship with others who are running this race unswervingly.

And to those who are thinking that Paul is speaking of a salvation earned or achieved he says, “only let us hold true to what we have attained.” This removes any doubt that works save. There are so many that say that they do. Hell is going to be full of statesman and moralists. Jesus, His glory, His work on the cross is the greatest and truest, the only kingdom worth fighting for. Many will try to stray from the truth. Many will try to believe only comforting parts about Jesus – it is worthy to fight. It doesn’t mean fight by beginning a crusade over all those who don’t believe. It means depleting, through conversations and love and service, false notions about who Jesus is.

The 4th

2007-07-04T13:14:00.000-07:00

Today is the day we celebrate independence in the US. It doesn’t seem to carry the clout that it once did. Now, it seems to be more about the grilling out, beer, and fireworks than it once did. But I guess that’s the excuse for most holidays in the US. Very seldom is the question asked, “Now why do we celebrate this day? What’s the significance?” I don’t consider myself a cynic but I’m pretty apathetic today that today means we are free from suppression, totalitarian reign, communism, suffering, and poverty. I can worship when, where and how with freedom and not worry that someone will be ‘off with me head.’ many have died to protect and preserve this - past, present and future. Maybe I’m moving toward gratitude but it seems that the more we get, the more deserving we get. This ‘I deserve’ ideology is still undeveloped in my mind but there seems to me to be a correlation between it and my apathy toward singing “for purple mountain’s majesty” today.

Why do my life revalations happen while waiting in line?

2007-06-16T05:33:00.000-07:00

Today, I saw my selfishness in a new light, and new ways where I am not transformed by the cross. I have this mentality often that rules are a technicality only necessary in circumstances that benefit me. So, I arrived at Starbucks, early am pretty exhausted longing for a hot cup of coffee yet the line was coming out of the door and so I thought, “no way I’ll wait in that line.” I saw some friends which passed the time yet the line hadn’t budged, in fact had grew. So, I was meeting my friend Tyler to talk and we did so for about 30 when finally it occurred to me, I know one of the baristas. I can simply ask him to refill my mug, cutting more than 20 people, get in and out no harm done. Once I asked, he essentially rebuked me, “you have to wait in line like the others.” And when I reached for an excuse he wouldn’t let me give it. My first reaction was offense. I thought, “you bastard, just refill my cup, it’ll take two seconds.” But by the time I came back to the room I was convicted to the core. I completely assume that my need for a cup of coffee and essentially my time trumps everyone’s in line. It comes down to me not valuing anyone’s interests other than my own. Wow, that’s hard. Thirty minutes after I returned I went back to Starbucks and apologized to Joe for asking him to let me skip the hoard that was in front of me. I waited, somewhat patiently (tapping my toe mixed with a few sighs), and bought some coffee. I’m realizing that my standard, my bar for holiness needs to be raised. Way too often I ask what's wrong with something instead of what's right with it? "Be perfect as the Father is perfect” means one thing to me and doesn’t mean another. The one is to strive to be like Jesus, and don’t not strive to be like Him because perfection in this life is impossible.

Death Cab for Cutie

2007-04-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Song by them called "Your Heart is an Empty Room" on their album Plans. I like this song because it speaks to the discontentment had by people especially in this era of wealth and plenitude. We venture on this epic chase for contentment (truth) that when misguided results in unsatiated confusion. Many view the grass as greener than their present situation but when they get to the grass you see it isn't that satisfying. Also, independence and individuality in our culture is becoming smug loneliness. Here goes:

Home's face: how it ages when you're away
Spring blooms and you find the love that's true
But you don't know what now to do
Cause the chase is all you know
And she stopped running months ago

And all you see is where else you could be,
when you're at home,
There on the street,
are so many possibilities to not be alone

The anticipation...

2007-04-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Is killing me. Me and my wife are two days past our due date to have our daughter. It could happen at any moment at any place. I am learning two things from this. One, I am one impatient mofo. The old adage, "God knows what you need when you need it" is so hard to believe at this point. My view of God, Who He is, His timing above my will is being stretched like never before. I am realizing that I want a God that works for me, that fits into my schedule. That's not how He does things. "He does what He pleases" - that's taking on a whole new meaning for me. Second, trusting this timing is pleasing to Him. I want to please Him but often don't know how to. This seems to me an instance to do so. Trust seems to be a commodity these days. It doesn't come without strings attached. I have zero control on this one. Last, I can't imagine what it will be like to hold that little 6 or 7 pounder. One day soon I can see my asking for her trust when she can't she or understand and I hope to be reminded of this very monument.

What's In a Name

2006-09-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

This morning I was reading some in the book of Proverbs. I discovered something that I my dad used to say to my sister and I in our youth. He always had a way to speak scripture without referencing. Anyhow, it reads: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”

Dad would say the best thing I can do for you is to give you a good name. I have often subconsciously pondered that. It seems the importance of having character and integrity attached to a name is more significant than inheritance. In fact, it is an inheritance. No lake house, trust fund, piece of furniture, or tapestry can impart character to a man’s posterity. Those things, although nice, don’t matter. It is interesting that when Christ arrives on the scene, He begins posterity of His own. A lasting one. His people get His name. This is better than anything we could get from God who provides men with life, breath and everything else. We get the name, “His.” And with that comes everything else – peace, assurance, freedom, satisfaction.

“Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”

Why Talk About It?

2006-08-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some thoughts from Randy Smith on sin (this is my attempt to paraphrase, he is more articulate than I):

Why do we have to talk about sin so much? Why can't we leave this part out and talk about other things? We talk about sin because it is a reality that corrodes the core of who we were designed to be. A marine in Iraq wouldn’t say, “Why do we have to talk about roadside bombs so much?” It is because these bombs are all over. That awareness, precaution and preparation are a necessity to life. As is with sin.

Definitions of sin

1. Sin is living independent of GOD. Having your own approach toward life. Biblically moving eastward (Genesis 4, 11), the opposite is constant dependence. “Cities are man’s way of bringing heaven to earth, so that we may make names for ourselves.” God says, “I will make your name great.” This week in the news, “Scientists restructure the solar system.” God scoffs at the autonomy of modern man.
2. Sin is transgressing boundaries that God has set. It is doing what God has commanded not do but also not doing what He has commanded.
3. Sin is trying to reach God by your own effort. Building up our own standards to try and reach God is humerous. Striving for perfection is attempting to make mmud pretty. Nations today are a clear picture of man’s sin because of their borders and distinction.

My thoughts: I have this intrinsic drive to be made great. This longing to be a part of something bigger than myself. I find myself wanting distiction and personality and autonomy when I discovering that this identity is provided and complete. Consider these words from C.S. Lewis, "The more we get what we now call ourselves out of the way and let Him take us over, the more truly ourselves we become." This person I was meant to be lies in a Person. A perfect person. Therein I find life and personality and gifting to be who I was created to be and restoration from the brokenness and effects of my living independent from God.

Transformational Talk

2006-08-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

A friend just relayed these six things on how to talk in community. He challenged to commit to doing these things for the sake of building up others. And for the sake of memory and consonance…

1. Transformation: in mind and talk, committing to the transformation of people in conversations
2. Trust: believe in other people and choosing to trust
3. Togetherness: when roots of bitterness and resentment grow, actively resist
4. Truth in love: saying a hard thing to someone appropriately, starting and ending with the gospel
5. Transparency: giving appropriate authentic information to a few
6. Teachability: listening and learning. Listen in a way where you’re not compiling your response while they are speaking

These things are good to think on and implement.

In line at McDonald's...

2006-07-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

I like streaks. They motivate me. Namely silly, ridiculous streaks. I don't want them to be broken. One of my favorite Seinfeld's is Jerry breaking his "thowing up streak" because of the hated black and white cookie. Recently, I broke a streak that I've self-imposed for 11 years...I ate at McDonald's, Mickey D's. I know it may seem absurb but I've had an eleven year aversion from this evil empire of fast food. Why you may ask? Simply, I had a bad experience. But what has suddenly sparked this rebirth has been access to a '50% off all McDonald's food card.' It is glorious. Oh, the bliss of paying fifty cents for a double cheeseburger. Most days, I can be in and out of there spending under two dollars...most days.

Well, the other day, I'm standing in a long line and in front of me is a father, around forty years old, and his son, around 7. The man looked old for his age, reserved, dirty, wearing tattered clothes. The father is so proud of his son. He is drenched with joy, appeasement, and love. He put his old worn and wrinled hand on his son's head and left it there until his son ordered. He didnt say a word the entire time, just waited patiently for his son to step up and order. He was so content as was his boy. So the boy finally stepped up to order and he asked for a happy meal, giving the cashier crinkled money that his dad had obviously provided - dad's hand still on his boys head. I thought, "there's got to be something here." Something in me resonates deeply wanting that kind of approval and belonging that the son had to feel. Even if the son didn't feel it, the father was pleased. To me this was merely a picture. A glimpse at how God looks at those who are His, with love and approval and pride, not removing his hand from our heads. Pleased when we feel this and when we do not. I like this...

Beach and John Mayer

2006-07-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

June and July of this summer I'm spending on the coast of South Carolina assisting with a leadership camp of sorts for college students. As one may imagine (or may not imagine) there are many opportunities for frustration, head bumping, shame, tiredness, and I have been wondering lately where do I go to relinquish these emotions? Where do I go to deal? I’ve been pricked by this quote this week. CS Lewis once said, "If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair."

I’ve been thinking, when I’m pressed to deal with something my comfort has to be truth: that the very Inventor of truth loves me. I’ve sampled other comforts to find that those comforts aren’t really comforts at all, just cheap substitutes and temporary medicines. John Mayer, now jazz extraordinaire, once wrote, “dizzy from the shopping mall, I searched joy but I bought it all, it doesn’t help the hunger pains because first I have to drown for it to ever satiate…something’s missing.” I want truth at the expense of “comfort” every time because therein is real comfort.

Purposeful Blogging: Is there such a thing?

2006-07-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

I don't think so with a clause. Many would say it's "glorified venting." I would agree. But where's Alanis Morrisette when you need her? I'm going to blog about why blogs are senseless. I guess it's just that I want to resist the subtle temptation of being defined by how good or bad my blog is. There's something in me that says I want to be most novel most witty and most unique, then I will have arrived. This information space that many fill with thoughts is comparable to an ant in our solar system. It's seemingly insignificant. But I'm in. My process of processing information has to go somewhere, an avenue to spill my guts with anonymity (save the three readers that may actually visit, my wife included).

I'm 24. I have no business writing "publish worthy" or "non-publishworthy (for that matter)" books or even essays for a couple more decades or after a series of postgraduate degrees. I would even suggest that I will have few "publish worthy" blogs. Yet, the blog has become my outlet for thoughts, reflections, and astonishments. The purpose behind all of this is to somehow flesh out my own interpretations of daily, weekly encounters with life and people and God. It seems that to make the most valiant effort to interpret these things, it must be done with the overarching assumption that there is a cohesive reason for the events that take place in my life and others'. They are in themselves purposeful and meaningful. So I proceed, not with caution but expectation to see what the future archives of this blog will absorb and maintain.