Another poem from one of my students:
Love & Hate
So far apart
Opposites & yet such familiar arts
Hurting & Destroying us
Whether with war or with lust
Such easy things to understand
& yet here we sit under their command
You can love love
or
You can hate hate
You can even love to hate
or
hate to love
But in the end its all the same
A never-ending cycle that drives us all insane
Thursday, March 31, 2005
I received this email last week from a friend and wanted to share it:
I was reading your blog about possessions and buying things...so true. I constantly am saying that I just want such and such but as soon as I get it I just want more things. None of it is important; it is just stuff...that moth and rust can destroy and thieves can steal. I have been thinking a bunch about the culture we live in and how it allows us to not depend on God. I feel so safe because I have an alarm system in my apartment, I live in a nice neighborhood. I don't feel like I have to worry about what I will eat because I have money saved up and I know ways to get what I need. We have a culture filled with security which I think eats away at my faith. I don't feel like I have to have God for everything because almost everyone in our country has their needs met. Not to mention that I have most of my emotional needs met because I have good friends and a loving family. I almost see myself saying, with my actions, why do I need God? Now, obviously, I don't really mean that. I know I need God; I certainly can't save myself and if God wanted to take away everything I own he could do it in a matter of seconds. But our standard for Christian living is so low. We just want to get a decent paying job, live in the suburbs, have food on the table and kids on the honor roll. Then of course so many Christians go to their couples Bible studies, read the newest fad Christian book and play Church. Our low standard for ourselves allows us to live with such little faith. I want to be put in places where I need God and see Him work. I often feel like we pray for things that are so pointless. On campus, we often pray for parking spots. God cares about the little things in our lives but is the most important thing in the kingdom really a parking spot? When I only take time to speak to God when I need something like a parking spot so I can go to class on time...that's pretty sad. Then if we get parking spots its not like some huge work of God because even people that don't pray get parking spots. In John Piper's book, "Let the Nations Be Glad," he says, "God has given us the power of prayer because Jesus has given us a mission. We are on this earth to press back the forces of darkness, and we are given access to headquarters by prayer to advance this cause. When we try to turn it into a civilian intercom to increase our conveniences, it stops working, and our faith begins to falter. We have so domesticated prayer that for many of us it is no longer what it was designed to be -- a wartime walkie-talkie for the accomplishment of Christ's mission." So true, John, so true. So basically I wish I were put in a place where I would have to trust God. For my livelihood, my life, my happiness and for His Kingdom to advance all around me. I should watch what I ask for. I am going to end up being a missionary in Iraq with challenges like that. Anyway, those are the thoughts that are rolling through my head today.
I was reading your blog about possessions and buying things...so true. I constantly am saying that I just want such and such but as soon as I get it I just want more things. None of it is important; it is just stuff...that moth and rust can destroy and thieves can steal. I have been thinking a bunch about the culture we live in and how it allows us to not depend on God. I feel so safe because I have an alarm system in my apartment, I live in a nice neighborhood. I don't feel like I have to worry about what I will eat because I have money saved up and I know ways to get what I need. We have a culture filled with security which I think eats away at my faith. I don't feel like I have to have God for everything because almost everyone in our country has their needs met. Not to mention that I have most of my emotional needs met because I have good friends and a loving family. I almost see myself saying, with my actions, why do I need God? Now, obviously, I don't really mean that. I know I need God; I certainly can't save myself and if God wanted to take away everything I own he could do it in a matter of seconds. But our standard for Christian living is so low. We just want to get a decent paying job, live in the suburbs, have food on the table and kids on the honor roll. Then of course so many Christians go to their couples Bible studies, read the newest fad Christian book and play Church. Our low standard for ourselves allows us to live with such little faith. I want to be put in places where I need God and see Him work. I often feel like we pray for things that are so pointless. On campus, we often pray for parking spots. God cares about the little things in our lives but is the most important thing in the kingdom really a parking spot? When I only take time to speak to God when I need something like a parking spot so I can go to class on time...that's pretty sad. Then if we get parking spots its not like some huge work of God because even people that don't pray get parking spots. In John Piper's book, "Let the Nations Be Glad," he says, "God has given us the power of prayer because Jesus has given us a mission. We are on this earth to press back the forces of darkness, and we are given access to headquarters by prayer to advance this cause. When we try to turn it into a civilian intercom to increase our conveniences, it stops working, and our faith begins to falter. We have so domesticated prayer that for many of us it is no longer what it was designed to be -- a wartime walkie-talkie for the accomplishment of Christ's mission." So true, John, so true. So basically I wish I were put in a place where I would have to trust God. For my livelihood, my life, my happiness and for His Kingdom to advance all around me. I should watch what I ask for. I am going to end up being a missionary in Iraq with challenges like that. Anyway, those are the thoughts that are rolling through my head today.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
I think one of the best arguments in the Shiavo case in keeping her alive is the fact that had this been an animal, a terrorist, a prisoner, any one of a grand scope of humans or animals, the left would be fighting tooth and nail to keep her alive. I am rarely surprised, but their actions in a case such as this shock me.
Now to the book list. I realized as I was driving home today that I may have bit off more than I can chew and let me tongue make a wager my fingers couldn’t win. As I look over my list, the following don’t make the cut but have been most influential in my life (I also must say before I begin that the Bible will not be on this list but of course is number one. That goes without saying.):
1) Peace Child – Don Richardson
2) The Emergence of the Church – Arthur Patzia
3) Church Without Walls – Eugene Peterson
4) Emergent Church – Dan Kimball
5) Younger Evangelicals – Robert Weber
6) Wayfarers – Betty Wagner
7) The Challenge of Jesus – N.T. Wright (this is the only book I’ve read by him, but I’ve heard anything by Wright is amazing)
8) Safely Home – Randy Alcorn
Without further ado, here are my top five books I believe people need to read in no particular order:
1) “Bastard on the Couch”: Of course a non-Christian book, but really deals with the issues that tear marriages apart. Also deals with how the feminist movement has sold the lie to women and they have bought it, yet are finding out that there is no pot of gold on the other side, they are finding themselves less satisfied and more stressed out. Funny thing. There is also the prequel to this book, “Bitch in the House” that I am just beginning. I find this prevalent as Lisa and I are getting to the stage where our friends are experiencing marital problems and we seek to keep our marriage strong. And with the church no better than the world in relationships, there is an audience for this.
2) “What’s So Amazing About Grace” and “Rumors from Another World” – Philip Yancey: I could really say any book by Yancey, but these are my two favorite. Grace deals exactly what it says, the grace of God. We Christians have been saved by grace, yet we can be the most legalistic people on the face of the earth, we all remind me of Pharisees, including myself. Yancey asks what’s so amazing about grace if we continue to live and judge as we do. Rumors deals with the beauty of God’s Creation and how His hand is at work in this world. I can’t remember a book in which I cried more in my life.
3) “Against All Hope” – Armando Valladares: Valladares is a Cuban who dared to make an anti-government, anti-Castro comment at work one day. It didn’t take him long to find himself being tossed around various gulags, starved, beaten, etc. His story is amazing, a must read for human rights.
4) “Grace Matters” – Chris Rice: I don’t remember how I can across this book but I’m glad I bought it. Rice moves from somewhere on the east coast to Mississippi where he chooses to live in true community, communal and inter-racial living. All goods and resources would be shared, they would seek to live the Sermon on the Mount. It worked for a while but eventually sin reared its ugly head and the community broke up. He has some great insights on grace and racial issues and what he learned from this experience has been very helpful for my life.
5) “Speak” – Laurie Halse Anderson: I may be adding this to the list because I am reading it as I write, in fact I haven’t even finished it yet. But I have already bought 30 copies for my students and plan on beginning it with them on Monday. I wrote about this yesterday, so I won’t repeat, and it’s probably more geared to youth and youth workers, but in reality a great tale for anyone who wonders about youth and fails to understand at times where they are coming from.
Of course, I reserve the rights to edit this list at anytime. It’s what I came up with at the moment and is far from perfect. Like I said, though, I have found these books to be most influential in my life and understanding of Christianity and this world and you may as well.
Any books you would request to me?
Now to the book list. I realized as I was driving home today that I may have bit off more than I can chew and let me tongue make a wager my fingers couldn’t win. As I look over my list, the following don’t make the cut but have been most influential in my life (I also must say before I begin that the Bible will not be on this list but of course is number one. That goes without saying.):
1) Peace Child – Don Richardson
2) The Emergence of the Church – Arthur Patzia
3) Church Without Walls – Eugene Peterson
4) Emergent Church – Dan Kimball
5) Younger Evangelicals – Robert Weber
6) Wayfarers – Betty Wagner
7) The Challenge of Jesus – N.T. Wright (this is the only book I’ve read by him, but I’ve heard anything by Wright is amazing)
8) Safely Home – Randy Alcorn
Without further ado, here are my top five books I believe people need to read in no particular order:
1) “Bastard on the Couch”: Of course a non-Christian book, but really deals with the issues that tear marriages apart. Also deals with how the feminist movement has sold the lie to women and they have bought it, yet are finding out that there is no pot of gold on the other side, they are finding themselves less satisfied and more stressed out. Funny thing. There is also the prequel to this book, “Bitch in the House” that I am just beginning. I find this prevalent as Lisa and I are getting to the stage where our friends are experiencing marital problems and we seek to keep our marriage strong. And with the church no better than the world in relationships, there is an audience for this.
2) “What’s So Amazing About Grace” and “Rumors from Another World” – Philip Yancey: I could really say any book by Yancey, but these are my two favorite. Grace deals exactly what it says, the grace of God. We Christians have been saved by grace, yet we can be the most legalistic people on the face of the earth, we all remind me of Pharisees, including myself. Yancey asks what’s so amazing about grace if we continue to live and judge as we do. Rumors deals with the beauty of God’s Creation and how His hand is at work in this world. I can’t remember a book in which I cried more in my life.
3) “Against All Hope” – Armando Valladares: Valladares is a Cuban who dared to make an anti-government, anti-Castro comment at work one day. It didn’t take him long to find himself being tossed around various gulags, starved, beaten, etc. His story is amazing, a must read for human rights.
4) “Grace Matters” – Chris Rice: I don’t remember how I can across this book but I’m glad I bought it. Rice moves from somewhere on the east coast to Mississippi where he chooses to live in true community, communal and inter-racial living. All goods and resources would be shared, they would seek to live the Sermon on the Mount. It worked for a while but eventually sin reared its ugly head and the community broke up. He has some great insights on grace and racial issues and what he learned from this experience has been very helpful for my life.
5) “Speak” – Laurie Halse Anderson: I may be adding this to the list because I am reading it as I write, in fact I haven’t even finished it yet. But I have already bought 30 copies for my students and plan on beginning it with them on Monday. I wrote about this yesterday, so I won’t repeat, and it’s probably more geared to youth and youth workers, but in reality a great tale for anyone who wonders about youth and fails to understand at times where they are coming from.
Of course, I reserve the rights to edit this list at anytime. It’s what I came up with at the moment and is far from perfect. Like I said, though, I have found these books to be most influential in my life and understanding of Christianity and this world and you may as well.
Any books you would request to me?
Two quotes from two of my favorite movies have been in my mind the last day or two:
In "Point Break," an old surfing movie, the guys and girls are sitting around a fire on the beach telling "big wave" stories when the "hundred year storm" becomes the subject. I think it's this fictional tale of a big storm begun in Antarctica that sends massive swells to the southern beaches of Australia. Anyway, Body, the main character played by Patrick Swayze says, "Next year, the hundred year storm is going to hit Bells Beach in Australia AND I WILL BE THERE." Sends chills down my spine just thinking about it. I bring that up since this Friday evening, Alicia Keys will be performing in Chicago AND I WILL BE THERE! A dream come true.
The second quote comes from "Good Will Hunting." Matt Damon goes to visit Robin Williams who plays this eccentric psychologist. I forget if it is the first or second visit, but Damon struts around William's office checking out his book display. I'll never forget the next line (paraphrased): "Look at all of these f---- books. All you people, you read all these books, but they're the wrong books. You all read the wrong books." I feel like that with the evangelical church right now. I constantly talk with friends who I would consider "modern" Christians (nothing wrong with that term, just a different way of looking at the world and a way that I believe is out of date) and they tell me the books they are reading, and I just feel like telling them that they are reading the wrong books. I'm not judging, it's just that I feel the old way of church and ministry is proving not to work in our culture and things need to change. And these books aren't focusing on the issues at hand. They need to be focusing on how we need to love God and love our neighbor, and what that means. They need to focus on our purpose as believers both individually and collectively. They need to focus on what with all that is happening in the supposed strong evangelical church why every Sunday there are less people attending a church and more persecution of Christianity. They need to focus on who Jesus is, both historic and present, and what that means for us. I also believe they need to focus on life as it happens, not the feel good stories we read about but what really happens in the world to real people. I happen to be reading some of these books and this evening I hope to sit down and write some of my favorite books in this space that address the issues I was just talking about.
Hope to interact again soon!
In "Point Break," an old surfing movie, the guys and girls are sitting around a fire on the beach telling "big wave" stories when the "hundred year storm" becomes the subject. I think it's this fictional tale of a big storm begun in Antarctica that sends massive swells to the southern beaches of Australia. Anyway, Body, the main character played by Patrick Swayze says, "Next year, the hundred year storm is going to hit Bells Beach in Australia AND I WILL BE THERE." Sends chills down my spine just thinking about it. I bring that up since this Friday evening, Alicia Keys will be performing in Chicago AND I WILL BE THERE! A dream come true.
The second quote comes from "Good Will Hunting." Matt Damon goes to visit Robin Williams who plays this eccentric psychologist. I forget if it is the first or second visit, but Damon struts around William's office checking out his book display. I'll never forget the next line (paraphrased): "Look at all of these f---- books. All you people, you read all these books, but they're the wrong books. You all read the wrong books." I feel like that with the evangelical church right now. I constantly talk with friends who I would consider "modern" Christians (nothing wrong with that term, just a different way of looking at the world and a way that I believe is out of date) and they tell me the books they are reading, and I just feel like telling them that they are reading the wrong books. I'm not judging, it's just that I feel the old way of church and ministry is proving not to work in our culture and things need to change. And these books aren't focusing on the issues at hand. They need to be focusing on how we need to love God and love our neighbor, and what that means. They need to focus on our purpose as believers both individually and collectively. They need to focus on what with all that is happening in the supposed strong evangelical church why every Sunday there are less people attending a church and more persecution of Christianity. They need to focus on who Jesus is, both historic and present, and what that means for us. I also believe they need to focus on life as it happens, not the feel good stories we read about but what really happens in the world to real people. I happen to be reading some of these books and this evening I hope to sit down and write some of my favorite books in this space that address the issues I was just talking about.
Hope to interact again soon!
Monday, March 28, 2005
I had one of those “oh my goodness my daughter is growing up” moments tonight. It was Maiya’s second time at swim lessons. The first time she was kind of reserved and wanted Lisa out there with her while I watched from behind the window. Tonight, when it was her time and her color was called, she flew out the door with her towel in hand and went right into the water. Next thing I know she’ll be out the door moving off to college.
I was also very impressed with her teacher at the lessons. At the end of the class, the kids get a sucker if they were good. This teacher didn’t give one to a boy because he was crying the whole time and wasn’t listening to her or his mother. She’ll probably get sued, but I like how she stood by her principles.
I began reading this book called “Speak” that the whole city of Appleton is supposed to read. I don’t know whose idea this is, but I had read about it in the papers and saw the display at Barnes and Noble so I picked it up. Fascinating book! I’m 50 pages into it and it’s a fiction story in the first person about this girl who in the summer before her freshman year in high school calls the cops on a party and now has no friends. I’m going to begin reading it next Monday with two of my classes. Great stuff about how difficult it is to be a teen, especially with no friends.
Rick Warren has been all over the airwaves lately since that hostage in Atlanta read his book to the killer before he let her go. Both my brother and I saw him on Larry King Live late last week. I found it interesting how he kept talking about the program. “We are going to take this program to 67 countries…we’ll form small groups in these countries to go through the program…those in other countries will be blessed by the program just like thousands in America have been blessed by the program…” Sorry Rick, but the Kingdom of God is not a program, it’s a relationship with our Creator and Savior. Leave the program for the world, the Kingdom’s focus needs to be on relationship.
My brother also commented on his interview that not once did he mention Jesus. Kind of interesting, you’d think that if he keeps mentioning peace and joy and purpose and mission, that he would mention who gives the peace and joy and mission, unless that’s not his aim. Who knows, I read both of his books and have been to Saddleback and am not impressed. Count me as anti Purpose Driven.
I was also very impressed with her teacher at the lessons. At the end of the class, the kids get a sucker if they were good. This teacher didn’t give one to a boy because he was crying the whole time and wasn’t listening to her or his mother. She’ll probably get sued, but I like how she stood by her principles.
I began reading this book called “Speak” that the whole city of Appleton is supposed to read. I don’t know whose idea this is, but I had read about it in the papers and saw the display at Barnes and Noble so I picked it up. Fascinating book! I’m 50 pages into it and it’s a fiction story in the first person about this girl who in the summer before her freshman year in high school calls the cops on a party and now has no friends. I’m going to begin reading it next Monday with two of my classes. Great stuff about how difficult it is to be a teen, especially with no friends.
Rick Warren has been all over the airwaves lately since that hostage in Atlanta read his book to the killer before he let her go. Both my brother and I saw him on Larry King Live late last week. I found it interesting how he kept talking about the program. “We are going to take this program to 67 countries…we’ll form small groups in these countries to go through the program…those in other countries will be blessed by the program just like thousands in America have been blessed by the program…” Sorry Rick, but the Kingdom of God is not a program, it’s a relationship with our Creator and Savior. Leave the program for the world, the Kingdom’s focus needs to be on relationship.
My brother also commented on his interview that not once did he mention Jesus. Kind of interesting, you’d think that if he keeps mentioning peace and joy and purpose and mission, that he would mention who gives the peace and joy and mission, unless that’s not his aim. Who knows, I read both of his books and have been to Saddleback and am not impressed. Count me as anti Purpose Driven.
The following arrived late last week in an e-publication posted by two of my professors:
Various pundits have noted that we create God in our own image. The human tendency is to tailor-make a god that we want to serve.
But the Bible does not accommodate such idolatry. As we've just seen, the sovereign God does not squeeze Himself into the mold of our expectations. He stands apart from our comfortable constructs -- terrifying and terrific at the same time.
We want a "cosmic buddy" or a "heavenly daddy." And, yes, Jesus does call us his "friends," and we can indeed call the Father "Abba." But such intimacy was never intended to make God our marionette.
We'd like to pull His strings and make Him dance -- insist that He heal this person, solve this problem, and fix that relationship. But God will not be controlled or tamed.
We try to reduce the Lord to little more than a supernatural butler, who responds to a nod and the wave of our hand. But what could be further from the truth?
The God who spoke through the burning bush, sent the Egyptian plagues, and ordered the Canaanite "ban" has not changed. He remains incensed by stubborn rebellion and opposed to human sin. Grace may abound, but always in the context of repentance. His love, which grips our hearts, is experienced most strongly by hearts that have first been broken. He redeems the shattered shard.
No, the God of the Bible is not the product of our imaginations. Who would create One so fearsome and so tender at the same time? Yet, as we wrestle with Him at our own Jabbok, He touches and transforms us. And the Unapproachable becomes the Paraclete -- "the One alongside" (see Genesis 32:22-32 and John 14-16).
The Lion, mysteriously and marvelously, sits down with the lambs.
Various pundits have noted that we create God in our own image. The human tendency is to tailor-make a god that we want to serve.
But the Bible does not accommodate such idolatry. As we've just seen, the sovereign God does not squeeze Himself into the mold of our expectations. He stands apart from our comfortable constructs -- terrifying and terrific at the same time.
We want a "cosmic buddy" or a "heavenly daddy." And, yes, Jesus does call us his "friends," and we can indeed call the Father "Abba." But such intimacy was never intended to make God our marionette.
We'd like to pull His strings and make Him dance -- insist that He heal this person, solve this problem, and fix that relationship. But God will not be controlled or tamed.
We try to reduce the Lord to little more than a supernatural butler, who responds to a nod and the wave of our hand. But what could be further from the truth?
The God who spoke through the burning bush, sent the Egyptian plagues, and ordered the Canaanite "ban" has not changed. He remains incensed by stubborn rebellion and opposed to human sin. Grace may abound, but always in the context of repentance. His love, which grips our hearts, is experienced most strongly by hearts that have first been broken. He redeems the shattered shard.
No, the God of the Bible is not the product of our imaginations. Who would create One so fearsome and so tender at the same time? Yet, as we wrestle with Him at our own Jabbok, He touches and transforms us. And the Unapproachable becomes the Paraclete -- "the One alongside" (see Genesis 32:22-32 and John 14-16).
The Lion, mysteriously and marvelously, sits down with the lambs.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
It happened again. I had this long blog and it didn't publish. When am I ever going to learn to protect my work.
Anyway, it's 12:21am as I write, I can't sleep, I feel like a tortured soul right now, and I hate Christmas and Easter due to the hypocrisy I see in their celebration. That was the jist of my post.
I'm going to hit the sheets and try to sleep off my fatalistic attitude of late.
On a good note, I had this conviction today to get into the WORD much more and journal on my reading. I'm excited about that. Also just watched "The Manchurian Candidate" and loved it. Immediately jumped on to my list of favorite movies. Really different than I expected.
Anyway, it's 12:21am as I write, I can't sleep, I feel like a tortured soul right now, and I hate Christmas and Easter due to the hypocrisy I see in their celebration. That was the jist of my post.
I'm going to hit the sheets and try to sleep off my fatalistic attitude of late.
On a good note, I had this conviction today to get into the WORD much more and journal on my reading. I'm excited about that. Also just watched "The Manchurian Candidate" and loved it. Immediately jumped on to my list of favorite movies. Really different than I expected.
I'm lying awake here at 12:12am on Easter Sunday questioning why I feel such disdain for holidays such as Easter and Christmas. And as I flip through the channels and watch the news stations proclaim Easter Sunday and such, the hypocrisy just burns me. I can't take it. Those in the media and the greater world in general generally have nothing but hate for Christianity yet on days such as this and Christmas we are supposed to proclaim peace and joy due to the birth of and Risen Christ. YET THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN HIM!
It was the same thing at Christmas. I can't have it both ways. If we are going to do these holidays and they are going to be about Christ, let's make them about Christ. If we are going to have them and they are going to be about getting together with families and promoting peace on earth, let's go for it. But I can't do it both ways, I just can't. One or the other for me.
I feel like a very tortured soul right now for this. On one hand I feel conviction that I am not celebrating Easter in the traditional way tomorrow. I will not go to church, I will spend the morning with my family, go to my parent's house, have lunch, take a nap, do some work, go to my in-laws, eat dinner, go home and probably watch a movie or read a book. Nothing different than most days. And probably the only difference than most other Christians is that I will not go to church. For most, it's just spending that hour in "devotion" and then forgetting about Christ for the rest of the day. (And for those reading this, please forgive me, I'm not talking about you. This is mostly venting on my part. Like another of my bloggers writes, "this is for me, not for you." I love you all!)
Anyway, I'm going to try to hit the sheets again and sleep off this fatalistic attitude I've had of late.
On a good note, I've had the deep conviction today that I need go get into the Word much more and journal again. I'm excited about that. Also just watched "The Manchurain Candidate" and loved it! Immediately jumped up to on my my top movies.
It was the same thing at Christmas. I can't have it both ways. If we are going to do these holidays and they are going to be about Christ, let's make them about Christ. If we are going to have them and they are going to be about getting together with families and promoting peace on earth, let's go for it. But I can't do it both ways, I just can't. One or the other for me.
I feel like a very tortured soul right now for this. On one hand I feel conviction that I am not celebrating Easter in the traditional way tomorrow. I will not go to church, I will spend the morning with my family, go to my parent's house, have lunch, take a nap, do some work, go to my in-laws, eat dinner, go home and probably watch a movie or read a book. Nothing different than most days. And probably the only difference than most other Christians is that I will not go to church. For most, it's just spending that hour in "devotion" and then forgetting about Christ for the rest of the day. (And for those reading this, please forgive me, I'm not talking about you. This is mostly venting on my part. Like another of my bloggers writes, "this is for me, not for you." I love you all!)
Anyway, I'm going to try to hit the sheets again and sleep off this fatalistic attitude I've had of late.
On a good note, I've had the deep conviction today that I need go get into the Word much more and journal again. I'm excited about that. Also just watched "The Manchurain Candidate" and loved it! Immediately jumped up to on my my top movies.
Friday, March 25, 2005
I'm becoming more and more fatalistic in my outlook at this world as I grow older. It's probably related to my lean toward apocalyptic theology as I have noted earlier in this space. It's also probably due to my understanding that this world, as Jesus noted, is passing away. As much as I enjoy life and the blessings from the Lord that I continue to receive, I do know that one day this life will end for me and then new life will begin. And many times I feel that when that time comes I must pass with joy onto the next life.
I say this again due to the Shiavo case. I'm feeling more and more that while the government needs to stay out of this and while I wish that the husband would just leave the parents to care for her, I also feel that they are holding on too tight to this life. (I think the time, money, and energy they are putting into this case could be better used to rescuing slaves from bondage around the world or sexually abused children from their parents or other adults. Those don't make as good of nightime programming though.) I don't know their religious convictions or beliefs, but I think if I was in that circumstance I would want to go and be with my Father. The following Scripture is on my heart:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Again, I wish I could look with optimism upon this world, but it's just not the case. I just finished watching "Cold Mountain" with Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, and Renee Zellweger. (If you haven't seen the movie and plan on watching it, I am about to ruin the ending, so stop reading!) I really enjoyed the movie, and I was pleased to see in the end that Jude Law died. I say that because more often than not that is how life plays out. The main characters rarely live, we read about the happy stories but they are the exception rather than the norm. Same with Natalie Portman's character. That part almost brought tears to my eyes with the baby and the near rape. But in real life, I'm sorry to say that she probably gets raped and the baby probably dies. I read some time ago in the Sudan, particularly the Darfur region, the men will not leave the village to get food or supplies because they will be killed. The women have to go because the soldiers will only rape the women and let them return to the village. We know writing about the Nazi's in WWII that they would often throw the baby's in the air and use them for target practice. I'm sure that still goes on today. We know that in some parts of the world the children are forced to walk through the mine fields so they don't blow up the soldiers. If the children die, Oops, sorry! How terrible! Yet unfortunately, how true.
As I finish this blog, I am asking myself why I just wrote what I did. I really don't know, but this has been on my heart of late. I think by realizing the type of world that we live in and continuously coming back to the truth about it, we are more apt to reach out to the world and help those who have not been as blessed as I or most people in America are. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong, but it sure keeps coming up in my mind.
I say this again due to the Shiavo case. I'm feeling more and more that while the government needs to stay out of this and while I wish that the husband would just leave the parents to care for her, I also feel that they are holding on too tight to this life. (I think the time, money, and energy they are putting into this case could be better used to rescuing slaves from bondage around the world or sexually abused children from their parents or other adults. Those don't make as good of nightime programming though.) I don't know their religious convictions or beliefs, but I think if I was in that circumstance I would want to go and be with my Father. The following Scripture is on my heart:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Again, I wish I could look with optimism upon this world, but it's just not the case. I just finished watching "Cold Mountain" with Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, and Renee Zellweger. (If you haven't seen the movie and plan on watching it, I am about to ruin the ending, so stop reading!) I really enjoyed the movie, and I was pleased to see in the end that Jude Law died. I say that because more often than not that is how life plays out. The main characters rarely live, we read about the happy stories but they are the exception rather than the norm. Same with Natalie Portman's character. That part almost brought tears to my eyes with the baby and the near rape. But in real life, I'm sorry to say that she probably gets raped and the baby probably dies. I read some time ago in the Sudan, particularly the Darfur region, the men will not leave the village to get food or supplies because they will be killed. The women have to go because the soldiers will only rape the women and let them return to the village. We know writing about the Nazi's in WWII that they would often throw the baby's in the air and use them for target practice. I'm sure that still goes on today. We know that in some parts of the world the children are forced to walk through the mine fields so they don't blow up the soldiers. If the children die, Oops, sorry! How terrible! Yet unfortunately, how true.
As I finish this blog, I am asking myself why I just wrote what I did. I really don't know, but this has been on my heart of late. I think by realizing the type of world that we live in and continuously coming back to the truth about it, we are more apt to reach out to the world and help those who have not been as blessed as I or most people in America are. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong, but it sure keeps coming up in my mind.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
One more thing on the Terri Shiavo case. I find it very interesting that the liberals, the Democratic Party, is supposed to be the party of the people, protecting them from the big, bad businessmen on the right, those who want the death penalty and have no concern for the little guy. Yet in this case the tides are turned, it is the right, accordingly, who is fighting to keep Terri alive while the left wants her dead. Kind of a role reversal of ideals in my mind.
Also, I bought some jelly beans for Maiya tonight. She was thanking me and I told her I love her so much, that is why I bought those for her. Right when I said it I realized that maybe because I love her so much I shouldn't buy them for her, since they are so bad for her, and I shouldn't do a lot of the things I do for her because I love her instead of doing them because I love her. Does that make sense?
Also, I bought some jelly beans for Maiya tonight. She was thanking me and I told her I love her so much, that is why I bought those for her. Right when I said it I realized that maybe because I love her so much I shouldn't buy them for her, since they are so bad for her, and I shouldn't do a lot of the things I do for her because I love her instead of doing them because I love her. Does that make sense?
This quote came up on my daily calendar: “Remember that contentment is true wealth.” I agree, like I wrote a short time ago regarding marriage and other issues of life.
I watched “The Italian Job” last night again, great movie. In the credits, it lists the actors Frankie G and Mos Def (who happens to be my favorite actor). How do you get names like this?
They have an FCA at KHS and I am an advisor, even though I have only been to like two or three meetings. They just meet at a time that does not work for me. However, I am going to ask the leader if I can come to a meeting in the near future and speak to them for a short time. I have become concerned by the actions of some of the leaders as I view in the halls of the school. No one is perfect, and I don’t expect that, but I have heard language from some of these people like I have never heard before. I plan to be transparent and discuss my own shortcomings as well and hopefully point us to where we all need to be as followers of Christ. I believe I’ll come from Matthew 18 with this talk.
I also read the following on Vox Day’s blog today regarding the Terri Shiavo case:
As laudable is their motivation, it is a terrible mistake for conservatives to seek to use the power of the federal government in what is likely to be a futile attempt to stop the state-sanctioned starvation of Mrs. Schiavo. They would do far better to use civil disobedience, as that is less likely to come back to haunt them in the future. But that would require personal sacrifice, instead of the much easier sacrifice of principle, to which, unfortunately, conservatives have become all too accustomed in their enthusiastic embrace of the decidedly anti-conservative Bush administration.
I like how he wrote how much more difficult personal sacrifice is than sacrifice of principle. We talk about the former but more often engage in the latter. However, if we look at the personal sacrifice and civil disobedience of men like King and Ghandi, they were the most successful. Rather than fighting through the courts, they gained their momentum and success through personal sacrifice of themselves and their followers. I remember Ben Kingsley portraying Gandhi in the movie of the same title, starving almost to the point of death due to the Muslims and Buddhists still waging war. He would not eat until the stopped fighting. Almost cost him his life at the time, did in the end. Yet his cause was successful, same with King.
With the Shiavo case, I don’t know where I stand. On one hand she did say she didn’t want to live like this and neither do I know if I would want to. Lisa and I had to set up a trust this summer and decide if we would want to be kept alive if we were brain dead or being kept alive by a respirator. We said no. The difference here is that she breathes on her own and is not brain dead, just can’t eat. Frankly I’m getting very sick of hearing about it. Obviously I am not a fan of her husband. He has been offered a million dollars and full book and movie rights to turn Terri over to her parents for full custody. He turned it down. I think he is a pawn in a much larger game. Actually, both sides are a pawn in the larger game. Let the lady live and go on and live your life with your new family.
I watched “The Italian Job” last night again, great movie. In the credits, it lists the actors Frankie G and Mos Def (who happens to be my favorite actor). How do you get names like this?
They have an FCA at KHS and I am an advisor, even though I have only been to like two or three meetings. They just meet at a time that does not work for me. However, I am going to ask the leader if I can come to a meeting in the near future and speak to them for a short time. I have become concerned by the actions of some of the leaders as I view in the halls of the school. No one is perfect, and I don’t expect that, but I have heard language from some of these people like I have never heard before. I plan to be transparent and discuss my own shortcomings as well and hopefully point us to where we all need to be as followers of Christ. I believe I’ll come from Matthew 18 with this talk.
I also read the following on Vox Day’s blog today regarding the Terri Shiavo case:
As laudable is their motivation, it is a terrible mistake for conservatives to seek to use the power of the federal government in what is likely to be a futile attempt to stop the state-sanctioned starvation of Mrs. Schiavo. They would do far better to use civil disobedience, as that is less likely to come back to haunt them in the future. But that would require personal sacrifice, instead of the much easier sacrifice of principle, to which, unfortunately, conservatives have become all too accustomed in their enthusiastic embrace of the decidedly anti-conservative Bush administration.
I like how he wrote how much more difficult personal sacrifice is than sacrifice of principle. We talk about the former but more often engage in the latter. However, if we look at the personal sacrifice and civil disobedience of men like King and Ghandi, they were the most successful. Rather than fighting through the courts, they gained their momentum and success through personal sacrifice of themselves and their followers. I remember Ben Kingsley portraying Gandhi in the movie of the same title, starving almost to the point of death due to the Muslims and Buddhists still waging war. He would not eat until the stopped fighting. Almost cost him his life at the time, did in the end. Yet his cause was successful, same with King.
With the Shiavo case, I don’t know where I stand. On one hand she did say she didn’t want to live like this and neither do I know if I would want to. Lisa and I had to set up a trust this summer and decide if we would want to be kept alive if we were brain dead or being kept alive by a respirator. We said no. The difference here is that she breathes on her own and is not brain dead, just can’t eat. Frankly I’m getting very sick of hearing about it. Obviously I am not a fan of her husband. He has been offered a million dollars and full book and movie rights to turn Terri over to her parents for full custody. He turned it down. I think he is a pawn in a much larger game. Actually, both sides are a pawn in the larger game. Let the lady live and go on and live your life with your new family.
I’m going to try this post again, this time with safety precautions. It won’t be as good for me as the one last night but I hope you still enjoy.
More random thoughts…
…I tried the shorts thing last night. Found out it’s still way too early for that.
…If someone could invent pizza and Doritos that are good for you, I’d love them forever. I’d never eat anything else.
…I realized last night how lazy I am. I timed my drive to the movie store, it takes two minutes each way, yet when I come home at night and realize I have to take the movies back or get a fine, I throw a major fit.
…Big news in the Nate house, Maiya went “poop on the potty.” You have no idea what a big deal that was! Parenthood is sure an interesting venture.
…This week’s Newsweek has the cover story “The Incredible Shrinking Dollar.” Pretty interesting article, especially since I buy into the theory that America’s economy is going to be the downfall of our society and be the major pitfall that draws us into global governance. But I could be wrong. Anyway, the article said what we all know, America spends too much and overextends its credit, thus the dollar is falling against foreign currencies. That of course is a bad thing. It also reminds me of a speech I read about by Greenspan where he warned that the price of assets is likely to fall in the coming years and in the old adage of “buy low and sell high,” the latter may be near. The text of the entire article about this speech is linked at the following: http://www.morganstanley.com/GEFdata/digests/20050207-mon.html#anchor0
I wish I could write more on the J.H. Yoder book I am prodding through, but it’s just too deep. I highly recommend the book, but get prepared to be just about lulled to sleep before being shocked back to life by some script of absolute truth! I liked the following quote he had in regard to his section on “The Priority of Church in Christian Social Stragey”:
For Paul…the very existence of the church is its primary task. It is in itself a proclamation of the lordship of Christ to the powers from whose dominion the church has begun to be liberated. The church does not attack the power; this Christ has done. The church concentrates upon not being seduced by them. By existing the church demonstrates that their rebellion has been vanquished.
The church does not exist to provide child care, to allow men golf outings or women craft opportunities. It exists primarily to proclaim Jesus as Risen Lord! And how appropriate this time of the year!
Speaking of the church, this reminds me of one of my all time favorite quotes, no, my favorite quote of all time, by Frank Tillapaugh:
His message, therefore, is clear and simply: unleash the church! Forget about bringing people in. Focus on getting God’s people out where there are sin and pain and need. Forget about institutional success. Focus on outgroup service. Forget about binding members to an organization with ties of loyalty, cords of convivial programming, and busy intramural involvement. Focus on unshackling members, motivating them to give time and energy beyond any ecclesiastical ghetto. Forget about growth as an end in itself. And, paradoxically, growth will take place as the by-produce of a ministry which refuses to be self-centered and self-serving.
Can I get an AMEN?
More random thoughts…
…I tried the shorts thing last night. Found out it’s still way too early for that.
…If someone could invent pizza and Doritos that are good for you, I’d love them forever. I’d never eat anything else.
…I realized last night how lazy I am. I timed my drive to the movie store, it takes two minutes each way, yet when I come home at night and realize I have to take the movies back or get a fine, I throw a major fit.
…Big news in the Nate house, Maiya went “poop on the potty.” You have no idea what a big deal that was! Parenthood is sure an interesting venture.
…This week’s Newsweek has the cover story “The Incredible Shrinking Dollar.” Pretty interesting article, especially since I buy into the theory that America’s economy is going to be the downfall of our society and be the major pitfall that draws us into global governance. But I could be wrong. Anyway, the article said what we all know, America spends too much and overextends its credit, thus the dollar is falling against foreign currencies. That of course is a bad thing. It also reminds me of a speech I read about by Greenspan where he warned that the price of assets is likely to fall in the coming years and in the old adage of “buy low and sell high,” the latter may be near. The text of the entire article about this speech is linked at the following: http://www.morganstanley.com/GEFdata/digests/20050207-mon.html#anchor0
I wish I could write more on the J.H. Yoder book I am prodding through, but it’s just too deep. I highly recommend the book, but get prepared to be just about lulled to sleep before being shocked back to life by some script of absolute truth! I liked the following quote he had in regard to his section on “The Priority of Church in Christian Social Stragey”:
For Paul…the very existence of the church is its primary task. It is in itself a proclamation of the lordship of Christ to the powers from whose dominion the church has begun to be liberated. The church does not attack the power; this Christ has done. The church concentrates upon not being seduced by them. By existing the church demonstrates that their rebellion has been vanquished.
The church does not exist to provide child care, to allow men golf outings or women craft opportunities. It exists primarily to proclaim Jesus as Risen Lord! And how appropriate this time of the year!
Speaking of the church, this reminds me of one of my all time favorite quotes, no, my favorite quote of all time, by Frank Tillapaugh:
His message, therefore, is clear and simply: unleash the church! Forget about bringing people in. Focus on getting God’s people out where there are sin and pain and need. Forget about institutional success. Focus on outgroup service. Forget about binding members to an organization with ties of loyalty, cords of convivial programming, and busy intramural involvement. Focus on unshackling members, motivating them to give time and energy beyond any ecclesiastical ghetto. Forget about growth as an end in itself. And, paradoxically, growth will take place as the by-produce of a ministry which refuses to be self-centered and self-serving.
Can I get an AMEN?
Monday, March 21, 2005
Saturday, March 12, 2005
A couple of random thoughts as I return from my two days in Madison...
...Liberal as it is, I love that culture. Sipping coffee, discussing the topics of the day, it just makes me feel alive. Also a great place to people watch. Some interesting folk!
...I spent most of my time watching basketball games. It's very interesting to be surrounded by high school coaches whose seasons ended with a loss critiquing coaches who are coaching in the state tourament, the goal of every coach. They obviously did something right. YOU DIDN'T GET THERE, THEY DID, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND LEARN SOMETHING!
...Although, having said that, I saw a coach do something last night that I have never seen before at any level of coaching. Her team down by 18 with 1:49 left in the second quarter and she demanded that her team stand at the half court line and go for the last shot. Lady, you are down 18 against the best team in the state, you don't have time to waste. I can honestly say that is the worst coaching move I have ever seen at any level.
...I managed to do a little shopping and bought myself a flashy pair of shoes (very European in my mind) and a sweater. As I was purchasing them I thought about how buying something makes a person feel better about themselves, like this is the item that'll put me over the edge. Our esteem is so tied to our possessions. So true, yet so antithetical to Kingdom living.
...Liberal as it is, I love that culture. Sipping coffee, discussing the topics of the day, it just makes me feel alive. Also a great place to people watch. Some interesting folk!
...I spent most of my time watching basketball games. It's very interesting to be surrounded by high school coaches whose seasons ended with a loss critiquing coaches who are coaching in the state tourament, the goal of every coach. They obviously did something right. YOU DIDN'T GET THERE, THEY DID, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND LEARN SOMETHING!
...Although, having said that, I saw a coach do something last night that I have never seen before at any level of coaching. Her team down by 18 with 1:49 left in the second quarter and she demanded that her team stand at the half court line and go for the last shot. Lady, you are down 18 against the best team in the state, you don't have time to waste. I can honestly say that is the worst coaching move I have ever seen at any level.
...I managed to do a little shopping and bought myself a flashy pair of shoes (very European in my mind) and a sweater. As I was purchasing them I thought about how buying something makes a person feel better about themselves, like this is the item that'll put me over the edge. Our esteem is so tied to our possessions. So true, yet so antithetical to Kingdom living.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
This week's Tim Magazine contains a cover story "The End of Poverty," an excerpt from Jeffrey D. Sach's book of the same title. It's a very liberal take on ending poverty, he advocates working more through the UN, giving more to governments, etc. I've actually written about this before in this space. Of course, he makes some good points, but all in all I think the last few sentences sum up his goal - redistribution of wealth:
The final myth I will debunk here is that politicians are punished by their constituents for supporting actions to help the poor. There is plenty of experience to show that the broad public will accept such measures, especially if they see that the rich within their own societies are asked to meet their fare share of the burden. Great social forces are the mere accumulation of individual actions. Let the future say of our generation that we sent forth mighty currents of hope, and that we worked together to heal the world.
I'll quote Dick Cheney here in response to a monologue by John Edwards in one of the VP debates, "That's great rhetoric Senator, unfortunatley it's just not true." First, I don't believe consituents chastise their politicians for supporting actions to help the poor, it's that the actions never help the poor! All they do is provide bigger beauracracies and larger salaries for more politicians and businessmen. Second, the rich do more than their fare share for our society, as Al Sharpton found out when he ran his mouth off to John Stossel. The text can be found at the following link: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/blog/archives/010287.php
Yet the problems remain. I seek to focus on empowerment of the African people rather than just handouts, and Sach's argues for that in some places as well. It's also interesting to note that I was given a commentary from the Chicago Tribune on Africa, specifially Kenya, and the problems they have had post-independence. In Kenya, as in many African nations, corruption is the norm. The author quotes a study that conluded "roughly 80 cents on every dollar borrowed by African countries flowed back to the West as capital flight in the same year." The corrupt rulers have used our aid to inflate their bank accounts and then flee into exile when the world catches on. Again we see the benefit of private donations over governmental support. One helps the people, the other helps the ruling class. One of the conclusions the author makes is that even through the troubles the Africans faced with colonial rule, maybe they were better off then. You won't read that in any textbooks.
That being said, why should the West continue to aid the Africans. Why should we seek to end the poverty around the world. Well, first, I agree with Sachs that it's not the people's fault that their rulers are corrupt. Their societies do not allow them a voice, they are but sheep without a shepherd. Second, I do agree that it is the duty of the rich to help the poor. My difference with many is that it can't be done through government assitance and higher taxes, it has to be done through personal and private charitable donations. Visitations to view the hardships also help as I found out this summer. Finally, for us as believers, we know that God calls us to help the poor, to "go and do likewise," and that pure religion is helping the widows and orphans. We should do well to heed that advice of the New Testament above some of the other issues we get hogtied into, but that's for another day.
The final myth I will debunk here is that politicians are punished by their constituents for supporting actions to help the poor. There is plenty of experience to show that the broad public will accept such measures, especially if they see that the rich within their own societies are asked to meet their fare share of the burden. Great social forces are the mere accumulation of individual actions. Let the future say of our generation that we sent forth mighty currents of hope, and that we worked together to heal the world.
I'll quote Dick Cheney here in response to a monologue by John Edwards in one of the VP debates, "That's great rhetoric Senator, unfortunatley it's just not true." First, I don't believe consituents chastise their politicians for supporting actions to help the poor, it's that the actions never help the poor! All they do is provide bigger beauracracies and larger salaries for more politicians and businessmen. Second, the rich do more than their fare share for our society, as Al Sharpton found out when he ran his mouth off to John Stossel. The text can be found at the following link: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/blog/archives/010287.php
Yet the problems remain. I seek to focus on empowerment of the African people rather than just handouts, and Sach's argues for that in some places as well. It's also interesting to note that I was given a commentary from the Chicago Tribune on Africa, specifially Kenya, and the problems they have had post-independence. In Kenya, as in many African nations, corruption is the norm. The author quotes a study that conluded "roughly 80 cents on every dollar borrowed by African countries flowed back to the West as capital flight in the same year." The corrupt rulers have used our aid to inflate their bank accounts and then flee into exile when the world catches on. Again we see the benefit of private donations over governmental support. One helps the people, the other helps the ruling class. One of the conclusions the author makes is that even through the troubles the Africans faced with colonial rule, maybe they were better off then. You won't read that in any textbooks.
That being said, why should the West continue to aid the Africans. Why should we seek to end the poverty around the world. Well, first, I agree with Sachs that it's not the people's fault that their rulers are corrupt. Their societies do not allow them a voice, they are but sheep without a shepherd. Second, I do agree that it is the duty of the rich to help the poor. My difference with many is that it can't be done through government assitance and higher taxes, it has to be done through personal and private charitable donations. Visitations to view the hardships also help as I found out this summer. Finally, for us as believers, we know that God calls us to help the poor, to "go and do likewise," and that pure religion is helping the widows and orphans. We should do well to heed that advice of the New Testament above some of the other issues we get hogtied into, but that's for another day.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
I'm reading John Stossel's book "Give Me a Break" about how the public is deceived by regulators, lawyers, and politicians "in the name of safety." Great book. Two things stick out to me in my reading today.
First, he writes, "in any war, the first casualty is truth." That's probably true, and it made me think that as Christians, there is no doubt that we are in a war. The war is good v. evil. And of course, what is the first casualty that aids the enemy in this war...truth! If we are believers can stay true to the truth, we will win the war (of course, we know we will win the war in any case, since it's not realy a war since Jesus is the Victor, but I think you know what I mean).
Second, one of the main themes of this book is to debunk much of what we hear from the media that serve as scare tactics. One he wrote about today is the thing I had heard and passed on that "more domestic violence occurs on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year." He says it's just not true and traced it back to a feminist group who wanted more exposure for victims of domestic violence. Good cause, bad lie.
In the future I plan to blog on all of the myths that are out there, some are shocking!
First, he writes, "in any war, the first casualty is truth." That's probably true, and it made me think that as Christians, there is no doubt that we are in a war. The war is good v. evil. And of course, what is the first casualty that aids the enemy in this war...truth! If we are believers can stay true to the truth, we will win the war (of course, we know we will win the war in any case, since it's not realy a war since Jesus is the Victor, but I think you know what I mean).
Second, one of the main themes of this book is to debunk much of what we hear from the media that serve as scare tactics. One he wrote about today is the thing I had heard and passed on that "more domestic violence occurs on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year." He says it's just not true and traced it back to a feminist group who wanted more exposure for victims of domestic violence. Good cause, bad lie.
In the future I plan to blog on all of the myths that are out there, some are shocking!
Monday, March 07, 2005
I know, it's been over a week again...
Just checked out Vox Day's blog site again and he had a plea for prayer for the son of his cousin who has just been diagnosed with leukemia, he's around two. I read a few of the 66 comments people had made regarding this plea, and one person wrote how he had been through that and didn't wish it on anyone. Makes me think how much pain and suffering is in this world.
On that topic, I watched the movie "Beyond Borders" this weekend. Angelina Jolie is crazy and I don't agree with her politics or life choices, but she made a great movie here! It's about humanitarian aid around the world and how little actually goes where it is needed, at least that's how I interpreted it. Again, makes me think how much pain and suffering is in this world.
A seventh grade student in my school district died this mornig of meningitis. From what I am told, great family, great kid, went to dinner with his family on Friday night, came to our basketball game, then came down with a major fever Friday night and now he's dead. Makes me think how much pain and suffering is in this world.
Speaking of our game, we lost in overtime. Pain and suffering...Anyway, after the game I was thinking of how much I wanted to win that game, for me, for the kids, for the community, I wanted it so bad I was getting stress headaches and chest pains last week. Then I thought that I wanted that win more than I want a lot of other things in life, the salvation of neighbors, justice around the world, freedom for God's people, the Kingdom to come, etc. If I wanted those things as much as I wanted that game, if we all wanted those things as much as we want things for our flesh, God just may go ahead and grant our prayers.
Thanks be to God for the hope we have in Christ!
Just checked out Vox Day's blog site again and he had a plea for prayer for the son of his cousin who has just been diagnosed with leukemia, he's around two. I read a few of the 66 comments people had made regarding this plea, and one person wrote how he had been through that and didn't wish it on anyone. Makes me think how much pain and suffering is in this world.
On that topic, I watched the movie "Beyond Borders" this weekend. Angelina Jolie is crazy and I don't agree with her politics or life choices, but she made a great movie here! It's about humanitarian aid around the world and how little actually goes where it is needed, at least that's how I interpreted it. Again, makes me think how much pain and suffering is in this world.
A seventh grade student in my school district died this mornig of meningitis. From what I am told, great family, great kid, went to dinner with his family on Friday night, came to our basketball game, then came down with a major fever Friday night and now he's dead. Makes me think how much pain and suffering is in this world.
Speaking of our game, we lost in overtime. Pain and suffering...Anyway, after the game I was thinking of how much I wanted to win that game, for me, for the kids, for the community, I wanted it so bad I was getting stress headaches and chest pains last week. Then I thought that I wanted that win more than I want a lot of other things in life, the salvation of neighbors, justice around the world, freedom for God's people, the Kingdom to come, etc. If I wanted those things as much as I wanted that game, if we all wanted those things as much as we want things for our flesh, God just may go ahead and grant our prayers.
Thanks be to God for the hope we have in Christ!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
