Dang. I am way behind. This week has been so long that its all running together. Tests, papers, homework, classes, gross. In any event, this post covers Tuesday through today.
Last night at homegroup a friend said that he felt earlier in the week like he had gotten to a good place and could therefore sit back and relax. He said he quickly realized that this was not true, but it is a trap that is easy to fall into. "I'm doing well," "I prayed today," "I haven't been partying," etc. We pat ourselves on the back and stop our work. Tuesday was about hungering for God, and that is just what that is all about. It's like a multi-course meal. God has given us the appetizer, and we have to tell him we are ready for the next course, and pursue it. This goes along with the thirst that Wednesday was focused on.
"The Heart Cry"
"Are you longing for more? Are you tired of feeling like you are just going through the motions in your spiritual life?" While these questions are like asking if you have ever eaten before (yes, obviously) they are good reminders. It is easy to slip into a routine and stay in it, but that is where the passion is lost. This cannot be about simply checking off the box, it has to be about so much more than that.
I love the verse they use for yesterday.
Psalm 27:4 - One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
And back to today. Well that was easy wasn't it?
"Often we give the Lord token time and attention, the kind of attention that would be an insult to someone we loved." Bam, that's a kick in the gut. But it is so true. Do I ever ask God what he wants or am I just telling him and asking him for things I want? I know that I do ask what he wants, but this I feel is a good question to use. He wants to move in us. Are we willing?
Isaiah 6:8 - Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Seeking His Face
Today while searching through the book of Isaiah for the verse I used in yesterday's post I "stumbled" across this one. The title of the chapter is "True Fasting." Thank you.
1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Isaiah 58:1-9a
It's not enough for us to simply deny ourselves during a fast. We must also earnestly seek to serve our brothers and sister, which we are always supposed to be doing, but for me fasting is a wonderful way to be reminded over and over again of something. In my case, recognizing the things I need to be doing, rather than the things I am giving up, is hugely advantageous and helps me to focus. We are not supposed to focus on ourselves or our "hunger" pains, we are supposed to carry on as though we are not fasting, never calling attention to ourselves.
Matthew 6:16-19 - 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
That's all I really have today.
"Remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much!" - Bob and Larry, Veggie Tales
1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Isaiah 58:1-9a
It's not enough for us to simply deny ourselves during a fast. We must also earnestly seek to serve our brothers and sister, which we are always supposed to be doing, but for me fasting is a wonderful way to be reminded over and over again of something. In my case, recognizing the things I need to be doing, rather than the things I am giving up, is hugely advantageous and helps me to focus. We are not supposed to focus on ourselves or our "hunger" pains, we are supposed to carry on as though we are not fasting, never calling attention to ourselves.
Matthew 6:16-19 - 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
That's all I really have today.
"Remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much!" - Bob and Larry, Veggie Tales
Sunday, February 20, 2011
On Eagles Wings
Isiah 40:28-31 - 28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Day 7 - "He Will Lift Us Up"
Week one is almost over and I feel like I have now seen humility explained from about 1000 different perspectives and examples. I'm glad week 2 begins a new topic. I do not say that as a criticism, but merely as an admission that I want to explore some more topics.
Today's verse is James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. The end of that phrase reminded me of an old hymn we used to always sing in church, but that I have not heard in a long time, outside of my own head. If you aren't familiar with the song, check out the lyrics here.
That was always one of my favorites growing up, and I am reminded of it frequently.
Humility has been described in a number of ways, but one of the easiest ways to apply it in my opinion is from a perspective of giving up our pride, self-arrogance, and plans and follow God's will for our lives.
Interestingly enough, eagles do not always have a positive light cast upon them in the bible. For example, they are one of the "unclean" animals not to be eaten (Leviticus 11:13; Deuteronomy 14:12), and foreign armies and oppressors are described as "eagles swooping down on their prey." (Job 9:26) Does this mean anything? Yes and no. Eagles are neither inherently good or evil, but they are a great example of how anything can be used to serve God's will.
Back to the devotional though. "In everyday life the humble and self-effacing person eventually prospers and wins the respect of others far more than the arrogant, proud and powerful person." Sort of, but I'm not sure I'm on board all the way with this one. In the eyes of Christ, yes, but if you thank of the most famous/popular people in the world, who are respected for who knows why the list isn't exactly choc full of "humble and self-effacing," or modest, people. It should be though. In fact, why isn't it?
People cry foul whenever their favorite celebrities and sports stars get caught messing up, but when they are winning, or performing well, their zany tendencies and self-centerdness is ignored. After Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger returned to the NFL from their respective suspensions we kept hearing "winning cures everything," and "if they want to silence the boos, they need to win football games." What the heck is that?
Matthew 7:1-5 - 1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
You know that I'm not saying we should ignore peoples errors and sins, nor do I think we should "boo" someone because of what they did or were accused of doing, but what if we simply encouraged repentance and love, and helped others instead of beating them down? How do we see with these 2X4s in our eyes?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Day 7 - "He Will Lift Us Up"
Week one is almost over and I feel like I have now seen humility explained from about 1000 different perspectives and examples. I'm glad week 2 begins a new topic. I do not say that as a criticism, but merely as an admission that I want to explore some more topics.
Today's verse is James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. The end of that phrase reminded me of an old hymn we used to always sing in church, but that I have not heard in a long time, outside of my own head. If you aren't familiar with the song, check out the lyrics here.
That was always one of my favorites growing up, and I am reminded of it frequently.
Humility has been described in a number of ways, but one of the easiest ways to apply it in my opinion is from a perspective of giving up our pride, self-arrogance, and plans and follow God's will for our lives.
Interestingly enough, eagles do not always have a positive light cast upon them in the bible. For example, they are one of the "unclean" animals not to be eaten (Leviticus 11:13; Deuteronomy 14:12), and foreign armies and oppressors are described as "eagles swooping down on their prey." (Job 9:26) Does this mean anything? Yes and no. Eagles are neither inherently good or evil, but they are a great example of how anything can be used to serve God's will.
Back to the devotional though. "In everyday life the humble and self-effacing person eventually prospers and wins the respect of others far more than the arrogant, proud and powerful person." Sort of, but I'm not sure I'm on board all the way with this one. In the eyes of Christ, yes, but if you thank of the most famous/popular people in the world, who are respected for who knows why the list isn't exactly choc full of "humble and self-effacing," or modest, people. It should be though. In fact, why isn't it?
People cry foul whenever their favorite celebrities and sports stars get caught messing up, but when they are winning, or performing well, their zany tendencies and self-centerdness is ignored. After Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger returned to the NFL from their respective suspensions we kept hearing "winning cures everything," and "if they want to silence the boos, they need to win football games." What the heck is that?
Matthew 7:1-5 - 1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
You know that I'm not saying we should ignore peoples errors and sins, nor do I think we should "boo" someone because of what they did or were accused of doing, but what if we simply encouraged repentance and love, and helped others instead of beating them down? How do we see with these 2X4s in our eyes?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Before God and Men
Lets go deeper.
This is what I think every time I read one of these devotional entries.
Lets go deeper.
It's not that this guide isn't great, I feel that it is supposed to be a springboard, and if that is it's purpose, if it is supposed to get me thinking, then it is doing and has done it's job.
Today's message is again about humility. I read through the passage, reflecting silently that this is the continuation of the argument for, push towards, humility. Then I read this: "God will remain distant and aloof, even opposing us(James 4:6) until we choose to humble ourselves." I'm not sure how I feel about that statement. Here's the actual verse:
James 4:6 - But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
What do you think? I see that it says that God opposes the proud, but I struggle to think that the God that "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son" is distant or aloof. I feel this heading towards an argument of doctrine, and I'm sure towards a place of contention and confusion, but here goes anyway.
According to Merriam-Webster, aloof means "removed or distant either emotionally or physically." This is getting confusing already. Isn't God omnipresent? Didn't he die for us? Doesn't he leave the other 99 sheep to find us?
Matthew 18:12-14 - 12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Another example, the Prodigal or Lost Son. Most know the story, but a quick refresher: A man has two sons, one asks for his part of the estate, leaves, blows through his money, hires himself out, and literally eats the same food that he is bringing out to the pigs because he has no food.
Luke 15:17-24,31-32 - 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
He ran home to his father, expecting nothing but to become a servant. He knew his wrongdoings and was willing to pay the time.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
The brother of the lost son is angry that his father is treating his brother so well despite his sins, and his father answers him, God answers us:
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
God is certainly not pleased by our sins and shortfalls, but he does not abandon us. He loves us completely, he died for us. He welcomes us home with open arms and even chases after us.
Now don't read this as an attack on the guide, but I think it is important to examine and not simply blindly follow. If the words are God's they will always stand up to even the most thorough examination. We are not to test the Lord, but I often feel that he enjoys being examined and explored because it draws us nearer to him.
I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you
I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
'Cause you're not
You're not alone
- Red, Not Alone
p.s. Check out Red's new album, Until We Have Faces, very awesome!
This is what I think every time I read one of these devotional entries.
Lets go deeper.
It's not that this guide isn't great, I feel that it is supposed to be a springboard, and if that is it's purpose, if it is supposed to get me thinking, then it is doing and has done it's job.
Today's message is again about humility. I read through the passage, reflecting silently that this is the continuation of the argument for, push towards, humility. Then I read this: "God will remain distant and aloof, even opposing us(James 4:6) until we choose to humble ourselves." I'm not sure how I feel about that statement. Here's the actual verse:
James 4:6 - But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
What do you think? I see that it says that God opposes the proud, but I struggle to think that the God that "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son" is distant or aloof. I feel this heading towards an argument of doctrine, and I'm sure towards a place of contention and confusion, but here goes anyway.
According to Merriam-Webster, aloof means "removed or distant either emotionally or physically." This is getting confusing already. Isn't God omnipresent? Didn't he die for us? Doesn't he leave the other 99 sheep to find us?
Matthew 18:12-14 - 12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Another example, the Prodigal or Lost Son. Most know the story, but a quick refresher: A man has two sons, one asks for his part of the estate, leaves, blows through his money, hires himself out, and literally eats the same food that he is bringing out to the pigs because he has no food.
Luke 15:17-24,31-32 - 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
He ran home to his father, expecting nothing but to become a servant. He knew his wrongdoings and was willing to pay the time.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
The brother of the lost son is angry that his father is treating his brother so well despite his sins, and his father answers him, God answers us:
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
God is certainly not pleased by our sins and shortfalls, but he does not abandon us. He loves us completely, he died for us. He welcomes us home with open arms and even chases after us.
Now don't read this as an attack on the guide, but I think it is important to examine and not simply blindly follow. If the words are God's they will always stand up to even the most thorough examination. We are not to test the Lord, but I often feel that he enjoys being examined and explored because it draws us nearer to him.
I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you
I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
'Cause you're not
You're not alone
- Red, Not Alone
p.s. Check out Red's new album, Until We Have Faces, very awesome!
Pride
The title of today's devotional is "Pride: Enemy of God." Those of you who go to Fellowship will remember Steve Kessler's recent message on pride, and Ray's about the temptation of Jesus. It's beginning to seem like the whole point of this fasting thing is a search for humbleness and humility. Oh yeah, that's because it is.
The scripture for today's message is James 4:6 - "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." I am immediately reminded of the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:3-11
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
This has always been a difficult passage for me to work through because it is so tempting to associate many of these qualities with weakness. However, as I have grown in my faith I have begun to recognize that these qualities are not signs of weakness, but of humble submission to God's will. The way Jesus concludes this teaching is one of my favorite encouragements he offers in his ministry.
Matthew 5:12 - Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
I like how the New Living translation translates the beginning of the verse: "Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven." Our reward does not come from our works or our "holiness." It is the direct gift of Jesus to us as a result of his sacrifice. So how does this relate to pride?
We have to push aside not only our earthly desires, but also the pride that is easily hidden or even unnoticed by us. We have a problem and try to solve it without pausing to pray. We don't even think to pray because of our subconscious pride!
This reminds me of something that just happened. Our neighbor Colleen was driving to Oklahoma, but her car broke down just outside of Waco. She texted us and asked us to pray about the situation. Everyone in the house immediately began thinking about how to remedy the situation, should we drive up there, should we have her car towed, etc. After a few hours we finally realized that we hadn't ever prayed about it. We finally did and just a few moments later got texts/calls that the car was running again. It should not have been running, it showed no signs of life, but suddenly it was up and running again.
I want to eliminate the hidden pride from my life. I don't even know how to do it, but I want to. Oh, and the regular pride can go too....
The scripture for today's message is James 4:6 - "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." I am immediately reminded of the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:3-11
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
This has always been a difficult passage for me to work through because it is so tempting to associate many of these qualities with weakness. However, as I have grown in my faith I have begun to recognize that these qualities are not signs of weakness, but of humble submission to God's will. The way Jesus concludes this teaching is one of my favorite encouragements he offers in his ministry.
Matthew 5:12 - Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
I like how the New Living translation translates the beginning of the verse: "Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven." Our reward does not come from our works or our "holiness." It is the direct gift of Jesus to us as a result of his sacrifice. So how does this relate to pride?
We have to push aside not only our earthly desires, but also the pride that is easily hidden or even unnoticed by us. We have a problem and try to solve it without pausing to pray. We don't even think to pray because of our subconscious pride!
This reminds me of something that just happened. Our neighbor Colleen was driving to Oklahoma, but her car broke down just outside of Waco. She texted us and asked us to pray about the situation. Everyone in the house immediately began thinking about how to remedy the situation, should we drive up there, should we have her car towed, etc. After a few hours we finally realized that we hadn't ever prayed about it. We finally did and just a few moments later got texts/calls that the car was running again. It should not have been running, it showed no signs of life, but suddenly it was up and running again.
I want to eliminate the hidden pride from my life. I don't even know how to do it, but I want to. Oh, and the regular pride can go too....
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Life Surrendered
This morning I woke up with Proverbs 19:1-2 on my mind. I didn't know what it was so I looked it up.
Proverbs 19:1-2
1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
I didn't really know what to make of this passage. I had not slept very well and when I woke up my mind was already racing with plans and ideas. I read "how much more will hasty feet miss the way!" over and over again.
Confused and restless, as well as bitter that I had gotten up so early on my sleep in day, I slowly made my way downstairs and grabbed the Divine Experiment devotional. "A Life Surrendered" was the title of today's devotional, and it was all about Jesus' full submission to the Father's will. The booklet gave numerous verses associated with this that really go well with yesterday's topic, Jesus: Our Example.
John 6:38 - I have not come to do my own will but that of the Father.
The booklet says "Jesus emptied Himself of His divine prerogatives as eternal deity and became a servant so that God might be all in all in his life." In the garden of Gethsemane hours before his execution Jesus cries out in Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
It's funny how every time we try to name a good example of a certain virtue or quality one person always seems to jokingly say Jesus, but in fact, he is the perfect example, and the only one at that. He knew the Father's will for him and he did surrender his life to His will so that we might live.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
And it is by his death, and by that sacrifice alone that we are reconciled.
Ephesians 2:4-10 - 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
These passages are a wonderful reminder of God's love for us, but I was still feeling burdened and weak as I read them. Then, in my attempt to find 2 Corinthians 4:8-12, I somehow ended up a few chapters later.
2 Corinthians 12:5-10 - 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
At this point I had realized that instead of answering my first question, I had answered other questions and posed many more. Are my hasty feet causing me to miss the way? Do I trust God enough to do his will? Do I believe that his "grace is sufficient," and that his "power is made perfect" in my weaknesses? Do I celebrate the hard times and use them as opportunities? And am I willing to believe that "when I am weak, then I am strong?"
This is a lot to swallow, and having spent the entire day on it, I am no closer to an answer than when these questions first arrived. But maybe that's because these aren't one-time questions. Maybe they are questions to take with us.
"You're my beloved, lover I'm yours.
Death shall not part us, it's you I died for..."
- Beloved, Tenth Avenue North
Proverbs 19:1-2
1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
I didn't really know what to make of this passage. I had not slept very well and when I woke up my mind was already racing with plans and ideas. I read "how much more will hasty feet miss the way!" over and over again.
Confused and restless, as well as bitter that I had gotten up so early on my sleep in day, I slowly made my way downstairs and grabbed the Divine Experiment devotional. "A Life Surrendered" was the title of today's devotional, and it was all about Jesus' full submission to the Father's will. The booklet gave numerous verses associated with this that really go well with yesterday's topic, Jesus: Our Example.
John 6:38 - I have not come to do my own will but that of the Father.
The booklet says "Jesus emptied Himself of His divine prerogatives as eternal deity and became a servant so that God might be all in all in his life." In the garden of Gethsemane hours before his execution Jesus cries out in Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
It's funny how every time we try to name a good example of a certain virtue or quality one person always seems to jokingly say Jesus, but in fact, he is the perfect example, and the only one at that. He knew the Father's will for him and he did surrender his life to His will so that we might live.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
And it is by his death, and by that sacrifice alone that we are reconciled.
Ephesians 2:4-10 - 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
These passages are a wonderful reminder of God's love for us, but I was still feeling burdened and weak as I read them. Then, in my attempt to find 2 Corinthians 4:8-12, I somehow ended up a few chapters later.
2 Corinthians 12:5-10 - 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
At this point I had realized that instead of answering my first question, I had answered other questions and posed many more. Are my hasty feet causing me to miss the way? Do I trust God enough to do his will? Do I believe that his "grace is sufficient," and that his "power is made perfect" in my weaknesses? Do I celebrate the hard times and use them as opportunities? And am I willing to believe that "when I am weak, then I am strong?"
This is a lot to swallow, and having spent the entire day on it, I am no closer to an answer than when these questions first arrived. But maybe that's because these aren't one-time questions. Maybe they are questions to take with us.
"You're my beloved, lover I'm yours.
Death shall not part us, it's you I died for..."
- Beloved, Tenth Avenue North
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Day 3
So, I was raised a Catholic. Maybe that's why I've always been hesitant about fasting. Lent never made a whole lot of sense to me, probably because it's true purpose has been lost or distorted, or at the very least it never got through my thick skull. So why do we fast?
Matthew 4:1-3 - 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Man there is a lot to unpack in that before we even get to Jesus' answer. As the title for today's devotional for the DE goes: Jesus: Our Example.
Fasting is an incredibly humbling experience. Being on day three, I'm beginning to recognize that this is not going to be as easy as I may have led myself to believe. Jesus was and is the perfect example of humility.
Phil 2:5-8 - 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Wow. He humbled himself to come down from heaven, take on human flesh and die in the most painful and don't forget embarrassing way imaginable. Going back to Matthew 4:2 "he was hungry." Really? Ya think? 40 days without food, in the desert. I'd need at least some crackers and a juice box. The devil, knowing Jesus' power tells him to simply turn the rocks into bread. Why doesn't Jesus?
Matthew 4:4 - 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Jesus' answer is a heavy one. He is saying much more than just that God's word is everything, he is saying that he has humbled himself, and will not break his fast. He will continue to suffer until his fast is over, and will not succumb to the temptation.
Satan eventually leaves Jesus, but not before tempting him two more times with even greater challenges. Then in Matthew 4:11 it says that Jesus was attended to by angels. The concept of angels is one that is tough to grasp. My head hurts just thinking about it. But I have to admit, I love the idea of God rewarding my trust in his will by having his angels care for me, and I know that in times when I have fasted from food I have felt hunger, and other times I have felt inexplicable fullness, for lack of a better word.
With fasting comes a number of challenges, not the least of which is remembering which things to fast from. But there is a small joy in my heart in the victory of remembering not to do something because it reminds me of why I am doing this.
The devotional guide asks "Jesus was willing to be rejected and misunderstood by men for the sake of redemption. Are we willing to do the same?" Jesus tells us to "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations," but no one said it would be easy. We will be misunderstood at every turn in our life, and during these 21 days, but I pray that those of us in this experiment, and all of us for that matter, will remember the following.
1 Peter 3:15-18 - 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
I have hope, and I know it will grow as these days go by.
Matthew 4:1-3 - 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Man there is a lot to unpack in that before we even get to Jesus' answer. As the title for today's devotional for the DE goes: Jesus: Our Example.
Fasting is an incredibly humbling experience. Being on day three, I'm beginning to recognize that this is not going to be as easy as I may have led myself to believe. Jesus was and is the perfect example of humility.
Phil 2:5-8 - 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Wow. He humbled himself to come down from heaven, take on human flesh and die in the most painful and don't forget embarrassing way imaginable. Going back to Matthew 4:2 "he was hungry." Really? Ya think? 40 days without food, in the desert. I'd need at least some crackers and a juice box. The devil, knowing Jesus' power tells him to simply turn the rocks into bread. Why doesn't Jesus?
Matthew 4:4 - 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Jesus' answer is a heavy one. He is saying much more than just that God's word is everything, he is saying that he has humbled himself, and will not break his fast. He will continue to suffer until his fast is over, and will not succumb to the temptation.
Satan eventually leaves Jesus, but not before tempting him two more times with even greater challenges. Then in Matthew 4:11 it says that Jesus was attended to by angels. The concept of angels is one that is tough to grasp. My head hurts just thinking about it. But I have to admit, I love the idea of God rewarding my trust in his will by having his angels care for me, and I know that in times when I have fasted from food I have felt hunger, and other times I have felt inexplicable fullness, for lack of a better word.
With fasting comes a number of challenges, not the least of which is remembering which things to fast from. But there is a small joy in my heart in the victory of remembering not to do something because it reminds me of why I am doing this.
The devotional guide asks "Jesus was willing to be rejected and misunderstood by men for the sake of redemption. Are we willing to do the same?" Jesus tells us to "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations," but no one said it would be easy. We will be misunderstood at every turn in our life, and during these 21 days, but I pray that those of us in this experiment, and all of us for that matter, will remember the following.
1 Peter 3:15-18 - 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
I have hope, and I know it will grow as these days go by.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Divine Experiment
So, my church has joined up with this thing called the divine experiment. Basically it is a 21 day fast from anything that keeps us from God. I spent a lot of time mulling over what things I needed to fast from and almost every time I thought I had settled on a particular thing my focus changed. Here are the things that I am publicly committing to giving up for until March 6: energy drinks/coffee, alcohol, wasting time, secular music and shaving. In addition, I am trying to add a few things to my routine: more exercise and more prayer. My roommates have committed to me on the secular music thing and we have also agreed to try to eliminate picking on one another, even though it is rarely if ever mean spirited.
In these 21 days I am expectant of change, though I don't know what that will look like. I have been praying about that already, and I have been asking for God to change me in some specific ways, like emboldening me to reach out to people and to stop judging people before I even speak to them.
So like I said this has been an evolving, changing and ever-growing list. Last night during prayer time my friend confessed that she struggles with trust. Just listening to her and then to the testimonies, advice, scripture, and prayer offered in response I realized that God was revealing that weakness in my own heart to me. I do struggle with trust as part of my greater struggle with self-worth. That's where the shaving comes in. I'm not going to shave, not just because that will give me a few extra minutes every day, but because to me that is a symbol of the oppression that I am under from the desire to be seen attractive.
Over the first two days of this experiment the direction the participants have been directed to move is towards recognizing a need for humility and submitting in that. It's a difficult concept to grasp for me, but I realize that in my lack of self confidence is a lack of humility. Because of my fears and shame I am unwilling to humble myself to God's works and desires.
So pray for me if you want, and pray for yourself. What are you holding onto that is keeping you from growing closer to God? What is that last 2%, as a friend once called it, between you and full submission to and reliance upon God? Lets see what happens.
p.s. I'm sorry this post was so stream-of-consciousness, but then again, the title of this blog is "Idle Thoughts from an Active Mind."
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
In these 21 days I am expectant of change, though I don't know what that will look like. I have been praying about that already, and I have been asking for God to change me in some specific ways, like emboldening me to reach out to people and to stop judging people before I even speak to them.
So like I said this has been an evolving, changing and ever-growing list. Last night during prayer time my friend confessed that she struggles with trust. Just listening to her and then to the testimonies, advice, scripture, and prayer offered in response I realized that God was revealing that weakness in my own heart to me. I do struggle with trust as part of my greater struggle with self-worth. That's where the shaving comes in. I'm not going to shave, not just because that will give me a few extra minutes every day, but because to me that is a symbol of the oppression that I am under from the desire to be seen attractive.
Over the first two days of this experiment the direction the participants have been directed to move is towards recognizing a need for humility and submitting in that. It's a difficult concept to grasp for me, but I realize that in my lack of self confidence is a lack of humility. Because of my fears and shame I am unwilling to humble myself to God's works and desires.
So pray for me if you want, and pray for yourself. What are you holding onto that is keeping you from growing closer to God? What is that last 2%, as a friend once called it, between you and full submission to and reliance upon God? Lets see what happens.
p.s. I'm sorry this post was so stream-of-consciousness, but then again, the title of this blog is "Idle Thoughts from an Active Mind."
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
Monday, February 14, 2011
Oh God, You're Funny
God has a sense of humor. Fact. It often takes us a long time to really grasp what He is talking about and get the punchline, but He has a sense of humor. Other times it's not so much humor as it is wit. Man, do I ever short change Him. The next time you think he has placed a thought, verse, or song on your heart, examine it again and again and listen, because He's most likely not finished talking to you. In fact, a lot of the time you will find that He is not only delivering you a message, but he wants you to share it with others as well.
For me the most amazing realization just struck. God was speaking to me out of a book of His bible, and while the words were vastly important, that wasn't the only message he was sending. I won't go into too much more detail, except to say that my mind was absolutely blown apart when I finally put two and two together three hours later. I thought, what book was that verse in again...? Oh my, that is too cool.
Again, sorry I am being so vague, but this was a message for me.
Last night and today I had a few great talks with friends about dreams. Are they all from God? Maybe not, but some definitely are. How God is speaking through those he sends though is truly unbelievable. Again a testament (excuse the pun) to his wit.
I was watching some I am second videos yesterday and one really stands out to me again and again. I have seen it several times already, but it always just takes my breath away. Here's a link to it.
The video is of Brian Welch's testimony. Brian was the lead singer of Korn before giving it up, along with drugs and many other sins, to raise his daughter and pursue a true relationship with Christ. The words he says about crying out to God are hauntingly beautiful. He looks tot he sky, hands outstretched and says "search my heart God." He then asks God for help with drugs and addiction and he is freed from those chains. As my friend put it "you can't just throw that stuff (methamphetamine) out one day and walk away, no human has that strength, but you can see that God did that in him." You are so right. God stepped in and broke his chains, freed him of his pain and addiction and literally saved his life.
Brian had the verse Matthew 11:28 shared with him. "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." He then picked the verse apart and examined it from multiple angles to understand it.
Today God again and again reminded e simply to ask him for what I need. This was punctuated by Luke 11:9-13
9“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
And then again in a another passage where God says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Let's seek him today. Let's let him empty out the garbage in our hearts.
Psalm 51:10
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
He desires you, he desires me, and he will be by our side, whenever we fall, in the dead of night, whenever we call, so let's not fight these hands that are holding us.
Continue to surprise me God, your surprises are the best.
For me the most amazing realization just struck. God was speaking to me out of a book of His bible, and while the words were vastly important, that wasn't the only message he was sending. I won't go into too much more detail, except to say that my mind was absolutely blown apart when I finally put two and two together three hours later. I thought, what book was that verse in again...? Oh my, that is too cool.
Again, sorry I am being so vague, but this was a message for me.
Last night and today I had a few great talks with friends about dreams. Are they all from God? Maybe not, but some definitely are. How God is speaking through those he sends though is truly unbelievable. Again a testament (excuse the pun) to his wit.
I was watching some I am second videos yesterday and one really stands out to me again and again. I have seen it several times already, but it always just takes my breath away. Here's a link to it.
The video is of Brian Welch's testimony. Brian was the lead singer of Korn before giving it up, along with drugs and many other sins, to raise his daughter and pursue a true relationship with Christ. The words he says about crying out to God are hauntingly beautiful. He looks tot he sky, hands outstretched and says "search my heart God." He then asks God for help with drugs and addiction and he is freed from those chains. As my friend put it "you can't just throw that stuff (methamphetamine) out one day and walk away, no human has that strength, but you can see that God did that in him." You are so right. God stepped in and broke his chains, freed him of his pain and addiction and literally saved his life.
Brian had the verse Matthew 11:28 shared with him. "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." He then picked the verse apart and examined it from multiple angles to understand it.
Today God again and again reminded e simply to ask him for what I need. This was punctuated by Luke 11:9-13
9“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
And then again in a another passage where God says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Let's seek him today. Let's let him empty out the garbage in our hearts.
Psalm 51:10
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
He desires you, he desires me, and he will be by our side, whenever we fall, in the dead of night, whenever we call, so let's not fight these hands that are holding us.
Continue to surprise me God, your surprises are the best.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Summer and Thoughts
I am clumsy. Very very clumsy. I had several paragraphs of eloquently written dialogue about my bust job and how I forgot how much I enjoy writing for myself, but I hit the back button and lost it. Pretend this is that.
Moving on...
I like to write and get things out of my system. A lot of people like to talk, paint, or even exercise, but I prefer to write. It is strange though because in the same way that some people talk ages to open up in conversation I take a long time to convince myself to write or make time for it.
So what to talk about? Who knows, lets see where this takes us. I'll start with my job. My job is insane. On non game days, or 10 out of the summer, i have it pretty easy. Just 9-6 of non stop scheduling, writing, and dealing with player stuff. On game days: Yikes.
I have duties at the office to take care of from 9 until 2. At that time I go pick up the player uniforms after our game day meeting and head to the ballpark. Once there I set up the dugout, get water for both teams, lay out the jerseys, set up parking, get my spot set up if i am doing online play-by-play, or get my spot set in the dugout, then help everyone else set up the park. We usually finish just as the gates open. After an hour of hawking programs, helping with tickets or picnics, delivering food, etc. I either do the play-by-play or help in the dugout until the game ends.
After the game it's thirst minutes to write my press release and update the website then help with cleanup. Usually i get my story up adn sent out, get the uniforms bagged and leave the stadium around 12:30, get home at 1, and get ready to do it all again the next day. Road games are pretty much the same, except add in three hours for laundry instead of clean-up and 3-6 hour bus rides.
I'm not sure why i felt the need to tell that, but it's there so enjoy it. Moving on, I am not happy because of the amount of time the internship takes. I knew it would be insane, but i thought I would get to come in later on home game days, etc and its very frustrating not getting to spend time with the people I love.
I have really focused recently, however, on trying to return my focus to God instead of my aches, pains, complaints, etc. It is not easy, but it is refreshing. I need to do that much more frequently, and that is something that I am working on. Hopefully I will learn how to do that better no matter how busy my life is.
One of the best things about how bad life can be is the unexpected places God likes to show up and surprise you. Sometimes it is subtle, a beautiful tree or flower. Sometimes a surprise that makes you smile, like a deer in the mall parking lot. Sometimes it is a smack in the face of the reach God has.
I was talking to one of the players on our team. He is by no means a bad person, but not the type you expect to be open with faith. He is a bit of a party-er, but again a heck of a guy. I was talking to him before a game and I saw some writing on the bill of his cap. I thought it would say "Power," "Focus," or something like that. Instead? PHIL 4:13.
I asked him what verse it was and without hesitation, despite his teammates around him he responds "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It was just so refreshing to be hit by that. In the grand scheme of things, it is not a big deal at all, but it is one of those "Wow, Jesus is everywhere, in everything, and he cannot be held back" moments for me.
Anyway, it feels good to talk so I hope to keep this going and soon. Thanks for reading!
Moving on...
I like to write and get things out of my system. A lot of people like to talk, paint, or even exercise, but I prefer to write. It is strange though because in the same way that some people talk ages to open up in conversation I take a long time to convince myself to write or make time for it.
So what to talk about? Who knows, lets see where this takes us. I'll start with my job. My job is insane. On non game days, or 10 out of the summer, i have it pretty easy. Just 9-6 of non stop scheduling, writing, and dealing with player stuff. On game days: Yikes.
I have duties at the office to take care of from 9 until 2. At that time I go pick up the player uniforms after our game day meeting and head to the ballpark. Once there I set up the dugout, get water for both teams, lay out the jerseys, set up parking, get my spot set up if i am doing online play-by-play, or get my spot set in the dugout, then help everyone else set up the park. We usually finish just as the gates open. After an hour of hawking programs, helping with tickets or picnics, delivering food, etc. I either do the play-by-play or help in the dugout until the game ends.
After the game it's thirst minutes to write my press release and update the website then help with cleanup. Usually i get my story up adn sent out, get the uniforms bagged and leave the stadium around 12:30, get home at 1, and get ready to do it all again the next day. Road games are pretty much the same, except add in three hours for laundry instead of clean-up and 3-6 hour bus rides.
I'm not sure why i felt the need to tell that, but it's there so enjoy it. Moving on, I am not happy because of the amount of time the internship takes. I knew it would be insane, but i thought I would get to come in later on home game days, etc and its very frustrating not getting to spend time with the people I love.
I have really focused recently, however, on trying to return my focus to God instead of my aches, pains, complaints, etc. It is not easy, but it is refreshing. I need to do that much more frequently, and that is something that I am working on. Hopefully I will learn how to do that better no matter how busy my life is.
One of the best things about how bad life can be is the unexpected places God likes to show up and surprise you. Sometimes it is subtle, a beautiful tree or flower. Sometimes a surprise that makes you smile, like a deer in the mall parking lot. Sometimes it is a smack in the face of the reach God has.
I was talking to one of the players on our team. He is by no means a bad person, but not the type you expect to be open with faith. He is a bit of a party-er, but again a heck of a guy. I was talking to him before a game and I saw some writing on the bill of his cap. I thought it would say "Power," "Focus," or something like that. Instead? PHIL 4:13.
I asked him what verse it was and without hesitation, despite his teammates around him he responds "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It was just so refreshing to be hit by that. In the grand scheme of things, it is not a big deal at all, but it is one of those "Wow, Jesus is everywhere, in everything, and he cannot be held back" moments for me.
Anyway, it feels good to talk so I hope to keep this going and soon. Thanks for reading!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
I'm Baaaaaack
So, I skipped all of April on accident, and now almost half of May. The good news is that now that finals are over the blogging can resume!
Man, what a wild semester, year, everything this has been. If you are reading this you are subject to my will as far as what I choose to write so get ready.
First, I am incredibly blessed. I have an amazing family, both immediate and extended, and the best friends anyone could ever ask for. The time between my last post and this one has been insane, here's the rundown.
I did not get the internship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. I was crushed of course, as I really had thought that was what I was supposed to do. However, a few days later I received an unexpected phone call. A few days later I was the new intern for the Brazos Valley Bombers. The Bombers are a wood bat collegiate only summer league baseball team located here in Bryan-College Station, Texas. It's kind of like a AAA team but the players cannot be paid or they would lose their eligibility.
The best part of the internship is the work I will be doing. I will be writing all of the stories and press releases, keeping statistics for the team, doing some minor assistant coaching tasks, booking hotels, etc. I am also going to be traveling with the team on road trips. I am beyond excited, even though I know I will be run ragged by the time the summer is over.
Marissa, my amazing, incredible, talented, beautiful, and remarkably patient-with-me girlfriend also got an internship with a company in College Station that does t-shirt, web, and other parts of design. She got it in less than 24 hours. You can check out her blog and some of her work, including the t-shirt design that basically got her the job here.
Glad you're back. All during the end of this semester, I have been consumed by trying to understand Spanish. Spanish is fine, but my professor has been, for lack of a better word, unhelpful. I'm glad the class is over, but I hope I was able to pull off a "B" somehow.
April 30th was the birthday of my favorite sister, M.C. She turned 25 and she is a wonderful example in my life. She is currently heavily pursuing journalism, and I could not be more proud of her after she recently got an internship as a photographer for the Salem News near Boston, Mass.
We had dinner that night in Houston at a place called Armando's that was incredible, and I got to hang out with my sister, her amazing friend Laura, Marissa, and my extended family.
The next day was my dad's wedding. It was certainly an interesting and difficult night. I was asked to say the prayer before dinner, and that was very difficult for me, but I'm glad I did it. After the dinner was over, he and his bride left and the rest of our group strolled over to the bar at the hotel the wedding was at. After some time there my cousin Katie and I decided to give wedding crashing a try. All I will say about that is that it was a great success.
These past few days have been all about finals. On Tuesday I had three. For the first time in my life I did not sleep at all. Monday night became Tuesday morning without my body ever touching my bed or sleeping for one second. I was frustrated because I cam so close to getting an A in one class from all that work (just 4 questions short), and my Spanish test would have been just as hard if I hadn't studied. Oh well, at least the semester is over.
Well, I'll stop here for today, that's all I care to talk about right now. I will make an effort to resume my blogging asap. Thanks for reading!
Man, what a wild semester, year, everything this has been. If you are reading this you are subject to my will as far as what I choose to write so get ready.
First, I am incredibly blessed. I have an amazing family, both immediate and extended, and the best friends anyone could ever ask for. The time between my last post and this one has been insane, here's the rundown.
I did not get the internship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. I was crushed of course, as I really had thought that was what I was supposed to do. However, a few days later I received an unexpected phone call. A few days later I was the new intern for the Brazos Valley Bombers. The Bombers are a wood bat collegiate only summer league baseball team located here in Bryan-College Station, Texas. It's kind of like a AAA team but the players cannot be paid or they would lose their eligibility.
The best part of the internship is the work I will be doing. I will be writing all of the stories and press releases, keeping statistics for the team, doing some minor assistant coaching tasks, booking hotels, etc. I am also going to be traveling with the team on road trips. I am beyond excited, even though I know I will be run ragged by the time the summer is over.
Marissa, my amazing, incredible, talented, beautiful, and remarkably patient-with-me girlfriend also got an internship with a company in College Station that does t-shirt, web, and other parts of design. She got it in less than 24 hours. You can check out her blog and some of her work, including the t-shirt design that basically got her the job here.
Glad you're back. All during the end of this semester, I have been consumed by trying to understand Spanish. Spanish is fine, but my professor has been, for lack of a better word, unhelpful. I'm glad the class is over, but I hope I was able to pull off a "B" somehow.
April 30th was the birthday of my favorite sister, M.C. She turned 25 and she is a wonderful example in my life. She is currently heavily pursuing journalism, and I could not be more proud of her after she recently got an internship as a photographer for the Salem News near Boston, Mass.
We had dinner that night in Houston at a place called Armando's that was incredible, and I got to hang out with my sister, her amazing friend Laura, Marissa, and my extended family.
The next day was my dad's wedding. It was certainly an interesting and difficult night. I was asked to say the prayer before dinner, and that was very difficult for me, but I'm glad I did it. After the dinner was over, he and his bride left and the rest of our group strolled over to the bar at the hotel the wedding was at. After some time there my cousin Katie and I decided to give wedding crashing a try. All I will say about that is that it was a great success.
These past few days have been all about finals. On Tuesday I had three. For the first time in my life I did not sleep at all. Monday night became Tuesday morning without my body ever touching my bed or sleeping for one second. I was frustrated because I cam so close to getting an A in one class from all that work (just 4 questions short), and my Spanish test would have been just as hard if I hadn't studied. Oh well, at least the semester is over.
Well, I'll stop here for today, that's all I care to talk about right now. I will make an effort to resume my blogging asap. Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Ha Ha, Very Funny...
On Tuesday I had an interview with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Overall I feel like the interview went well, but it ended with "I have a few other interviews to run this week so we will be in touch on or around Friday."
Lessen learned: Be careful what you ask for.
Let's backtrack for just a minute.
I have applied for an internship with a fairly hefty number of companies and Enterprise was the first to respond. Going in to my interview on Tuesday, I had a lot of thoughts rushing through my mind. I guess the best way to get my point across is simply to state the following: Enterprise is a great company, but I am conflicted because it is not major-related for me. So going in to the interview I was trying to determine the correct course of action to take.
There were a few possible outcomes in my mind before the interview began.
1. I would not be offered the job and would be back to square one.
2. I would be offered the job, and given time to make a decision.
3. I would be offered the job, but forced to make a decision at that time.
The most appealing to me was #2 and the reason why is that quite frankly if ESPN calls how could I turn it down? I would feel bad if I had to accept the job and then reject it later, possibly ruining Enterprise's chance to get an intern for the summer. I realize that getting an internship with ESPN would pretty much take a miracle (currently praying for said miracle), but I would feel bad if that happened. So, going in to Tuesday I prayed that I would have time to make a decision on the Enterprise internship.
Well, in a way I got what I asked for. Of course, I have not been offered the job, but if I am, it will not be until Friday. My prayer for more time was answered, I just should have been more specific...
So if there is a moral to this story, prayer works, but be specific!
Lessen learned: Be careful what you ask for.
Let's backtrack for just a minute.
I have applied for an internship with a fairly hefty number of companies and Enterprise was the first to respond. Going in to my interview on Tuesday, I had a lot of thoughts rushing through my mind. I guess the best way to get my point across is simply to state the following: Enterprise is a great company, but I am conflicted because it is not major-related for me. So going in to the interview I was trying to determine the correct course of action to take.
There were a few possible outcomes in my mind before the interview began.
1. I would not be offered the job and would be back to square one.
2. I would be offered the job, and given time to make a decision.
3. I would be offered the job, but forced to make a decision at that time.
The most appealing to me was #2 and the reason why is that quite frankly if ESPN calls how could I turn it down? I would feel bad if I had to accept the job and then reject it later, possibly ruining Enterprise's chance to get an intern for the summer. I realize that getting an internship with ESPN would pretty much take a miracle (currently praying for said miracle), but I would feel bad if that happened. So, going in to Tuesday I prayed that I would have time to make a decision on the Enterprise internship.
Well, in a way I got what I asked for. Of course, I have not been offered the job, but if I am, it will not be until Friday. My prayer for more time was answered, I just should have been more specific...
So if there is a moral to this story, prayer works, but be specific!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Check it!
Here is my first post on TAMUtimes! Please read it if you have time as i could really use the feedback! Thanks again!
Oh and I promise I will continue to post here!
William's First Post
Oh and I promise I will continue to post here!
William's First Post
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Exciting News
Howdy everyone, I have exciting news. Starting very soon I will begin Blogging for TAMUtimes, the Texas A&M official Blog! Be sure to check it out from time to time, as the other writers are all awesome!
You can follow this link to see the site: TAMUtimes.tamu.edu
Seeing as in that blog, just like this one, we are free to write about whatever we want to I was hoping to get a few suggestions. Please comment anything that you would like me to write about, especially pertaining to life as an Aggie, life in College Station, or something along those lines.
Don't fret, I will continue to post on this blog, they only allow me one or two a week on that one! You will hear from me soon!
p.s. how is this for my thumbnail pic for my profile on TAMUtimes?
You can follow this link to see the site: TAMUtimes.tamu.edu
Seeing as in that blog, just like this one, we are free to write about whatever we want to I was hoping to get a few suggestions. Please comment anything that you would like me to write about, especially pertaining to life as an Aggie, life in College Station, or something along those lines.
Don't fret, I will continue to post on this blog, they only allow me one or two a week on that one! You will hear from me soon!
p.s. how is this for my thumbnail pic for my profile on TAMUtimes?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
This one's short, I promise!
First, thank you to anyone who has actually taken the time to read my last few epic posts.
I love this University, and today as I was walking across campus, thinking to myself I had an idea. We hear them all the time, Aggie Jokes. Some people are offended, some people ignore them. I happen to like most of them, at least the ones in good taste. Hey if you can't laugh at yourself you are going to have a long life.
So here is my suggestion. We should have some type of campus wide contest to see who has the best Aggie Joke. I plan to email our president about my plan later today. Let me known what you think! But first: two jokes to get you started.
Why is there no ice at Texas A&M? The Aggie who knew the recipe graduated.
What do all the Coke bottles at Texas A&M have printed on the bottom? Open other end.
I love this University, and today as I was walking across campus, thinking to myself I had an idea. We hear them all the time, Aggie Jokes. Some people are offended, some people ignore them. I happen to like most of them, at least the ones in good taste. Hey if you can't laugh at yourself you are going to have a long life.
So here is my suggestion. We should have some type of campus wide contest to see who has the best Aggie Joke. I plan to email our president about my plan later today. Let me known what you think! But first: two jokes to get you started.
Why is there no ice at Texas A&M? The Aggie who knew the recipe graduated.
What do all the Coke bottles at Texas A&M have printed on the bottom? Open other end.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
That which is Caesars
For those of you living under a rock: There was, is, and likely there will continue to be a huge fight over health care in America.
The fight came to a head when the bill passed in the house. I'd like to take a minute to express my thoughts and feelings on the whole situation, but I promise to keep my comments rather depoliticized.
Let me start by saying I do not disagree that the nation's health care system needs an overhaul. Furthermore, some of the things in the bill I don't hate.
I struggle tying myself to any one political party. In fact, I favor the advice of George Washington who despised parties. I dislike the whole political machine.
"They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests." - George Washington - Farewell Address
So for some background let me explain my political standing in order to frame my forthcoming comments.
I like the constitution. It was written by some darn smart people and it has remained almost completely unchanged for over two hundred years. I would like the government to have as little power as possible and be as small as possible. I am willing to pay taxes to fund a standing army to defend this nation and do things like build and maintain roads. Beyond that I want to be left alone.
Through this lens it is easy to see why I hate this bill. First and foremost, let me just say that for the life of me I cannot understand why I can drive to Louisiana and buy a coke, a lottery ticket, a car, and so on but I cannot buy health care there or in any other state. If someone could explain that to me I would really appreciate it. I feel like that alone would open up the market to a novel idea that our friend the government seems to have forgotten: competition. And what does competition do in a free market? DRIVE DOWN PRICES. Problem solved. Furthermore, Amendment X, the last in the Bill of Rights, reads "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Where does the government derive the right to stop the interstate trade of health care?
The government has no grounds to force me to purchase health insurance. This bill will make that a law. That is absurd. I will be required by law to buy something. There are similar situations in that you have to buy insurance for your car, but you don't have to buy a car. This gives you no choice. I have not read one line in our constitution that gives the government the right to force American citizens to buy something. After just re-reading Article I of the Constitution I have still not found any language allowing the congress to pass any law that requires citizens to buy something.
Getting back to the whole political party thing, I don't like them but I feel it's worth noting when every single member of a party votes for or against a bill. I keep hearing from Nancy Pelosi and others that this bill is what the American people want, but that is not what I have heard. The intent for congress was to represent the will of the American people, and while this is never easy, I am willing to bet that less than a majority of Americans support this bill. Ignoring for a moment the fact that I think the bill is unconstitutional, I feel our lawmakers owe it to us to serve the will of the people.
One of the things that upsets me the most is the stance of the bill on Abortion. Regardless of whether you think abortion is murder even immediately after conception or just fine until birth you should not have to pay for others to have abortions. Yes, that is right, your tax dollars, the money your employer pays and that is drawn from your paycheck will fund abortions. My stomach turns because I am opposed to abortion. It turns also because this is like using taxpayer money to pay for health care for illegal immigrants, oh wait... But especially for something so controversial and so important to so many, how can you force someone to pay for something they do not want, and that they are morally opposed to.
I guess the reason I am upset is because I am tired of being told what to do and government waste and because my generation will have to foot the bill for this.
Some of you have heard of my anger over the letter from the Census Bureau telling us we would be getting the census form, (a letter telling us we would be receiving a letter) followed by the form itself and a separate letter with numbers to call for help that could have been stuffed in the census envelope so as to not pay for extra postage. Then you have the commercials and advertisements in other mediums. Your taxpayer dollars were used to make those commercials and ads and mail those extra letters. How many millions of dollars were wasted?
"The bureau is spending $133 million between January and May." - Foxnews.com
The ads were made in 28 different languages, "including some as obscure as Hmong, a southeast Asian dialect."
Now I know the power of advertising, but lets remember one important thing. You are required, by law, to fill out this form. talk about out of control spending. How do they justify this?
Just remember, every time the people of this nation let another one of their rights be taken we slip closer towards complete government control. If that is what you really want, then start celebrating because we are close.
Summary for those of you who don't want to read this whole thing:
1. I do not support this new health care bill because:
a. It is a direct infringement on both state and personal rights
b. It funds abortion
2. I want the government to have as little impact on my life as possible.
3. I'm sick and tired of being told what to do by the government
4. I'm tired of foolish government waste
5. I'm tired of our government spending money it does not have and sticking us with the bill.
Jesus taught us to care for one another, he taught us to give and give and give. Jesus did not say that the government should take money from people and redistribute it to others based on their judgment.
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'" - Mark 12:41-44
If the poor lady who gave what little she had, just a few pennies, had been forced by the law of the land to give it would it have meant as much? No. Charity is a decision to give, it cannot be forced.
I want to care for the people without insurance, but lets do it the right way. If we removed barriers to interstate trade to drive down costs and cut down on bogus malpractice to took care of our good doctors more people could afford health coverage. Those who wish to not buy it should not have to, but it should be available at a reasonable price to all. Those who want it but cannot afford it after that need our help and I have faith that the generosity of the American people, the most generous nation on earth, would be enough.
"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." - Matthew 22:21
I use a lot of quotes, but let me finish with one all my own. Care for your neighbor because you want to and you know through the example of Jesus that it is right. Charity by force does not benefit anyone, it creates a society of people who think they are entitled to teh fruits of the labor of others.
Ok, one last quote from someone else.
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you will not have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is.”—Author Unknown
The fight came to a head when the bill passed in the house. I'd like to take a minute to express my thoughts and feelings on the whole situation, but I promise to keep my comments rather depoliticized.
Let me start by saying I do not disagree that the nation's health care system needs an overhaul. Furthermore, some of the things in the bill I don't hate.
I struggle tying myself to any one political party. In fact, I favor the advice of George Washington who despised parties. I dislike the whole political machine.
"They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests." - George Washington - Farewell Address
So for some background let me explain my political standing in order to frame my forthcoming comments.
I like the constitution. It was written by some darn smart people and it has remained almost completely unchanged for over two hundred years. I would like the government to have as little power as possible and be as small as possible. I am willing to pay taxes to fund a standing army to defend this nation and do things like build and maintain roads. Beyond that I want to be left alone.
Through this lens it is easy to see why I hate this bill. First and foremost, let me just say that for the life of me I cannot understand why I can drive to Louisiana and buy a coke, a lottery ticket, a car, and so on but I cannot buy health care there or in any other state. If someone could explain that to me I would really appreciate it. I feel like that alone would open up the market to a novel idea that our friend the government seems to have forgotten: competition. And what does competition do in a free market? DRIVE DOWN PRICES. Problem solved. Furthermore, Amendment X, the last in the Bill of Rights, reads "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Where does the government derive the right to stop the interstate trade of health care?
The government has no grounds to force me to purchase health insurance. This bill will make that a law. That is absurd. I will be required by law to buy something. There are similar situations in that you have to buy insurance for your car, but you don't have to buy a car. This gives you no choice. I have not read one line in our constitution that gives the government the right to force American citizens to buy something. After just re-reading Article I of the Constitution I have still not found any language allowing the congress to pass any law that requires citizens to buy something.
Getting back to the whole political party thing, I don't like them but I feel it's worth noting when every single member of a party votes for or against a bill. I keep hearing from Nancy Pelosi and others that this bill is what the American people want, but that is not what I have heard. The intent for congress was to represent the will of the American people, and while this is never easy, I am willing to bet that less than a majority of Americans support this bill. Ignoring for a moment the fact that I think the bill is unconstitutional, I feel our lawmakers owe it to us to serve the will of the people.
One of the things that upsets me the most is the stance of the bill on Abortion. Regardless of whether you think abortion is murder even immediately after conception or just fine until birth you should not have to pay for others to have abortions. Yes, that is right, your tax dollars, the money your employer pays and that is drawn from your paycheck will fund abortions. My stomach turns because I am opposed to abortion. It turns also because this is like using taxpayer money to pay for health care for illegal immigrants, oh wait... But especially for something so controversial and so important to so many, how can you force someone to pay for something they do not want, and that they are morally opposed to.
I guess the reason I am upset is because I am tired of being told what to do and government waste and because my generation will have to foot the bill for this.
Some of you have heard of my anger over the letter from the Census Bureau telling us we would be getting the census form, (a letter telling us we would be receiving a letter) followed by the form itself and a separate letter with numbers to call for help that could have been stuffed in the census envelope so as to not pay for extra postage. Then you have the commercials and advertisements in other mediums. Your taxpayer dollars were used to make those commercials and ads and mail those extra letters. How many millions of dollars were wasted?
"The bureau is spending $133 million between January and May." - Foxnews.com
The ads were made in 28 different languages, "including some as obscure as Hmong, a southeast Asian dialect."
Now I know the power of advertising, but lets remember one important thing. You are required, by law, to fill out this form. talk about out of control spending. How do they justify this?
Just remember, every time the people of this nation let another one of their rights be taken we slip closer towards complete government control. If that is what you really want, then start celebrating because we are close.
Summary for those of you who don't want to read this whole thing:
1. I do not support this new health care bill because:
a. It is a direct infringement on both state and personal rights
b. It funds abortion
2. I want the government to have as little impact on my life as possible.
3. I'm sick and tired of being told what to do by the government
4. I'm tired of foolish government waste
5. I'm tired of our government spending money it does not have and sticking us with the bill.
Jesus taught us to care for one another, he taught us to give and give and give. Jesus did not say that the government should take money from people and redistribute it to others based on their judgment.
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'" - Mark 12:41-44
If the poor lady who gave what little she had, just a few pennies, had been forced by the law of the land to give it would it have meant as much? No. Charity is a decision to give, it cannot be forced.
I want to care for the people without insurance, but lets do it the right way. If we removed barriers to interstate trade to drive down costs and cut down on bogus malpractice to took care of our good doctors more people could afford health coverage. Those who wish to not buy it should not have to, but it should be available at a reasonable price to all. Those who want it but cannot afford it after that need our help and I have faith that the generosity of the American people, the most generous nation on earth, would be enough.
"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." - Matthew 22:21
I use a lot of quotes, but let me finish with one all my own. Care for your neighbor because you want to and you know through the example of Jesus that it is right. Charity by force does not benefit anyone, it creates a society of people who think they are entitled to teh fruits of the labor of others.
Ok, one last quote from someone else.
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you will not have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is.”—Author Unknown
Monday, March 22, 2010
Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin
How strong are you?
I don't mean physically. I mean how strong of a person are you. What would it take for you to give up your ways, your beliefs, your faith?
I've been reading the book of Daniel. Wow. What an intense book. I have found that I have to re-read almost every line to keep up with what is going on. I want to keep my focus for once so back to strength.
Have you ever been threatened because of something you believed? Have you ever been criticized, ridiculed, laughed at, or made fun of because of what you think? The smart money is betting on a yes. I know I have and it sucks. It hurts, and it is embarrassing and uncomfortable.
However, have you ever been threatened by death for what you believe? Now, I know you have all heard this song and dance before, but I just can't help thinking about this when I read Daniel.
The book contains two stories of this idea. The first is the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. You might instead remember them as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The second is about Belteshazzar, a.k.a. Daniel. Kind of makes you wish you used to have a crazy name that God changed later huh?
I read these stories and I am amazed for a number of reasons.
First, I cannot think of a time when I have not been nervous to talk to someone who disagreed with me or challenged my faith. These men were told to worship a false god or king and they didn't even hesitate. I love the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when the king threatens to toss them into the fiery furnace.
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.'" Daniel 3:16-17
You have to love this commitment. Without a second thought they stood their ground and said no. But beyond that I love what they said next.
"'But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'" Daniel 3:18
I love that complete commitment to faith. Not only do the men say that they will not serve his idols but they would rather die than do so.
Now Rollin and a few of the other guys tease me for always saying "I completely disagree." They are saying "I would rather die than ever come close to agreeing with you." Perhaps I should adopt their saying, give it a try for a few days.
Just in case you don't know the story, the king has them bounds and thrown into a furnace so hot that it kills the men who throw them in when they come close to it.
The king looked on the furnace.
"He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'" Daniel 3:25
The second story is quite similar. The short of it is, the king is convinced to outlaw prayer for thirty days to any man or god, except for the king himself. He is convinced of this because the other leaders just under the king are jealous of Daniel and wan to get rid of him to usurp his authority. The king agrees.
I love Daniels reaction to the decree.
"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Daniel 6:10
Not, "Daniel was scared and hesitated." He went home and did what was right without so much as a deep breath. The men caught him praying and demanded he be killed. The king loved Daniel and fought for him, but eventually gave in and cast him into a den of lions.
"The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!'" Daniel 6:16
The king was not thrilled by this situation.
"A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?'" Daniel 6:17-20
By now you should know that Daniel was fine, but we'll get to that in a minute.
This is my hope for myself and for you. I hope that we can become people not just of faith, but also of strength. I hope that we could be as fearless and faithful as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
"The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." Daniel 6:23
Let us trust in God the same way. And let us no suffer the fate that befell Belshazzar. God told him, in the form of a hand that wrote on his wall:
"Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." Daniel 5:25
The words were Aramaic.
Mene means God has numbered your days and brought them to an end.
Upharsin means that your kingdom will be divided.
But Tekel is the one I fear the most.
"Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Daniel 5:27
I don't mean physically. I mean how strong of a person are you. What would it take for you to give up your ways, your beliefs, your faith?
I've been reading the book of Daniel. Wow. What an intense book. I have found that I have to re-read almost every line to keep up with what is going on. I want to keep my focus for once so back to strength.
Have you ever been threatened because of something you believed? Have you ever been criticized, ridiculed, laughed at, or made fun of because of what you think? The smart money is betting on a yes. I know I have and it sucks. It hurts, and it is embarrassing and uncomfortable.
However, have you ever been threatened by death for what you believe? Now, I know you have all heard this song and dance before, but I just can't help thinking about this when I read Daniel.
The book contains two stories of this idea. The first is the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. You might instead remember them as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The second is about Belteshazzar, a.k.a. Daniel. Kind of makes you wish you used to have a crazy name that God changed later huh?
I read these stories and I am amazed for a number of reasons.
First, I cannot think of a time when I have not been nervous to talk to someone who disagreed with me or challenged my faith. These men were told to worship a false god or king and they didn't even hesitate. I love the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when the king threatens to toss them into the fiery furnace.
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.'" Daniel 3:16-17
You have to love this commitment. Without a second thought they stood their ground and said no. But beyond that I love what they said next.
"'But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'" Daniel 3:18
I love that complete commitment to faith. Not only do the men say that they will not serve his idols but they would rather die than do so.
Now Rollin and a few of the other guys tease me for always saying "I completely disagree." They are saying "I would rather die than ever come close to agreeing with you." Perhaps I should adopt their saying, give it a try for a few days.
Just in case you don't know the story, the king has them bounds and thrown into a furnace so hot that it kills the men who throw them in when they come close to it.
The king looked on the furnace.
"He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'" Daniel 3:25
The second story is quite similar. The short of it is, the king is convinced to outlaw prayer for thirty days to any man or god, except for the king himself. He is convinced of this because the other leaders just under the king are jealous of Daniel and wan to get rid of him to usurp his authority. The king agrees.
I love Daniels reaction to the decree.
"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Daniel 6:10
Not, "Daniel was scared and hesitated." He went home and did what was right without so much as a deep breath. The men caught him praying and demanded he be killed. The king loved Daniel and fought for him, but eventually gave in and cast him into a den of lions.
"The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!'" Daniel 6:16
The king was not thrilled by this situation.
"A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?'" Daniel 6:17-20
By now you should know that Daniel was fine, but we'll get to that in a minute.
This is my hope for myself and for you. I hope that we can become people not just of faith, but also of strength. I hope that we could be as fearless and faithful as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
"The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." Daniel 6:23
Let us trust in God the same way. And let us no suffer the fate that befell Belshazzar. God told him, in the form of a hand that wrote on his wall:
"Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." Daniel 5:25
The words were Aramaic.
Mene means God has numbered your days and brought them to an end.
Upharsin means that your kingdom will be divided.
But Tekel is the one I fear the most.
"Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Daniel 5:27
Friday, March 12, 2010
Road Trip
This was written over the period of roughly a week.
Today Marissa and I drove from College Station, Texas to Questa, New Mexico. For those of you who do not know, Questa is near the top of New Mexico, right in the middle.
The drive was amazing.
There are some things about a road trip that are just plain awesome. There are also some things that are just horrible. Leaving at 4 a.m. was horrible. 4 a.m. I mean I have gone to bed at four, but to be awake with plans on remaining awake until the day is over at 3 in preparation to leave at 4 is gross. We hit the road.
It is an eerie feeling to drive for miles without seeing another car. That is what much of the morning was like. The first two hours of our voyage were an attempt to keep one another awake. Almost immediately after the sun rose, roughly two hours into our journey, Marissa took a nap.
It is a lonely feeling to be in a car with someone and be unable to talk to them. You go into the don't make a sound mode and in my experience this is the time when you make the most noise. Perhaps it is just my nature, but the more effort I put in to being quiet the less successful I usually am.
Marissa's nap was a great time of reflection for me. I got to really think and talk to myself without any distractions for almost an hour. Don't get me wrong, I love talking to Marissa, but it was nice to have some time to just think. After solving roughly half of the worlds problems, and none of my own, Marissa woke up for good.
Our journey took the two of us across Texas. Starting from College Station we drove north to Fort Worth, and then west, through Decatur, Childress, Memphis, and eventually Amarillo. Somewhere between Memphis and Amarillo I fell asleep. Fortunately it was Marissa's shift behind the wheel. I swear, she moves like a soft breeze. When I walk across a room the earth shakes and I usually break at least one thing. I slam doors, stub toes, and drop things. I cannot count the number of times Marissa has come in to my apartment, come up stairs and walked into my room before I even knew she was there. I even know that she is coming, but somehow she opens a door that is loud as heck and closes it silently, slides up the stairs unnoticed, and opens my door, which needs WD40 without a sound.
Now I cannot sleep in moving vehicles. Airplanes, buses, cars, it doesn't matter. I suppose it was sheer exhaustion that got to me, but part of it must have been the feeling of security in trusting the person behind the wheel. I know bus drivers have licenses as do pilots, but knowing it was someone who I love and who loves me helped.
Love is an amazing thing, and I will talk more about that in a later post because it would keep me up all night and I need sleep.
Back to the trip.
I woke up just in time for the landscape to begin to become interesting. Don't get me wrong, I love Texas, but there is just so much flat land. On the other side of Amarillo is Dumas. Dumas, now there is a town with an unfortunate name. I wonder how many people have made a joke at its expense.
Dumas leads on to Dalhart, which has to be pronounced with a thick drawl or it just isn't right. Finally, after thirty eight miles of literally nothing you reach the state line and the aptly named Texline.
Finally the scenery was changing. Mountains began to appear.
--
Skiing is exhausting, especially when you spend half the time getting back up. In spite of this, I must say that I am still a fan. It's a strange feeling to glide along on snow, shooting down a mountain. I wonder who first had the brilliant idea to tie a stick to each of his feet and slide down a mountain on them.
In any event, skiing is fun. I think my favorite part is riding the lift. There you are sitting on a bench attached to a cable hanging sometimes seventy plus feet over a mountain. It makes me think that if I can trust the people who put this thing together to get me up to the top of this mountain without killing me having faith should be a walk in the park.
I love the silence. It's the kind of silence you can feel. Sometimes people say "silence is deafening." This is so true on a ski lift. You can hear your thoughts. Also, ski lifts provide some of the most amazing views of God's creation available.
Maybe that's why I like skiing. I love scenery, really of any kind. The whole way to and from New Mexico I kept saying to Marissa "Isn't this beautiful?" That question was usually met with a reminder that I was saying that dead grass stretching for hundreds of miles is beautiful. I will admit, the dead grass isn't all that impressive, but its the idea of the whole landscape stretching out before me that appeals to me.
If you have ever molded something with your hands you know what I am talking about. Even the imperfections are beautiful. Skiing also offers some amazing views. I think I like it most because of this. This fact also makes me a horrible skiing partner. I want to stop every five feet and just look. I guess it goes back to my thoughts about taking it slow and taking everything in. I cannot multitask so the stopping is necessary and I often did it without thinking about it.
Day one was all but an exercise in futility for me. I spent more time on my bottom than skis for most of the day. I finally felt like I was starting to get it right before lunch. Coming down the face, or main slope to the lodge, I was moving quickly and doing well. Then a small girl, probably five or six fell in front of me. I adjusted my line to go wider, and this took me to a fenced off area. I cut hard back to the open slope and I was about to smile that I had neither killed anyone nor crashed when the tip of my right ski slipped around a ski pole that was being used as a post for the fence.
That was the longest instant of my life. In my mind I could see the ski slowly sliding around the pole, as my boot got closer and closer. The pole caught my boot and I was launched down the mountain, skis and poles spreading to created a debris field of roughly 20 feet long by 10 feet wide.
Ouch.
I landed on the front of my body, and the water bottle I had been wearing around my jacket landed right beneath my gut. Having the wind knocked out of you is awful.
In any event, I survived day one without any broken bones or major injuries.
Day two I was much more successful but a snowstorm cut the skiing short around 2. We went to a different place, and I liked the second one a lot more. It was much smaller and it had more trails to explore at a more William-like speed.
Day three we went snowmobiling. It was awesome! I'll spare you the five paragraphs of details and just say do it if you never have.
The trip back was amazing as well. Marissa and I were prepared this time to get a picture of the Camels near Decatur and the Cadillacs near Amarillo, though my commentary about when to take the picture of the cars ruined that chance. Sorry again Marissa!
Dinner at Luby's in Waco and a short last leg of the trip and we were back in College Station. Roughly 2,000 miles driven in two days with two days of skiing and a day of snowmobiling sandwiched in there. What a trip!
Today Marissa and I drove from College Station, Texas to Questa, New Mexico. For those of you who do not know, Questa is near the top of New Mexico, right in the middle.
The drive was amazing.
There are some things about a road trip that are just plain awesome. There are also some things that are just horrible. Leaving at 4 a.m. was horrible. 4 a.m. I mean I have gone to bed at four, but to be awake with plans on remaining awake until the day is over at 3 in preparation to leave at 4 is gross. We hit the road.
It is an eerie feeling to drive for miles without seeing another car. That is what much of the morning was like. The first two hours of our voyage were an attempt to keep one another awake. Almost immediately after the sun rose, roughly two hours into our journey, Marissa took a nap.
It is a lonely feeling to be in a car with someone and be unable to talk to them. You go into the don't make a sound mode and in my experience this is the time when you make the most noise. Perhaps it is just my nature, but the more effort I put in to being quiet the less successful I usually am.
Marissa's nap was a great time of reflection for me. I got to really think and talk to myself without any distractions for almost an hour. Don't get me wrong, I love talking to Marissa, but it was nice to have some time to just think. After solving roughly half of the worlds problems, and none of my own, Marissa woke up for good.
Our journey took the two of us across Texas. Starting from College Station we drove north to Fort Worth, and then west, through Decatur, Childress, Memphis, and eventually Amarillo. Somewhere between Memphis and Amarillo I fell asleep. Fortunately it was Marissa's shift behind the wheel. I swear, she moves like a soft breeze. When I walk across a room the earth shakes and I usually break at least one thing. I slam doors, stub toes, and drop things. I cannot count the number of times Marissa has come in to my apartment, come up stairs and walked into my room before I even knew she was there. I even know that she is coming, but somehow she opens a door that is loud as heck and closes it silently, slides up the stairs unnoticed, and opens my door, which needs WD40 without a sound.
Now I cannot sleep in moving vehicles. Airplanes, buses, cars, it doesn't matter. I suppose it was sheer exhaustion that got to me, but part of it must have been the feeling of security in trusting the person behind the wheel. I know bus drivers have licenses as do pilots, but knowing it was someone who I love and who loves me helped.
Love is an amazing thing, and I will talk more about that in a later post because it would keep me up all night and I need sleep.
Back to the trip.
I woke up just in time for the landscape to begin to become interesting. Don't get me wrong, I love Texas, but there is just so much flat land. On the other side of Amarillo is Dumas. Dumas, now there is a town with an unfortunate name. I wonder how many people have made a joke at its expense.
Dumas leads on to Dalhart, which has to be pronounced with a thick drawl or it just isn't right. Finally, after thirty eight miles of literally nothing you reach the state line and the aptly named Texline.
Finally the scenery was changing. Mountains began to appear.
--
Skiing is exhausting, especially when you spend half the time getting back up. In spite of this, I must say that I am still a fan. It's a strange feeling to glide along on snow, shooting down a mountain. I wonder who first had the brilliant idea to tie a stick to each of his feet and slide down a mountain on them.
In any event, skiing is fun. I think my favorite part is riding the lift. There you are sitting on a bench attached to a cable hanging sometimes seventy plus feet over a mountain. It makes me think that if I can trust the people who put this thing together to get me up to the top of this mountain without killing me having faith should be a walk in the park.
I love the silence. It's the kind of silence you can feel. Sometimes people say "silence is deafening." This is so true on a ski lift. You can hear your thoughts. Also, ski lifts provide some of the most amazing views of God's creation available.
Maybe that's why I like skiing. I love scenery, really of any kind. The whole way to and from New Mexico I kept saying to Marissa "Isn't this beautiful?" That question was usually met with a reminder that I was saying that dead grass stretching for hundreds of miles is beautiful. I will admit, the dead grass isn't all that impressive, but its the idea of the whole landscape stretching out before me that appeals to me.
If you have ever molded something with your hands you know what I am talking about. Even the imperfections are beautiful. Skiing also offers some amazing views. I think I like it most because of this. This fact also makes me a horrible skiing partner. I want to stop every five feet and just look. I guess it goes back to my thoughts about taking it slow and taking everything in. I cannot multitask so the stopping is necessary and I often did it without thinking about it.
Day one was all but an exercise in futility for me. I spent more time on my bottom than skis for most of the day. I finally felt like I was starting to get it right before lunch. Coming down the face, or main slope to the lodge, I was moving quickly and doing well. Then a small girl, probably five or six fell in front of me. I adjusted my line to go wider, and this took me to a fenced off area. I cut hard back to the open slope and I was about to smile that I had neither killed anyone nor crashed when the tip of my right ski slipped around a ski pole that was being used as a post for the fence.
That was the longest instant of my life. In my mind I could see the ski slowly sliding around the pole, as my boot got closer and closer. The pole caught my boot and I was launched down the mountain, skis and poles spreading to created a debris field of roughly 20 feet long by 10 feet wide.
Ouch.
I landed on the front of my body, and the water bottle I had been wearing around my jacket landed right beneath my gut. Having the wind knocked out of you is awful.
In any event, I survived day one without any broken bones or major injuries.
Day two I was much more successful but a snowstorm cut the skiing short around 2. We went to a different place, and I liked the second one a lot more. It was much smaller and it had more trails to explore at a more William-like speed.
Day three we went snowmobiling. It was awesome! I'll spare you the five paragraphs of details and just say do it if you never have.
The trip back was amazing as well. Marissa and I were prepared this time to get a picture of the Camels near Decatur and the Cadillacs near Amarillo, though my commentary about when to take the picture of the cars ruined that chance. Sorry again Marissa!
Dinner at Luby's in Waco and a short last leg of the trip and we were back in College Station. Roughly 2,000 miles driven in two days with two days of skiing and a day of snowmobiling sandwiched in there. What a trip!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Happenings
So I found out yesterday that I have an aggressive staph infection. How lame is that? Very. Staph is a pretty lame thing to have. It isn't really all that bad, but it's contagious so you have to be careful around other people, and it slows you down.
On a lighter note, the medicine the doctor gives you to deal with this is sulfur based. Because of this it turns your bodily fluids Gatorade orange. Sweat, tears, well I'll let you ponder the others but yes, it does turn it orange. I didn't believe him, but its true.
You are probably wondering why I just told you that. Me too! I should be studying for my Spanish test, but I am having trouble focusing. I wonder if that is from the medicine, staph, or just my normal mindlessness.
Anyways, it's time for me to get to work, so I must depart. Have a good one!
On a lighter note, the medicine the doctor gives you to deal with this is sulfur based. Because of this it turns your bodily fluids Gatorade orange. Sweat, tears, well I'll let you ponder the others but yes, it does turn it orange. I didn't believe him, but its true.
You are probably wondering why I just told you that. Me too! I should be studying for my Spanish test, but I am having trouble focusing. I wonder if that is from the medicine, staph, or just my normal mindlessness.
Anyways, it's time for me to get to work, so I must depart. Have a good one!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Happy Lady
It is not uncommon to exchange fake greetings with people in the elevator, on the bus, or at a crosswalk. It is, however, uncommon to have a deep conversation with someone in one of those situations.
Today I stood waiting to cross the street on the way to my class. A lady walked up to me, carrying one of those postal service bins full of mail. She was not a postwoman, she was simply taking the mail from her work to the post office to mail.
"Why hello there!" She greeted me like an old friend.
"Hello," I responded.
"Isn't this weather wonderful?" She asked.
"Yes," I said, "it's a shame the weather isn't like this all of the time."
"Oh I disagree. If the weather was this perfect every day we wouldn't stop to thank God as often as we should."
I was dumbstruck. I had never met this lady before, never spoken to her before in my life and she just said that?
A flood of emotions overtook me as I walked across the street when the light changed.
"Have a great day!" she said as she walked the other way.
I managed to squeeze out a "You too," before she got out of earshot.
My head was racing at this point. Why had I been struck by what she said. It wasn't a big deal, but in a way it was. It saddens me that I was taken aback because that kind of thing shouldn't bother me.
Did she know I was a Christian? Better yet, did she care?
Thank you Happy Lady, you made me think. You made my day.
If we meet again, I hope we can sit and talk for a while, but sometimes a conversation lasting only seconds says more than one could that lasts hours.
So keep smiling, keep spreading the love. We should all take a page from your book.
Today I stood waiting to cross the street on the way to my class. A lady walked up to me, carrying one of those postal service bins full of mail. She was not a postwoman, she was simply taking the mail from her work to the post office to mail.
"Why hello there!" She greeted me like an old friend.
"Hello," I responded.
"Isn't this weather wonderful?" She asked.
"Yes," I said, "it's a shame the weather isn't like this all of the time."
"Oh I disagree. If the weather was this perfect every day we wouldn't stop to thank God as often as we should."
I was dumbstruck. I had never met this lady before, never spoken to her before in my life and she just said that?
A flood of emotions overtook me as I walked across the street when the light changed.
"Have a great day!" she said as she walked the other way.
I managed to squeeze out a "You too," before she got out of earshot.
My head was racing at this point. Why had I been struck by what she said. It wasn't a big deal, but in a way it was. It saddens me that I was taken aback because that kind of thing shouldn't bother me.
Did she know I was a Christian? Better yet, did she care?
Thank you Happy Lady, you made me think. You made my day.
If we meet again, I hope we can sit and talk for a while, but sometimes a conversation lasting only seconds says more than one could that lasts hours.
So keep smiling, keep spreading the love. We should all take a page from your book.
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