Calvin and Hobbes

I am a pretty big fan of Calvin and Hobbes. Growing up as a kid I always identified with Calvin Hobbes individually in different ways. And getting older, I can still read it and enjoy it because of its thoughtfulness and wit.


I enjoyed this article that speaks to a lesson learned from the comic. The article comments on how this comic can teach as about the medium and the message.

The article explains how Bill Watterson, the author, never would allow merchandise to be made, even to the point of rejecting millions of dollars. He says:

Calvin and Hobbes isn’t a gag strip. It has a punchline, but the strip is about more than that. The humor is situational, and often episodic. It relies on conversation, and the development of per­sonalities and relationships. These aren’t concerns you can wrap up neatly in a clever little saying for people to send each other or to hang up on their walls. To explore character, you need lots of time and space.

and...

I have no aversion to obscene wealth, but that’s not my motivation either. I think to license Calvin and Hobbes would ruin the most precious qualities of my strip and, once that happens, you can’t buy those qualities back.

The article goes on to relate this bit of exploitative marketing to how Christianity is marketed a lot of the time with bumper stickers and t-shirts. Keith Green once said this about the issue:

It pains me to see the beautiful truths of Scripture being plastered about like beer advertisements. Many think it is wise to “get the word out” in this way but, believe that we are really just inoculating the world with bits and pieces of truth - giving them their “gospel shots.” (And we’re making it hard for them to “catch” the real thing!) People become numb to the truth when we splash our gaudy sayings in their eyes at every opportunity. Do you really think this is “opening them up to the Gospel”? Or is it really just another way for us to get smiles, waves, and approval from others in the “born-again club” out in the supermarket parking lot, who blow their horns with glee when they see your “Honk if you love Jesus!” bumper sticker?

The article continues by saying:

It’s possible that too many ineffective Jesus reminders all over the place might have a degrading effect on our ability to read Jesus where he really is. The only way to know if that’s the case is to know our message as well as Watterson knew his. Watterson could spot a deviation from the integrity and fullness of the Calvin and Hobbes mystique in an instant. Do modern Christians have senses so well trained, or a grasp of the gospel message so acute, that we can spot such deviations?

Basically the point of the article is to point out that the medium of our message as Christians should mainly be through our lives, not simply by what we preach.

(Thanks to Justin Taylor for the link)

Bourne Ultimatum

I don't have much to say except that this movie is exceptional. You should go see it. I like Jason Bourne's character for many reasons. He exudes confidence in humility. He shows his ability to kick serious butt, while doing it almost apologetically.

It's very redemptive throughout this trilogy as he is struggling to find out who he really is. He finds out his real name in this movie. I couldn't help but reflect on my own journey of trying to find out who I really am. How my flesh is struggling to keep me in a zombie-like state, indifference to Truth. While God is telling me that I am His.

Comfort

I am addicted to comfort.

I just got back from church. I heard my pastor speak on belief vs. conviction using Stephen out of Acts. He talked about how, as he meets with people, most will say they believe in Jesus. But he asks the question, "Is that belief a conviction?" Most will then mutter different excuses, but will ultimately land on that it is not a conviction.

A conviction is something that takes over one's life. It takes over the soul and allows nothing else to stand in its way. I was wresting in my own heart this morning, wondering if my belief in Christ stops there, or is it a conviction? As I'm thinking through it, it gets harder because my pastor moves to the idea of martyrdom. It was obvious in Stephen's life that Jesus Christ was no mere belief, someone he tucked away when He wasn't convenient. He was utterly convinced that He was (and is) Lord and that He satisfies the deepest longings of the soul. He was not going to stop heralding this Truth for mere physical persecution.

So what does this have to do with comfort? Well, I live a life free from much discomfort, much less physical persecution because of my faith. I buckle under the pressure of an awkward conversation, of someone giving me a weird look. And I believe this has happened because I don't suffer enough. I live a life filled with comfort and ease. Even right now, I'm typing on my Apple computer, using wireless internet, in the comfort of a condo in Alpharetta, Georgia. Why do I need God? I have everything I need right? Why do I need to trust him for my needs, when I seemingly have everything??

The truth is, I'm thankful for the blessing of these things. But they often become an idol. And in my heart of hearts, I would give it all up if I could just experience the presence of God like that experienced by many I read about, for instance John Paton.

John Paton was a missionary to the New Hebrides in the South Pacific 150 years ago. The island was full of cannibals, and he often was in danger of being killed. This is what he wrote while being hunted one night, as he he took refuge in a tree.

Being entirely at the mercy of such doubtful and vacillating friends, I, though perplexed, felt it best to obey. I climbed into the tree and was left there alone in the bush. The hours I spent there live all before me as if it were but of yesterday. I heard the frequent discharging of muskets, and the yells of the Savages. Yet I sat there among the branches, as safe as in the arms of Jesus. Never, in all my sorrows, did my Lord draw nearer to me, and speak more soothingly in my soul, than when the moonlight flickered among those chestnut leaves, and the night air played on my throbbing brow, as I told all my heart to Jesus. Alone, yet not alone! If it be to glorify my God, I will not grudge to spend many nights alone in such a tree, to feel again my Savior's spiritual presence, to enjoy His consoling fellowship. If thus thrown back upon your own soul, alone, all alone, in the midnight, in the bush, in the very embrace of death itself, have you a Friend that will not fail you then?

Basically, I'm exhausted with comfort, but my flesh still longs for it. I want to know God more fully, and I know suffering is the main way that is going to happen. So, if your my friend, please speak truth into my life about this reality.

Thankful for community

Ecclesiastes chapter 4 talks about how two are better than one. Well...I agree. Community is a wonderful thing. This is a picture of my discipleship group. We just came back from Lake Hartwell this past weekend. It was a great time of riding waverunners, playing poker, and making up random games using a tennis ball. Things that all create great bonding time between men.

We just got done meeting together tonight. We had great conversation about where God has us right now as single men. It's great to be able to share with a group of guys beyond the superficial conversation most of us partake in throughout the day. To have a group where you can share struggles openly and bear one another's burdens is a huge blessing, and one that should be taken advantage of.

My encouragement, if you don't have a group of men or women who know you well and can speak truth lovingly into your life, is to please get one. No man is an island. Even though it's scary to be vulnerable, you will come to know God in deeper, fuller ways because of it.

Insincerity

I've been wrestling with some things lately. I don't like insincerity in my own life. I believe that Truth about life should grip one's heart. And because of that, we should desire to share with others this Truth. But what happens when you believe something to be true, but lack passion and zeal? Should you still express this Truth to others? Does that make you insincere?

I was encouraged by a brother today to continue in obedience to Truth, even when my heart isn't quite there. I know God is Truth and that His Word is Truth. I'm just not always passionate about it. But I will press on to take hold of Him who has already taken hold of me.

Also this quote from Henry Scougal's The Life of God in the Soul of Man helped me understand this recently.

...nor need we fear the imputation of hypocrisy, though our actions do thus somewhat out-run our affections, seeing they do still proceed from a sense of our duty; and our design is not to appear better than we are, but that we may really become so

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.

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.

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

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.

Blood Diamond

Last night, some friends and I went to see this movie. It started at 10:05, which is usually past my bedtime, but I went out on a limb and saw it anyway. I was not disappointed. I want to recommend this movie for a few reasons (also see Bert W blog).

For one, it was so incredibly sobering to think about how much oppression and violence is happening all over Africa. I read every so often about the situation in Sudan right now, or over in Uganda, but I never becomes very real to me. And the sort of oppression and slaughter in this movie is particularly sobering because of how the American consumeristic lifestyle that I am very much a part of is helping fuel it all. Greed plays a huge part in this movie on both sides. As more wealthy nations desire cheap diamonds, the rebels of West Africa slaughter thousands of their own people to gain power and wealth themselves by controlling the market of selling the diamonds. I came out feeling pretty disgusted with myself in how materialistic I am, and how little I do or even think about doing something to help out with the cruelty going on over there.

Another great reason to see this movie is for the beautiful story of a father (Solomon) pursuing his son who has now been corrupted. ***Spoiler alert*** The son once has ongoing fellowship with Solomon, but is soon separated from him and brainwashed by the rebels in the area. He is brainwashed to the point of not even recognizing his own father, and calling him an enemy to be killed. But Solomon's relentless pursuit of his son soon comes to fruition. Solomon, stern yet weeping, looks deep into his son's soul and says to him, "I am your father...you are my son...and I love you so much." The son's will is broken and his eyes are then able to see that it is indeed his father. Finally, reconciliation...freedom.

This was to me an incredibly moving reminder to me of how God has pursued me, even when I was his enemy. So, coming out of the theatre, I was filled with humility and thankfulness for God's undeserved gift to me, as well as shame for not caring more about the cruelty happening every day in this world.

As a pastor pointed out earlier this week, we see the opposite of love in 1 Cor. 13 is not hate, but pride. Being so consumed with self to the point of neglecting others is the essence of what it means to be unloving. I am encouraged by this movie to step outside of myself and help bring healing to this broken world.

Are you ready for Christmas?

As a bank teller, these last couple weeks I have been asked this question about 30-40 times a day. And I have yet to respond with any kind of confident answer. Frankly, I don't really know what people mean when they ask me this. I know it's a great opener to start conversation, but I'm not too big a fan of talking just to talk. I think I know what most people mean. They mean have you done all your Christmas shopping, or are you ready for the vacation days, or are you ready to get a bunch of stuff. Which, if that's really what they're asking, then no. That part of Christmas, the anxiety of shopping, of being caught up in the consumerism of America with Santa Clause and shiny new Lexuses, I really dislike.

But, if these people are asking me if I am ready to recall and celebrate the wonder of God entering the world on my behalf, then yes, I am very ready. But these last few weeks especially have been so full of the "holiday" vibe , that I have not adequately been able to do this. But to think on the thought (as Matt so skillfully pointed out this morning) that "though He was rich, yet for [our] sake He became poor, so that [we] by His poverty might become rich," is so liberating. It liberates me from being unloving, prideful, angry, jealous, bitter, despairing, and self-centered. All of which have filled the space these last few weeks where I haven't been blown away by the mystery of the gospel, God's loving me and choosing of me to be a co-heir with Christ as His son when I have done everything to prove that I deserve the complete opposite.

This Christmas, I pray that my and your heart would beat with the hymn "O come. O come Emmanuel" as we mourn in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears again.

Also, consider this Puritan prayer written 3 centuries ago to better understand what the incarnation means for us:

Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
cast off that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell's worst that I might attain heaven's best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
athirst that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inheirt glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light

- "Valley of Vision", Love Lustres at Calvary

Admiration

"We are not made happy by what we acquire, but by what we appreciate."

I heard this statement earlier this week while listening to a podcast. That's profound isn't it? It seems like such a backwards statement, especially living here in the US, but I believe it's right on. Now the question is, what object of appreciation should satisfy us the most? Well...

I went to see a man by the name of Ravi Zacharias speak this morning at a local church. He spoke on this idea of worship. He talked about how there is a huge problem of boredom these days, especially among the younger generation. We all try to fill up our schedules with distraction after distraction. The problem isn't with our planners, but with our hearts. If our hearts aren't admiring the one being that we were meant to worship, namely Jesus Christ, then everything else ends up being empty.

But, my heart is an idol factory. If I don't spend time appreciating who Christ is, I find I easily move to anything else in my path.

Worldview

In reviewing a book I read recently, "How should we then live?" by Francis Schaeffer, I was reminded again on how important it is to understand the worldview that each and every one of us have. Living in America, we are shaped constantly by the idea that man is the center and that there is no absolute truth that give a foundation for the way we live. This book starts in Ancient Rome and travels to today's postmodern era. He points out how the philosophy held by the people of the time ended up spilling over into the arts (music, literature, and paintings), but most importantly into their own actions. Most people today don't consider how much their own beliefs really shape their life, so they do very little to try and align these beliefs with Truth. John Mayer makes a great statement that "everyone believes, from emptiness to everything." I want to live in such a way that reflects a deeply rooted in the Truth revealed in the Bible. Schaeffer points out that "as Christians we are not only to know the right worldview, the worldview that tells us the truth of what is, but consciously to act upon that worldview so as to influence society in all its parts and facets across the whole spectrum of life." But what does that look like? Please post your thoughts.

Joyful Tranquility

It's fearfully taking steps forward and knowing He has me in His care. It's enjoying friendship and conversation and being overwhelmed that He would grant me the grace to have such relationships. It's being blown away by mercies undeserved. It's Him causing fruit to grow, when I mostly feel like a useless dried up tree. It's seeing Him use this empty vessel in ways I could never imagine. It's being able to forsake self-centeredness and seeking approval, so to be free to truly love others as I am loved. It's seeing Christ as the great mediator, the loving Savior, the mighty King. It's enjoying and worshipping God in and through everything. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory.

Worship

I listened to a sermon two days ago on 1 Peter 1:3-5. In hearing that God caused me to be born again and that He will keep me a Christian made me truly in awe of God's grace. The story was told when Jesus tells Peter that Satan demanded to have him in order that he might sift Peter like wheat (hoping to destroy his faith). But Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for him, so that his faith would not fail. And He tells Peter WHEN he has turned again to strengthen his brethren.

As I was driving and listening to all of this, it hit me. I am in the same position as Peter. On my own strength I will deny my Lord over and over again. But because Jesus is my great Intercessor, I will stay a Christian. Also, I began praising God for even having mercy upon me in the first place to make me believe. If He had not in His sovereign, electing mercy changed me will, I would surely have continued on the road to destruction. Oh how these truths produced a humbling joy in me that day (and continually), and a longing for others to know this gracious God.

Future Events

I'm heading out Thursday to Minneapolis to attend the Desiring God Conference. Activities include a Q & A time with John Piper, great messages by Piper, Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, and others, coveting hundreds of great books in their massive bookstore, and spending some quality time with some good friends. Here's a pic from last year's conference.

Also, I found out yesterday that I'll be going to London with Tom Mullis a week from today until that next Sunday. So many cool things came together for that to happen and I am pretty pumped to say the least. I don't know much of what we'll be doing, but I know it involves hooking up with a church over there and getting to know the Muslim culture over there. In fact, when my work told my I'd be able to go yesterday, the rest of my day was significantly altered. In view of my trip I couldn't help just smiling the rest of the day, serving my coworkers better, encouraging them more, and overall working harder.

And then it hit me. There is one other future event that should cause me to live every day of my life that way, namely my eternal inheritance of perfect fellowship with God in heaven. But I often forget about this one. I often complain, often have a sour attitude and disposition, often am slow to help and encourage others. In light of my imperishable, undefiled, and unfading future inheritance, I should be to face any and all setbacks and hardships with joy knowing they are all light and momentary afflictions. Didn't Christ do the same for me?

What do we deserve?

Last Friday, at the bank that I work at, there was a very upset person who was trying to cash a check. She was upset becuase we as employees were following procedure by making sure the check wasn't fraudulant. And the funny thing was, she wasn't a customer at our bank. (For those of you who don't know, banks are not obligated to cash checks for non-customers). So, she eventually comes storming in and complains to every one of my superiors that she was treated like a criminal because we didn't cash the check immediately.

All that to set up the point of this post. I began thinking...wow, she really has such a deserving mentality. She comes into a bank that she does not even bank with and demands that her thoughts are heard by others. She demands respect. She demands an audience. She demands change in policy. She demands that we have to cash her check. It really is upsetting to me that most Americans have this mentality that somehow because we are born, we have a right to certain things. People think they deserve their nice houses, nice cars, good jobs, and a healthy, fun, care-free life. WHY?!? Because our society teaches us this idea. But it is certainly a flawed, and destructive way of thinking.

So after much outward critique, I moved inward as I felt convictions rising to the surface reminding me of all the things that I also think I deserve. Don't I my friends and family? Don't I deserve money to be able to buy things? Don't I deserve at least to be able to drink clean water? To breathe? The answer is NO. Everything in this life is undeserved grace given from above, from the Father of lights...God. We only deserve death. That's it. We rebel against and reject the God who made us. We despise the God who sustains our very life. We ignore HIm. But yet He continues to show us favor.

How much sweeter the gospel becomes when we actually get to the place of seeing how desperately undeserving we are of God giving us eternal life with Him. I did not have one ounce of goodness in me. I was dead. God made me alive. Let's help each other with this marvelous Truth, and thus give God His due glory.