Tuesday, December 27, 2005
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year. Hope everyone's break is going well. Is anyone planning on getting together for new year's eve?
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Almost over the top
We're almost there! Only 50 more hits and my New Year's resolution for 2006 will be met! Then I can rest easy for a whole year, all goals having been fulfilled a month early.
An Interesting Christmas Thought...
I found this in a daily email I get from the Federalist Patriot, a conservative journal. I liked it, maybe you will too.
"But the nature of Christianity—the creed of Christmas—is about unpleasant realities like human deficiency and humbling ones like redemption: all in accordance with divine directives. To be wished a Merry Christmas is to be wished a closer walk, a nearer relationship, with the God whose only begotten Son...came to earth at this season. The manger thing, you know—angels, shepherds, wise men. Oh, so entangling! As it was meant to be. Oh, and, by the way, Merry Christmas." —William Murchison
"But the nature of Christianity—the creed of Christmas—is about unpleasant realities like human deficiency and humbling ones like redemption: all in accordance with divine directives. To be wished a Merry Christmas is to be wished a closer walk, a nearer relationship, with the God whose only begotten Son...came to earth at this season. The manger thing, you know—angels, shepherds, wise men. Oh, so entangling! As it was meant to be. Oh, and, by the way, Merry Christmas." —William Murchison
Friday, December 16, 2005
Redemption
"Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that
time that thine ear was not opened." -- Isaiah 48:8
There are matters within which we ought to have seen, corruptions which have made headway unnoticed; sweet affections which are being blighted like flowers in the frost, untended by us; glimpses of the divine face which might be perceived if we did not wall up the windows of our soul. But we "have not known." As we think of it we are humbled in the deepest self-abasement. How must we adore the grace of God as we learn from the context that all this folly and ignorance, on our part, was foreknown by God, and, notwithstanding that foreknowledge, he yet has been pleased to deal with us in a way of mercy! Admire the marvellous sovereign grace which could have chosen us in the sight of all this! Wonder at the price that was paid for us when Christ knew what we should be! He who hung upon the cross foresaw us as unbelieving, backsliding, cold of heart, indifferent, careless, lax in prayer, and yet he said, "I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour ... Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life!" O redemption, how wondrously resplendent dost thou shine when we think how black we are! O Holy Spirit, give us henceforth the hearing ear, the understanding heart!" -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
time that thine ear was not opened." -- Isaiah 48:8
There are matters within which we ought to have seen, corruptions which have made headway unnoticed; sweet affections which are being blighted like flowers in the frost, untended by us; glimpses of the divine face which might be perceived if we did not wall up the windows of our soul. But we "have not known." As we think of it we are humbled in the deepest self-abasement. How must we adore the grace of God as we learn from the context that all this folly and ignorance, on our part, was foreknown by God, and, notwithstanding that foreknowledge, he yet has been pleased to deal with us in a way of mercy! Admire the marvellous sovereign grace which could have chosen us in the sight of all this! Wonder at the price that was paid for us when Christ knew what we should be! He who hung upon the cross foresaw us as unbelieving, backsliding, cold of heart, indifferent, careless, lax in prayer, and yet he said, "I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour ... Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life!" O redemption, how wondrously resplendent dost thou shine when we think how black we are! O Holy Spirit, give us henceforth the hearing ear, the understanding heart!" -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Sorry, I couldn't resist...
This is pretty funny stuff. I apologize for some of the crude language.
Here are the top 30 facts about Chuck Norris:
1.)Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
2.)Rather than being birthed like a normal child, Chuck Norris instead decided to punch his way out of his mother's womb. Shortly thereafter he grew a beard.
3.)When Chuck Norris plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you.
4.)Chuck Norris recently had the idea to sell his urine as a canned beverage. We know this beverage as Red Bull.
5.)Chuck Norris built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, Chuck met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.
6.)Chuck Norris's girlfriend once asked him how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. He then shouted, "HOW DARE YOU RHYME IN THE PRESENCE OF CHUCK NORRIS!" and ripped out her throat. Holding his girlfriend's bloody throat in his hand he bellowed, "Don't fuck with Chuck!" Two years and five months later he realized the irony of this statement and laughed so hard that anyone within a hundred mile radius of the blast went deaf.
7.)Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
8.)A man once asked Chuck Norris if his real name is "Charles". Chuck Norris did not respond, he simply stared at him until he exploded.
9.)Chuck Norris was the fourth Wiseman. He brought baby Jesus the gift of "beard". Jesus wore it proudly to his dying day. The other Wisemen, jealous of Jesus' obvious gift favoritism, used their combined influence to have Chuck omitted from the Bible. Shortly after all three died of roundhouse kick related deaths.
10.)To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer. Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and aquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.
11.)The original theme song to the Transformers was actually "Chuck Norris--more than meets the eye, Chuck Norris--robot in disguise," and starred Chuck Norris as a Texas Ranger who defended the earth from drug-dealing Decepticons and could turn into a pick-up. This was far too much awesome for a single show, however, so it was divided.
12.)Chuck Norris can make a woman climax by simply pointing at her and saying "booya".
13.)Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
14.)Chuck Norris lives by only one rule: No Asian Chicks.
15.)Chuck Norris once shot a German plane down with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"
16.)The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.
17.)Chuck Norris once went to a frat party, and proceeded to roundhouse every popped collar in sight. He then drank three kegs and shit on their floor, just because he's Chuck Norris.
18.)After much debate, President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima rather than the alternative of sending Chuck Norris. His reasoning? It was more "humane".
19.)Chuck Norris took my virginity, and he will sure as hell take yours. If you're thinking to yourself, "That's impossible, I already lost my virginity.", then you are dead wrong.
20.)Chuck Norris found out about Conan O'Brien's lever that shows clips from "Walker: Texas Ranger" and is working on a way to make it show clips of Norris having sex with Conan's wife.
21.)Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
22.)Before each filming of Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is injected with five times the lethal dose of elephant tranquilzer. This is, of course, to limit his strength and mobility, in an attempt to lower the fatality rate of the actors he fights.
23.)If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
24.)Chuck Norris punched a woman in the vagina when she didn't give him exact change.
25.)Chuck Norris doesnt see dead people. He makes people dead.
26.)One of the greatest cover-ups of the last century was the fact that Hitler did not commit suicide in his bunker, but was in fact tea-bagged to death by Chuck Norris.
27.)Chuck Norris once tried to sue Burger King after they refused to put razor wire in his Whopper Jr., insisting that that actually is "his" way.
28.)One time, at band camp, Chuck Norris killed the counselor and taught his fellow children to play the way Chuck taught himself to play. These children became the members of Led Zeppelin.
29.)Chuck Norris frequently signs up for beginner karate classes, just so he can "accidentally" beat the shit out of little kids.
30.)Filming on location for Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris brought a stillborn baby lamb back to life by giving it a prolonged beard rub. Shortly after the farm animal sprang back to life and a crowd had gathered, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked the animal, breaking its neck, to remind the crew once more that the good Chuck giveth and the good Chuck taketh away.
Here are the top 30 facts about Chuck Norris:
1.)Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
2.)Rather than being birthed like a normal child, Chuck Norris instead decided to punch his way out of his mother's womb. Shortly thereafter he grew a beard.
3.)When Chuck Norris plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you.
4.)Chuck Norris recently had the idea to sell his urine as a canned beverage. We know this beverage as Red Bull.
5.)Chuck Norris built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, Chuck met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.
6.)Chuck Norris's girlfriend once asked him how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. He then shouted, "HOW DARE YOU RHYME IN THE PRESENCE OF CHUCK NORRIS!" and ripped out her throat. Holding his girlfriend's bloody throat in his hand he bellowed, "Don't fuck with Chuck!" Two years and five months later he realized the irony of this statement and laughed so hard that anyone within a hundred mile radius of the blast went deaf.
7.)Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
8.)A man once asked Chuck Norris if his real name is "Charles". Chuck Norris did not respond, he simply stared at him until he exploded.
9.)Chuck Norris was the fourth Wiseman. He brought baby Jesus the gift of "beard". Jesus wore it proudly to his dying day. The other Wisemen, jealous of Jesus' obvious gift favoritism, used their combined influence to have Chuck omitted from the Bible. Shortly after all three died of roundhouse kick related deaths.
10.)To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer. Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and aquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.
11.)The original theme song to the Transformers was actually "Chuck Norris--more than meets the eye, Chuck Norris--robot in disguise," and starred Chuck Norris as a Texas Ranger who defended the earth from drug-dealing Decepticons and could turn into a pick-up. This was far too much awesome for a single show, however, so it was divided.
12.)Chuck Norris can make a woman climax by simply pointing at her and saying "booya".
13.)Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
14.)Chuck Norris lives by only one rule: No Asian Chicks.
15.)Chuck Norris once shot a German plane down with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"
16.)The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.
17.)Chuck Norris once went to a frat party, and proceeded to roundhouse every popped collar in sight. He then drank three kegs and shit on their floor, just because he's Chuck Norris.
18.)After much debate, President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima rather than the alternative of sending Chuck Norris. His reasoning? It was more "humane".
19.)Chuck Norris took my virginity, and he will sure as hell take yours. If you're thinking to yourself, "That's impossible, I already lost my virginity.", then you are dead wrong.
20.)Chuck Norris found out about Conan O'Brien's lever that shows clips from "Walker: Texas Ranger" and is working on a way to make it show clips of Norris having sex with Conan's wife.
21.)Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
22.)Before each filming of Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is injected with five times the lethal dose of elephant tranquilzer. This is, of course, to limit his strength and mobility, in an attempt to lower the fatality rate of the actors he fights.
23.)If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
24.)Chuck Norris punched a woman in the vagina when she didn't give him exact change.
25.)Chuck Norris doesnt see dead people. He makes people dead.
26.)One of the greatest cover-ups of the last century was the fact that Hitler did not commit suicide in his bunker, but was in fact tea-bagged to death by Chuck Norris.
27.)Chuck Norris once tried to sue Burger King after they refused to put razor wire in his Whopper Jr., insisting that that actually is "his" way.
28.)One time, at band camp, Chuck Norris killed the counselor and taught his fellow children to play the way Chuck taught himself to play. These children became the members of Led Zeppelin.
29.)Chuck Norris frequently signs up for beginner karate classes, just so he can "accidentally" beat the shit out of little kids.
30.)Filming on location for Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris brought a stillborn baby lamb back to life by giving it a prolonged beard rub. Shortly after the farm animal sprang back to life and a crowd had gathered, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked the animal, breaking its neck, to remind the crew once more that the good Chuck giveth and the good Chuck taketh away.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
My Goal for the last 25 days of 2005...
...to have 1,000 hits on this blogsite.
This is in lieu of my previous [shattered]
goal of getting all A's this semester.
This is in lieu of my previous [shattered]
goal of getting all A's this semester.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Repent and Rejoice!
Brothers,
I figured I would at least make my presence here known as i am getting outposted by jason and ben. As i have been doing a lot of thinking lately, i thought i would let you all in on my inner thoughts. For those of you who don't know, i accepted a real estate position in Atlanta doing site selection and am really looking forward to it. The good news is that i will still be close by for most of you. Though worrying this semester about a job, i wondered why i put so much pressure on my self to succeed. But i realized that my job was more of an idol, searching for happiness, pleasure and success. It goes back to bible study last semester and work idolatry was what i was searching for. The list of idolatry goes on in my life but we must continously remind ourselves that if we continue to chase after these wells, we will continue to find out they are empty. As sons of God, he will always satisfy and the well will never run dry.
I figured I would at least make my presence here known as i am getting outposted by jason and ben. As i have been doing a lot of thinking lately, i thought i would let you all in on my inner thoughts. For those of you who don't know, i accepted a real estate position in Atlanta doing site selection and am really looking forward to it. The good news is that i will still be close by for most of you. Though worrying this semester about a job, i wondered why i put so much pressure on my self to succeed. But i realized that my job was more of an idol, searching for happiness, pleasure and success. It goes back to bible study last semester and work idolatry was what i was searching for. The list of idolatry goes on in my life but we must continously remind ourselves that if we continue to chase after these wells, we will continue to find out they are empty. As sons of God, he will always satisfy and the well will never run dry.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Recycling Blog Material (Waste?)
Some of y'all might not know that I keep a personal blog on the web. I posted something recently that I thought y'all might find interesting here, so I'm re-posting it here b/c I want to share it w/ y'all, too. It turned out to be a long post, so you've been warned. SDG, J
------------------
"RENT and Hope in Christ"
Sit back--this might take a while.
I've been studying at Hot Corner, and I took a "break" to check email and generally piddle for a few minutes. I got an email from iTunes that showed the soundtrack to RENT currently as the second best selling album. As I browsed the tracks to the movie version (versus the OBCR, Original Broadway Cast Recording) in 30-second portions, I listened to the "Finale B", the penultimate song before the Broadway version ends.
I have the full OBCR on my computer, so I listened to Finale B in its entirety. Over and over. And over. Now I'm sitting in Hot Corner with tears in my eyes and wanting to tell someone why.
Stage direction: Enter you.
I first heard of RENT while working for my fraternity. As a member of the "gay community", it was nearly impossible not to have heard about this musical that protrays homosexuals in very good light, as compassionate and loving people who show more virtue than the heterosexual characters in the show. The musical also protrayed sevaral people with HIV and AIDS, a relatively ground-breaking concept for a soon-to-be hit musical.
While traveling to Boston on fraternity business, I made sure to catch the show in the theater district. Carol Burnette's daughter had one of the lead roles, and I was blown away. I had listenend to the CDs over and over, but seeing the show put it all into perspective. I remember feeling such hope after that show, and I took the message of the show as one that gave hope for the future.
The next time I saw RENT was with my ex-boyfriend, Hunter. I was in law school at UVa, and RENT was going to open in Washington, DC, just two hours NE of Charlottesville. I bought us tickets for opening night, and we drove to see it. We laughed, cried, and held hands throughout the show. It was amazingly affirming and again, gave me hope that I could find love and acceptance one day.
A few months later, I bought us tickets for closing night, and as we expected, the cast sang their hearts out. It was very moving, and the show took on new meaning. I remember Hunter and I sitting next to an old couple who obviously hadn't been briefed about the nature of the show or the possibility that their season tickets could place them sitting next to a gay couple who would not hesitate to hold hands during the show. I was amused at the time and saw them as representing every gay-hater I had ever known. I pitied them, and I was happy with Hunter.
That's my history with RENT. It evokes strong emotions in me not only because the music is good, but also because of where I was in life when I heard it.
Before I go on, here is the libretto for "Finale B". Angel, the transvestite who is ultra-loving, has died of AIDS, but in a moment of pure theatre, s/he comes back on stage in the middle of this song as the show closes. Because several characters have AIDS, they voice concern about their future with the hymn, "Will I Lose My Dignity?", but the music accompanying it is very upbeat. OK, enough background: here's the libretto.
------------
MIMI & ROGER
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss
ALL
No other road no other way
No day but today
(As the finale grows, the entire COMPANY makes its way on stage)
WOMEN
I can't control my destiny
I trust my soul
My only goal is just to be
MEN
Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
WOMEN
Without you
The hand gropes
The ear hears
The pulse beats
Life goes on
But I'm gone
'Cause I die without you
MEN
There's only now, there's only here
Give in to love, or live in fear
No other path, No other way
No day but today
ALL
No day but today
------------
This is the hope offered by RENT, the best message that the composer and theatre community could offer. All we have is now, and all we have is each other, so find a way to ignore regret or you will "miss life". There is "no other road" but to resign yourself to the fate of AIDS, and find the love you can while you can. "Give in to love", the love found in other people.
"Without You" is a double (triple?) entendre: the two singers are both HIV positive and in love, she a drug addict, he a former junkie who must take his daily regimen of prescription drugs to stay alive. Without each other, they would die. Without their prescription drugs, they would die of HIV. Without her illegal drugs, she would die.
I remember when I heard the music and words to the hymn, "Will I Lose My Dignity"? It was scary, but it was reality for me, truly a "nightmare". That's what I had to look forward to: near-certain contraction of HIV at some point. Those words embodied my fear, but a fear I had somehow to accept. And I wasn't alone. Only the wilfully ignorant could pretend that those sentiments are not the present reality of the homosexual. I set my face foward and put on a brave countenance. My friends in law school told me I was a brave person for following my heart, even in the face of societal disapproval or loss of relationships, whether family or friends.
But today my tears are mixed because the words to Finale B can be reimagined in a way that makes sense of the Christian hope. Without Christ, we would die. There is no other Road but Christ, no other Way but Him, and no other day but today to
Come to this Fountain so rich and sweet;
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior's feet.
Plunge in today and be made complete.
Glory to His name!
So the composer of RENT speaks God's truth when he exhorts us to "give in to love, or live in fear". Amen and amen! Give in to God, or live in fear: that is a revelation of Scripture.
The composer also begins down the right path, stating "I can't control my destiny", but instead of putting our hope in ourselves ("I trust my soul, my only goal is just to be"), we should place our hope in the risen Christ. I trust my Hope, my Savior, my Redeemer, and my only goal is just to be His.
I don't know if this post makes sense. I am alone in Hot Corner and emoting more than I can handle witout expression. So there you go.
------------------
"RENT and Hope in Christ"
Sit back--this might take a while.
I've been studying at Hot Corner, and I took a "break" to check email and generally piddle for a few minutes. I got an email from iTunes that showed the soundtrack to RENT currently as the second best selling album. As I browsed the tracks to the movie version (versus the OBCR, Original Broadway Cast Recording) in 30-second portions, I listened to the "Finale B", the penultimate song before the Broadway version ends.
I have the full OBCR on my computer, so I listened to Finale B in its entirety. Over and over. And over. Now I'm sitting in Hot Corner with tears in my eyes and wanting to tell someone why.
Stage direction: Enter you.
I first heard of RENT while working for my fraternity. As a member of the "gay community", it was nearly impossible not to have heard about this musical that protrays homosexuals in very good light, as compassionate and loving people who show more virtue than the heterosexual characters in the show. The musical also protrayed sevaral people with HIV and AIDS, a relatively ground-breaking concept for a soon-to-be hit musical.
While traveling to Boston on fraternity business, I made sure to catch the show in the theater district. Carol Burnette's daughter had one of the lead roles, and I was blown away. I had listenend to the CDs over and over, but seeing the show put it all into perspective. I remember feeling such hope after that show, and I took the message of the show as one that gave hope for the future.
The next time I saw RENT was with my ex-boyfriend, Hunter. I was in law school at UVa, and RENT was going to open in Washington, DC, just two hours NE of Charlottesville. I bought us tickets for opening night, and we drove to see it. We laughed, cried, and held hands throughout the show. It was amazingly affirming and again, gave me hope that I could find love and acceptance one day.
A few months later, I bought us tickets for closing night, and as we expected, the cast sang their hearts out. It was very moving, and the show took on new meaning. I remember Hunter and I sitting next to an old couple who obviously hadn't been briefed about the nature of the show or the possibility that their season tickets could place them sitting next to a gay couple who would not hesitate to hold hands during the show. I was amused at the time and saw them as representing every gay-hater I had ever known. I pitied them, and I was happy with Hunter.
That's my history with RENT. It evokes strong emotions in me not only because the music is good, but also because of where I was in life when I heard it.
Before I go on, here is the libretto for "Finale B". Angel, the transvestite who is ultra-loving, has died of AIDS, but in a moment of pure theatre, s/he comes back on stage in the middle of this song as the show closes. Because several characters have AIDS, they voice concern about their future with the hymn, "Will I Lose My Dignity?", but the music accompanying it is very upbeat. OK, enough background: here's the libretto.
------------
MIMI & ROGER
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss
ALL
No other road no other way
No day but today
(As the finale grows, the entire COMPANY makes its way on stage)
WOMEN
I can't control my destiny
I trust my soul
My only goal is just to be
MEN
Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
WOMEN
Without you
The hand gropes
The ear hears
The pulse beats
Life goes on
But I'm gone
'Cause I die without you
MEN
There's only now, there's only here
Give in to love, or live in fear
No other path, No other way
No day but today
ALL
No day but today
------------
This is the hope offered by RENT, the best message that the composer and theatre community could offer. All we have is now, and all we have is each other, so find a way to ignore regret or you will "miss life". There is "no other road" but to resign yourself to the fate of AIDS, and find the love you can while you can. "Give in to love", the love found in other people.
"Without You" is a double (triple?) entendre: the two singers are both HIV positive and in love, she a drug addict, he a former junkie who must take his daily regimen of prescription drugs to stay alive. Without each other, they would die. Without their prescription drugs, they would die of HIV. Without her illegal drugs, she would die.
I remember when I heard the music and words to the hymn, "Will I Lose My Dignity"? It was scary, but it was reality for me, truly a "nightmare". That's what I had to look forward to: near-certain contraction of HIV at some point. Those words embodied my fear, but a fear I had somehow to accept. And I wasn't alone. Only the wilfully ignorant could pretend that those sentiments are not the present reality of the homosexual. I set my face foward and put on a brave countenance. My friends in law school told me I was a brave person for following my heart, even in the face of societal disapproval or loss of relationships, whether family or friends.
But today my tears are mixed because the words to Finale B can be reimagined in a way that makes sense of the Christian hope. Without Christ, we would die. There is no other Road but Christ, no other Way but Him, and no other day but today to
Come to this Fountain so rich and sweet;
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior's feet.
Plunge in today and be made complete.
Glory to His name!
So the composer of RENT speaks God's truth when he exhorts us to "give in to love, or live in fear". Amen and amen! Give in to God, or live in fear: that is a revelation of Scripture.
The composer also begins down the right path, stating "I can't control my destiny", but instead of putting our hope in ourselves ("I trust my soul, my only goal is just to be"), we should place our hope in the risen Christ. I trust my Hope, my Savior, my Redeemer, and my only goal is just to be His.
I don't know if this post makes sense. I am alone in Hot Corner and emoting more than I can handle witout expression. So there you go.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
I'm Tired
"Weary of earth, myself, and sin."
Can't you identify with this? Living in the flesh is hard. I often find myself in the place that our brother, Charles, describes. I yearn for the day when the fight is over - when my body is healed and the glory revealed. Rejoice! Sin, sickness, death, loneliness, and un-fulfillment are temporary. We will outlive them. The time is coming when the elect will be in a state of eternal, untainted peace. "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for God's people" (Heb. 4:9).
Moreover, the war has already been won. Christ has come and defeated Satan. We have access to Sabbath rest in this life. By letting go of ourselves and turning to Christ in faith, we enter it. What could be more restful than trusting God in everything? Brothers, let us believe that Christ paid for every single sin we will ever commit. Let us believe His promise to redeem us and the creation. Praise be to God for His goodness!
Can't you identify with this? Living in the flesh is hard. I often find myself in the place that our brother, Charles, describes. I yearn for the day when the fight is over - when my body is healed and the glory revealed. Rejoice! Sin, sickness, death, loneliness, and un-fulfillment are temporary. We will outlive them. The time is coming when the elect will be in a state of eternal, untainted peace. "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for God's people" (Heb. 4:9).
Moreover, the war has already been won. Christ has come and defeated Satan. We have access to Sabbath rest in this life. By letting go of ourselves and turning to Christ in faith, we enter it. What could be more restful than trusting God in everything? Brothers, let us believe that Christ paid for every single sin we will ever commit. Let us believe His promise to redeem us and the creation. Praise be to God for His goodness!
Jesus the Sinner's Friend
Jesus, the sinner’s Friend, to Thee,
Lost and undone, for aid I flee,
Weary of earth, myself, and sin:
Open Thine arms, and take me in.
Pity and heal my sin sick soul;
’Tis Thou alone canst make me whole;
Dark, till in me Thine image shine,
And lost, I am, till Thou art mine.
At last I own it cannot be
That I should fit myself for Thee:
Here, then, to Thee I all resign;
Thine is the work, and only Thine.
What shall I say Thy grace to move?
Lord, I am sin, but Thou art love;
I give up every plea beside—Lord,
I am lost, but Thou hast died.
-Charles Wesley, 1739
Lost and undone, for aid I flee,
Weary of earth, myself, and sin:
Open Thine arms, and take me in.
Pity and heal my sin sick soul;
’Tis Thou alone canst make me whole;
Dark, till in me Thine image shine,
And lost, I am, till Thou art mine.
At last I own it cannot be
That I should fit myself for Thee:
Here, then, to Thee I all resign;
Thine is the work, and only Thine.
What shall I say Thy grace to move?
Lord, I am sin, but Thou art love;
I give up every plea beside—Lord,
I am lost, but Thou hast died.
-Charles Wesley, 1739
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Belatedly Thankful
Surlely, our God deals with us in abounding patience, tender mercy, warm compassion, genuine kindness. Even with us! Paupers. Wanderers. Prodigals still smelling of the garbage we eat in the pigs' trough.
The truth of our condition warrants a stern and cold, removed and impatient, fed up and angry, rigid and scornful God. But we are perpetually met with the weighty reality of You, our Father, and Your unchanging, condescending love. Our sin and self-worship encourage one another; they harden and confuse our hearts. But, LORD, Your goodness melts our hearts; it humbles us in dust and ashes.
We are hidden in the bullseye of your fervent, infinite love for Jesus Christ. Eternity is not long enough to marvel at Your beauty, to join the chorus of praises to your excellency, to comprehend the depth of Your warm compassion. Surely as You say: You will be our God and we will be Your people, forever!
The truth of our condition warrants a stern and cold, removed and impatient, fed up and angry, rigid and scornful God. But we are perpetually met with the weighty reality of You, our Father, and Your unchanging, condescending love. Our sin and self-worship encourage one another; they harden and confuse our hearts. But, LORD, Your goodness melts our hearts; it humbles us in dust and ashes.
We are hidden in the bullseye of your fervent, infinite love for Jesus Christ. Eternity is not long enough to marvel at Your beauty, to join the chorus of praises to your excellency, to comprehend the depth of Your warm compassion. Surely as You say: You will be our God and we will be Your people, forever!
Monday, November 28, 2005
Hello!
hello fellow bloggers,
in an effort not to be considered one of these "lurker" fellows, i have decided to post a posting. well, here goes. i don't have time for pleasure reading aside from the daily tidbits of political gossip i see on the drudgereport or cnn.com, but i am reading an interesting exegesis on the johannine prologue. i had to choose a topic for my new testament class and have alway been fascinated by the opening "in the beginning was the word..." etc.
what do i want for christmas you ask? well, two things. i want to go on a long run with bruner who will never run with me. i also want some more peanut brittle. i bought some from some kid in the publix parking lot in albany for 6 dollars and it was delicious. he wanted to go to washington dc with my money.
what is wrong with "merry christmas?" i, for one, will not be doing my christmas shopping at wal-mart or target. both have decided that the phrase "season's greetings" is less offensive to the masses. oh yes! please do not remind me that the reason for the season is not the new xbox 360.
i also think elvis has some of the best christmas songs ever. seriously.
oh, and tom doesn't like the rolling stones.
merry christmas!
rt
in an effort not to be considered one of these "lurker" fellows, i have decided to post a posting. well, here goes. i don't have time for pleasure reading aside from the daily tidbits of political gossip i see on the drudgereport or cnn.com, but i am reading an interesting exegesis on the johannine prologue. i had to choose a topic for my new testament class and have alway been fascinated by the opening "in the beginning was the word..." etc.
what do i want for christmas you ask? well, two things. i want to go on a long run with bruner who will never run with me. i also want some more peanut brittle. i bought some from some kid in the publix parking lot in albany for 6 dollars and it was delicious. he wanted to go to washington dc with my money.
what is wrong with "merry christmas?" i, for one, will not be doing my christmas shopping at wal-mart or target. both have decided that the phrase "season's greetings" is less offensive to the masses. oh yes! please do not remind me that the reason for the season is not the new xbox 360.
i also think elvis has some of the best christmas songs ever. seriously.
oh, and tom doesn't like the rolling stones.
merry christmas!
rt
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I hope your days were fun and nondisfunctional. I had a great time with my family...almost all were in town. See (some) of y'all when you get back to Athens.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
I thought these were over...
Urrrrgggg. Now I remember why I hate school: that nauseating feeling of doom is slowly seeping through my insides as I reluctantly resign myself to the sad reality that I will be awake all night working. 24.75 years old and I still haven't learned to start projects earlier than the night before. If anybody can't sleep tonight and wants to hang out, stop by the SLC...I'll be here paying my pennace for procrastination. For the rest of you, sleep tight and sweet dreams. -Ben
Saturday, November 19, 2005
A Picture of the South?
"Satan's purpose is not to make good people bad or bad people worse. Satan's purpose is ultimately to make people good without Jesus Christ. If the devil owned any one town in America, it would immediately become the loveliest town in America--crime free, prosperous, and everyone would go to church, where Jesus Christ is not preached." -- Barnhouse
Friday, November 18, 2005
Wooglin Smiles Upon You, Jason.
Yesterday I was in the dining hall trying to stay awake as I waited for customers at the ice cream machine when Tippet came by and shared some humorous news with me. It seems that since Brother Bennet, EE 14, started taking some music class at UGA this semester, his name reappeared on the chapter grade report. The 4.0 he's bound to post should help the chapter slap those (expletive deleted) Fijis and Sig Eps in the face when we get first in grades. Snaps to JB.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Shame on Rass...
Oh Andrew...I'm a bit disappointed in you. Clearly, your review of J.C. Ryle's Holiness does not conform to the proper Reading Rainbow book report format. If I'm not mistaken, the most crucial element of any book review is the closing, "But you don't have to take my word for it"...do doot doot. Please rewrite your review and resubmit. Yours Truly, Ben
What I'm Reading
I am currently reading "Holiness" by J.C. Ryle. It is an amazing book that spurs Christians on towards physically living the Christian life. It has caused me to greatly examine the fruit that I produce and I have realized that there is not much of my fruit that I would eat. It calls Christians to a stong faith and holy living. It's good times.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Problems Posting?
If any of y'all have experienced a problem posting either a comment or a blog entry, tell me or Ben so we can delete and then re-add you to the blog. Apparently, some have tried to post and/or comment and haven't been recognized as members of this blog.
OK. Back to answering Ben's question...
OK. Back to answering Ben's question...
Monday, November 14, 2005
Penny for your thoughts...
In an effort to lure some of you timid creatures out of your hole and into the world of posting your thoughts, here's a simple question you can respond to. What are you reading these days? Any subject, any author, any book, any quote, any thoughts, any anything. (Stop rolling your eyes, Bruner...I know I'm a dork without you having to post it here.)
Friday, November 11, 2005
"Trade Show"
For all you kids living elsewhere, Hal's sermon last Sunday was rooted in Philippians 3:10-11: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." Ever since Sunday morning, I've been trying to unpack what it really means to know Christ. It's an important question to ask. If we are honest, we must confess that often we seek to know about Jesus instead of know Him.
What happens is that we trade a relationship for a system; a relational God for a mechanical God; a passionate pursuit for an academic pursuit. The former god is a self-fabricated god. It is the god of legalism and the familiar god of do-it-yourself salvation. This one is the dull god of history books. And that god is not to be found anywhere in Scripture. No. The God of Israel, our God, our Redeemer is the relational God; for He reveals Himself as such in Scripture.
So why is this distinction, knowing about versus knowing, that important? Because when we pursue knowledge that is disconnected from a relationship, God becomes the focus of our feeble analysis rather than our fervent adoration. And we become biographers and not children.
The biographer, say of a historical figure, knows his subject well because he's studied him extensively. He can speak for hours on end about his subject. He knows all that has been written about him, all that other people thought of him. But, he doesn't know him as a person. He has never met him, talked with him, marveled at him, loved him or been loved by him. In light of all his knowledge he remains a stranger, hidden by distance and anonymity. He never enters into the mind or the mystery of his subject. He knows plenty about him, but he has never known him.
Like Jason wrote in his post last month, if a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ does not translate into a deeper love of Jesus Christ, we are that biographer who never understands the heart of his subject, who never is warmed with affection for him. Let's each of us supplicate our Father to know Him and be known by Him (1 Corinthians 8:2-3), to seek after His very heart just like David yearned to do. This person, this God-man Jesus Christ is rich and beautiful and full of flavor. Taste of Him and see that the LORD is good! (Psalms 34:8, 1 Peter 2:3). He calls you by name and claims you by name (Isaiah 43:1).
Let us read Scripture not for the sake of knowing Scripture or being puffed up with knowledge, but to know the transfixing person of Jesus Christ. Let us pray not for the sake of praying or feeling more holy, but to understand more and more how our LORD relates to us and how we may rightly adore Him. Let us worship not because it is Sunday morning and that is what we do on Sunday mornings. No, let's do it because it is a Tuesday afternoon...or a Thursday morning...or a Saturday night and our hearts are melted all over again by the reality of His condescending love in spite of our habitual wandering.
There isn't any doubt: Jesus Christ is by His very nature infinitely holy and beautiful and riveting. If we do not presently see Him as such, one reason could be that we have forgotten our first love and exchanged intimacy for formality, a marriage for an acquaintance. Believer, if this sad state is descriptive of your heart, do not despair. If the Father was not willing to spare His only son to purchase you from death and misery, surly He is willing to "renew a right spirit within you" and "restore you to the joy of His salvation" (Psalm 51: 10, 12). Pray this from Him. Seek Him desperately with your whole heart and you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). And rest assured that Christ's exceeding merit guarantees God's eternal acceptance of you, even His love for you!
What happens is that we trade a relationship for a system; a relational God for a mechanical God; a passionate pursuit for an academic pursuit. The former god is a self-fabricated god. It is the god of legalism and the familiar god of do-it-yourself salvation. This one is the dull god of history books. And that god is not to be found anywhere in Scripture. No. The God of Israel, our God, our Redeemer is the relational God; for He reveals Himself as such in Scripture.
So why is this distinction, knowing about versus knowing, that important? Because when we pursue knowledge that is disconnected from a relationship, God becomes the focus of our feeble analysis rather than our fervent adoration. And we become biographers and not children.
The biographer, say of a historical figure, knows his subject well because he's studied him extensively. He can speak for hours on end about his subject. He knows all that has been written about him, all that other people thought of him. But, he doesn't know him as a person. He has never met him, talked with him, marveled at him, loved him or been loved by him. In light of all his knowledge he remains a stranger, hidden by distance and anonymity. He never enters into the mind or the mystery of his subject. He knows plenty about him, but he has never known him.
Like Jason wrote in his post last month, if a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ does not translate into a deeper love of Jesus Christ, we are that biographer who never understands the heart of his subject, who never is warmed with affection for him. Let's each of us supplicate our Father to know Him and be known by Him (1 Corinthians 8:2-3), to seek after His very heart just like David yearned to do. This person, this God-man Jesus Christ is rich and beautiful and full of flavor. Taste of Him and see that the LORD is good! (Psalms 34:8, 1 Peter 2:3). He calls you by name and claims you by name (Isaiah 43:1).
Let us read Scripture not for the sake of knowing Scripture or being puffed up with knowledge, but to know the transfixing person of Jesus Christ. Let us pray not for the sake of praying or feeling more holy, but to understand more and more how our LORD relates to us and how we may rightly adore Him. Let us worship not because it is Sunday morning and that is what we do on Sunday mornings. No, let's do it because it is a Tuesday afternoon...or a Thursday morning...or a Saturday night and our hearts are melted all over again by the reality of His condescending love in spite of our habitual wandering.
There isn't any doubt: Jesus Christ is by His very nature infinitely holy and beautiful and riveting. If we do not presently see Him as such, one reason could be that we have forgotten our first love and exchanged intimacy for formality, a marriage for an acquaintance. Believer, if this sad state is descriptive of your heart, do not despair. If the Father was not willing to spare His only son to purchase you from death and misery, surly He is willing to "renew a right spirit within you" and "restore you to the joy of His salvation" (Psalm 51: 10, 12). Pray this from Him. Seek Him desperately with your whole heart and you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). And rest assured that Christ's exceeding merit guarantees God's eternal acceptance of you, even His love for you!
Religion in Georgia
Just a quick tidbit from this week's Onion.
Faith Healer Loses Patient During Routine Miracle
November 9, 2005 | Issue 41•45
WAYCROSS, GA—A routine laying-on of hands ended in a fatal cardiac embolism for a worshiper at the One, True, Glorious, Excruciated, And Risen Christ Traveling Gospel Church Sunday. "Losing a fellow Christian is always the hardest part of this job," attending faith healer Harlon Pearcey said. "I invoked the name of the Holy Trinity to drive the sickness out from the poor sinner's heart, but sadly, a blockage in the sinner's pulmonary artery stopped God's love, and much blood, from getting through." The American Faith-Healing Association issued a statement saying that Pearcey followed trinity-invocation and snake-handling guidelines during the procedure.
Faith Healer Loses Patient During Routine Miracle
November 9, 2005 | Issue 41•45
WAYCROSS, GA—A routine laying-on of hands ended in a fatal cardiac embolism for a worshiper at the One, True, Glorious, Excruciated, And Risen Christ Traveling Gospel Church Sunday. "Losing a fellow Christian is always the hardest part of this job," attending faith healer Harlon Pearcey said. "I invoked the name of the Holy Trinity to drive the sickness out from the poor sinner's heart, but sadly, a blockage in the sinner's pulmonary artery stopped God's love, and much blood, from getting through." The American Faith-Healing Association issued a statement saying that Pearcey followed trinity-invocation and snake-handling guidelines during the procedure.
A bet
I've got $20 for anyone who can produce an authentic picture of Brent doing any of the following:
1. "chasing ladies"
2. Dancing in a night club.
3. Dancing anywhere at all.
1. "chasing ladies"
2. Dancing in a night club.
3. Dancing anywhere at all.
Harmony
"O Lord, You arouse us so that praising you may bring us joy, because you have made us and drawn us to yourself, and our heart is unquiet until it rests in you." -- St. Aurelius Augustinus, The Confessions of St. Augustine, Book I
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Depth of Mercy
Depth of mercy! Can there be Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear, Me, the chief of sinners, spare?
I have long withstood His grace, Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls, Grieved Him by a thousand falls.
I have spilt His precious blood, Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable, I, who yet am not in hell!
I my Master have denied, I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name, Put Him to an open shame.
Whence to me this waste of love? Ask my Advocate above!
See the cause in Jesus’ face, Now before the throne of grace.
Jesus, answer from above, Is not all Thy nature love?
Wilt Thou not the wrong forget, Permit me to kiss Thy feet?
If I rightly read Thy heart, If Thou all compassion art,
Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow, Pardon and accept me now.
Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood! He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move, Justice lingers into love.
Kindled His relentings are, Me He now delights to spare,
Cries, “How shall I give thee up? ”Lets the lifted thunder drop.
Lo! I still walk on the ground: Lo! an Advocate is found:
“Hasten not to cut Him down, Let this barren soul alone.”
There for me the Savior stands, Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel; Jesus weeps and loves me still.
Pity from Thine eye let fall, By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert, Cast a look, and break my heart.
Now incline me to repent, Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore, Weep, believe, and sin no more.
-Charles Wesley, 1740
Can my God His wrath forbear, Me, the chief of sinners, spare?
I have long withstood His grace, Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls, Grieved Him by a thousand falls.
I have spilt His precious blood, Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable, I, who yet am not in hell!
I my Master have denied, I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name, Put Him to an open shame.
Whence to me this waste of love? Ask my Advocate above!
See the cause in Jesus’ face, Now before the throne of grace.
Jesus, answer from above, Is not all Thy nature love?
Wilt Thou not the wrong forget, Permit me to kiss Thy feet?
If I rightly read Thy heart, If Thou all compassion art,
Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow, Pardon and accept me now.
Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood! He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move, Justice lingers into love.
Kindled His relentings are, Me He now delights to spare,
Cries, “How shall I give thee up? ”Lets the lifted thunder drop.
Lo! I still walk on the ground: Lo! an Advocate is found:
“Hasten not to cut Him down, Let this barren soul alone.”
There for me the Savior stands, Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel; Jesus weeps and loves me still.
Pity from Thine eye let fall, By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert, Cast a look, and break my heart.
Now incline me to repent, Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore, Weep, believe, and sin no more.
-Charles Wesley, 1740
Living is Hard Work
"For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" -- Matthew 7:14Some Christians speak of their readiness to sacrifice it all for the Gospel by being martyred. In others, there is a zeal to be killed "in the line of duty". Many times, this is admirable. Sometimes though, it is naive boasting in one's own zeal and holiness.
My question is this. What is more costly, more sobering, and perhaps scarier: Giving your very life for the Gospel tomorrow, or living to be 85 or 90 years old...obediently bearing your rugged cross each day for the Redeemer.
To those who ask: "Are you willing to die for Him?", I reply with an equally important question, "Are you willing to live for Him?" I submit to the reality that Almighty God has ordained that some are appointed to be martyred for the faith (see Christ's words to Peter in John chapter 21) and that this glorifies Him and satisfies His mysterious purposes.
But in my humble and fallible opinion, living for Christ, bearing this cross day after day, and struggling with the agonizing realities of our sinful flesh might require something more courageous, more perseverant, more daring than martyrdom. Could this be true? What do you think?
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Lurkers
So we have lurkers here at Dying to Live. Some (or maybe all) of y'all are reading this but not posting. I know this because it has been admitted.
You know, people do this at churches, too. They lurk. They attend spastically, maybe even regularly, but they don't engage. They don't interact. They don't make themselves known in the house of God. They attend just often enough to convince themselves they've performed their obligation to God, or at least have given a good enough effort to obligate God to be nice to them, and they take advantage of the grace God pours out on His Church.
They take communion but don't examine their hearts. They sit in the fringes, in the unnoticeable places, even if it happens to be in the middle of the sanctuary. They don't participate in the life of the church, including small groups, and they certainly don't serve in any capacity.
They sing but don't live what they are saying. They confess, but their lives show them to be insincere. They have the appearance of Godliness, but deny its power. (Follow the link to see the clear instruction Paul gives regarding these people.)
Brothers, and I call y'all that not only as Christian brothers but also as men along side whom I've labored to learn to love Christ, we must not be lurkers in the church, even if we are lurkers on the blog.
I think some of y'all aren't posting because you don't want to expose yourselves, either to criticism, disagreement, or the possibility of people seeing that you don't know something. This is not that kind of blog. This is primarily a social blog, despite my and Ben's posts about our thoughts on God. Use it to keep in touch, or just come back to see what's up with the others, and if inspiration hits you, show your love by encouraging each other.
Regardless, I'll keep posting, so keep lurking. :) Have you seen these pictures of Paris Hilton? Seriously...she's so ugly.
You know, people do this at churches, too. They lurk. They attend spastically, maybe even regularly, but they don't engage. They don't interact. They don't make themselves known in the house of God. They attend just often enough to convince themselves they've performed their obligation to God, or at least have given a good enough effort to obligate God to be nice to them, and they take advantage of the grace God pours out on His Church.
They take communion but don't examine their hearts. They sit in the fringes, in the unnoticeable places, even if it happens to be in the middle of the sanctuary. They don't participate in the life of the church, including small groups, and they certainly don't serve in any capacity.
They sing but don't live what they are saying. They confess, but their lives show them to be insincere. They have the appearance of Godliness, but deny its power. (Follow the link to see the clear instruction Paul gives regarding these people.)
Brothers, and I call y'all that not only as Christian brothers but also as men along side whom I've labored to learn to love Christ, we must not be lurkers in the church, even if we are lurkers on the blog.
I think some of y'all aren't posting because you don't want to expose yourselves, either to criticism, disagreement, or the possibility of people seeing that you don't know something. This is not that kind of blog. This is primarily a social blog, despite my and Ben's posts about our thoughts on God. Use it to keep in touch, or just come back to see what's up with the others, and if inspiration hits you, show your love by encouraging each other.
Regardless, I'll keep posting, so keep lurking. :) Have you seen these pictures of Paris Hilton? Seriously...she's so ugly.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Wassup?
So, what's up, guys? :) How was the GA/FL game? (I'm sure you won't read this 'til after you get back, if you went.)
News here: I'm using fall break to study for a big piano literature test on Tuesday. I'm at Jittery's 5 Points right now, and I had to take a wingback chair by the "fireplace" b/c all the tables are full. Full. On a Friday afternoon. Color me surprised mixed with irritation. I am increasingly disappointed by the increasing unavailability of suitable study space here. I may have to move to Hot Corner (which too often smells like burnt coffee beans) or I-don't-know-where-else b/c the new Jittery's on Baxter St. wasn't designed by anyone who studies.
For those of y'all who don't know, yet, I went before Redeemer's Session last Monday and came under care of the Session, in response to the call I feel to be a minister of the Gospel. I will attend the next Presbytery meeting (early '06) and come under care of the Presbytery at that time. I'm excited about being more intentionally under the care and guidance of the Session as I wait to see what God has for me, whether seminary or otherwise.
This means my spring break trip to visit Braunt will have to serve two, maybe even three, purposes: 1) to visit Brent, 2) to go on a roadtrip with my friends, and 3) to gather data and meet people as a prospective student. I hope Brent is having a good week so he won't discourage me (and any others on the trip) from doing the seminary thing.
Anyone else doing anything? If so, you have something to post. If you are doing anything, studying anything, or dating anything, then you oughta post. Let us know what's going on! :)
News here: I'm using fall break to study for a big piano literature test on Tuesday. I'm at Jittery's 5 Points right now, and I had to take a wingback chair by the "fireplace" b/c all the tables are full. Full. On a Friday afternoon. Color me surprised mixed with irritation. I am increasingly disappointed by the increasing unavailability of suitable study space here. I may have to move to Hot Corner (which too often smells like burnt coffee beans) or I-don't-know-where-else b/c the new Jittery's on Baxter St. wasn't designed by anyone who studies.
For those of y'all who don't know, yet, I went before Redeemer's Session last Monday and came under care of the Session, in response to the call I feel to be a minister of the Gospel. I will attend the next Presbytery meeting (early '06) and come under care of the Presbytery at that time. I'm excited about being more intentionally under the care and guidance of the Session as I wait to see what God has for me, whether seminary or otherwise.
This means my spring break trip to visit Braunt will have to serve two, maybe even three, purposes: 1) to visit Brent, 2) to go on a roadtrip with my friends, and 3) to gather data and meet people as a prospective student. I hope Brent is having a good week so he won't discourage me (and any others on the trip) from doing the seminary thing.
Anyone else doing anything? If so, you have something to post. If you are doing anything, studying anything, or dating anything, then you oughta post. Let us know what's going on! :)
Friday, October 21, 2005
God is so Good
The "so" is unnecessary, only useful b/c we experience differing degrees of people being good to us here. However, "God is Good" is a statement about an absolute quality--God is fully-Good, both utterly full of Goodness and of the kind of Good that is all-the-way Good.
Anyway, that's just my $0.02, as usual. He is good to us, and we hardy begin to know or express the extent of it. Even the suspicion I have of the things that I could do, whether apart from Him or even being found in Him, they don't begin to acknowledge the extent of what my heart is capable of.
A Good God Who loves me knowing what He knows about me is a terrifying God, a God Who is to be worshipped in awe and wonder. Calvin said that when he was confronted in scripture with a mystery of God, he had to stop his inquiry and get on his knees. I hope that I would do the same, but I also feel that even with the things that are no longer mysteries but have been revealed to us post-crucifixion, even with these I ought to fall on my knees in awe.
Things like "Jesus loves me."
Things like "God chose me from the foundation of creation."
Things like "The promise is not only for Jews but for Gentiles, too."
Things like "The God who designs hurricanes, tsunamis, allows abortion, and loves pedophiles, that same God is Good."
I hope to tremble as Who He is Good is made known to me.
Anyway, that's just my $0.02, as usual. He is good to us, and we hardy begin to know or express the extent of it. Even the suspicion I have of the things that I could do, whether apart from Him or even being found in Him, they don't begin to acknowledge the extent of what my heart is capable of.
A Good God Who loves me knowing what He knows about me is a terrifying God, a God Who is to be worshipped in awe and wonder. Calvin said that when he was confronted in scripture with a mystery of God, he had to stop his inquiry and get on his knees. I hope that I would do the same, but I also feel that even with the things that are no longer mysteries but have been revealed to us post-crucifixion, even with these I ought to fall on my knees in awe.
Things like "Jesus loves me."
Things like "God chose me from the foundation of creation."
Things like "The promise is not only for Jews but for Gentiles, too."
Things like "The God who designs hurricanes, tsunamis, allows abortion, and loves pedophiles, that same God is Good."
I hope to tremble as Who He is Good is made known to me.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Mr. Tom Hart, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Tommy, HAPPY birthday...here's to an enjoyable 21st trip around the sun!
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Thoughts on Freedom
Y'all already know how central the concept of freedom is to the Western world, and it is certainly the mantra of the United States. Organizations have been created to promote these freedoms, such as the ACLU. The most common preposition used in claiming freedom is "from", as in freedom from government intrusion, freedom from restrictions, freedom from religion being forced down our throats.
That makes sense in a secular world. But God reveals that man's true freedom isn't freedom from law, but is instead freedom within His law. True freedom requires boundaries, otherwise there is nothing to measure freedom against. But God reveals that we will only be free within His law, as we submit to His commands and find the freedom to live as we were designed to live.
In this light, we see that contemporary culture is actually contrary to true freedom.
That makes sense in a secular world. But God reveals that man's true freedom isn't freedom from law, but is instead freedom within His law. True freedom requires boundaries, otherwise there is nothing to measure freedom against. But God reveals that we will only be free within His law, as we submit to His commands and find the freedom to live as we were designed to live.
In this light, we see that contemporary culture is actually contrary to true freedom.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Jason or Ben...
Is there a setting that would send an email every time someone makes a new post or comment on the blog? Instead of checking every now and then to see if there's anything new, it would be nice just to get an email and know that someone wrote something. Just a thought.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Carpooling
If you're interested in carpooling to the funeral on Friday, please call or email me. Rass and I will be going down there together and will have room for more.
In Christ,
ben
In Christ,
ben
A Note from Nick and Directions to the Funeral
For those of us not on the fraternity list serv, here are directions to the church. Just enter in the church name on mapquest if these directions don't work for you.
-Rass
heres the info about tomorrow...
thanks for all the help from me and Jill
-Nick
Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 13:03:42 -0400
From: Nicholas John Roecker bronco94@UGA.EDU
Subject: Thanks
To: BETA@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Hello guys,
Jill and I very much appreciate all the emails and calls we
have received from you guys. This is a terrible tragedy and
a huge loss for Jill and her sister. For those of you who
don't know, Jill lost her father over 4 years ago to cystic
fibrosis. The service is set for tomorrow at 11:00 AM at
Roswell United Methodist Church. All are invited.
Even though many of you only knew her indirectly through me,
I means so much to her to see all the love and support from
all the guys in the chapter.
On another note, I left Macon without getting black shoes and
a black belt. I need around size 12 shoes, and a size 36
belt. If anyone can help me with this, call Jordan and let
him know. They of course will be returned following the
service. Thanks.
Nick Roecker
Here are directions to the church
Roswell United Methodist Church
Here's directions:
Exit GA 400 onto Holcomb Bridge, exit 7B, going West. Go
approximately 1 mile and turn left onto Warsaw Rd (the road
name will change to Norcross). Go about 1.5 miles and turn
left at the light onto Atlanta Street (Alpharetta Hwy & Hwy
9). Be in far right hand lane and at the next light go
straight through the intersection onto Magnolia St. After one
short block, turn left onto Mimosa Blvd. at the light. The
service is in the Chapel, which is a big white building near
to Mimosa Blvd. Hopefully there will be signs.
-Rass
heres the info about tomorrow...
thanks for all the help from me and Jill
-Nick
Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 13:03:42 -0400
From: Nicholas John Roecker bronco94@UGA.EDU
Subject: Thanks
To: BETA@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Hello guys,
Jill and I very much appreciate all the emails and calls we
have received from you guys. This is a terrible tragedy and
a huge loss for Jill and her sister. For those of you who
don't know, Jill lost her father over 4 years ago to cystic
fibrosis. The service is set for tomorrow at 11:00 AM at
Roswell United Methodist Church. All are invited.
Even though many of you only knew her indirectly through me,
I means so much to her to see all the love and support from
all the guys in the chapter.
On another note, I left Macon without getting black shoes and
a black belt. I need around size 12 shoes, and a size 36
belt. If anyone can help me with this, call Jordan and let
him know. They of course will be returned following the
service. Thanks.
Nick Roecker
Here are directions to the church
Roswell United Methodist Church
Here's directions:
Exit GA 400 onto Holcomb Bridge, exit 7B, going West. Go
approximately 1 mile and turn left onto Warsaw Rd (the road
name will change to Norcross). Go about 1.5 miles and turn
left at the light onto Atlanta Street (Alpharetta Hwy & Hwy
9). Be in far right hand lane and at the next light go
straight through the intersection onto Magnolia St. After one
short block, turn left onto Mimosa Blvd. at the light. The
service is in the Chapel, which is a big white building near
to Mimosa Blvd. Hopefully there will be signs.
Keep Jill and Nick in your prayers
I'm sure you've all heard the news by now. It is vitally important that we pray for Jill, Jen, and Nick in this extremely hard/sad/angry time. I'm not sure how I would handle this if it were to happen to me. Pray that God would be very real to both families (Jill's and the other driver) throughout this entire thing. That's all.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
"God loads the clouds with moisture;
He scatters His lightening through them.
At His direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever He commands them.
He brings the clouds to punish men,
or to water His earth and show His love.
(Job 37:11-13 NIV)
~
The SOVEREIGN LORD: "Can you raise your voice to
the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water?
Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?
Do they report to you, 'Here we are'?"
~
Job: "You asked, 'Who is this that obscures
my counsel without knowledge?'
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know...
My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore, I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes."
(Job 38)
Saturday, September 24, 2005
They said it better
"Impress the young convert from the very beginning with the conviction that God has called him into His kingdom to struggle with the corruptions of his heart." - William Sprague
"Faith, without trouble or fighting, is a suspicious faith; for true faith is a fighting, wrestling faith." - Ralph Erskine
"Faith, without trouble or fighting, is a suspicious faith; for true faith is a fighting, wrestling faith." - Ralph Erskine
Friday, September 23, 2005
Mock--ing--bird--yeah
Yeah! Thanks for the reminder of reality in regards to our reflex response of thinking God or His ways can be understood by our feeble minds. We see but one fleck of paint of the Sistine Chapel and think we understand enough to describe the entire, magnificent, awesome masterpiece.
Job's confession, "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know..." is something I must often confess in shame, myself. I'm excited to be learning so much right now about sanctification and knowledge of God...but pride introduces itself so sublty, quickly and poisonously and I think I sufficiently "understand" this God who pursues me, who formed me.
We should all fall in the dust in trembling humility when we hear God ask us: "Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?" (Job 38:36). We know the answer, it is written in the depths of our heart. He is the owner and bestower of all things. Wisdom and understanding are His to give and His to withhold. Praise God for condescending to us with "baby talk"...it's the only tounge we comprehend.
Derek Webb has an analogy he uses in one of his songs coming out in December (a few of us went up to see him at Covenant College, Chattanooga last weekend): we are all mocking birds. The mocking bird has no song of its own, it simply repeats the songs of other birds that it hears around it. Funny thing is that if no other birds are around, the mocking bird doesn't sing. In a way, old Derek's right, we 'sing' only that which we hear the Spirit singing. Apart from mimicking what we've received in gracious revelation, we have no song to sing. Oh, that we'd listen more carefully to the songs of God's Spirit in us, that we might remember the tune and sing it for others!
"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD." Psalm 40:3
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Prayer Group Update
Hey dudes,
I'm gonna try to make this brief because I don't have the wherewithal to pump out a thesis right now. This update is both for us in Athens and also for Brent, Jimbo, and Nick alike...because our bond is not geographic proximity, but rather is hope in Christ and His real and radical work in each of our lives.
So, now to the message. Those of us at prayer group the other night came to the conclusion that we desire to be a bit more intentional and deliberate with the time we have together Tuesday nights praying as a group. We want to use some time each week to discuss and engage scripture that deals with prayer. Each week, we'll be looking at a selection of scripture (which will be posted ahead of time on this site) and briefly discuss how prayer saturated Christ's life and why it is a necessity for our lives, as well. Finally, we desire that the Spirit would patiently instruct us so that scripture would more and more inform and guide our supplication, adoration, intercession, confession, and thanksgiving to the Father in prayer.
In the context of scripture, we will be wrestling with some difficult questions I trust many of us don't know answers to: How are we commanded to pray?; Why does a Sovereign God require His sons to petition Him for their needs and desires?; What, specifically, are we commanded to pray for and who, specifically, are we commanded to pray for?; Who do we pray to, the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit?; What do we do when we feel our prayers are not being answered?; How do we pray with the daring confidence to believe we have received what we ask for before even asking for it?; Why do we pray in secret, alone?; Why and when is it appropriate to pray in union with other believers?; How do we pray according to God's will?; and the question that will answer all preceding questions...How did Christ commune with His Father in prayer?
For those who want to do a little extra reading that parallels what we'll be discussing, there is a book we will be referencing quite abit in our discussions. It is Andrew Murray's "Believing Prayer". The chapters are about 5 pages a piece, and Murray does an amazing job of explaining the privilege, necessity, and calling of prayer in our lives as individuals and as a body of believers. To be sure, what Murray is promoting is not a legalistic call to make God happy by praying each night, but rather is a pleading call to use the gracious means God has freely given us to know Him more deeply and to grow our meager faith. If you want to purchase the book to read along, it is $6 and can be found at http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=29037&netp_id=332583&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW.
The idea is that this blogsite can be used to "continue the discussion" each week, as we will only have about 20 minutes each week to discuss in the group. We can post questions for discussion, reactions to what we've read, or other general thoughts/applications/stories. Long story short, it will be a great way to connect you guys scattered across the country to what the guys back here are studying and praying about. I hope this works. In the mean time, please be praying that God would increase our view of prayer and cause us to become men so reliant on Him that we have no other desire other than to continually commune with Him in prayer.
Oops, turns out I did have the energy for a marathon post. Sorry about that...take care.
I'm gonna try to make this brief because I don't have the wherewithal to pump out a thesis right now. This update is both for us in Athens and also for Brent, Jimbo, and Nick alike...because our bond is not geographic proximity, but rather is hope in Christ and His real and radical work in each of our lives.
So, now to the message. Those of us at prayer group the other night came to the conclusion that we desire to be a bit more intentional and deliberate with the time we have together Tuesday nights praying as a group. We want to use some time each week to discuss and engage scripture that deals with prayer. Each week, we'll be looking at a selection of scripture (which will be posted ahead of time on this site) and briefly discuss how prayer saturated Christ's life and why it is a necessity for our lives, as well. Finally, we desire that the Spirit would patiently instruct us so that scripture would more and more inform and guide our supplication, adoration, intercession, confession, and thanksgiving to the Father in prayer.
In the context of scripture, we will be wrestling with some difficult questions I trust many of us don't know answers to: How are we commanded to pray?; Why does a Sovereign God require His sons to petition Him for their needs and desires?; What, specifically, are we commanded to pray for and who, specifically, are we commanded to pray for?; Who do we pray to, the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit?; What do we do when we feel our prayers are not being answered?; How do we pray with the daring confidence to believe we have received what we ask for before even asking for it?; Why do we pray in secret, alone?; Why and when is it appropriate to pray in union with other believers?; How do we pray according to God's will?; and the question that will answer all preceding questions...How did Christ commune with His Father in prayer?
For those who want to do a little extra reading that parallels what we'll be discussing, there is a book we will be referencing quite abit in our discussions. It is Andrew Murray's "Believing Prayer". The chapters are about 5 pages a piece, and Murray does an amazing job of explaining the privilege, necessity, and calling of prayer in our lives as individuals and as a body of believers. To be sure, what Murray is promoting is not a legalistic call to make God happy by praying each night, but rather is a pleading call to use the gracious means God has freely given us to know Him more deeply and to grow our meager faith. If you want to purchase the book to read along, it is $6 and can be found at http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=29037&netp_id=332583&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW.
The idea is that this blogsite can be used to "continue the discussion" each week, as we will only have about 20 minutes each week to discuss in the group. We can post questions for discussion, reactions to what we've read, or other general thoughts/applications/stories. Long story short, it will be a great way to connect you guys scattered across the country to what the guys back here are studying and praying about. I hope this works. In the mean time, please be praying that God would increase our view of prayer and cause us to become men so reliant on Him that we have no other desire other than to continually commune with Him in prayer.
Oops, turns out I did have the energy for a marathon post. Sorry about that...take care.
Pearls Before Swine
Question: What does it mean that we are commanded by Christ to not "cast our pearls before pigs" or "give to dogs what is holy" (Matthew 7:6)? I recognize the "pearl" is the gospel and "pigs" and "dogs" are non-believers who resist the Gospel to our faces. Does this mean what I think it does: that we are to cease and desist preaching the Gospel to those in our spheres of influence who react to it with scorn, mocking, and/or contempt? The book of Acts shows that Paul refused to preach to the Jews after they kept rejecting the Gospel. Instead, they preached to the gentiles, who believed (Acts 18:5-11).
What does this look like in real life and in our spheres? What implications does it have in some of our relationships with hostile non-believers? Didn't we all once respond to the Gospel hostily and with scorn and contempt when we were enemies of God ourselves? What do y'all think? What does scripture say?
What does this look like in real life and in our spheres? What implications does it have in some of our relationships with hostile non-believers? Didn't we all once respond to the Gospel hostily and with scorn and contempt when we were enemies of God ourselves? What do y'all think? What does scripture say?
Friday, September 16, 2005
Road Trip: St. Louis
Sounds like an MTV show, no?
Ben and I are organizing a road trip (technically, an air trip) to see Mr. Jennings in St. Loo-ee. I spoke to Brent this evening, and it seems that the weekend of the UGA/Arkansas game works best. Since it's expensive to fly out of Atlanta ($471 round trip), we can get cheaper roundtrip airfare on Southwest ($200+) out of Birmingham (and it's still non-stop). Here's what I found:
Depart Birmingham: FRI 21 OCT at 11:20 a.m.
Arrive St. Louis: 12:35 p.m.
What to do: Tool around with Brent for the weekend and watch the Georgia game on Saturday. Attend church with him on Sunday. We wouldn't be there in time for Friday classes or chapel. I may visit with a professor or admissions counselor in anticipation of one day (possibly) attending seminary.
Depart St. Louis: SUN 6:10 p.m.
Arrive Birmingham: 7:30 p.m.
We could rent a hotel and split the cost because 1) Brent doesn't have enough room for even one of us to crash, and 2) sharing a room wouldn't be that expensive for only 2 nights.
What do y'all think? Can any of you go? Ben and I are almost 100% committed to this date and trip. Don't ask about other flight options: Southwest is cheapest I found, and it only flies one flight each day between Birmingham and St. Louis. Driving is not an option for just a weekend trip.
Suggestions? Commitments? Regrets? Please let us know ASAP so we can lock in travel plans.
Ben and I are organizing a road trip (technically, an air trip) to see Mr. Jennings in St. Loo-ee. I spoke to Brent this evening, and it seems that the weekend of the UGA/Arkansas game works best. Since it's expensive to fly out of Atlanta ($471 round trip), we can get cheaper roundtrip airfare on Southwest ($200+) out of Birmingham (and it's still non-stop). Here's what I found:
Depart Birmingham: FRI 21 OCT at 11:20 a.m.
Arrive St. Louis: 12:35 p.m.
What to do: Tool around with Brent for the weekend and watch the Georgia game on Saturday. Attend church with him on Sunday. We wouldn't be there in time for Friday classes or chapel. I may visit with a professor or admissions counselor in anticipation of one day (possibly) attending seminary.
Depart St. Louis: SUN 6:10 p.m.
Arrive Birmingham: 7:30 p.m.
We could rent a hotel and split the cost because 1) Brent doesn't have enough room for even one of us to crash, and 2) sharing a room wouldn't be that expensive for only 2 nights.
What do y'all think? Can any of you go? Ben and I are almost 100% committed to this date and trip. Don't ask about other flight options: Southwest is cheapest I found, and it only flies one flight each day between Birmingham and St. Louis. Driving is not an option for just a weekend trip.
Suggestions? Commitments? Regrets? Please let us know ASAP so we can lock in travel plans.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
What's in a name anyway?
I have a proposed name for this blogsite that I'd like to get y'alls feedback on. It was the title of my own personal blog (on which I never actually posted anything). But, with that site now being disabled the name is open for use again. The name was: "Dying to Live". I concede its not the most clever title, not even a bit humorous, and maybe--dare I admit--cheesy sounding. Let me explain its meaning and why I feel it has significance for this group, though.
John records Christ as saying, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone: but if it dies, it bears much fruit...whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12: 24-25). I remember that Brent used to talk about this Biblical truth a lot. In the world of the Gospel, where most everything is "upside down", death is required for life to blossom. We have a perfect example of the fruitfulness of death in the Lamb's sacrifice on Calvary. Through His death, as gruesome, shameful, and devastating as it was, came life and fruit. Each of us, every single trophy of His grace is fruit borne out of His fatal purchase on that cross. The simple truth is this: we died, were buried, and resurrected with Christ on Calvary! That is why our souls are alive today, that is why there was a time in each of our lives when God revealed Himself and life blossomed!
Now redeemed and still present on this earth, we struggle with sin and the frustrating reality that our flesh is still at war with the Spirit. John the Baptist understood the necessity of a beautiful equation revealed in scripture: We must become less so that He would become more. Like some of you, I got goose bumps when I heard Jonah, the missionary from Pakistan, say from the pulpit at Redeemer when he preached: "Death to my wishes; death to my desires!" Only the saints can revel in this cry. By God's mercy and unthinkable grace, only the saints can apprehend that life does not reside in ourselves or in the shimmering yet deceitful things of this world. The singular source of life, the exclusive fount of hope is in none but Christ Jesus.
Therefore, death to anything opposed to Christ is required; no, it is commanded, of each Christian. Paul notes, "for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (Romans 8:13). Again, in his letter to the church in Philipi he says something almost counter-intuitive, but still all the more precious: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Notice how Paul directly associates life with Christ.
Now, how does this concept of dying to live apply specifically to this group. Well, the way I see it most of what we talk about, most of the sin we struggle with, most of our questions result from a stubborn refusal to die to the things of the world, to jump off the sinful cliff of our comfort and security and into the freedom of self-abandon in Christ. We are stubborn to follow and we refuse to surrender because we forget the Gospel: Christ loved us while we were yet sinners, Christ loves and pursues us each day (even today!) while we still are sinners. Regardless of what we title this blogsite as, our encouragement must always be to point our brothers away from self and toward a God who is continually running down the long road toward a battered but hopeful prodigal.
Let us know what you think about this or other titles. Let's move ahead with getting this thing fully up and running.
In Christ I am, your brother
John records Christ as saying, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone: but if it dies, it bears much fruit...whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12: 24-25). I remember that Brent used to talk about this Biblical truth a lot. In the world of the Gospel, where most everything is "upside down", death is required for life to blossom. We have a perfect example of the fruitfulness of death in the Lamb's sacrifice on Calvary. Through His death, as gruesome, shameful, and devastating as it was, came life and fruit. Each of us, every single trophy of His grace is fruit borne out of His fatal purchase on that cross. The simple truth is this: we died, were buried, and resurrected with Christ on Calvary! That is why our souls are alive today, that is why there was a time in each of our lives when God revealed Himself and life blossomed!
Now redeemed and still present on this earth, we struggle with sin and the frustrating reality that our flesh is still at war with the Spirit. John the Baptist understood the necessity of a beautiful equation revealed in scripture: We must become less so that He would become more. Like some of you, I got goose bumps when I heard Jonah, the missionary from Pakistan, say from the pulpit at Redeemer when he preached: "Death to my wishes; death to my desires!" Only the saints can revel in this cry. By God's mercy and unthinkable grace, only the saints can apprehend that life does not reside in ourselves or in the shimmering yet deceitful things of this world. The singular source of life, the exclusive fount of hope is in none but Christ Jesus.
Therefore, death to anything opposed to Christ is required; no, it is commanded, of each Christian. Paul notes, "for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (Romans 8:13). Again, in his letter to the church in Philipi he says something almost counter-intuitive, but still all the more precious: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Notice how Paul directly associates life with Christ.
Now, how does this concept of dying to live apply specifically to this group. Well, the way I see it most of what we talk about, most of the sin we struggle with, most of our questions result from a stubborn refusal to die to the things of the world, to jump off the sinful cliff of our comfort and security and into the freedom of self-abandon in Christ. We are stubborn to follow and we refuse to surrender because we forget the Gospel: Christ loved us while we were yet sinners, Christ loves and pursues us each day (even today!) while we still are sinners. Regardless of what we title this blogsite as, our encouragement must always be to point our brothers away from self and toward a God who is continually running down the long road toward a battered but hopeful prodigal.
Let us know what you think about this or other titles. Let's move ahead with getting this thing fully up and running.
In Christ I am, your brother
Friday, September 09, 2005
Potential Blog Names
OK, so no one is taking the ball and running with it. Here are some suggestions:
The Honky Hole
Jesus Junkies
P.I.T. (Preachers in Training)
Vote for Pedro
These are lame, I know, but at least they're something. What ideas to you have?
The Honky Hole
Jesus Junkies
P.I.T. (Preachers in Training)
Vote for Pedro
These are lame, I know, but at least they're something. What ideas to you have?
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Profiles
Feel free to add to your profiles, or just link to your facebook pages. I know Ben and Brent don't have facebook pages, so blogger's profile will have to do.
Last Tuesday and stuff.
Welcome, Trey! We've almost got the whole gang here. Just Jimbo, Brent, and Jake are left, and I spoke with Brent yesterday who promised to join soon.
Last Tuesday was the first prayer group/meeting I had been to in months, and I gotta tell you--it was like drinking water from a fire hose. There truly is nothing like intentionally asking for prayer and being prayed over in love, and it is certainly Christ mediating the Father's love to us through Himself in each of us. Going with y'all to the throne room of our Father Jehovah is a privilege that I hope turns into an outright passion.
Last Tuesday was the first prayer group/meeting I had been to in months, and I gotta tell you--it was like drinking water from a fire hose. There truly is nothing like intentionally asking for prayer and being prayed over in love, and it is certainly Christ mediating the Father's love to us through Himself in each of us. Going with y'all to the throne room of our Father Jehovah is a privilege that I hope turns into an outright passion.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Greetings brothers
Brothers,
I finally made it. I look forward to staying in touch with everyone through this. Hope to see everyone soon.
I finally made it. I look forward to staying in touch with everyone through this. Hope to see everyone soon.
Charles Stanley, of all people.
When God began to call me out of Egypt/ Los Angeles, He used the radio preaching ministry of Charles Stanley in a profound way. After I returned to Athens, and with my memory of Egypt still fresh, I listened to Dr. Stanley as often as I could find him on the radio. As my faith grew, and as my focus shifted to books from which to be instructed in God's ways and in knowing Him, I turned from the radio preachers because I perceived them to be less thoughtful and less powerful than what I was finding in books.
Today, however, as I stumbled onto a broadcast of Dr. Stanley, I was reminded that the Holy Spirit uses what He wants in reaching us, even Dr. Stanley.
I typed as much as I could into my phone while driving (and avoiding a wreck) because I want to share with y'all the sum of what He was saying, and it is this: If you don't trust Him, it's because you don't love Him; and if you don't love Him, it's because you don't know Him.
That is both true and extremely powerful.
If you loved Him, you would trust Him without questioning Him at all. If I asked any of y'all to do some task that required some personal sacrifice, and if I asked you to commit to doing it without telling you what it is that I wanted you to do, I would expect some or all of you to be suspicious and cautious before agreeing to do what I asked you to do. You can't fully trust that I know what is best for you, nor can you trust that I know you well enough to know what is best for you. My request, in some part if not all, will be selfish.
But God's requests are always fully selfish, asking us to do and be what benefits Him the most. And here's the kicker: He has eternally fused His own good with our good. Can you even wrap your head around that? I try to. By making our good line up with His good, everything He requires of us is for the good of us both. Given His perfect knowledge of us and our definite future, we can trust Him like we can trust no other. He knows what is best for us because He knows who we are (He created us) and what we need. He knows what we need to do because only He knows the path that is set before us, the path that we cannot avoid.
So we have no reason not to trust Him, except through hatred. If we don't love Him, we hate Him. That may not be true when it refers to other humans, but it is true when it refers to Jehovah God.
So the second point is similar: to know Him is to love Him. For a being of His nature and character, there is no other rational response. If you knew His goodness, if you felt His love, if you breathed in His mercy, and if you knew what it took for Him to do all of the above, then you would love Him with a fire that would make you look truly foolish in this world. You would talk of Him all day long, and you would run to your prayer room to spend time with Him. We ought to feel the deepest shame that this is not true of us. Yes, He has shown us mercy; but we have done much that ought to awaken our shame at not loving Him with our whole mind, heart, and body.
Praise God for His great mercy! He has provided a lamb, and He loves a whore of a bride.
But it will not always be so, and He knows it. His bride will one day love him with an intensity and devotion that has never been seen since the creation of the world. He Himself will recreate her and place this new thing within her.
Sorry: that's a tangent. My point is just this: God spoke to me today in my car through Charles Stanley, and He reminded me of some things that I had not paid attention to in a while.
To know Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to trust Him.
Today, however, as I stumbled onto a broadcast of Dr. Stanley, I was reminded that the Holy Spirit uses what He wants in reaching us, even Dr. Stanley.
I typed as much as I could into my phone while driving (and avoiding a wreck) because I want to share with y'all the sum of what He was saying, and it is this: If you don't trust Him, it's because you don't love Him; and if you don't love Him, it's because you don't know Him.
That is both true and extremely powerful.
If you loved Him, you would trust Him without questioning Him at all. If I asked any of y'all to do some task that required some personal sacrifice, and if I asked you to commit to doing it without telling you what it is that I wanted you to do, I would expect some or all of you to be suspicious and cautious before agreeing to do what I asked you to do. You can't fully trust that I know what is best for you, nor can you trust that I know you well enough to know what is best for you. My request, in some part if not all, will be selfish.
But God's requests are always fully selfish, asking us to do and be what benefits Him the most. And here's the kicker: He has eternally fused His own good with our good. Can you even wrap your head around that? I try to. By making our good line up with His good, everything He requires of us is for the good of us both. Given His perfect knowledge of us and our definite future, we can trust Him like we can trust no other. He knows what is best for us because He knows who we are (He created us) and what we need. He knows what we need to do because only He knows the path that is set before us, the path that we cannot avoid.
So we have no reason not to trust Him, except through hatred. If we don't love Him, we hate Him. That may not be true when it refers to other humans, but it is true when it refers to Jehovah God.
So the second point is similar: to know Him is to love Him. For a being of His nature and character, there is no other rational response. If you knew His goodness, if you felt His love, if you breathed in His mercy, and if you knew what it took for Him to do all of the above, then you would love Him with a fire that would make you look truly foolish in this world. You would talk of Him all day long, and you would run to your prayer room to spend time with Him. We ought to feel the deepest shame that this is not true of us. Yes, He has shown us mercy; but we have done much that ought to awaken our shame at not loving Him with our whole mind, heart, and body.
Praise God for His great mercy! He has provided a lamb, and He loves a whore of a bride.
But it will not always be so, and He knows it. His bride will one day love him with an intensity and devotion that has never been seen since the creation of the world. He Himself will recreate her and place this new thing within her.
Sorry: that's a tangent. My point is just this: God spoke to me today in my car through Charles Stanley, and He reminded me of some things that I had not paid attention to in a while.
To know Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to trust Him.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Hey guys
Sorry it took me a while to get onto this blog site...anyways, I hope this helps us stay in touch. For the guys who went down to Cumberland this weekend, how was it? I'm sure the fellowship was great just like on all the other ee group retreats. Alright, keep me updated with whats going on in Athens as I will update you on the Macon scene. I have found a great PCA church down here in Macon, but have only been once since I've been outta town on most weekends. All I have to do is drop Hal's name and people immediately smile and welcome me, not that they wouldnt if I didnt, but I'm just saying. It's a great church and I am looking forward to getting more into the community there. Well, I dont know how to end a blog message but here it goes...
adios
adios
Friday, September 02, 2005
I Hope You're Happy
I joined this blogger thing. It better be good or else there will be major repurcussions-(I'm not sure what they will be, but they will be dire consequences). It's good to be back in God's country (GA). I look forward to seeing yall and staying in touch through this blog. Go Dawgs.
-Rass
-Rass
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Sin Nature
What do y'all think about the looting in New Orleans? How are we as Christians supposed to explain it? Is God at fault for killing those people, for devastating the area, and for allowing the looting?
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Beyond Belief
Ancient and Almighty God, your people are desperate and hurting. We are broken and lost. The suffering is more than we can bear. We are defeated. Our hearts are devastated with sorrow; empathy for our brothers and sisters consumes us all day long. We do not know where to begin, where to go, how to help, how to love. We are humbled and humiliated by Your Might: You are God. We are mere men. In the midst of our trials, the contrast could not be clearer. We bow in awe of the Author of Creation. We are reminded of your Supremacy and our utter helplessness.
Father of Mercy, enter into the misery and hurting of a needy people. By your unmatched authority, we beg you to dispatch legions of angels to comfort those who mourn, to strengthen the rescuers. Lift the veil of cold and callous hearts that they might, for the first time ever, experience the reality of a loving God. Patiently teach your church how to love those in desperation. Grant us boldness to respond to the images of New Orleans with confident supplication before the Throne of the King; the Only Hope and Help. Wrench us free of our utterly disgusting sin of turning our heads the other way while millions suffer. We confess our inclination to pretend we can go on living our lives the same. We repent of our self-exaltation, of our singular occupation with our own comfort. Teach us how to sacrifice out of love. Humble us before your Majesty that we might be used to minister to hurting people.
We rest on You, Jesus Christ. We praise Your Name. For where else can we go? Who else can can help? What other source of Hope is there?
Father of Mercy, enter into the misery and hurting of a needy people. By your unmatched authority, we beg you to dispatch legions of angels to comfort those who mourn, to strengthen the rescuers. Lift the veil of cold and callous hearts that they might, for the first time ever, experience the reality of a loving God. Patiently teach your church how to love those in desperation. Grant us boldness to respond to the images of New Orleans with confident supplication before the Throne of the King; the Only Hope and Help. Wrench us free of our utterly disgusting sin of turning our heads the other way while millions suffer. We confess our inclination to pretend we can go on living our lives the same. We repent of our self-exaltation, of our singular occupation with our own comfort. Teach us how to sacrifice out of love. Humble us before your Majesty that we might be used to minister to hurting people.
We rest on You, Jesus Christ. We praise Your Name. For where else can we go? Who else can can help? What other source of Hope is there?
Monday, August 29, 2005
Pictures! Pictures!
If y'all want to post pictures, you'll need a free picture hosting account. You store the pictures on another server, which gives them a unique web address, and then you put that web address in your post so that Blogger will fetch that picture and show it on the blog. There is free picture hosting at www.flickr.com.
If that doesn't make sense, just send me the picture(s), and I'll post them with whatever comments you send.
Here are some that Ben sent me to start the blog with. I also changed the main picture for the EE Group Guys profile, and unfortunately, we don't have one with all the blog memebers on it. Oh well.
If that doesn't make sense, just send me the picture(s), and I'll post them with whatever comments you send.
Here are some that Ben sent me to start the blog with. I also changed the main picture for the EE Group Guys profile, and unfortunately, we don't have one with all the blog memebers on it. Oh well.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Name Dropping...
Let me set the stage for you: It's 1:59am, Bruner is in the midst of a hives breakout from eating raw cow meat a few hours earlier. I loaded him down with Benadryl and now he and I are playing the waiting game--do we go pay a visit to old Saint Marys or do we chance it and see if he makes it through the night? I thought the wisest course of action was to chance it and just check his pulse in the morning. In the meantime, though, Mr. Bruner and I sit here trying to deal with the heavy burden of naming this blogsite. Some potentials that were quickly dispensed with were: "Band of Brothers"; "The Good the Bad and the Ugly"...which, after considering our reformed background we decided to rename, "The Bad, the Ugly, and the Self-righteous". Next, we thought it might be a bit clever to try and make the title a joke...you know, one of those jokes something like..."A preacher (Brent), a lawyer (Nick and Jason), a mayor (Ben), a cowboy (Jimbo), a missionary (Tom), a banker (Rass), a prodigy (Jake), a frat guy (Tim), and a parrot head (Spiffy) walk into a bar..." But then we realized that is way too long for a title...and we realized we're not witty enough to come up with a punch line that would fit all those characters.
Long story short, we end where we began: no title for this blogsite. So, please humor us and allow your first posts to be suggestions for naming this site.
Also, suggest links that you want us to put to the right. Can't wait to see your blogs!
Ben (& Jason)
Long story short, we end where we began: no title for this blogsite. So, please humor us and allow your first posts to be suggestions for naming this site.
Also, suggest links that you want us to put to the right. Can't wait to see your blogs!
Ben (& Jason)