The Office

I didn't get to see last week's show, but I did find this clip. Stinkin' hilarious.

Robinsone Crusoe

Tuesday marked the 288th anniversary of the first English novel, Robinson Crusoe to be published. I was able to read it a couple of weeks ago and I really enjoyed it. Even though I haven't been stranded on a desert island recently, I do feel like I identify with Mr. Crusoe sometimes.

He begins his time on the island without much hope and in much distress. The major theme of the book, though, is how he wrestles with God. He begins his time on the island wondering why God would have put him there. It's a very hard struggle and he basically rejects all thoughts of God. At one point he says this:

God had appointed all this to befall me...[and] I was brought to this miserable circumstance by His direction, He having the sole power, not of me only, but of everything that happened in the world.

Over time he continues to survive and have all of his basic needs met. Toward the end of the book, after 15 years or so on the island, he is praising God for His sovereignty and supplying for His needs.

God...comfortably provided for me in my desolate condition. I learned here again to observe that it is very rare that the providence of God casts us into any condition of life so low, or any misery so great, but we may see something or other to by thankful for; and may see others in worse circumstances than our own.

Also, throughout all this, he ends up befriending a native of the island, who he names Friday. In reflecting on this situation, he speaks quite well to those who wonder about others in remote parts of the world, who have never heard the gospel. He says:

Why has it pleased God to hide the like saving knowledge from so many millions of souls, who would make better use of it than we did?

From hence I sometimes was led too far to invade the sovereignty of Providence and, as it were, arraign the justice of so arbitrary a disposition of things that should hide that light from some and reveal it to others, and yet expect a like duty from both. But I shut it up an checked my thoughts with this conclusion, first, that we did not know by what light and law these should be condemned; but that, as God was necessarily, and by the nature of His being, infinitely holy and just, so it could not be but that if these creatures were all sentenced to absence from Himself, it was on account of sinning against that light which, as the Scripture says, was a law to themselves, and by such rules as their consciences would acknowledge to be just, thought the foundation was not discovered to us. And secondly, that still, as we are all the clay in the hand of the Potter, no vessel could say to Him, 'Why hast Thou formed me thus?

In conclusion, I'm challenged by his reverence for God in the hard circumstances as well as his determination to let the Word speak truth to him, despite what his emotions might lead him to believe. It's a good one, I recommend it.

Naples

I'm digging work right now. The bank sent me down to Naples, Florida for the week to help out a bank going through a conversion. Since the branch I am at is so slow, I've spent a lot of time on the internet. Mainly looking up random info on Wikipedia, as well as putting thoughts on Arnold's blog. It's a pretty interesting conversation about perseverance of the saints. So, I've really wrestled with thinking biblically there, because the guy I am conversing with is a pretty smart guy, and is Catholic. Through it all, I've also come to remember, though we differ in many doctrinal issues, we are still brothers in Christ. And that's comforting knowing that we don't have to have it ALL right. Of course, that begs the question, "What DO you have to have right?" Any thoughts?

I'll leave you with a picture from a couple of hours ago.

Impacting Today's Culture

I recently relistened to a sermon I heard at last year's DG conference. The Supremacy of Christ and the Gospel in the Postmodern World was given by Tim Keller. It's probably one of the best sermons I've heard on how the church is to interact with today's postmodern culture. I highly recommend it. Here's a summary paragraph from the talk provided by Tim Challies.

"The postmodern world presents a crisis to us. The Western world is now a mission field, but a post-Christian mission field. In some ways our culture is inoculated against Christianity just as the body becomes inoculated against disease so that we can say Western culture has a distorted memory of Christianity. What won't work anymore, by and large, is a campaign, a program, or a gospel presentation. Before now, people knew about Jesus but needed to be told they needed a personal Savior. They were told that they needed to be told to do what they already knew. They had, in many ways, Christians minds but not Christian hearts."

On my knees

My friend Matt spoke this morning at the gathering. One of the things he talked about was our Friday nights. We all pencil in our plans waiting for something "better." And we do that with God.

Tonight, I had many plans to do my Sabbath thing: read, pray, etc. But, I often got distracted with random other things. Going up the stairs several minutes ago, my foot caught the last step and I tripped. I ended up on my knees, and I realized I hadn't been there all day. So, I paused...and met God there. It was good.

After whispering queitly for a while, He might just physically get our attention. I'm glad He's powerful enough to do it.

80s party

Friday night we had a rad 80s theme birthday party for a friend named Kara. Here's a few pics

I thought Dan (far left) had the best costume of the night. He carried that fake cigarette and guitar with him everywhere

The Lescher's (middle) provided the house. And Kara (right) was the BD girl herself with some great hair crimps.

Here's a great shot of the 'Members only' crew. I seriously had about five different people offer me money for this jacket throughout the night. Sorry guys, you're just not cool enough to be a part of the crew.



Here's a great pic of my sister and I. She of course is sporting the heavy eye makeup and side ponytail. And on top of the 'Members only' jacket,' I've got a pair of jean shorts on that are illegal in most states (except of course Florida).




Tennis anyone?

It is Finished

Hark, the voice of love and mercy,
Sound aloud from Calvary!
See, it rends the rocks asunder,
Shakes the earth and veils the sky!
"It is finished, It is finished,"
Hear the dying Savior cry.

"It is finished," O what pleasure,
So these charming words afford.
Heavenly blessings, without measure,
Flow to us from Christ the Lord.
"It is finished, it is finished,"
Saints the dying words record.

Finished all the types and shadows,
Of the ceremonial law;
Finished all that God had promised;
Death and hell no more shall awe.
"It is finished, it is finished,"
Saints from hence your comfort draw.

Tune your harps anew, ye seraphs;
join to sing the pleasing theme;
Saints on earth and all in heaven,
Join to praise Immanuel's name.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Glory to the bleeding lamb!

Red Mountain Music - It is Finished

Naked...before God

When any man comes into the presence of God he will find, whether he wishes it or not, that all those things which seemed to make him so different from the men of other times, or even from his earlier self, have fallen off him...In the twinkling of an eye, in a time too small to be measured, and in any place, all that seems to divide us from God can flee away, vanish leaving us naked before Him, like the first man, like the only man, as if nothing but He and I existed. And since that contact cannot be avoided for long, and since it means either bliss or horror, the business of life is to learn to like it. That is the first and great commandment.

- C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock

We load upon ourselves many things to help us feel less insecure. We connect with people who have the same taste in music, movies, etc. We feel safe knowing other people like the same things we like. Not that this a bad thing, but it becomes dangerous as we mistake them for who we really are.

All of us live a sort of dualistic life. We have the "me" that everyone sees and then the "me" that only God sees (with some overlap in between). We try so hard to clean ourselves up on the outside, when our souls remain tainted and undelt with.

It's very hard to like that fact that God will see, and sees now, who I REALLY am. I can never put on a show for Him. But I do long to enjoy being real before Him and to help others like it too.

Mute Math and such

Last night, Roy and I went to see a band called Mute Math. The show was absolutely incredible. Their energy and unique sound made for a fun show. And their thoughtful lyrics come as a refreshment in the sea of superficiality found with most bands these days.

One of the songs, "Control," really has some truthful lyrics.

Take control of the atmosphere
Take control of the atmosphere
Take me far away from here
There is no better loss than to lose myself in you

Take control of the atmosphere
Take control of the atmosphere
You can take my world you can fill the air
Take control, take control

It's such a beautiful surrender

This show came on the heels of several days of really being grateful to God for His divine sovereignty. I've been so thankful recently for family, friends, community, my church, my job, my health, beautiful weather, and most of all...my being redeemed. In this song, I am able to declare that God is already holding all things together. And what a beautiful surrender it is to give up all my striving, to just trust He knows what He's doing.

Understanding that God is orchestrating all things to further glorify Himself is really amazing. And understanding that, in the process, He chose to open my blind eyes to His loveliness is even more amazing. So why does He choose Christians to be saved? Check this out from Dueteronomy 6:

"The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession...not because you were more in number that any other people..BUT BECAUSE THE LORD LOVES YOU and is keeping [His oath]"

Amazing! The LORD loves us because He loves us. I'm glad the salvation of my soul rests in the One who is forever faithful, rather than on myself who is severely messed up.

And finally, I can't resist leaving you with a few lines from another Mute Math song called "Progress."

Every moment of time’s just an answer to find
What you’re here for, what you breathe for
What you wake for, what you bleed for

St. Patrick

So, we just finished the weekend of celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Why does he have a day? Click here for a great summary.

...what irony.

My life lately

Two weeks ago now, my good buddy Evan McHugh had a CD release party at Eddie's Attic that was off the chain (I think that's good). There was a near sell out crowd for he and another good friend Garrett Moore, who opened up for him. Also, pictured with Evan to the left, Nicholas Alan performed on a song. All of these guys have or are finishing up great albums and all have great potential to have an impact in the music industry. I'm thankful to have known these guys, and to know I'll get to see them as they go furthur down the road musically.

Speaking of Nick, we celebrated his 26th birthday last Friday. He's the one who has the big furball on his head. And you might notice, all three of us have old sport jackets on. We actually were going out after the party to read parts for the new Miami Vice movie. They decided to cut us because we looked too GOOD. Wow...that was wierd...moving on.

I've been very encouraged as of late in thinking about prayer. It's a really wierd thing that the Sovereign Creator God of the Universe desires to have this communication with me, and you. That I can somehow take part in the great work that He is already doing here is quite an incredible thought. He's in the business of spreading His kingdom and His glory, and I have the privilege of taking hold of Him to do it.

I love the whole book of Hebrews as it expounds upon the idea that Jesus Christ is our great high priest who is constantly interceding for us. We no longer have to go through anyone to speak to God. Because of Christ's sacrifice we can now come boldly to the throne of grace in our time of NEED. When we feel like crap, He hears our cry and answers us. So, we get constant interaction with the God who is orchestrating the redemption of the world, and He's gets the glory from our asking. I think that's a pretty good deal.

I'll leave you with a picture and a thought. Below is my friend Bailey who is at L'Abri in Switzerland. This is just some cool lookin' lake. Basically, I'm jealous of him. And here's a quote from John Bunyan that is really simple, yet very profound. Muse over it and be thankful.

"Run John run", the law demands;
And gives us neither feet nor hands.
Far better news the gospel brings:
It bids us fly, and gives us wings.

Sermon Jams

I thought I'd post about my very recent infatuation with this site, Relevant Revolution. It's such a fresh way to hear the Word preached.

Check out Ravi Zacharias here

And of course Piper rocks it out here

The Secret

Some of you have seen this, and even made me aware of it (thanks Prusa), but for everyone else, "The Secret" is a book right now that is #1 on the NYT bestseller list. The author has been fully endorsed by Oprah and obviously hundreds of thousands of people are buying into it as well. Here are a few quotes:

"Your thoughts are the primary cause of everything."

"This is The Secret to everything—the secret to unlimited joy, health, money, relationships, love, youth: everything you have ever wanted."

And finally, a thought that really makes me disgusted. (Remember "You"=each one of us)

The earth turns on its orbit for You. The oceans ebb and flow for You. The birds sing for You. The sun rises and it sets for You. The stars come out for You. Every beautiful thing you see, every wondrous thing you experience, is all there for You. Take a look around. None of it can exist, without You. No matter who you thought you were, now you know the Truth of Who You Really Are. You are the master of the Universe. You are the heir to the kingdom. You are the perfection of Life. And now you know The Secret

Unbelievable

Check out a great counter review here.

Eddie's Attic

Everyone in the Atlanta area should drop all their plans for Wednesday and go to Eddie's Attic. Evan McHugh will be releasing his new CD and Garrett Moore will be opening up. These are two great friends of mine and are both excellent musicians. Doors open at 6ish and Garrett should start promptly at 8. So tape American Idol and go enjoy a real show.

O Canada

Well, I'm back from a week long skiing adventure in Whistler, Canada. For the most part it was a great trip. The first day of skiing was a little rough as it rained most of the day, sleeted and hailed some in the afternoon, and gusted 50 mph winds at the end of the day. But the conditions got better the next few days, like skiing in knee deep powder...oh so good.
Along with my gracious family, I went with my buddy Zach who is working right now with a ministry in Branson, Missouri called Doulos. We had a fun time talking to a lot of the locals there. "No worries" is a common expression when you are saying goodbye. Also, saying "right" after every sentence is also very popular.

I think for me, these trips to the tops of the peaks make me appreciate more than most other places the beauty of creation. These massive rocks covered in snow seem to point out a small fraction of how beautiful and mighty our Creator is.

"For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth--the LORD, the God of hosts, is his name!" - Amos 4:13

Anna Nicole

Here's a great reflection on the life and death of the late Anna Nicole Smith. It's a great reminder to me of how deceived we can become into thinking the great American dream will lead to any kind of happiness.

"The fact is that I am not better than Anna Nicole or the men who she stripped for, save the grace of God. What I most desperately needed was forgiveness of sin, for I am all the more a worm, wretched and blind, rotten and wicked. Yet, having become a debtor to mercy and a child of God, it is my privilege to go to the Anna Nicole’s with the love of Christ and say, “Go and sin no more.” It is my lifelong calling to call sinners to repentance who long to be like the Marilyn Monroe’s to long to be like Christ. It is my earnest prayer that, whether in life or in death, Jesus Christ would be on display, that words would be spoken of Him and His great salvation, and that all would be gain because I have treasured Him."

Savannah

Good times in Savannah this weekend




We also had a special visit by Mr. James Oglethorpe

Roddick

If you haven't seen Roddick's interview after he lost to Federer a few days ago, it's well worth your time. Click here

Allen's wedding

Congrats to Allen and Rachel! Allen is a good friend who I met as my youth pastor the last two years of high school.

From Winter

My sister, Kara, and I

From Winter

my good buddy Justin and his cool wife Andrea

From Winter

Abortion

The following video (from Justin Taylor's blog) is quite sobering. I urge everyone to watch it, but know that it is very graphic and disturbing. It's good to get a reality check sometimes to understand how horrific abortion really is.