Anniversary

Today is my parents' wedding anniversary. I think it's 33 years now. I feel like one of the lucky few in my generation who have seen their parents live out a healthy and loving marriage relationship. I have heard them mention that they are the last ones left from the friends of their youth who are still on their first marriage. All of the others have gone through at least one divorce, many more than one. My parents have really set a great example. There have been tough times and they have faced many of the same stresses and demands (and probably more) that others have faced only they remained faithful towards each other and kept going and weathered out the passing storms. And it's not one of those relationships where they're just playing out the string until the game's over. They're still very much in love and have a profound respect for one another. Last winter for instance, my dad would go over to my mom's workplace when she was working evenings to warm up her car and walk her out when her shift was over so that she was safe and could hop into a nice warm car. He still writes her little love notes. They love playing cards together, taking their collie for a walk in the park and playing with their grandchildren (my sister's three kids). What can I say? I'm learning from the best. Thanks mom and dad. I love you!

Keeping In Step With The Spirit

I thought Pastor Bo's sermon on Sunday was very convicting and challenging. He ended by saying:

Finally, the mission of Brandywine Valley Baptist Church is to be followers of Christ, known by their love. What stalks my soul by day and haunts my dreams by night is that Christians in all their global diversity see themselves as the single, social embodiment of Jesus Christ in this world and keep in step with the Spirit, each person according to ability and always growing. The salvation of the world awaits that. BVBC is the only congregation we can do anything about. Let’s do it.There’s something else I don’t want the frailty of this sermon to hide. What we are talking about today is the air without which humanity suffocates. Listen to me! If tomorrow we fixed Social Security and Medicare; if tomorrow the problem of illegal immigrants went away; if tomorrow we found a cheap and universal cure for AIDS – if all this happened, the human condition would still be desperate, if it were not also brought into alignment with spiritual life. The life of God in the soul of man is the air without which humanity suffocates. That’s God’s gift to the world through the Church.

A Certain Danger of I-Pods

So, I went for about an hour walk/hike around the park near my apartment yesterday. In the middle of this, I noticed something was kind of off. It was that I was disconnected from my environment. The birds were noisily chirping and wind was blowing through the tree tops but I wasn't really experiencing it becaus I was listening to my I-pod. I had to turn it off for a few minutes and simply take in the environment around me.

Don't get me wrong; I absolutely love my i-pod. I just realized how much the technology isolates me not only from the people around me but from my natural environment.

Tonight I went for another walk but I left my I-pod at home. The silence helped me to pray and to think through some things that were vaguely floating around undefined in my mind. I think I also noticed the fireflys and Venus much earlier than I otherwise would have.

It's a good blend to enjoy both music and silence.

Book Review: God Is Not Great . . . Is Not Great

I saw a Newsweek review recently on the book God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens. I was interested in seeing what a reasoned argument against Christianity and religion in general would have to say so I went to Border's and perused the book. I'm still looking for such an argument. The book is dripping with such arrogance that it is exhausting to try to trudge through, and his arguments have holes in them you could drive a truck through. In Hitchens' black-and-white perspective, secularists can do no evil and religious people can do nothing right. If you want to argue that religious people have done some pretty awful things, I would agree and you have some credibility, but you are also going to need to admit your own mistakes and he showed no willingness to do so. I didn't end up buying the book, not because I was afraid it might convince me but because it was so poorly written it wasn't worth the money. Maybe I'll get it from the library. The Washington Post review by Stephen Prothero listed on the amazon.com site sums it up pretty well.

"Hitchens describes the religious mind as "literal and limited" and the atheistic mind as "ironic and inquiring." Readers with any sense of irony -- and here I do not exclude believers -- will be surprised to see how little inquiring Hitchens has done and how limited and literal is his own ill-prepared reduction of religion. Christopher Hitchens is a brilliant man, and there is no living journalist I more enjoy reading. But I have never encountered a book whose author is so fundamentally unacquainted with its subject."

Not Exactly Warm Fuzzies

This morning's reading from The Imitation of Christ:

And yet, what great matter is it, if you, who are but dust and nothing, subject yourself to a man for God's sake, when I, the Almighty and the Most Highest, who created all things out of nothing, humbly subjected Myself to man for your sake? I became of all men the most humble and the most abject, that you might overcome your pride with my humility. O dust! learn to be obedient. Learn to humble yourself, you earth and clay, and to bow yourself down under the feet of all men . . . What do you have, O vain man, to complain of? What can you answer, foul sinner, to them that upbraid you, you who has so often offended God so many times and deserved hell? But Mine eye spared you, because your soul was precious in My sight; that you might know My love, and ever be thankful for My benefits; also that you might continually give yourself to true subjection and humility, and endure patiently the contempt which belongs to you.

Make Poverty History

I was flipping through the CD jacket of my Switchfoot CD and noticed the reference for one.org There's some good information and resources available there.

Something Positive In Iraq

Here is a story of something positive that is happening in Iraq right now.

Walking With Wilberforce

The recent discovery of forced labor in a Chinese brick kiln is unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg. The most recent US State Dept Trafficking in Person Report cited statistics from the International Labor Organization that "estimates there are 12.3 million people in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude."


One organization that seems to be taking an effective approach in addressing the issue is Shared Hope International. I ordered a DVD and maybe can have some people over to investigate more when that arrives. There's got to be something we can do.

Storm

Hmmm. Formatting issues there. My other favorite song is:

Storm

How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
Water's getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my head

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I'd see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost in your eyes
I know everything will be alright
I know everything is alright

I know you didn't bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Because I'm so used to living underneath the surface

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I'd see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be alright
I know everything is alright

Again, the lyrics alone do not capture the fulness of the songs. They are beautiful.

As Good As Advertised

I ran to Wal-Mart on my way to work this morning and picked up the new Lifehouse album, Who We Are. I was not disappointed. It's a very solid disc. If I had to compare it to their previous work, I would say it is something of a cross between their first and third albums. My early favorites are

Broken

The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
I am here still waiting though I still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on,
I'm barely holdin' on to you

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded, I'm an open book instead
I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for purpose, they're still looking for life

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain is there healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on,
I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm hangin' on another day
Just to see what you will throw my way
And I'm hanging on to the words you say
You said that I will be ok

The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now, haven't forgotten my way home

Disapproval of Congress

Remember when I said on November 11, 2006, "As a Republican I have to admit that there is some strategic value to losing the House and possibly Senate to the Democrats. Unlike the Republican Revolution in '94, the incoming class of Democrats do not have an overarching strategic or tactical plan akin to the Contract With America. Many candidates seem to have run on a platform of "at least I'm not George Bush", and it worked to disenchanted voters who had become contemptful of the power grubbing establishment. The thing is, I don't hear how any of them have any meaningful, credible plans to actually fix any problems. I suspect that the sunset provisions on Bush's tax cuts might now be allowed to expire without renewal. Few things give Democrats more ecstasy than raising taxes. So, in a couple years voters will be faced with no greater international leadership, a social security and medicare system that's just as broke, a continued healthcare crisis, conflict and debate over illegal immigration and even more deadlock between the two parties with the only change being higher taxes on the horizon."

I may have been right.

Of The Wonderful Effect Of Divine Love

Okay, so my last few posts have been pretty light and fluffy. But tonight my mind is racing with a thousand worries and concerns, and I am losing the fight to fall asleep. So, I thought it better to get up and revisit something I read yesterday. This is again from Thomas A Kempis' classic, The Imitation of Christ. It is rather long but so rich it deserves the time and attention:

Because I am as yet weak in love, and imperfect in virtue, I have need to be strengthened and comforted by You; visit me often therefore, and instruct me with all holy discipline. Set me free from evil passions, and heal my heart of all inordinate affections; that being inwardly healed and thoroughly cleansed, I may be ready to love, strong to suffer, steady to persevere.

Love is a great thing, yes, altogether a great good; by itself it makes light every thing that is heavy, and it bears evenly all that is uneven. For it carries a burden which is no burden, and makes every thing that is bitter, sweet and tasteful. The noble love of Jesus drives a man to do great things, and stirs him up to be always longing for what is more perfect. Love wills to be on high, and not to be kept back by anything low and mean. Love wills to be free, and estranged from all worldly affection, so that its inward sight may not be hindered; that it may not be entangled by any temporal prosperity, or by any adversity subdued.

Nothing is sweeter than Love, nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in Heaven and earth; because Love is born of God and cannot rest but in God, above all created things. A lover flies, runs and rejoices; he is free, and is not holden. He gives all for all, and has all in all because he rests in One Highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds. He respects not the gifts but turns himself above all goods unto the Giver.

Love often knows no measure, but is fervent beyond measure. Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of labors, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; for it thinks all things possible for itself and all things lawful. It is therefore strong for all things, and it completes many things and brings them to effect, where he who does not love faints and lies down. Love is watchful, and sleeping slumbers not. Though wearied it is not tired; though pressed, it is not straitened; though alarmed, it is not confounded; but as a lively flame and burning torch, it forces its way upwards and securely passes through all. If any man love, he knows what is the cry of this voice. For it is a loud cry in the ears of God, that ardent affection of the soul when it says, 'My God, my Love, You are all mine, and I am all Yours.'

Enlarge me in Love, that the inward palate of my heart may learn to taste how sweet it is to love, and in Love to be dissolved and to bathe myself. Let me be holden by Love, mounting above my self, through excessive fervor and wonder. Let me sing the song of Love, let me follow You, my Beloved, on high; let my soul spend itself in Your Praise, rejoicing through Love. Let me love You more than myself, nor love myself but for You; and in You all that truly love You, as the law of Love commands, shining out from Yourself.

Love is swift, sincere, kindly-affectioned, pleasant and delightful; brave, patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, manly, and never seeking itself. For where a person seeks himself, there he falls from Love.

Love is circumspect, humble and upright; not yielding to softness, or to lightness, nor attending to vain things; it is sober, chaste, firm, quiet and guarded in all the senses.

Love is subject and obedient to its superiors, to itself mean and despised, unto God devout and thankful, trusting and hoping always in Him, even when God is not sweet unto it: for without sorrow none live in love. He that is not prepared to suffer all things, and to stand to the will of his Beloved, is not worthy to be called a lover. A lover ought to embrace willingly all that is hard and bitter, for the sake of his Beloved; nor for things that fall out against one to turn away from Him.

Counting Down the Days

The new Lifehouse CD comes out on Tuesday. I've been looking forward to this for a awhile. I really like their new single, First Time. (I'm not sure what their actual video looks like.)

More Dashboard

I'm really digging the new Dashboard Confessionals song, Stolen. They've got a great sound.

I'm not into superheroes or comic book movies but I saw this on Jeff's blog

You are Lex Luthor

Lex Luthor 51% Riddler 40% Kingpin 39% The Joker 36% Dr. Doom 36% Magneto 34% Apocalypse 34% Venom 33% Juggernaut 32% Dark Phoenix 32% Green Goblin 32% Mystique 24% Catwoman 23% Poison Ivy 18% Two-Face 16% Mr. Freeze 14%

A brilliant businessman on a quest for world domination and the self-proclaimed greatest criminal mind of our time!

Click here to take the Supervillain Personality Quiz

Squirrel Goes On Rampage

This story brings back memories. I bet it was looking for Little Debbie fudge brownies and a Pepsi.

Bumper Sticker of the Day

Last night I saw a sticker that read:

"My dog is smarter than your honor roll student."

Cleveland Sports Futility

Well, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the San Antonia Spurs in the NBA Finals last night. If you're keeping score at home, it is now 59 years since a sports franchise from Cleveland has won a championship. Let's recap:

Cleveland Cavaliers: 0 NBA Championships
Cleveland Browns: 0 Super Bowl victories. (Heck, we've never even made it to the Super Bowl)
Cleveland Indians: 2 World Series victories but none since 1948. (Stinkin' Jose Mesa)

So all you Philadelphia fans who whine about not winning a championship since the early '80's can just zip it.

Comedy

It's hard to find good stand up comics. Recently, I have been amused by Christopher Titus. Also see his apology.

Unpredictable Promises?

Since the Kairos retreat I have been thinking about the nature of God's promises. I have to admit this is an area of struggle for me. I think the reason for my struggle is because that which at the surface seems rather simple and straightforward in actuality becomes rather unpredictable, at least in the short term. Sometimes I wrestle with trying to figure out just what exactly can I reasonably expect from God? ("Reasonably expect" are not the best words but they'll have to do for now.)

For instance, I very much believe the promise in Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose", but I also have to reconcile that with the fact that in the short term I might very well get my head lopped off (Matt 14:10, Acts 12:2). Or, consider the beautiful promise of restoration demonstrated in Jeremiah's purchase of the field (Jer 32:14-15), and yet Jeremiah likely died in relative obscurity in Egypt while his countrymen were in exile in Babylon.

This sort of thing can really draw out the skeptical contrarian in me. As Everclear once sang, "Promises mean everything when you're little and the world's so big." Well, sometimes it seems like these promises set you up to be let down. The really strange thing is that it's not just a few isolated instances where this occurs. In the famous passage of Hebrews 11 it comments, "All these died in faith without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (Heb 11:13)" I think this verse underscores that much of correctly understanding God's promises has to do with the time frame involved. At the risk of being sacrilegious, counting on God's promises seems a bit like investing in the stock market. In the short term there can be a lot of volatility and the risks taken aren't quickly rewarded and the corrections are painful to endure. But in the long run it's proven to be the best place to be for your investment.

There's one other sidebar I want to throw there out on the unpredictability of these promises. I think it's actually part of what makes life exciting. I have never liked movies where all of the good guys live and all of the bad guys die. I mean, come on, nothing's ever that easy and it's got to cost you something. To borrow a bit from Elderidge, this is so deeply embedded in our stories. In Braveheart William Wallace dies but ultimately his companions ride to victory. In the Matrix, several of the crew members die but ultimately Neo saves the day. In Tombstone, Virgil Earp is wounded and Morgan Earp is killed but Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday ride out victoriously. And in Scripture, James is beheaded in prison while an angel rescues Peter but ultimately they will both be rewarded. "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made pefect. (Heb 11:39,40)"