Notes along the Way

Not enough good words

2011-09-20T13:41:00.001-04:00

I received [[ASIN:1595549099 The Realms Thereunder (An Ancient Earth)]]from Thomas Nelson Publishing as part of their Booksneeze review program in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I don't have enough good things to say about this book. I have been wading through the morass of poor popular fiction and it is so refreshing to find a work of fiction combining the imagination, literary depth, and story telling expertise in works like Potter, Tolkien, and Lewis with the characterization, plot, and excitement of books we call "classics." Across the dark realms of modern "literature", this rises like the sun on the horizon, bathing the landscape in its light. I may seem to be gushing, but every word is true. This is an excellent piece of fiction, and I cannot wait for the second book.

The readers move back and forth between "Before" and "Now" as Daniel and Freya (two reluctant adventurers thrown together by fate and a shared birthday) are caught in a game of good versus evil. As children, Daniel and Freya accidentally stumble into an underground realm where they must (Potter-esque) destroy the heart of their enemy which he has removed from his body and hidden from view for his protection. They encounter a world that exists beneath their own, guarded by sleeping knights who are set to awaken when the final battle begins. As adults, Daniel and Freya are hunted by this same evil force in their own world. Caught up in the mystery of the nature of good and evil, Daniel and Freya must find their role in this world. Insightful without being preachy, Lawhead has crafted excellent fiction.

This was a breath of fresh air. I am a huge fan of this new author and I am so excited to finish the trilogy. This is one of the few books I have ever listed as "must reads" for anyone. Especially good if you enjoy mythology and fantasy, but equally appealing to readers of more modern fare (Harry Potter, Inheritance, etc.). Enjoy!

Review: Daddy Dates by Greg Wright

2011-08-04T08:17:00.001-04:00

**Disclaimer**
I am reviewing this book for Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program.

I have been blessed in my young married life with two beautiful daughters, currently 2 and 1. It has been as both a blessing and a source of concern and confusion for me as I try to be a father to truly extraordinary women who love God, love their families, and make an impact on the world. How does one do this? What does it take to raise a daughter who is both feminine and self-confident. This book is not the ultimate handbook in how to raise a strong woman, but it is a treatise in the powerful influence a loving, strong father can have on a young woman that will carry over into her adult years.

Being that my daughters are 2 and 1, we don't do a lot of dating. Since reading this book, however, I have been more intentional about the type of time that I spend with each of them. They're currently in the Do Something stage. We don't have deep conversations that edify and challenge their worldview, but I listen to their stories, read books with them, sing songs, cuddle, do yoga, go on the swings, eat icies, and play ball with them for the hours that I have between work and bedtime.

This book has been a very important part of my development as a dad of daughters. It's a badge I now wear with pride and honor. This is one book that I won't be giving away: you'll have to buy your own. I want this on my shelf throughout my daughters' lives; and I hope to be applying its principles year after year, stage after stage. Also, I'm an otter.

You had me at 'Howdy'

2011-03-23T12:36:00.001-04:00

**Disclaimer I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

The Charlatan's Boy is the most original novel that I have read since Harry Potter. The voice is unique on the contemporary American stage and the setting created by the author is engaging, charming, and totally believable! As a lover of Mark Twain's American satire, this book had a real draw for me. The vocabulary, style of writing, and well-crafted narrative were a true joy to experience as a casual reader and a nice break from the heavier scholastic works that I have as part of my regular diet.

The story follows Grady, an orphan adopted by a showman in an imaginative world called Corenwald. Picture the Old West or the Deep South of the Mark Twain styling placed on an island somewhere on the globe. Initially, the cover and design were part of the draw and attraction for the story. It's as though everything about this book draws you into the story created and told by Dr. Rogers. Even the cover art and design are reminiscent of cowboys, snake oil salesmen, and itinerant "lecturers" common in the US during the late 19th century and into the early 20th. From the first few words of the story you are introduced to a lovable hero. We follow Grady and his "partner" in crime as they try to scrape and scheme their way to the fortune they know that is out there waiting for them. Through swamps, cattle ranges, and podunk villages we follow one hilarious anecdote after another until the final moment of truth.

The book was a very fun read. There are a few problems that keep it from being a five-star in my book. The "reviews" on the back and inside covers make it a point to call it "faith fiction" or "if Mark Twain were a Christian" or "If C.S. Lewis wrote Huckleberry Finn". I understand that the publisher is an organization which produces Religious books and that the author is a graduate of Furman University and is unashamed of his religious faith. However, this book is NOT "faith fiction". This book is an whimsical story which certainly has a biblical worldview and moral lessons, but it is not an allegory or "Christian" book a la much of the contemporary "religious fiction" available today. If I were to pick this book up and read those reviews, having no interest in "faith fiction," I would put it back down again and not give it the time of day--let alone the fact that Mark Twain was a Christian and wrote incredibly powerful books with strong moral truths.

The book definitely falls flat at the end. Everything was wonderful right up until the last two chapters. I'm not sure if Dr. Rogers got bored, was rushed, or just had no better idea; but not only was this ending incredibly predictable, but it was a poorly written predictable ending! I was completely sold on the story right up till the last six pages. I'm still feeling as though I was robbed of a proper resolution.

So much missing

2011-02-26T16:15:00.002-05:00

Defiant Joy, by Kevin Belmonte

It seems as though the growing interest among Protestants for more ancient Christian traditions has grown beyond the subtle religious symbolism of Tolkien and the quiet Catholocism of Lewis into the realm of Chesterton's bold religious affections. Orthodoxy is quoted in increasing frequency among the so-called "emergent movement," and a few of these authors are going so far as to list Chesterton among the most influential in their theology. Mr. Belmonte's work is a fair treatment of Chesterton's corpus, but sadly lacking in all that it leaves unsaid.

If you're simply looking for a biography out of casual curiosity (as I was), then this is a good introduction to the man in context. Everything you hope to find in a well written biography is present: date of birth, parentage, early education, rise to stardom among the literati, great works, and ultimate repose. You will see in this book a collection of quotation, strong support for the reputation carried by Chesterton among Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox. What you will not discover is a well crafted biography of the type Chesterton, his contemporaries, or even David McCullough have presented to the literate populace.

Mr. Belmonte's true weakness is that he has written his biography as though it were an undergraduate research paper. Everything is there to get an excellent grade in English Lit 401. He has a clear thesis statement, heavily annotated, and lots of hefty quotations. This has all been said by previous reviewers of this book. The strength of this particular work is that it introduces a very important figure in English (not only religious) literature.

Chesterton's influence is still being felt across the globe, and for the uninitiated, this is a good introduction to this great giant. Read this book, but don't stop here. Find other, more scholarly biographies and read them. More importantly, read the man himself! Both his fiction and non-fiction works are edifying, challenging, and a delight to the senses! Treat this book as a casual introduction at a cocktail party which leads to a lifelong friendship with one of the true literary brains of the 20th century.

Beyond Opinion

2010-12-16T20:05:00.000-05:00

This is an excellent compilation of some of the best minds in Christian apologetics today. Though not written by Ravi Zacharias, he has put together a wide selection of well-written and clearly explained essays on a variety of issues ranging from the veracity of Scripture to the exclusivity of Christ. I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible these chapters were for the average reader. I highly recommend this volume for your shelf and to be passed around to the people in your life with deep and burning questions about the nature of God and the importance of faith.

One of the true benefits of this piece of work is that it is written for people with no theological training, just questions. The format is designed for easy use for finding an easy to read, concise, and challenging article about the question that is foremost on their mind without having to dig through chapter after chapter of tedious work irrelevant to their deepest need. I am excited to recommend this book, and hope that you find it as enjoyable and encouraging a read as I did.

The Perfect Gift

2010-05-12T14:32:00.001-04:00

If you're looking for the perfect Graduation or Father's Day present, then may I heartily recommend John C. Maxwell's "The Right to Lead." Mr. Maxwell is a renowned speaker, preacher, and writer. His books have provided inspiration and guidance for some of our nations top religious, business, and political leaders. In "The Right to Lead," Mr. Maxwell provides in digest form some of his finest writing on the subject along with inspirational quotes and art. This small, hardcover book will make a great gift for the graduate or special-someone in your life for Father's Day. Small, easy to read, inspirational, and written with a purpose. Not simply a book of platitudes, this book is written to challenge the would-be leader to take responsibility and earn the right to lead.

Dave Ramsey's The Money Answer Book

2010-04-24T15:40:00.002-04:00

I'll admit it. I'm a Ramsey-phile. I drank the kool-aid last year, and I haven't looked back. The best thing my wife and I did was sign up for the Financial Peace University class. It was truly an investment in our future, and we have been blessed with small and large successes since June of 2008. If you've never taken his class, read his books, or listened to his radio program, stop reading this review and check out www.daveramsey.com for more information. If, by chance, you're actually interested in this review, then please keep reading.

For people like me, this book contains very little new information. If you've already read The Total Money Makeover or Financial Peace (Revisited), then you know how the program works. Seven Baby Steps, followed in succession, to help you manage your finances and bless others by your ability to build wealth and give it away. This book is not really about the Baby Steps, though he does take time to mention them and go through them in detail throughout the book. This book is really a Question and Answer book. If you've listened to the radio program, then you know his style of taking questions and answering them as if he were "in your shoes." This book is just that. Taking highlights from the show/FAQ's about basic financial management and the Baby Steps, The Money Answer Book seeks to give direct, pointed, and concise information regarding a number of topics from debt to retirement.

When I read The Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace (Revisited), I was always asking questions. What do we do if...? What happens if...? Is it important for us to...? What if we can't...? What does he mean by...? This book handles those questions in a way that's easy to follow and implement right off! I am really excited to read this book alongside of the other books, so that as questions pop up, I can reference what he has to say in The Money Answer Book! Definitely get this book! Even if you don't think you have questions, believe me, you have questions. Get this book, read it, read it alongside of the others, read it while listening to the radio program. You may just find the answer that you've been looking for!

Word of Promise, NT

2010-02-05T16:36:00.001-05:00

This is an excellent Audio Bible. If you've purchased previous dramatized versions of the Bible, you understand the great depth of character and personality that comes from having multiple readers, sound effects, appropriate music, and good production quality. This series has them all. Stellar cast, breathtaking music, and very well produced. The words are written by someone who's infallible, so it's hard to really overlook the writer, but it's also kind of silly to put too much about that here. This is a great resource.

As a youth pastor, I'm always looking for ways to make the Bible come to life for my students. Using audio Bibles in the past has been something I've wanted to do, and I'm so thankful for this resource! What a great addition to our library! So glad that I picked this one up!

Life in the Zone

2010-01-12T12:47:00.000-05:00

This is a great Bible study for men--specifically if they're sports minded in any way. There are testimonies of coaches, players, managers, and other figures in the sports industry who love Jesus and want to share what they've learned by placing their full trust in Him and following His lead in areas of character, marriage, parenting, work ethic, etc.

The 40 Day Plan idea is nice. It's easy to follow and builds on itself. It's not unique to this book, and (as a guy) I like knowing that I'm coming to the end of something. There were days when I felt like I could have skipped the lesson, but I'm glad I didn't. If you're looking for something to give to a high schooler, I would hold off. If you're looking at college to young adult, that's probably the youngest. I would definitely recommend this to a married man, working full time, and trying to keep his family, his faith, and his work in order. Definitely recommend.

Kabul 24

2009-12-09T12:39:00.001-05:00

Kabul 24 Tells the story of American and Afghan aid workers who were betrayed, arrested, and imprisoned by the Taliban; and the amazing way in which they experienced God's provision and work in their lives as they struggled to see the light at the end of their tunnel. If you're interested in the war in Afghanistan and the Christian response in a time of pain and struggle, this is an incredible book to read! In the list of current books about Afghanistan and the war on terror, this book stands out as both a first hand account of people on the ground and also as more than just a political, personal, or fictionalized autobiography. There are in this story real people, raw emotion, and the beauty experienced by God's intervention in their lives.

Trying to be in my story

2009-11-01T08:22:00.002-05:00

I have to blog this right now: All Saints Day at 8:27 EDT in Cincinnati, OH before it's all gone in the mix and mess and measure of my brain and the upcoming day of activities and conference activity. Topic: Story.

Donald Miller (@donaldmilleris to his Twitter faithful) spoke during the main session today. It's the only official session yesterday that I went to at the National Youth Workers Convention. It was probably the only one I needed to go to. I walked into the open space room and I didn't want to just sit around and chat in a circle. I needed to be out and about networking on my on initiative and learning from people who are there to share their talent, passion, and joy with me. I was exhibit hall barfly if you will.

The elements of a story are very clear: Character, Conflict, Climax. It's something you learn in early grade school when you first have to write paragraphs about what you did over summer vacation or a dream you had or a pet you with you had or an invention you created. You did it without thinking about it when you learned how to speak and started lying. Even if you weren't lying, you were still telling stories about imaginary people or imaginary events or the world you wished for some day. Don's point was that our lives are also made up of these elements. You are the character; you are living in a constant state of conflict; and the climax hasn't been reached yet.

Let's begin with a look at these elements and move on from there.
Character: The person about whom the story is told. The person wants something--they have a mission. The character must be someone with whom you sympathize and want to achieve their mission. That means that they have to be someone who isn't a jerk. They've got to be broken (they can't be perfect or we won't care), but we want to see them overcome their weakness because we see that they are this sympathetic, lovable, courageous person. Question: If you are the character of your story, how are you doing?
Conflict: The character has been thwarted by something. Sin, weakness, failures, fears, etc. In the case of Adam, he is presented with a desire for something that doesn't even exist and God gives him the task of naming the animals! Talk about conflict! Wow. You cannot grow or develop your character without conflict. If you try to avoid conflict and avoid pain or unpleasentness, you stay stagnant. You're Rocky and you stay in the Italian restaurant forever and that's it. Close the story.
Climax: The point in the story when the conflict is all over. It's the point when "Frodo drops the ring in the Temple of Doom so that Darth Vader can't get it and blow up the Death Star." It's the moment that we've been waiting for all of our lives! From day 1 we want the quest to end and the conflict to be over and for peace and happiness to reign. We don't get the climax until the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

I don't have time to really develop this thought here and now. I'd much rather be talking about it with you. Because, as Don said, we don't encounter story by watching movies or TV or reading. We encounter story most by encountering others. Who are the characters, what is their conflict, and how are they living in it before the Act 3 Climax?

More to follow

now that i have time to talk

2009-10-30T20:13:00.002-04:00

So I spent all of today wandering out either Cincinatti or the convention center. Here are NYWC reflections from day one, and why I'm not there listening to Tony Campolo right now.

I don't like the fact that the convention center wants to charge $12 a day for internet use. That's ridiculous. I'm not a fan, and refuse to pay. I'm a bit miffed now that I brought the laptop with me, but that's life. All of this to say that, it's stupid, and I am upset at the convention center, though not the convention itself.

I went to hear Mark DeVries speak this morning, and it was one more confirmation of the same message I've been hearing for the past three months: Get organized, create a system, recruit people for specific tasks, etc. I was really convicted, challenged, and encouraged. I need to buy the book. I want to be a good youth pastor. That's why I'm here.

Reggie Joiner is now my personal hero. First of all for keeping his old Mac Plus to show, but mostly for being so darn challenging. I'd be interesting to hear what he had to say about the role of tradition in the Church that is considered to be core. It'd be interesting. He was also incredibly challenging. It led me to ask two questions:

1. What will we change next year?
2. What is the mission that I'm working on/in/under?

I hope to come back and have an answer to these questions.

I'm not at the convention now because the baby didn't have a bottle, and we need to plan our next couple of days.

2009-10-30T15:18:00.000-04:00

NYWC has been amazing so far. Need to process.

2009-09-25T11:11:00.001-04:00

@hootsuite set up to update various things, including the new ThirstMi twitter feed for Merge/FpM updates

Imagine a Life Without Fear

2009-09-08T10:44:00.002-04:00

I recently finished reading Max Lucado's Fearless. This book was an incredible read, and a lot more than I expected it to be. In past books I found Lucado's insites to be a little fluffy and light, but not so with this book. It truly spoke to me in a way that no other book this year has done. I found myself relating to the examples, practicing the suggestions, and actually at the point of tears as I considered how my own fears had crippled me and how I too often had forsaken the call of Jesus to rest in His love and not to fear the things of this world. This book is truly an inspirationa, and I definitely recommend reading it.

For those of you unfamiliar with Lucado's writing style, you will easily learn that through stories are the best lessons taught. Though I am used to reading heavier texts on biblical application, this book truly met me where I was. There is no searching around for a thesaurus or dictionary. There is no deep research to be done to understand the point. Lucado simply takes passages from the Gospels and expounds on them in a modern setting. If you have fear in your life, read this book. If you know someone living with constant anxiety, read this book. When you finish, pass it on. Don't leave this on the shelf.

2009-08-07T09:44:00.001-04:00

The Jesus Book, by Stephen Elkins is TRULY the ultimate question and answer book. Broken up very nicely in the five question words of Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. The book uses color coding as well as an easy to follow table of contents and scripture index for just in case your little one comes to you with a question about what you believe and why, or maybe you'd like to spend some family devotion time talking about who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross and how we can better serve Him. Either way, this is a great resource. The book is definitely written for parents to read to their children or for young readers (say 5-7) to sit and read by themselves. The illustrations are colorful and very appealing. The book highlights key words in each section as well as giving Scripture references for each of the passages being referenced. I think my favorite resource (for older children, definitely) are the maps and timeline in the back, showing how Jesus fits into history and geography. I would definitely recommend the resource for families of younger children. I was a little disappointed that there are no stories. THIS IS NOT A STORY BOOK for little children. This is a family resources to be used in conjunction with family Bible time or devotions. If you're looking for a story book, I would go elsewhere, but if you want a very nice resource for teaching your children who Jesus is, what He did, why He died, and how they can love and follow Him, then this is an excellent purchase!

soundtrack

2009-07-31T12:12:00.000-04:00

Ken Mansfield's "Between Wyomings: My God and an iPod on the Open Road" is a fascinating read. Mansfield--once the Beatles' rep in the US as well as producer for such artists as Waylan Jennings and other major names of the rock and roll scene in the 60's and 70's and former executive for Capital Records--sets out in an old van named Moses with his wife for a road trip to somewhere. Along the way, Mansfield relives important events in his--and rock and roll's--history and discovers that the God who sought him out in the midst of his wildness is the same God who loves him still and is still pursuing him.

At times the book drags. There are names, dates, places, and events that meant very little to me. There's a lot of inside story telling that doesn't really make a lot of sense unless you have a really good understanding of the classic rock scene or feel a lot of nostalgia for it. The highlights were definitely Mansfield's spiritual ponderings. God's love is painfully real in this man's life and it was really a blessing to read about his struggles, joy, falls and pick-ups again and again by an incredibly loving God! Definitely a book to read with your mp3 player of choice.

Back in the Blogging Saddle

2009-06-09T11:14:00.002-04:00

As it were.

I'm working on getting my thoughts and journey back onto the web. It's been a long time since I've updated, but let me give you the quick scoop update.

I've been translating and studying Colossians. I'm going to be teaching it this summer on Sunday nights. It's been fascinating. I've forgotten how much I love translating, and it's been good for my soul. Colossians is the perfect place to go after reading the Gospels. Very plainly the book is about what happened when Jesus accomplished salvation on the Cross: We were rescued from darkness and transferred into light. (I guess the trick is getting that second part figured out practically.)

I'm really excited to see how the kids respond!

Book I tried reading before being too discouraged to continue: Jesus, Interrupted, by Bart Ehrmann.

Book I used to replace it on my summer reading list: Selections from Spurgeon's Sermon Archives.

Grabbed this from a MySpace Blog

2008-12-16T09:05:00.001-05:00

Thanks go Josh Peas for writing this up and posting it.
Do you see what I see?
Or so the Christmas song goes, asking a question then not waiting for the answer.
Do you see what I see?
Lying in the middle of a manger – a bundled-up baby lying in hay, or so they say, and we already know exactly how the story goes – a tidy scene with shepherds and angels and Mary and mangers.
But do you see what I see?
How no one quite knew what to do with this tiny little baby born in Bethlehem. How he provoked anger and awe and confusion and questions. How this tiny little baby made wise men want to seek Him and King Herod want to kill Him, and angels to proclaim Him. How shepherds flocked to bow before Him and how Mary and Joseph sat and watched and wondered how this fragile child – born in afterbirth and umbilical cords, incapable of words, but wailing and feeding and sleeping in a feeding trough - could possibly be God in the flesh.
Do you see what I see?
How Mary and Joseph raised Jesus in a town where people whispered and gossiped and guessed who the REAL father of this bastard child must be. Because who could believe, that He was conceived, the way Mary said. No, far more likely that she was in another man's bed. Illegitimate this Jesus. What could God ever do with someone like Him?
Do you see what I see?
How a 12-year-old child, discussed and debated the Pharisees – these experts in endless decrees, the holy ones of Israel. "How cute" they may have thought. How gifted, this young boy Jesus. Quite a future for this one they may have said. Not knowing that the child they now admired, they would one day want dead.
Do you see what I see?
How He turned fishermen and financiers, lepers and lawyers, Pharisees and prostitutes, into those who would change the world. How he alienated people preoccupied with power, and pride, and the promise of wealth.
Do you see what I see?
How no one still knows what to do with Him.
n Was He a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord?
n Is He the hope for the hopeless like the shepherds thought?
n Or is He a fool's hope for the weak-minded like some say today?
What do you see?
n Is He the King of Kings, or an imaginary, inflated fable?
n Is He God in human skin, or is He just a good man?
n was He beat for our sins and bruised for our rebellion?
n By the lacerations made across his back by an iron-tipped whip, are we really healed?
What do you see?
… when you look at the baby in the manger. Who is he?
n A fuzzy feeling?
n A Christmas tradition?
n An outdated myth?
Or Immanuel – God with us. The infinite in human skin born a man. An invasion into the realms of sin, sent to suffer and die, then live again.
Do you see what I see?
And unlike in the song, this time the question requires an answer. … from all of us.
So … what do you see?

Finding space in creation

2008-06-13T12:34:00.003-04:00

I've been musing a lot about "Worship Space," recently. I find that I have trouble defining what I mean by that, and that makes creating it for other people a bit more difficult as well. I have a gut reaction when I hear the phrase, and I know what I mean, even if I can't explain it or apparently recreate what it is in real life. So therein lies my struggle. In my heart, in my head, in my "gut" I know what I'm looking for; but putting it into real terms that others can feel and respond to is more difficult.

Worship space to me is more than just candles, incense, iconography, music, and ambience (though all of these are good things and aid in worship). It's a place to meet God. Worship space, then, is limited only by the presence of God. So if God is present everywhere, then worship space can be anywhere. It's probably omnipresent, but I hate to apply that term too loosely. Goodness knows that if I say it, someone will respond negatively. :-) But let's muse together.

God is everywhere. God created all things. All things reflect the glory and beauty and majesty and even judgment of God. Creation in itself is meant to direct our worship towards the Almighty creator and savior of the universe and to Jesus. So anywhere can be worship space. We can go into a grand cathedral or into a small cottage and find God there, if we take the time to be sensitive to His presence and respond with worship.

But what about those places that seem to stand in the way of worship? What about those things which prevent us from experiencing God's presence and there is no worship that takes place? Are we just blind? Are we just being thick? Is it really that hard to "Create" worship space, when it's been created for us? What if everywhere we went was worship space to us? What if, instead of forcing it, we embraced the space given to us and the God who is There and gave ourselves fully over to His worship and adoration? Is it all just futile?

And so I look to create worship space for personal use and for others. At home, I have my prayer closet, and that works just fine. But to give others the same space is not so easy. It's more than just adding candles and smells and multi-sensory worship experiences....but those are all good things. How do you fill a space so that when people enter they experience and know the presence of God in their lives?

Crysostom's Paschal Homily

2008-04-27T15:28:00.002-04:00

I heard this last night. Pretty much amazing.

If any man be devout and loveth God,
Let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast!
If any man be a wise servant,
Let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.

If any have laboured long in fasting,
Let him how receive his recompense.
If any have wrought from the first hour,
Let him today receive his just reward.
If any have come at the third hour,
Let him with thankfulness keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour,
Let him have no misgivings;
Because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour,
Let him draw near, fearing nothing.
And if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour,
Let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.

For the Lord, who is jealous of his honour,
Will accept the last even as the first.
He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour,
Even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour.
And He showeth mercy upon the last,
And careth for the first;
And to the one He giveth,
And upon the other He bestoweth gifts.
And He both accepteth the deeds,
And welcometh the intention,
And honoureth the acts and praises the offering.

Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord;
Receive your reward,
Both the first, and likewise the second.
You rich and poor together, hold high festival!
You sober and you heedless, honour the day!
Rejoice today, both you who have fasted
And you who have disregarded the fast.
The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously.
The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy ye all the feast of faith:
Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.

Let no one bewail his poverty,
For the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his iniquities,
For pardon has shown forth from the grave.
Let no one fear death,
For the Saviour's death has set us free.
He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.

By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive.
He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh.
And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry:
Hell, said he, was embittered
When it encountered Thee in the lower regions.

It was embittered, for it was abolished.
It was embittered, for it was mocked.
It was embittered, for it was slain.
It was embittered, for it was overthrown.
It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains.
It took a body, and met God face to face.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.

O Death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead,
Is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be glory and dominion
Unto ages of ages.

Amen.

three months of anticipation

2007-12-16T22:16:00.001-05:00

I love the season of Advent. It's four weeks to commemorate the fact that the Lord comes. Four weeks dedicated to an action. Four weeks to contemplate, repent, prepare, anticipate. The thing that just amazes me is the reality of that statement. Jesus came once. He was born, lived, died, rose again, ascended. Jesus is coming again. The lections recently have been from the Revelation to John, and it's reminded me again and again that Jesus is "coming quickly" and this was 1900 years ago.

The coming of Jesus that we so often, and so easily, forget is that Jesus comes now. The early Church used the expression μαραναθα "the Lord comes" as a greeting--a statment of encouragement. Jesus was seen not only as the one who is coming to bring fulfillment to the promise and the end of sin, but He is the one who comes now when His people call on His name. Advent is so significant today, because we need to remember that Jesus' second coming is not all we have to look forward to! If we call on Him in faith now, He is present with us now. Four weeks to remember that and a life time to figure it out.

During this Advent I've maintained my normal one day fast and added on a fast from coffee. This seems odd, because I don't really drink coffee. After years of working around people so addicted to coffee that they'll do anything (including filling it with milk and sugar) to get their fix, I have sworn off anything that might appear to be even a slight dependence on the stuff. This fast becomes a challenge for me, because I drink it without thinking. At work I make myself latte's all the time. If we're really lucky, we get to drink the delicious iced coffee. Coffee isn't an addiction, it's not even a habit. It's worse: it's innocuous. I can drink it and not even notice. It has very little effect on me. I am completely unaware....

*resolution: update more*

Sifting through crumbs to find a feast

2007-09-20T16:10:00.000-04:00

If I had to pick a word to describe my spiritual life right now, I would have to say "unsatisfied." It's not that I don't realize that God is still at work in me even when I don't see progress, it's that I feel like I'm missing out on something. Sadly for me, though, I always try to fill gaps myself. I feel slightly better for all of two weeks and then I just feel like the gap is wider. Progress is painful when you stop at mirages to quench your thirst.

I'm ready for something more. I want something more--something bigger I can really sink my teeth into. I know that there's more to my spiritual development than the fifteen minutes a day in prayer that I spend and my grand expositions on being an "agent" of the Kingdom of God.

I think that this is part of the deal. We're left always wanting more. Hungry, being filled for a time, and then the hunger and thirst begin again. Maybe my own dissatisfaction with the way things are is reflective of God's own ambition for me to not be satisfied with the status quo.

Taking time out

2007-09-19T11:15:00.000-04:00

I'm taking a little bit of a breather fro my studies, currently. I've been working on comparing the text of the Hebrew Bible that I have with several other versions to see how they match up. Ultimately, you want to come up with something that you think is as close to the original as possible. If nothing else, it gives you an exercise in textual criticism that'll come in handy around page 20 when you're typing up your paper.

I was thinking about the necessity of pausing. Sometimes we pause movies (or TV if you've got that feature) to leave the scene for a minute to do another task. We pause music in order to talk with someone or to answer the phone. The point is that we pause one task in order to pick up another for a shorter period of time than pushing "stop" would necessitate. We don't want to leave it for good, we just want to take a couple seconds to stop.

Writing this journal is my taking time to stop. I'm taking time from my homework in order to consider what it is to pause for a minute. The week pauses...or at least it should, one day each week to stop normal activity and to do something else. Pausing makes us realize that we don't have control over our lives or our time. Taking intentional time to stop what we're doing to consider the Lord, to pray, to offer service, to meditate, or even to journal our random musings reminds us that our time is not our task master. We are servants of the Lord who created time as well as space and nothing He created should enslave those who put their trust in Christ.

So I'm taking time to pause. I'm stopping for just a second to listen to the music in my headphones, to talk to my fiancee, to smile at a friend, and to pray, to meditate, and to journal.

Play.

Where have I been?

2007-09-14T22:10:00.000-04:00

It's been a long time since I've updated this. That's my problem: I start a lot of things and finish very few of them. You'd think that wouldn't be such a big deal, considering my J type personality, but there it is. I start and don't always finish. Maybe that could be my newest discipline. Finishing everything I start. That would mean several novels, a couple of concept albums, and journaling as a spiritual discipline. This is the life I live currently:

Disciplines: Solitude, reading, prayer, fasting.

Solitude, for those who spend a lot of time with me, may seem like a bit of a stretch, but that's what I've decided to call my time alone. The problem is, that I'm having trouble with a real disciplined solitude where I actually spend time without distraction just me and God. But there have been bright points along the way. I've found a lot of joy in just sitting and saying the Jesus Prayer or reading with a candle burning before an icon. In short, I'm trying to find a way through the haze and into the reality of time alone in the presence of God that can be productive in more ways than just my own personal entertainment.

Reading specifically Scripture. My fiancee and I have been reading the daily lections out of the BCP for the past week and a half. Sometimes, I read them twice, depending on the day of the week. MWF I meet for Morning Prayer with 2-3 other guys from school. More on that later. Reading Scripture is always good. Reading Scripture in correlation to other related readings is also really nice. I just finished reading The Secret Message of Jesus, by Brian McLaren and was really challenged by the idea that the Kingdom of God is here and now (as well as not yet) and we have a part to play as agents of that Kingdom here in this world. I'm going to try and communicate this to a group of middle to highschool students in a few weeks.

Prayer is always good. I like praying out of a book. I find that if I'm doing personal intercessions that are basically coming to me on the fly that I only pray for a few minutes or maybe only seconds. It's really powerful prayer--in my mind. I like praying with the BCP or other prayer books because I find that my attention is more focused. Any time you can sit and read and know that God is listening is positive.

Fasting through Ramadan as well as with my Fiancee on Thursdays. Fasting for spiritual breakthrough in the Muslim world during this Ramadan. I haven't actually decided what specifically I'm fasting on, but I'm thinking a couple minor adjustments in my time and the way I use it may count. I also find that fasting as a group excercise is really nice. Fasting with my fiancee is encouraging. Fasting without water is not a good idea for me. I tried. Failed.

In the midst of slipping

2007-06-20T10:51:00.000-04:00

So the fast thing was really nice. I've been breaking it the past couple of days, but I think I'll rehash it next week when I start my SemLink.

A lot of stuff has happened. I finished my summer course, I had my car in the shop (again) and argued about paying for it. Still ended up paying $84 for the stupid part plus tax. I also got put on academic probation. That was terrifying. I only dropped .33 below 3.0, but that's still really just...I've never had an experience like that before, and I hope to never have that happen again.

When I say it never rains, it pours, that's a lie. It's too mild. It not only pours, it dumps water completely on top of me. It's like The Truman Show when he's sitting on the beach. He's the only thing being rained on and it chases him. That's how I feel. And there's nothing I can do about it. Eventually all the rain turns on. And then :-P to Caleb.

Fire

2007-06-14T11:45:00.000-04:00

Last night I had trouble getting to sleep. I haven't gone to bed without watching an episode of Scrubs or Family Guy or The Simpsons or Futurama in months. I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, I understand that I'm fasting and that's a good thing and it's also a hard thing. I also believe that this should be something easier to give up and that it shouldn't rob me of my sleep. And yet it did. I was still awake well past 11 wondering why rest was so hard to come by. It occured to me that the difference was that I hadn't watched a mindless bit of popular puff programming, but it didn't occur to me to pray about it. I wonder if that's bad.

When I'm most hungry during a fast, I find that praying doesn't really take the hunger away, but it does take the pain away. Sometimes I wish it wouldn't. I want to know what it is to really hunger for something, and to yearn for it. I don't know if the hunger pains should be taken away. But I'm thankful that they are. And so there it is.

Work was good. Went by really fast. No problems with customers or bosses or anything like that, so that was cool. I had to make scones again. I dislike that. But without thinking about it I did it. It was weird, but I was really glad that there was nowhere in the back of my mind that fought against just doing it. I guess that's a good sign.

Such a Great Cloud

2007-06-13T15:15:00.000-04:00

Part of this life is realizing that your pride really gets in the way of forward progress. If you aren't careful, you're likely to consider that you've got things figured out. If you get cocky, you get an insatiable God Complex that's hard to shake. Somewhere in the fall, I think I got the idea that I was invincible.

Everyone comes to a new school with a chip on their shoulder. I came to Gordon as the Homeschooler who was tired of being bullied by all the ignorant "all homeschoolers live under rocks" stereotype I'd received growing up. My chip was big and very stubborn. (I guess I shouldn't use the past tense. My chip is still rather stubborn, though hopefully not as large.) I started Gordon-Conwell believing that, as a GC grad, I knew more than my fellow students. They'd all either come right from undergrad or had had no Biblical Studies training previous to coming to seminary. I honestly thought I was better than them.

After all, I'd had a great education in undergrad, taken a year off, and, gosh darn it, I was a homeschooler. If anyone can discipline himself to study, it's me. And the first semester went fine. I got mostly A's and one B. Then came the winter. I had my wisdom teeth out and did a SemLink that I that was too easy for me. Things went down hill quickly. I thought I did really well on the final, and got a C-. Then my car started falling apart. I literally paid for my car a second time this spring. My grades for this semester are a B+, a B, a B-, and a C+. My GPA is literally on the other side of the spectrum.

I just feel like I can't win, and I'm wondering if that's the point. Am I considering myself too important for my own good? Am I caught up in a pride spiral that I haven't noticed until now? If I am, what do I do?

The Saints who went before me have all dealt with their own sins. They had their prides and their humiliations. But they are venerated for a reason. They overcame in this world in a way that I may never experience. Jesus is at work in my life through the Holy Spirit, and I'm afraid that I'm not making a very hospitable environment for Him. How do I open my heart to the God who saves? How do I give up trying to manipulate my Savior and be obedient to Him?

I'm going to try an experiment. I already said that I'm going to give up something other than food as a fast. This is really for health reasons. (I want to get back into shape with my running, and I need to have the calories to ensure that I don't get sick.) I'm going to cut out a particular website from my daily routine. I know what you're thinking, what will one website do to help you mortify your sinful nature? Plenty. I'm also going to begin to practice submission again. Submission first and foremost to Jesus and secondly to my roommates, boss, fiancee, and friends. As well as those around me. It's not about being a doormat, but it is about putting others before myself and actively fighting against my pride.

Valleys and Shadows

2007-06-12T09:47:00.000-04:00

The problem with actually putting yourself into a major project (a la spiritual development), is that there's always an enemy. There's something sinister behind the scenes lurking, waiting, prying, conniving. There's a cunning machine designed around a very simple prospect: pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. And it's insatiable. The appetite of this Fiend is so intense that mere mortals are incapable of withstanding a subtle twist. Supernatural aide is what is required, and there's only one place that can be found.

I feel rather dry right now and very frightened. I'm waiting here for the next shoe to drop. Just when I think things are in good shape, I get completely discouraged and fall into a very dark place. It's a long, dark night of the soul within, and I'm not sure how best to bring about daylight.

The goal for this week, begin regular regime of fasting which does not include food, but will stretch me till I yearn. Spend time in silence and prayer.

So now it goes

2007-06-04T07:16:00.000-04:00

At the end of last week I decided to start a small fast. I'll probably actually consider doing it again this weeke, but probably not from food. I want to start training for another half-marathon, and so I'll need all the calories I can muster in order to do that. But Thursday and Friday I fasted from essentially sun up to sun down.

Richard Foster says that nothing reveals what you're trusting in faster than fasting. I know that sounds silly, but it's true. How much do you rely on food? You rely on it to live, to satisfy, to give comfort (what are your comfort foods?), and as a means of fellowship. As soon as lunch time approaches, your stomach begins to growl and your mind instantly turns to how you can stop that rumble. You could be coming up with the cure for cancer, but even that wouldn't stop you from trying to sate your growing hunger.

Thursday was hard because I didn't think to do it until I was at work. And I kept forgetting throughout the day that I was fasting and kept snacking on random things. That was a bit annoying, but I've learned you can't be legalistic about these things. Friday was better as far as not eating, but it was really very hard. We've just moved to a new place, and that means I needed to be able to lift and move and sort. That's not easy as your blood sugar plummets. Work, I think, was worse in that regards.

What am I trusting in? Sometimes I don't think I know the answer. I definintely look for my comfort and security in my work, my place of residence, my fiancee. I don't look to Jesus for most things that aren't "super important" and that's what I wanted to change this time. I kept praying the Jesus Prayer over and over and over again, moving my fingers to keep me focused. I kept telling the Lord, "This much, Lord, I want thee...." I want to yearn for God like I yearned for sustenance. I want to feel empty until He fills me. I want to stop snacking at the table of the world and its so-called comforts and feast on the good things of God. I'm not even sure I can define that.

This much, Lord, I want the...
Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner

Moving past abstraction

2007-06-01T10:01:00.000-04:00

These posts are mostly personal.

That's a disclaimer. I'm in the middle of something big here, and I'm afraid that it'll be impossible to do make anything of it if I don't record it. I'm horrible at keeping a journal. I've never once ever finished a full paper journal (something I want to do), bu that itself is discipline. That's the theme here: discipline.

I had a professor in undergrad tell me that discipline is anything we do (or don't do) which sets us free. Christianity is about freedom. After all, it's for freedom that Christ set us free. We're free to love and serve Him. We're free so that, with the help of the Holy Spirit we can become more like Christ. Discipline is what keeps us from straying into legalism or license. If we're fasting, we constrain our appetites. If we're celebrating, we're rejecting a mindset that says all pleasure and joy are evil. Famine and Feast both keep us safe from extremes.

The posts that you see here will be personal reflections on my practice of righteousness or celebration of discipline. I need this in order to keep me sane and on the right path. A list of these disciplines can be found in books by Dallas Willard, Donald Whitney, or Richard Foster. Another blogger posted this list, which I borrow.

Disciplines of Abstinence
Solitude: The practice of spending time without any others or any distractions.
Silence: No noise or conversation. Just you and God.
Fasting: Abstain from food, media, entertainment, or anything else that occupies your time.
Frugality: Use your money for purposes outside your own needs for a time.
Chastity: 1 Corinthians 7:8, “Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Secrecy: Do not allow anyone to know of the deeds you do or the money you give in order to avoid doing them for the wrong motivations. Only God needs to know.
Sacrifice: Stretch your sense of what you can do without for the sake of those who have less.

Disciplines of Engagement
Study: Memorize Scripture and expand your universe of biblical study helps.
Worship: Engage in corporate worship and include worship in your own prayer time.
Celebration: Practice being grateful and thankful both in your own relationship with Christ and with other believers. Express encouragement and thankfulness to others.
Service: Give your time to the church and/or to others. Ponder tithing your time.
Prayer: Take deliberate steps to pray regularly and with purpose. Praying through the Psalms is a good way to increase your “prayer vocabulary.”
Fellowship: Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Confession: Practice confessing your sins to trusted people who will pray with you and be spiritual allies.
Submission: Submit to the proper people in the proper ways—fight against the sin of pride.
(quaillike.blogger.com)

Let the journey continue.