Lessons in Target

I was shopping in Target the other day, walking down the chip aisle. I was completely content with buying my Tostitos tortilla chips and eating them with Layne-recommended Safeway brand Southwest Salsa, until I saw a can of Bean Dip! "Bean Dip?" I thought. "Man, that brings back memories of good nachos and good times. Yes, I must rekindle those memories and enjoy some good old fashioned Bean Dip." Reaching for the can of Bean Dip, I realized that something was amiss. A close inspection revealed that this was not my much cherished Bean Dip. No, it was very similar, but quite different. Something called "Jalapeno Cheddar Dip". What?!? Why mess with Bean Dip?? Well, okay, so it's okay to offer variety, I thought. I'm sure they have the normal yummy stuff here as well. But my search ended up beanless. Alas, there was no regular Bean Dip in sight. In fact, I checked it out at another grocery store, and the result was the same: Plenty of jalapeno cheddar dip, no regular bean dip. I just don't get Marylander's taste in food. Shrug, oh well. The lesson, you ask? Things change, and they won't always be the way you remember them. So, enjoy your Bean Dip while you can!

In case you're wondering:

Real Bean Dip:


Imposter Dip:



A second lesson was learned in Target that day: There was a cute little girl just singing her heart out while following her mom down the aisle. She didn't care what people thought of her, she didn't care who saw her enjoying her time in the store. I want to be more like that little girl. I write this as I sing my lungs out to Pandora's Counting Crows Station, with my roommate downstairs, probably thinking I'm crazy ;)

Mighty to Save

I've had some extra time on my hands lately, so I decided to finally pick up my guitar again. I'm typically not a fan of YouTube, but it's certainly helped me attempt to learn a few more praise songs. Apparently there's quite a few people out there who have posted instructional videos for chord and strumming-challenged people like myself. My current favorite praise song is "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong. The chords aren't too tough, and this YouTube video of it is really up my alley.

Easter!

Although I didn't get to go home for Easter, sniff sniff, I still managed to have a great time. My friends got together for an egg hunt and Easter dinner. We had a blast. My favorite part was getting to tell corny jokes all night long. Literally, jokes about corn. It was great. Although I suspect some folks might roll their eyes when I say that...

In closing,

What do you call 10 rabbits marching backwards?


A receding hareline!

Traveling Salesman

Haha, my friend Colin sent me this one:

One more quote

Quote from the book I'm reading tonight:

But the question to precede all others, which finally determines the course of our lives, is What do I really want? Is it to love what God commands and to desire what He promises? Do I want what I want, or do I want what He wants, no matter what it might cost? Until the will and the affections are brought under the authority of Christ, we have not begun to understand, let alone to accept, His Lordship. The Cross will reveal the heart's truth.

Family

I just ran across this sermon that my great-uncle gave about my great-granddad...

Lessons from Long Ago

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" Alice asked.

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.

"I don't much care where--" said Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.

"--so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation.

"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) (1832-1898)

Feet

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Romans 10:14-15

Summer...

I'm looking to use some vacation time to go on a mission trip this Summer. Any suggestions on where to go and what group to go with?

Burn the Ships

My roommie took me to a Stephen Curtis Chapman concert for my birthday, and we had a great time. He sang a song with a message that stuck in my head, so I looked up the lyrics when I got home:

Burn the Ships

In the spring of 1519 a Spanish fleet set sail
Cortez told his sailors this mission must not fail
On the eastern shore of Mexico they landed with great dreams
But the hardships of the new world make them restless and weak
Quietly they whispered, "Let's sail back to the life we knew"
But the one who led them there was saying

CHORUS
Burn the ships, we're here to stay
There's no way we could go back
Now that we've come this far by faith
Burn the ships, we've passed the point of no return
Our life is here
So let the ships burn

In the spring of new beginnings a searching heart set sail
Looking for a new life and a love that would not fail
On the shores of grace and mercy we landed with great joy
But an enemy was waiting to steal, kill, and destroy
Quietly he whispers, "Go back to the life you know"
But the one who led us here is saying

(Chorus)

BRIDGE
Nobody said it would be easy
But the one who brought us here
Is never gonna leave us alone

(Chorus)

Can you imagine how it must have felt to be one of Cortez's people and watch the ships you came to a foreign land on burn up, on purpose, thereby eliminating your chances of returning back to where you came from, back to your comfort zone? How many times do we try to go back or look back, instead of forging full steam ahead with Christ who goes before us? How often do we hold on to our old selves, instead of remembering that we are a new creation and that God has great plans in store for His children? "The BEST is yet to come!"

Birthday Cake

My friend Aurlie made me an ice cream cake for my birthday, and it was AMAZING! And yep, the candles don't lie: I'm getting old, but still trying to stay young at heart!

Youth Retreat

The theme for this weekend's retreat was "Let Go" and the theme verse was:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Bob Lenz was the speaker. He did a great job, and he was very real.

ESV

Apparently the English Standard Version is the "unofficial" official translation of the Bible for the LCMS. The LCMS doesn't want people to throw out their existing translations and upgrade, but ESV will used in the new hymnals and in pastoral reference materials. Apparently it "reads in a familiar voice."

My first encounter with this version was John 1:1-3:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Ok, yes, that sounds familiar. I'm with ya.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

Hmm, that's an interesting way to phrase it, but it makes sense. Moving on...

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

What was that again? "without him was not anything made that was made." Wow. Is it just me, or is that a funky way to phrase that verse?

But, hey, every translation has something good and bad about it. Short of learning Greek and Hebrew, a translation of God's word is the best thing I have to go on. Plus, I appreciate multiple translations, and sites like biblegateway.com that let you view multiple translations at once.

Thinking

When you're sick for 2 days with the stomach flu, you have a lot of time on your hands to think:

- I think the East Coast is different, but it's where I'm supposed to be right now. I'm learning more out here than I ever could have learned in Texas.

- I think I miss good old country music. Like Alan Jackson. Even his new stuff like Small Town Southern Man.

- I think I like pink again.

- Ever listened to Pandora Radio? It only plays music you like. I think you'd like it. I like the David Crowder Band Station and the Counting Crows Station.

- I'm going to Virginia Beach with the Youth Group this weekend, and I think it's going to be a BLAST!

- I wish it would have snowed more this winter. And I wish I would have gone skiing more than just once this season.

- If it's not going to snow, then the weather needs to get nice fast, so I can go camping, hiking, etc. This year, I want to go to Assateague Island National Park on the beach with the wild horses. It's supposed to be cool.

- I think I need to go back to bed and kick this flu thing or whatever it is...

Laughter the Best Medicine

"What do ducks eat for a snack?" "Quackers"

"Where do cookies sleep?" "On a cookie sheet"


I feel better, do you?

Pondering

If a person is in the right relationship, shouldn't they feel like the luckiest person alive?

Sigh, I'm so confused.

Math and Relationships

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, thought I'd post this link, which is a creative use of mathematical terms.

LCMS World Mission: Kenya

TOP STORIES - January 7, 2008
Archives: www.lcmsworldmission.org/news

LCMS missionaries OK in Kenya, rioters burn Lutheran church ____________________________________________

Two Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod missionary couples stationed outside of Nairobi, Kenya, are safe and do not appear to be in harm's way despite five days of post-election rioting in the city that has led to more than 300 deaths, widespread destruction of property, and the displacement of more than 100,000 people. Springs of Life Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, an LCMS partner, was reportedly looted and set afire today, Jan. 3. No injuries were reported at the church, which includes a medical clinic funded by LCMS World Relief and Human Care and a nursery school.

In a Jan. 3 e-mail to LCMS World Mission staff, Rev. David Chuchu, project coordinator with the Kenyan Lutheran church body, said a "humanitarian crisis is unfolding as thousands of displaced Kenyans [are] running out of food and water. Houses have been burnt, churches and property burnt or destroyed. Thousands of people are sleeping in the cold at various police stations countrywide. Others are camping in churches." A police station in Kisumu is sheltering more than 2,000 people without so much as blankets, he said. "People need food, water, and blankets."

The violent protest was sparked by Kenya's disputed Dec. 27 election that returned President Mwai Kibaki to office. Much of the violence is between those who support Kibaki, from the majority Kikuyu tribe, and supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is from the Luo tribe, according to news reports.

"The sad part is that politicians continue to harden their position as the nation is bleeding, people are weeping as the entire country is heading toward destruction, something we are not used to," Chuchu said.

Springs of Life Pastor Rev. Dennis Meeker said via e-mail that the medical clinic, Luther Health Facility, "suffered severe damage as rioters looted everything and then set it on fire," and that the nursery school also was looted and burned.

"Please continue to pray for us," Meeker said. "We thank God our faith is not in material possessions. Our faith will stand firm and we pray God's intervention for the sake of Kenya. ... We rejoice in the fact that faith does not burn and the church is never destroyed."

Dr. Paul Mueller, regional director for Africa with LCMS World Mission, and his wife, Joy, a staff member with LCMS World Relief and Human Care, and missionaries Rev. Claude and Rhoda Houge live within blocks of each other in Karen, a suburb southwest of Nairobi.

Both couples have been in daily contact via telephone and e-mail with LCMS World Mission Personnel Care Manager Travis Torblaa, who says the missionaries told him their community is quiet and they feel safe. Torblaa is based at the Synod's International Center in St. Louis.

"The violence appears to be in isolated pockets right now," Torblaa told Reporter, the Synod's national newspaper. "We are prepared to evacuate the missionaries, if needed, but at this point they are not in danger."

Also reported safe in Kenya is Dr. Carlos Walter Winterle and his wife, Lidia. Winterle, former president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil, has been serving for more than a year as English-speaking pastor of Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral, an international congregation in downtown Nairobi. The ministry is a partnership of the LCMS and its partner church bodies in Kenya and Brazil.

Torblaa said the situation in Kenya will continue to be monitored closely, as it "does remain unpredictable."

"Join us in praying for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict in Kenya," he said.

Mechanics

If you ever find yourself north of Austin in need of car repairs, I know where you should go: Mickan Motors. Tell 'em a Kokel sent you, and they'll take good care of you. But then, they'd take good care of you even if you didn't.

While I'm on the subject of mechanics, if you're ever in College Station and need a mechanic, I highly recommend Brazos Valley Automotive. The owner, Gordon Wilhelm, is great. But then, that's just to be expected from someone from the Wilhelm clan.

Aaron Shust

I first heard of Aaron Shust when his song "My Savior My God" came out a few years ago. Its first line "I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed, what God has planned" is one of those lines that just speaks to me and makes me nod my head in agreement, yet shake my head remembering all the times I try to figure God out anyways. Aaron just came out with a new album, Whispered & Shouted and I absolutely recommend it.

Not only do I like Aaron's lyrics, but I like the fact that he includes "Stories behind the songs" in his album leaflet. He shares what was going on in his life when he wrote the songs, what point he's trying to get across, and he includes Bible references with his lyrics, to show that they are based in Scripture. It helps me understand and appreciate the lyrics more, and brings more life to the songs.

My favorite song on the album is a tie between #5 "Give Me Words to Speak" and #8 "I Will Wait". Currently my favorite lyrics on the album are

I love You more than life itself
Lord, You are so good to me
I need You more with every breath
So won't You breathe some life in me?

Todd

In December 2005, my cousin Todd passed away, somewhat unexpectedly, after struggling with an arterio-venous malformation (AVM) in his brain. He left behind a wife and 2 kids. As sad as it was that Todd had left us, his funeral was an uplifting celebration of his life, but more importantly, the life he found through Jesus. There is no doubt where Todd is today, and while the Lord gave him time on earth, he sure did his best to be a light in this dark world.

Todd donated his liver and his lungs (and possibly other organs). One year after his passing, his family received a uplifting letter from the man who received his liver. Now, two years later, his family got to meet the man who now has his lungs. Todd's family writes "It is once again a reminder of God's work in seeing how he used a piece of Todd to sustain another life. To finally meet the family and see them face to face was joyous, amazing and affirming of God's great plan."

Two Marriageable People

I've had multiple conversations with friends about whether or not a single guy and single girl can really be good friends, or if things always end up getting messy. I like to read different people's perspective on the matter, and happened to read this article "Two Marriageable People" last night by Elizabeth Elliot. The topic came up again today talking with a friend, so I thought I'd post a link to it here. It's long, but interesting. I like her advice at the end:

Now a few words, and only a few, for you women. I know--oh, how well I know--your position. Because we are women we are made to be responders, not initiators (see Let Me Be a Woman). This means that the burden of responsibility of seeking and wooing a mate does not belong to us. To us belongs the waiting.

This does not mean inactivity. It means first of all a positive, active placing of our trust in him who loves us, does all things well, and promises to crown us with everlasting joy. It means next a continued obedience in whatever God has given us to do today, without allowing our longing to "slay the appetite of our living," as Jim Elliot once wrote to me, long before God gave us the green light to marry. It means just what Paul meant when he wrote from prison to the Philippian Christians, "Don't worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God, which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus."

And if you're still up for reading, check out my friend Betsy's post for some more food for thought.

Shepherds

With the Christmas season comes to a close, I include a point to ponder from LCMS President Keischnick:

"As you are preparing your heart and mind for witness and worship this Christmas, I invite you to ponder the following question: "What would have been different if the shepherds had not responded to the angels' message by saying, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us?'...

In all likelihood, many people would not have heard about the birth of Christ. In essence, the angels' message about the Child would have been silenced.

Isn't the same true today when the message of Christmas is not shared with the world? Many people do not hear about the birth of Jesus. Many have no opportunity to ponder the meaning of our Lord's redemption of His people or come to faith in Him. Without the message of the Christ, people are void of any reason to glorify and praise God."

Kokel Potluck

In the spirit of family and tradition during this Christmas spirit, I invite you to visit and take part in the Kokel Potluck blog. I think this will be a great way to share recipes and cooking experiences. Whether you are a Kokel yourself, an honorary Kokel, or a friend of a Kokel, you are invited to join in on this great tradition!

And in honor of the Victor Kokel clan, here's a picture of the ENTIRE crew. What a blessing that all of us were able to meet up at Grandma's farm this Christmas:

Snow!

There are benefits to living up north, the snow being one of them. I awoke this morning to a lovely snowfall, which accumulated on the ground throughout the day, making for some good snowballs. Mustangs with rear-wheel drive aren't the best in the snow, but with the help of snow plows and salt for the roads, it wasn't too bad. I feel like a kid, all giddy because it snowed! :-)

Intellidating?

What will they think of next?

Young professionals, artists, young cosmopolitans, and recent Ivy-League graduates are taking dating to a new level....A level of dating that is more about the stimulation of the mind than it is about anything else. A level called "intellidating."

Young professionals of all kinds are noticing the fact that going to a rave, club or house party is not the most rewarding when it comes meeting new people and garnering new relationships. Instead, they are electing to go to events where stimulating the mind is the objective, and where the sexiest person in the room is the one with the most to intelligence on display.

It is a strong northeastern phenomenon due to the abundance of Ivy-League and upper tier universities that can be found in the colonial states. One hot spot for young singles and couples is the New York Public Library, where intellectually inclined daters are paying $15 covers to take part in intellectual debates and lectures over some of society's most controversial issues.

The website RightStuffDating.com caters only to Ivy-League and upper-tier college graduates and provides an online matchmaking service that puts singles interested in meeting people with "the right stuff." The right stuff being an educated mind, a love for academics, and an intellectually stimulating presence. The site requires that you provide documentation of your attendance at your stated alma mater with proof of graduation requirements as strict as providing a copy of your diploma. The site then conjures up inquiries for singles and the rest is down hill.

Prayer

From Foster's "Prayer" book that I've been reading:

Before proceeding, I must offer a caution. We should not overstate the place of prayer in the formation of "holy habits". Prayer is by itself severly limited in the good it can accomplish. It is only a part--albeit an important part--of a much larger whole.

Dallas Willard speaks of the three major areas god uses in our continuing transformation--a "golden triangle" of formation, if you will. The first area is the classical disciplin of the spiritual life: solitude, fasting, worship, celebration, and the like. The second area is our continual interaction with the movings of the Spirit of God: resistance, disobedience, repentance, submission, faith, obedience, and more. The third major area is the patient endurance God develops in us by means of the various frustrations, trials, and temptations we face daily.

Therefore, we must never isolate prayer from the rest of Christian devotion and claim more for it than god intended. No, instead we want to see the dynamic interaction of prayer in concert with an overall spiritual life.

...

Solitude is the first and most foundational of these approaches. "Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life," writes Henri Nouwen. The reason for this is simple to see: by means of solitude God frees us from our bondage to people and our own inner compulsions.

To enter solitude, we must disregard what others think of us. Who will understand this call? Even our closest friends will see it as a waste of precious time and rather self-centered. But, oh the liberty that is released in our hearts when we let go of the opinions of others! The less we are mesmerized by human voices, the more we are able to hear the Divine Voice. The less we are manipulated by the expectations of others, the more we are open to the expectations of God.

In solitude, however, we die not only to others but also to ourselves. To be sure, at first we thought solitude was a way to recharge our batteries in order to enter life's many competitions with new vigor and strength. In time, however, we find that solidtude gives us power not to win the rat race but to ignore the rat race altogther. Slowly, we find ourselves letting go of our inner compulsions to acquire more wealth than we need, look more youthful than we are, attain more status than is wise. In the stillness, our false, busy selves are unmasked and seen for the imposters they truly are.

I love the way Foster writes. At A&M, I used to go up to church late at night for my moments of solitude. I'll always remember that wooden cross, with the blue and green lights. Oh, the countless prayers I offered up to God at the foot of that cross over the years... Up here in Maryland, I have to be more creative in finding a place of solitude to reflect and pray. But that's a good thing, because it reminds me that God is in every moment and every location. "For I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -- Matthew 28:20

Human Rights

I have been extremely impressed by the non-profit organization International Justice Mission For those of you who are still students, or who have an interest in law, consider visiting this link and viewing this video from Urbana 2006.

Foxtrot

Sometimes I really think we should just switch to the metric system
Foxtrot Comic

Crowder

Tonight I went to a David Crowder Band concert at the 9:30 Club in downtown DC. The 9:30 Club is typically a place for alternative music and the like; I think this was one of the rare Christian events they host. But it was a cool setting, and let me tell you, it was a blast! If you ever get a chance to go to a David Crowder Band concert, I *highly* recommend it. But don't be fooled, you'll really be attending a worship service more than a concert, with some David Crowder humor to boot. Highlights included Guitar Hero, Mario Brothers, and even a Texas Hoe-Down. No joke. I was lovin' it.

I'm a big fan of his "Everything Glorious" song. But I also want to check out his new CD.

And I like this this interview. "Music is simply us trying to articulate faith and what it means to live intentionally, trying to be like Christ."

NOOMA

Heard of Rob Bell? We've been showing Nooma videos to the high schoolers for Sunday School. They are short ~10 minute videos that address an issue and are a good way to get the kids thinking and talking. He has an interesting style and usage of video/music/message. Here's a clip or two.

Apples

I'm thinking of trying this with some extra apples I have...
Apple Heads

Parked

I was walking to my car after work tonight. I had worked late, so it was about 7pm. It was dark, the night was cool, and the parking lot was almost empty. It reminded me exactly of the night I was walking to my car at A&M, pondering whether or not God wanted me to move out of Texas. I remember looking up at the stars that night and saying something to the effect of "I'm following You, God. You lead me where you need me. I won't stay here for selfish reasons. If you want me somewhere else, send me there." And I remember how I was filled with peace back then.

Cut back to the parking lot tonight. My thoughts were a bit different, along the lines of "Are you really using me Lord? What happened to the way I used to feel? I'm trying to follow You, trying to do Your will, trying to do all the right things, but sometimes I just feel nothing. What is going on here?" I left rather perplexed and confused.

I had started reading "Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home" by Richard Foster. Before going to bed tonight, I read Chapter 2, which happens to be titled "The Prayer of the Forsaken". It talks about how to pray when we feel like we are in the desert. I wish I could quote the whole chapter, because I'm afraid the point will be misunderstood if I just summarize. Foster's point is that, although we can be certain that God is always with us, sometimes He withdraws our consciousness of His presence and we feel forsaken or empty, so that He can grow us more.

A living relationship with God begins and develops in mutual freedom. God grants us perfect freedom because he desires creatures who freely choose to be in relationship with him. Through the Prayer of the Forsaken, we are learning to give God the same freedom. Relationships of this kind can never be manipulated or forced...

If we could make the Creator of heaven and earth instantly appear at our beck and call, we would not be in communion with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We do that with objects, with things, with idols. But God, the great iconoclast, is constantly smashing our false images of who He is and what He is like...By refusing to be a puppet on our string or a genie in our bottle, God frees us from our false, idolatrous images...

Saint John of the Cross says that two purifications occur in the dark night of the soul. The first involves stripping us of dependence upon exterior results. We find ourselves less and less impressed with the religion of the "big deal"---big buildings, big budgets, big production, big miracles. Not that there is anything wrong with big things, but they are no longer what impresses us. Nor are we drawn to praise and adulation. Not that there is anything wrong with kind and gracious remarks, but they are no longer what moves us...

For me [Foster] the greatest value in my lack of control was the intimate and ultimate awareness that I could not manage God. God refused to jump when I said "Jump!" Neither by theological acumen nor by religious technique could I conquer God. God was, in fact, to conquer me.

The second purifying of Saint John involves stripping us of dependence upon interior results. This is more disturbing and painful than the first purification because it threatens us at the root of all we believe in and have given ourselves to... We discover that the workings of faith, hope, and love become themselves subject to doubt. Our personal motivations become suspect... We worry whether this act or that thought is inspired by fear, vanity, and arrogance, rather than faith, hope, and love...

Slowly we are being taken off of vain securities and false allegiances. Our trust in all exterior and interior results is being shattered so that we can learn faith in God alone...

I [Foster] would like to offer one more counsel to those who find themselves in this place. It is this: wait on God. Wait, silent and still. Wait, attentive and responsive. Learn that trust precedes faith. Trust is confidence in the character of God. Firmly and deliberately you say "I do not understand what God is doing or even where God is, but I know that He is out to do me good." This is trust. This is how to wait.

It's good to be reminded that we don't have to have it all together all the time. It's good to know that the Heroes of the Faith who have gone before us have also had moments where they struggled to see what God was up to. It's good to realize yet again that God's ways are higher than our own, and we must wait on Him, for He has the best in mind for us, even if we can't always see it.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. --Psalm 130:5

Uncle John

My great-uncle John retired last week, after being a pastor for 37 years. The more I learn about Uncle John, the more I am amazed at how God works through people. And the more I am so thankful for my family. I couldn't attend his retirement service in person, but his retirement sermon is online:

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. --Philippians 1:3-6

Some of his other sermons are available online. I started listening to them, partly to hear some good Texas drawl, but mainly because they are just good messages. I particularly like this one entitled Let's Go Fishing.

UPDATE: Here's a Houston Chronicle article on Uncle John.

Halloween

What does a Texan do to celebrate Halloween in Maryland?

Before:


After:


I really don't "celebrate" Halloween though. Today was Reformation Sunday at church, however. In honor of Martin Luther, I'll include a quote from "Church History in Plain Language" by Bruce Shelley:

In his third pamphlet published in 1520, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Luther set forth in conciliatory but firm tones his views on Christian behavior and salvation. This is probably the best introduction available to his central ideas. He did not discourage good works but argued that the inner spiritual freedom that comes from the certainty found in faith leads to the performance of good works---by all true Christians. "Good works do not make a man good," he said, "but a good man does good works." Thus, on the threshold of his excommunication from the Roman Church, Luther removed the necessity of monasticism by stressing that the essence of Christian living lies in serving God in one's calling whether secular or ecclesiastical. All useful callings, he said, are equally sacred in God's eyes....

Luther's greatest contribution to history was not political. It was religious. He took four basic Catholic concerns and offered invigorating new answers. To the question how is a person saved, Luther repled: not by works but by faith alone. To the question where does religious authority lie, he answered: not in the visible institution called the Roman church but in the Word of God found in the Bible. To the question---what is the church?---he responded: the whole community of Christian believers, since all are priests before God. And to the question---what is the essence of Christian living?---he replied: serving God in any useful calling, whether ordained or lay. To this day any classical description of Protestantism must echo these central truths.

Prayer

Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness. —Martin Luther

I'm thinking of doing a series on prayer for our next Bible study. If y'all have any good resources, books, or ideas, let me know! God's blessings and peace,

Laser

Check it:

How to Create a Laser from a Flashlight and CDROM drive

Good Reminder

I read the following in an Assembly Language book, of all places. Thought it was a good reminder:

I say this only because so many of you are considerably younger than I, and may forget in the fever of young life: Time passes, and so do the people who believe in us, and urge us through the walls as we hit them so that we may arrive at midlife with something to show for it. Fathers and mothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles can add immeasurably to our lives, and often do, even when we're too busy to notice. Cherish them while you have them, because cherishing them after they're gone is a lonely business indeed.

The Jesus Film

Apparently, about 99% of the world can view "The Jesus Film" in a language they know, and about 50% of the world has done so. I haven't watched "The Jesus Film" yet, but I found out today that you can view it online. As soon as I come across 2-hours of free time with RealPlayer, I just might see what this Jesus Film is like.

Sifting

I was unpacking my stuff from the recent move, and I came across the "Sifting Song" that Lindsay, Jake, Kyle, and I came up with while we were the "dirt sifting crew" on the Mexico mission trip in 2005. Shifted dirt was needed by the cement mixing crew, but needless to say, sifting dirt is a boring task, unless you make it fun with fun songs and entertainment. We jotted down the lyrics of the song on paper, so we wouldn't forget them, and I post them here, in that same spirit. The lyrics are written on the back of a coloring page that says "Con Dios puedes hacer todo" (With God, you are able to do all things). How fitting, and how true:

Sifting Song
(Sung to the tune of the 12 days of Christmas):
On the ___ shift of sifting my true love gave to me:
10 - 10 second breaks
9 - hacking coughs
8 - drops of spit
7 - cementers behind us
6 - gloves full o' rocks
5 - rusty nails
4 - sore limbs
3 - nagging bucketers
2 - sexy shakers
and a wheelbarrow full of dirt.

The Yellow Brick Road

I read this in "Waking the Dead" by John Eldridge on the plane to St. Louis:

"[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz] movie left out a crucial point [related to the Tin Woodman], which the author gave in his original fairy tale. The Tin Woodman had once been a real man, who had been in love with a beautiful maiden. It was his dream to marry her, once he could earn enough money to build them a cottage in the woods. The Wicked Witch hated his love, and she cast spells upon the man that caused him injury, so that one by one his limbs needed to be replaced with artificial ones, made of tin. At first, it seemed an advantage, for his metal frame allowed him to work nearly as powerfully as a machine. With a heart of love and arms that never tired, he seemed sure to win.

"I thought I had beaten the Wicked Witch then, and I worked harder than ever; but I little knew how cruel my enemy could be. She thought of a new way to kill my love for the beautiful Munchkin maiden, and made my axe slip again, so that it cut right through my body, splitting it into two halves. Once more the tinner came to my help and made me a body of tin. Fastening my tin arms and legs and head to it, by means of joints, so that I could move around as well as ever. But alas! I now had no heart, so that I lost all my love for the Munchkin girl, and did not care whether I married her or not..."

"My body shone so brightly in the sun that I felt very proud of it and it did not matter now if my axe slipped, for it could not cut me. There was only one danger---that my joints would rust; but I kept an oil-can in the cottage and took care to oil myself whenever I need it. However, there came a day when I forgot to do this, and, being caught in a rainstorm, before I had thought of the danger my joints had rusted, and I was left to stand in the woods until you came to help me."

"It was a terrible thing to undergo, but during the year I stood there I had time to think that the greatest loss I had known was the loss of my heart. While I was in love I was the happiest man on earth; but no one can love who has not a heart, and so I am resolved to ask Oz to give me one. If he does, I will go back to the Munchkin maiden and marry her."

Both Dorothy and the Scarecrow had been greatly interested in the story of the Tin Woodman, and now they knew why he was so anxious to get a new heart. "All the same," said the Scarecrow, "I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one." "I shall take the heart," returned the Tin Woodman; "for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world." L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

As I grow up (gasp, yes, I'm afraid I'm actually growing up! It was bound to happen sooner or later, despite my attempts to prevent it with koosh balls and corny jokes)I'm continually convinced that the yellow brick road we should follow in this life revolves around relationships. How many times have I missed out on wonderful friendships because I was too caught up in everything I had to do, and didn't make time to just hang out and build relationships? Perhaps I even missed some of those opportunities with you when our paths crossed. I agree with the Tin Woodman that brains do not make one happy, nor does work.

I disagree with the Tin Woodman in that happiness is the best thing in the world. Resting assured in your salvation, being content with who God made you to be, and knowing that you are carrying out His purposes---these are the best things in this world. My friend Tiff gave me a "homework assignment" to define what success means to me. I've turned that into a term paper, which I'm not ready to post just yet. But it revolves around quotes like these:

"Success is a journey, not a destination."

"Success is not permanent. The same is also true of failure."

"Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture...

Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes...

If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand..." Psalm 37

Good Times!

1 totally awesome pastor
+ 1 wonderful pastor's wife
+ 4 great friends
+ 1 Federal holiday
=
A GRRREAT weekend in St. Louis!

The gang:


Goofing off in the van, cuz we can:


Musing with Martin Luther at the Seminary:


The Arch:



As always, my annual trip to see the Kruegers was quite a blessing. And now, only 2 more weeks until I'll get to goof off in Texas! Whoop!!

Eyes

I love the fact that iGoogle has a "Joke of the Day" feature...

Now, to more serious matters:

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

John Eldridge, in Waking the Dead:

After a while, the accumulation of event after event that we do not like and do not understand erodes our confidence that we are part of something grand and good, and reduces us to a survivalist mind-set. I know, I know---we've been told that we matter to God. And part of us partly believes it. But life has a way of chipping away at that conviction, undermining our settled belief that he means us well. I mean, if that's true, then why didn't he ____? Fill in the blank. Heal your mom. Save your marriage. Get you married. Help you out more.

Either (a) we're blowing it, or (b) God is holding out on us. Or some combination of both, which is where most people land. Think about it. Isn't this where you land, with all things that haven't gone the way you'd hoped and wanted? Isn't it some version of "I'm blowing it"? in that it's your fault, you could have done better, you could have been braver or wiser or more beautiful or something? Or "God is holding out on me", in that you know he could come through, but he hasn't come through---and what are you to make of that?

This is The Big Question, by the way...What is really go on here? Good grief---life is brutal. Day after day it hammers us, until we lose sight of what God intends toward us, and we haven't the foggiest idea why the things that are happening to us are happening to us.

[We must pray] "That we would have eyes to see what's going on." That is exactly what we need. Eyes to see. Isn't that what Jesus offered us---clarity? Recovery of sight for the blind? We need clarity and we need it badly.

...

How do we not lose heart? "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." 2 Corinthians 4:18...There is a way of looking at life, and those who discover it are able to live from the heart no matter what. How do we do this? By seeing with the eyes of the heart.

...

Things are not what they seem. We are not what we seem. Of all the Eternal Truths we don't believe, we doubt most of all [that we have a crucial role to play in this life.] Our days are not extraordinary. They are filled with the mundane, with hassles mostly. And we? We are...a dime a dozen. Nothing special really. Probably a disappointment to God. But...you are not what you think you are. There is a glory to your life that your Enemy fears, and he is hell-bent on destroying that glory before you act on it....Once you begin to see with those eyes, once you have begun to know it is true from the bottom of your heart, it will change everything.

The story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it.

I quote all the above because it really speaks to me at this point in life. I once had direction and felt in tune with God's calling on my life. But life gets in the way sometimes, and lately I've been doubting a lot of things, including some of the decisions I made a year ago. I know who I want to be, but am I really becoming that person, or am I falling into the trap of a comfortable life? More importantly, what does God want me to be? What is he molding me into? And am I resisting, or am I content to be the clay? Sometimes I just want answers. But really I just need prayers. So, if you would, pray that the Lord would give me eyes to see.

Hudson Taylor

Quotes by J. Hudson Taylor, English missionary and founder of the China Inland Mission:

Let us never forget that what we are is more important than what we do.

I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking Him to do his work through me.

After proving God’s faithfulness for many years, I can testify that times of want have ever been times of spiritual blessing, or have led to them.

At home you can never know what it is to be alone – absolutely alone, amidst thousands, as you can in a Chinese city, without one friend, one companion, everyone looking on you with curiosity, with contempt, with suspicion or with dislike. Thus to learn what it is to be despised and rejected of men – of those you wish to benefit, your motives not understood . . . and then to have the love of Jesus applied to your heart by the Holy Spirit . . . this is worth coming for.

The more we rest on this fact, – that we do not know the way we are going, but that we have a GUIDE who does know; that we do not know how to accomplish our service, but that He never leaves us to devise our own service; – the more restful does our life become.

Book...

I need a new book to read. Something uplifting yet convicting, for when you're looking for direction in life, trying to figure out what life's all about, why it is the way it is, and how to take up His cross and follow Him, daily, without doubting or wavering.

Any suggestions?

The Aggie Network

The fact that the President of our Lutheran Synod includes stories about Texas A&M in his Pastoral Updates just makes me smile:

Sept 2007 Pastoral Letter

The Aggie Network. You've gotta love it.

Whataweekend

This weekend I went to West Virginia. Why would anyone go to West Virginia, you ask? To quote their state motto, because it's wild and wonderful, of course. I went camping and whitewater rafting, and I had a blast. Rafting isn't for everyone, and I wasn't sure it was for me at first. But after the 2nd rapid, I was lovin' it. Sigh, if only I could find an excuse to spend more of my days outside...

Jay

A few weeks ago, I heard a good family friend Jay was going to have heart surgery for a heart condition he's had since he was born. Yesterday, I found out he passed away after the surgery. He was 28. I remember the last time I saw him, about a year ago. He was so full of life and hope. And it reminded me of two things:

1) Life is short and God calls us to live in the moments He gives us each day, planning for the future, but appreciating the present because we don't know what the future will hold. As I look back at my life a year ago and my life now, I've certainly been learning this lesson. There have been times in the past when I've focused so much on the future that I've forgotten to see the things God has planned for me that day. Slowing down can be a good thing. I guess that's what the phrase "Stop and smell the roses" is all about.

2) Faith, hope, and love are not products of our circumstances. Some of the people I know with the strongest faith, the most abounding hope, and endless love are people who have been through the toughest situations. As John Piper says, "Joy in affliction is rooted in the hope of resurrection, but our experience of suffering also deepens the root of that hope."

Jay will be missed, but he is rejoicing with his Savior now.

Journies

The journey brings happiness, not the destination.

Flying Alarm Clock

Saw this on the History Channel...

Flying Alarm Clock

Good idea!

Beloved

I'm a huge fan of Derek Webb. Huge. I was listening to an old album of his the other day, "She Must and Shall Go Free". It's essentially an album Derek wrote talking about the church and our culture today. On the album, he has a song called "Beloved", written from the perspective of Jesus talking to us, his Beloved children. I really like the chorus:

beloved listen to me
don’t believe all that you see
and don’t you ever let anyone tell you
that there’s anything that you need
but me

Nerds. No, not the candy.

Me: You know, I used to have a crush on him.

Bets: You did?

Me: Yeah, I think it started when we were talking math together one night ;) I'm a nerd.

Bets: Haha! That is NERDY!

Stars

With all the weddings and engagements that have been going on lately, I've had Bryan White's song "Someone Else's Star" in my head for a while. At some point, I will outgrow this song. But for the time being, it still makes me sigh. I've met a lot of amazing guys over the years, but they all seem to end up with someone else. Don't get me wrong, I'm learning to be content with where God has placed me. But a girl can dream, can't she?

Alone again tonight
Without someone to love
The stars are shining bright
So one more wish goes up
Oh I wish I may
And I wish with all my might
For the love I’m dreaming of
And missing in my life

You’d think that I could find
A true love of my own
It happens all the time
To people that I know
Their wishes all come true
So I’ve got to believe
There’s still someone out there who
Is meant for only me

I guess I must be wishing on
Someone else’s star
It seems like someone else keeps getting
What I’m wishing for
Why can’t I be as lucky
As those other people are
I guess I must be wishing
On someone else’s star

I sit here in the dark
And stare up at the sky
But I can’t give my heart
One good reason why
Everywhere I look
It’s lovers that I see
It seems like everyone’s in love
Everyone but me

I guess I must be wishing on
Someone else’s star
It seems like someone else keeps getting
What I’m wishing for
Why can’t I be as lucky
As those other people are
I guess I must be wishing
On someone else’s star

Why can’t I be as lucky
As those other people are
Oh, I guess I must be wishing
On someone else’s star

Socks

Zach's comment on my last post made me think of an analogy I typed up a long time ago, in 2001 to be exact. I dug it out of my archive files and decided to post it here:

"Some people seem to make friends quickly and easily. Others wonder how they do it. Although warped and demented, I see it like this:

Let's say I have $10 and need a pair of socks. I can go to Walmart and get a Value Pack and come home happy with 10 pairs of tube socks. Or I can go to Academy and invest in the super-duper, "nothing short of an armored tank is putting a hole in these puppies" pair of socks -- the kind that has 'comfort' written all over them. Now, there are pros and cons to each. Going to Walmart leaves me with lots of socks. But perhaps the lower quality will cause them to wear out sooner, and after many intense games of basketball, I won't have them when I need them. On the other hand, these Academy socks are durable and will surely hold up to the task. However, I have only one, and if I were to lose it for some reason, it'd be extremely
tough. I'd try to mend it at first, but if that didn't work, I'd have to find a loaner pair, perhaps an old dusty pair or two that I hadn't called into duty for awhile. But rest-assured, the coach, the man-in-charge will see to it that I have the needed pair of socks when I need it most.

It's a cheesy, over-simplification, I know. Personality types and past experiences factor into friendships. I personally go the Academy route, but I'll admit it's much riskier at times. But the coolest part (and perhaps the only thing of value I have to say w/ this analogy) is that we are not measured by the number of socks we have. Nor by the quality of those socks. Rather, what counts is that our Big Game Day Sock is Jesus Christ."

Silver and Gold

My friend Mike made a comment on his blog about how many of his old friends are becoming passing friendships, where you catch up occassionally, but for the most part have moved on to different paths in life. This got me thinking, and realizing how many of my college friendships could be characterized the same way now. For me, the big reason is because I'm 1600 miles away from those friends.

I'm reminded of the kid's song "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." I have "fond" memories of this song b/c Grandma used to make us cousins sing-along to it with the Wee Sing in Sillyville movie. But I seriously digress.

Back to the point....I'm the type of person that builds friendships through quality time: Finding a common interest and building memories together. What do I do when I can't spend quality time with my old friends, the way I wish I could? How do I stay in touch with people and know what's going on in their lives, when I'm not around them? Life (and God) has pulled me in a different direction, but I don't want to lose those memories and those friendships. To those of you that I've been horrible at keeping in touch with lately: I'm sorry. I wish I could throw a koosh with you right now, share a laugh with you, or have you over for another Garden Girls Party. Your friendship has made me into the person I am now, and I miss you. God might lead us down different paths, but you will never be replaced. And if you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods, or need a roadtrip and want to see the sights, don't hesitate to call me up anytime!!

Get Real

Before reading the rest of this post, you have to do some homework:

• 1. Read Tiff's recent blog post


• 2. Click here to listen to Casting Crowns' song "Stained Glass Masquerade" and think about the words
  

Sometimes their music is repetitive, but I absolutely love the lyrics of Casting Crowns' songs. I haven't seen them in concert, maybe someday I'll get to... But I have read a bunch of stuff by Mark Hall, their lead singer. His lyrics are real, his stories cut to your heart and cause you to stop and think. I recommend reading his book LifeStories. It gives insight into the people and events behind his songs. Powerful. Or check out www.castingcrowns.tv.

I'll quote some of my favorite paragraphs from the chapter on the "Stained Glass Masquerade" song:

"In John 3:30, John the Baptist refers to Jesus and says, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

My conversations with students I minister to cast the verse in a different light: I must decrease before the kids so they will have a greater chance to increase. I must become humble, meek, transparent, and approachable. I must become real. I must never become an ivory-tower preacher. I must live a real life in a real world...just as they do.

Instead of building walls to hide my weaknesses---like those I had expertly crafted my entire life---I should expose my weakness. Even when it is humiliating. I have to decrease, even in the students' respect of me, because they don't need a hero. They need a Savior. So if knowing Jesus means they have to discover that I don't have it all together---and if I'm a little less cool in their eyes---then so be it.

I make sure to convey this message in concerts today.

When we're onstage, my goal is to prove to you that God can use anybody. The Apostle Paul took the same approach: "I boast in my weakness." (2 Cor 12:9)"

Mark goes on to say:

"One Godline did not make this song, but I use it in concerts and when I talk to my students. It summarizes the song perfectly: I don't think it bothers the world so much that we sin; I think it bothers the world that we act like we don't.

Growing up in a church that didn't talk about personal sins and struggles, I sketched a mental picture of a strong Christian, someone who truly walks with Jesus. I strived to be that person. If there was anything in my life that didn't fit the mental picture, I had to bury it. I guess subconciously I thought that if my church folks believed i was OK, then maybe I really was.

Sound familiar?

I don't think I'm alone. Our insistence on maintaining an image is the reason most believers rarely confess bitterness, jealousy, addiction, lust, self-hate, greed, and anger at God. If that is the case in our lives, then people at church don't really know us.

I seems we're missing so much in the area of fellowship. If only we authentically knew each other, it would be so much easier to loosen up and accept and love each other."

So, I've been thinking a lot about fellowship lately too. How does one go about building authentic fellowship, true community? I think it starts as a matter of the heart. Do we truly love our neighbors? Are we real with them? Do we love others and ourselves the way Christ loves us, unconditionally?

Purpose for Everything

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, And a time to die;
A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, And a time to heal;
A time to break down, And a time to build up;
A time to weep, And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, And a time to lose;
A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
A time to tear, And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
A time to love, And a time to hate;
A time of war, And a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

We've all had times we've been encouraged, and we've all had times we've been discouraged. I used to think discouragement was a bad thing, something I ran into only when I wasn't on the right course in life. But the following section from Chuck Swindoll's book "Hand Me Another Brick" has made me think of discouragement in a different light. Don't get me wrong, I certainly prefer those encouraging times, when things make sense and smiles abound. But much like brokenness and suffering, discouragement may have a role to play in building our faith and increasing our dependance on God:

You might think discouragement is only for those not walking with God. That's not true. Many Christian leaders admit that times of discouragement have often been signals from God announcing a whole new direction and plan. Strange though it may seem, discouragement, brought on by a removal of our tangible securities, can become a catalyst for incredible achievements.

Such was the admission of Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest spokesmen for Christ in the history of the church: "Before any great achievement, some measure of the same depression is very usual...Such was my experience when I first became a pastor in London. My success appalled me; and the thought of the career which it seemed to open up, so far from elating me, cast me into the lowest depth, out of which I uttered my miserere and found no room for a gloria in excelsis. Who was I that I should continue to lead so great a multitude? I would betake me to my village obscurity, or emigrate to America, and find a solitary nest in the backwoods, where I might be sufficient for the things that would be demanded of me. It was just then the curtain was rising on my lifework...This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry."

I can find nothing in Scripture to prove this, but I am more convinced than ever that discouragement is nothing more than a barrier Satan erects between great people and great achievements. I wonder how many great triumphs we might have seen but didn't because great people simply lost heart.

Perhaps today you find yourself standing before the door of opportunity or change. Your strength has run out. Your confidence has faded. Your vision has grown dim. You're shaking with fear and you want to retreat to safety. A nagging voice somewhere deep within whispers, "It isn't worth it."

Wait! You may be on the verge of the greatest years of your life. On the other side of that barrier---if you just keep pressing on, doing what you know to be right---the reward of faithfulness awaits you.

I especially liked the part where Spurgeon admits that he often wanted to run to places where he "might be sufficient for the things that would be demanded" of him. In those pivotal moments of life, we will be faced with a choice: rely on our own strength, or take a step of faith and rely on God. Growth only occurs when we rely on God. Oh how I wish I could do that more easily!

Two Contrasts

You are passionately loved by the God of the universe.
You are passionately hated by His Enemy.

From the book Captivating, which Tiff got me for my birthday a while back.

Love

I'm probably not one to comment on love. I haven't the faintest clue about how and when to let go. All I know is the amazing picture of love we find in 1 John 4:
--------------------------
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
----------------

There's a quote that says "The difference between friendship and love is how much you can hurt each other." Loving completely can be a risk b/c it means opening yourself up to the possibility of getting hurt. But there's another quote that says "To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure. But risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing."

We can love only because we are loved completely by God. We fail at loving completely because we are sinners. But we try. With God's grace, we have to try, in spite of the possible hurt.

But are there times when we have to let go and move on? Love keeps no record of wrongs. But is "moving on" not keeping a record of wrongs, or is it simply ignoring the wrongs? Avoidance is not to be confused with love. I think the better description for for "letting go and moving on" is "forgiving". It's not easy; it takes work and prayer. After all, "What we forgive too freely doesn't stay forgiven. --Mignon McLaughlin. But it is possible, and when it's truly heart-felt forgiveness, it becomes a form of love. "You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well. --Lewis B. Smedes"

Colossians 3: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Mexico

I've always said that when I get a real job, I'd use my vacation time in a useful way. Now that I finally have a real job, I finally got a chance to do that, on a week-long mission trip to Mexico with UKANDU:

On June 1, I flew down to Texas and met up with the young adult group from Trinity-Klein in Spring. Aside from my friend Lindsay, I had no idea who would be going, and I really didn't quite know what we would be doing. That's not typical for a Type-A person like myself, who likes to plan and know what I'm getting into, but when the opportunity for me to go on the trip came up at the last minute, I left it in God's hands and went along for the ride.

Our group consisted of 7 folks, pictured below from left to right at El Potrero Chico, an internationally known rock-climbing location:

• Myself


• Tim (My brother went to high school with his sister)


• Linds (we go WAY back)


• John-David (the youth minister at Trinity)


• Anne (I played basketball in high school with her)


• Christine (I was good friends with her brother at A&M)


• Kerri (not pictured. I went to A&M with her sister)

I think it's so cool that even though I didn't know our group, I had common ties with all of them! In Laredo, we met up with the high school youth group from St. Paul, Ft. Worth, where my sister was married and where a number of my friends now attend church. Again, we didn't know this group, but by the end of the week, we had all made new friends. St. Paul has an amazing youth group and awesome adult leaders. There's some great things going on in that place.

As a group of about 50 folks, we drove to El Carmen, where we would be working on an orphanage. The orphanage now has 25 kids staying on the lower level. We were working to prepare the upper level so they could take care of 25 more kids. The long-term vision is to support 10 such orphanages, caring for 500 kids total. At the orphanage, the kids receive food, clothing, education, love, and Christ.

I was on the "Tiling Team", and quickly became a pro at laying ceramic tile. The "Grout Girls" came behind us to finish up with grout. Here's a pic of the main room with the diagonal pink "rug" in the middle:




The kids were still in school during the day, so we only got to play with them in the evenings. Before they were allowed to play, they had to finish their homework. I tried to help a 5-year-old with her homework...Let's just say my Spanish skills need some brushing up:



On Wednesday, we went to the market in Saltillo. This was my 4th time in Saltillo. In 2003, on my first trip to Saltillo, we were waiting around in the parking garage, so as always, I pulled out my koosh ball and tried to stay entertained. Without thinking, I chucked my koosh ball up as high as I could. It went up, up, up, but never came down! It got stuck in the lip of an I-beam in the rafters of the garage. I was very sad to leave it there, but every year since then, we always parked in the same garage and I got to check on my koosh ball. I was curious if it would still be there now in 2007. Sure enough, it is! Granted, now it is very black and hardly recognizable, but I know it is there:



All in all, this was a good, refreshing trip. Seeing a different culture, different ways to worship, and different lifestyles always renews my perspective on things. God is great, and the diversity He has created in the world is amazing. How great that day will be when we see all nations worshipping the Lord, as in Revelations 15:4:

"Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

But as Romans 10:12-15 says, how can all nations come and worship unless we share the hope we have:

"For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Piper

A lady at work hosts a weekly Bible study. I was finally able to join in one week and they were talking about John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life. I was really interested by the discussion, so I decided to read it when I got some free time. I'm only about 3 chapters in right now, but I really like this quote that was on a window decoration in Piper's kitchen growing up:

Only one life,

twill soon be past,

only what's done for Christ will last.

Quote

Quote of the day from my niece Bethany, while talking to her grandma, after seeing a stray cat across the yard:

"Bethy can't pet that kitty cat, that kitty cat is very old, like you grandma."

[FYI: The twins talk about themselves in the 3rd person. I'm not sure if all kids do that. Kinda cute, but I would hope they grow out of it at some point...]

Following Christ

A friend sent me this excerpt from “New Way to Be Human” by Charlie Peacock:

Charlie speaking:

“Here’s what I’ve figured out for myself: My life is going to tell a
story whether I try to or not. It’s going to tell a story that says,
'This is what a follower of Jeus is , this is what he or she is
interested in, this is what he or she believes and trusts, this is what
he or she thinks is important.' Because this is going to happen and can’t
be stopped, I’d better make sure I know my role and my job description-a
student-follower of Jesus is a living explanation. As I go about living,
I will either make the teaching about God the Savior attractive, or I
won’t. It’s attractive on its own. I make it attractive to others by
living it out. My work should be to represent it accurately. This
doesn’t mean that my life will look just as his looked. That’s not even
possible. I’ll be doing well if I can, stepwise, become the kind of
person he’s teaching me to be.”

Tharseo

"Tharseo is an Ancient Greek word that means "Have Courage!" or "Be of Good Cheer!" or "Take Heart!" Jesus uses this term often after healing people and in John 16:33 (NIV): "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.""

Prayer

LCMS President's Statement about Virginia Tech

As I think about people asking "Where was God?", I can't help of a book I read stating the natural follow-up to this question is "Where are God's people?" May God and God's people be a light to those affected by this tragedy, and may they portray God's love and peace to those who are hurting. Keep them in your prayers.


This weekend, International Justice Mission is hosting a Global Prayer Gathering this weekend. IJM is an amazing Christian human rights agency consisting of professional lawyers, social workers, and investigators who seek to rescue people from horrendous injustices. Here are some resources and a prayer guide if you want to keep their mission in your prayers as well.

Temporary Shiite Marriage

I just read about a Shitte Muslim custom that really appalled me. It's called "mutaa", a temporary marriage contract for the sole purpose of having intimate relations, believed by Shiite Muslims to be sanctioned by Islamic law. Apparently it's becoming more widespread in Iraq, now that there is religious freedom, instead of Sadaam's Sunni-led control. Those who practice mutaa say these types of marriages are beneficial for reduce promiscuity among youth and help support widowed or divorced women. I don't understand how people justify these things. Washington Post article here.

Good Ol' Abe

Here are some words to ponder from Lincoln's speech when appointing a National Fast Day in March 1863:

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentence will lead to mercy and pardon and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord. We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end our national reformation as a whole people? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have daily imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

Scattered

"Jesus said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to all the ends of the earth." Acts 1:7-8

"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria....Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Acts 8:1-4

We talked about these verses in Bible study this week, and the note in my study Bible really caught my attention. "Chapter 8 (where the church is persecuted and scattered) is the beginning of the fulfillment of the commission in 1:8 -- not by the church's plan, but by events beyond the believers' control."

How reassuring to be reminded that everything is in God's control. The church was scattered and persecuted, but thankfully the believers didn't give up. They continued preaching and spreading the message of Christ, regardless of their location or well-being. What passion and dedication!

Very Deep New Blog Post

I spent a lot of time pondering the other day, and came up with some deep thoughts I thought worthy of sharing on the blog:

"What do you get when you graduate from scuba diving school?...A deep-loma."


April Fools. Nothing deep here. Move along.

Good Deeds

At Bible study last night, we discussed the following passage:

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. -- Matthew 5:14-16

We began talking about good deeds and the difference between good deeds done for God's glory and good deeds done for other reasons. A question was raised which got me thinking: "If the whole world was deaf and no one knew sign language, how could we ensure that God received the praise for our good deeds? We wouldn't be able to verbally tell people about Christ and how He is the reason for the hope within us."

Certainly a person can exhibit their faith without using words. In fact, many times actions speak louder than words. But if we don't/can't use words to tell people that Jesus is the reason we are who we are and why we live how we live, then how do we show people that?

Is there a way to distinguish good deeds done for the wrong reason and good deeds done for God's glory? If a nonbeliever sees a good deed, they don't automatically praise God. How do we motivate that praise, praise vertically directed toward God?

Barometers

I read the following story on the Internet. It's fictional, but it got me thinking:

Some time ago I received a call from a colleague. He was about to give a student a zero for his answer to a physics question, while the student claimed a perfect score. The instructor and the student agreed to an impartial arbiter, and I was selected. I read the examination question:

"Show how it is possible to determine the height of a tall building with the aid of a barometer."

The student had answered: "Take the barometer to the top of the building, attach a long rope to it, lower it to the street, and then bring it up, measuring the length of the rope. The length of the rope is the height of the building."

The student really had a strong case for full credit since he had really answered the question completely and correctly! On the other hand, if full credit were given, it could well contribute to a high grade in his physics course and certify competence in physics, but the answer did not confirm this.

I suggested that the student have another try. I gave the student Six minutes to answer the question with the warning that the answer should show some knowledge of physics. At the end of five minutes, he hadn't written anything. I asked if he wished to give up, but he said he had many answers to this problem; he was just thinking of the best one.

I excused myself for interrupting him and asked him to please go on. In the next minute, he dashed off his answer, which read, "Take the barometer to the top of the building and lean over the edge of the roof. Drop the barometer, timing its fall with a stopwatch. Then, using the formula x=0.5*a*t^2, calculate the height of the building."

At this point, I asked my colleague if he would give up. He conceded, and gave the student almost full credit. While leaving my colleague's office, I recalled that the student had said that he had other answers to the problem, so I asked him what they were.

"Well," said the student, "there are many ways of getting the height of a tall building with the aid of a barometer. For example, you could take the barometer out on a sunny day and measure the height of the barometer, the length of its shadow, and the length of the shadow of the building, and by the use of simple proportion, determine the height of the building."

"Fine," I said, "and others?"

"Yes," said the student, "there is a very basic measurement method you will like. In this method, you take the barometer and begin to walk up the stairs. As you climb the stairs, you mark off the length of the barometer along the wall. You then count the number of marks, and this will give you the height of the building in barometer units. A very direct method."

"Of course. If you want a more sophisticated method, you can tie the barometer to the end of a string, swing it as a pendulum, and determine the value of g [gravity] at the street level and at the top of the building. From the difference between the two values of g, the height of the building, in principle, can be calculated."

"On this same tack, you could take the barometer to the top of the building, attach a long rope to it, lower it to just above the street, and then swing it as a pendulum. You could then calculate the height of the building by the period of the precession".

"Finally," he concluded, "there are many other ways of solving the problem. Probably the best," he said, "is to take the barometer to the basement and knock on the superintendent's door. When the superintendent answers, you speak to him as follows: 'Mr. Superintendent, here is a fine barometer. If you will tell me the height of the building, I will give you this barometer.'"

At this point, I asked the student if he really did not know the conventional answer to this question. He admitted that he did, but said that he was fed up with high school and college instructors trying to teach him how to think.

Girly and Sappy

[Warning: This post gets kinda girly and sappy. I wrote this over a year ago, but never posted it...]

I was driving down the Baltimore-Washington Parkway the other day, (otherwise known as the "BW"), and I heard Brad Paisley's song "She's Everything" on the radio. I love Brad Paisley's lyrics; he's a great song-writer. As I was listening to this song, I couldn't help but think the lady in the song was so lucky. And it made me recall a recent conversation with a friend. It was the sweetest thing hearing him talk about his wife. He said things I've heard many people say before:
"I thought I was in love before, but I didn't really know what love was back then."
"I'd have never guessed I could ever feel this way about someone."
"I hope everyone finds what I've found, instead of settling."
"You just know."

Times like that I get hit by 2 emotions: a continued conviction to trust God's plan and wait for His will, and a skeptical cynicism that tries to convince me such love is too elusive and risky.

But maybe, just maybe, I will know what everyone else is talking about someday. Maybe, just maybe, someday I'll sing too.

He's a dirty pair of overalls
From a day spent out a'working
He looks great in untucked polos
He looks great standing tall by me
He's "I want a brand new laptop"
"Take me to a Best Buy"
He's "I can't sit still for very long"
Now and then he's silly

He's a pickup with a side step
With his country music blaring
He's a strong shoulder for me
And a safe feeling hugging
He's a confident intellectual
That I wouldn't doubt for nothing
He's addicting when he's passionate
And he's a natural when he's leading

And he's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
I think about him, I go on and on and on
'Cause he's everything to me

He's a Saturday at Habitat
And an usher on Sunday
He's a guitar around his neck
And his singing's kinda goofy
He's a snowball fight with snowmen
"Baby come and get me"
He's a one girl kinda guy
And he sure knows how to get me

He's the faith I wish I could have
And doubts I have everyday
He's a picture in my own head
But he's gotta be out there somewhere
He's the hand that holds me close
When I'm scared and take off running
He's the answer to my prayers
And he's the song that I'm dreaming

And he's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
I dream about him, I go on and on and on
'Cause he's everything to me

He's the funky face I'd love to see
Someday when I'm ninety
He'll make that wooden rocking chair
I want rocking right beside me
Everyday that passes
I'll only love him more
Yeah, he's the one
That I've waited so long for

And he's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
He's everything to me
Yeah he's everything to me

Everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
He's everything to me

Recommendation

Go see Amazing Grace in the theater. I highly recommend it. And let me know what you think.