Life is always busy in the winter months and so I will try to keep the writing light in words and in depth.
Below are a list of books that I am currently reading. I share this with you for a couple of reasons: 1. to share a little of who I am. 2. as a request for you to share a little of who you are by listing the books that you are currently reading. I will write later this week and list the top 5 books that I have read.
Don Quixote
by Miguel de Cervantes
translated by Burton Raffel
Notes: Okay I've been reading this book for over a year now and am about 1/2 way through. I'm hoping it will pay off in the end, but have my doubts.
The Adolescent
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky
Notes: I am about 2/3 the way through this book. Even though it is not the most exciting book, Dostoevsky is always good. I am always in awe of his grasp on mankind and how he can take the darkest characters and some how relate them to me (or vise versa).
Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince (Book 6)
by J.K. Rawlings
Notes: I only have 70 pages left and should have it finished by this weekend. This is the book that I most often hide when in public. But it has been a welcome rest from the recent heavy work load, which I like to refer to as duty. Thank you Jared, Matt and Chris for sucking me into the Potter vacuum.
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
by Donald Miller
Notes: I am on chapter 3 and will only be reading two to three chapters a month. I actually read chapter 2 today. Thus far I can say that I like this Donald Miller guy. He seems genuine and speaks in a quirky, yet picturesque way that speaks directly to my heart. I find it easy to relate to him and cannot wait to read the next chapter.
The Sacred Romance: Drawing Close to the Heart of God
by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge
Notes: I am on chapter 5 and, again, will only be reading two to three chapters a month. Thus far I have had a difficult time relating to this book, and so I hope to learn.
Invading Secular Space: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church
by Martin Robinson
Notes: I am about 2/3 through this book. It is a technical read with church history.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Transient Motivations
Well I have, once again, missed the mark to another well placed goal. After starting this blog, I was determined to make an entry once per week. But it has now, sadly, been over a month since my last entry. I do not know what stirs one's heart to create goals at one point in time, but it must be human nature that allows one to break goals at another point in time. Wonderful motivations and visions continue to be transient when measured by one's acts that follow.
On a side note:
I have started using my wife's deodorant. It's called "Simply Basic" or something to that effect, it is a light green color, and is the fragrant melon something. Very nice, I like it. Has anyone else experienced a deodorant of this caliber?
On a side note:
I have started using my wife's deodorant. It's called "Simply Basic" or something to that effect, it is a light green color, and is the fragrant melon something. Very nice, I like it. Has anyone else experienced a deodorant of this caliber?
Saturday, November 11, 2006
One Third?
The chart above shows a breakdown of all the religions in the world. This chart often bothers me. Okay, not this exact chart, but a similar chart that resides in my mind. There have been times that I have traveled to China (work related) and have often found myself sitting in a taxi sometimes traveling to or through Shanghai, Beijing, or Tianjin. As I look out of the taxi's window through China’s haze of smog, I am most greatly struck with China’s unmatched massive population (although, I think India is a close second). People are everywhere: walking, driving cars, riding bikes, etc. I have also met various individuals in China and have made good lasting friendships. These friendships have mitigated my original thoughts created by China’s massive population, and have built in them a foundation laid with family values, kindness, and love.These two thoughts (population and friendship) rightly tug at my Christian beliefs and can propagate faithlessness in God. Jesus said in John 14:26, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” How can the god of the bible be JUST when over one billion people in China do not profess Jesus’ name? People that are just as loving/unloving as Americans. I find this to be the greatest obstacle to believing in the claims of Jesus.
I have recently listened again to the 1997, Top Five Questions from University of Iowa Students by William Lane Craig with Ravi Zacharias. This is an 89 minute broadcast that I have heard more than a couple of times. I am very drawn to what William Lane Craig says in the last few minutes of the broadcast (1:25:40 to the end). He first points to a strange possibility that relates to one of his favorite topics, middle knowledge, but he then speaks of specific evidence given to each person and the responsibility of their choices which they make regarding this specific evidence. I like William Lane Craig’s latter remark, but I still struggle with the loose ends, and there will always be loose ends.
It seems to me that faith must always be greater than the answers. I can hear the answers and feel better, but given time, I will be right back where I started, doubting the evidence and asking difficult questions.
Concerning the one billion plus non-proclaiming Christians in China: I find I must have faith that God’s thoughts are far above ours and that his loving kindness and grace will always far exceed ours; that God's grace will even cover over those not introduced to the bible. And I will continually hope that his grace will cover the sin of all.
Therefore it is hope in the character of Jesus (who he was on earth) that gives me hope while traveling in a taxi somewhere half way around the world.
Romans 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned (A)through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will (B)reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Monday, November 06, 2006
When is it enough?
This is a question that has been asked at many different times in many different ways by many different cultures with many different expected answers, and has been answered in many different ways. I find it interesting how often this question is asked and how often the “right” answer is understood, but not followed.
I will give a few examples:
Do I make enough?
Do I have enough?
These are questions where the answers may be understood as yes, but we continually desire more and then work to fulfill our desires. Now I realize I am not selling anything new here, and therefore will move on (I’ve said enough).
I remember, back when my wife and I lived in Tulsa, a man that occasionally knocked on our door. He would first ask for money, to which we would ask if there were other ways that we could help. He was quick with his answer and I found myself in the car driving him to Burger King for a Whopper, fries, and a Coke (no water for him as he was schizophrenic and worried about the government control over water). He would stop by in the winter for a new coat and then again for another Whopper run. This went on for about nine months before my wife and I moved to the Chicago area. My wife and I were confronted with a reasonable question: How much is enough?
When does one tell a needy person, no more? Is there a limit? Do we gauge how capable he or she is, and then decide? Do we create weekly evaluations and give based on their performance?
I suggest we GIVE. I suggest we give until we feel we are being taken advantage of, and then continue to give. I suggest we give more than a Whopper, fries and a Coke. I suggest we give until we are no longer capable of giving. I suggest we give until we realize that they are our brothers and sisters whom we love and to whom we freely give.
Although this is contrary to my first inclination, to capitalism, and to society in general and specific, this is how I ought to be in order to understand true love.
I am nowhere close to where I want to be. I find that when I take a small step in the “right” direction, I am immediately confronted with the larger steps in the “right” direction that were not taken. But I will not give up the pursuit of this reachable ideal.
I will give a few examples:
Do I make enough?
Do I have enough?
These are questions where the answers may be understood as yes, but we continually desire more and then work to fulfill our desires. Now I realize I am not selling anything new here, and therefore will move on (I’ve said enough).
I remember, back when my wife and I lived in Tulsa, a man that occasionally knocked on our door. He would first ask for money, to which we would ask if there were other ways that we could help. He was quick with his answer and I found myself in the car driving him to Burger King for a Whopper, fries, and a Coke (no water for him as he was schizophrenic and worried about the government control over water). He would stop by in the winter for a new coat and then again for another Whopper run. This went on for about nine months before my wife and I moved to the Chicago area. My wife and I were confronted with a reasonable question: How much is enough?
When does one tell a needy person, no more? Is there a limit? Do we gauge how capable he or she is, and then decide? Do we create weekly evaluations and give based on their performance?
I suggest we GIVE. I suggest we give until we feel we are being taken advantage of, and then continue to give. I suggest we give more than a Whopper, fries and a Coke. I suggest we give until we are no longer capable of giving. I suggest we give until we realize that they are our brothers and sisters whom we love and to whom we freely give.
Although this is contrary to my first inclination, to capitalism, and to society in general and specific, this is how I ought to be in order to understand true love.
I am nowhere close to where I want to be. I find that when I take a small step in the “right” direction, I am immediately confronted with the larger steps in the “right” direction that were not taken. But I will not give up the pursuit of this reachable ideal.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Breathe
When I hear the word “breathe” my mind immediately conjures up a variety of images; the subtle and innocent sounds of a new born baby softly breathing as she sleeps in her mother’s arms, a runner sucking air as he gives it all he’s got, a child as she cries while hyperventilating and struggling to settle down, or even the necessary yet natural involuntary act of just breathing. But the image I am most drawn to is that of the overworked, weary, and bedraggled person taking a deep breath and then letting it all out with that long overdue exhale. This understanding of “breathe” takes me away from the hustle and bustle, the worries, the time commitments, and everything else in competition with “breathe”. It places me on Corona’s white sandy beach where staring through a clear beer bottle into the aqua blue ocean wins the competition for my time.
I find it interesting how closely these images can follow the pattern of our daily lives: innocent and child like, working passionately, frustrated with anxiety and fear, or even the necessary yet redundant tasks each day requires. Take all of this, push it out of your mind, take a deep breath, let it all out and “breathe”.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I find it interesting how closely these images can follow the pattern of our daily lives: innocent and child like, working passionately, frustrated with anxiety and fear, or even the necessary yet redundant tasks each day requires. Take all of this, push it out of your mind, take a deep breath, let it all out and “breathe”.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Mankind
Words without action are empty:
(I will leave the topic of: "Actions without thought are dangerous" to The Sadness of Sophistication)
I am presently going through a time of rediscovering this truth and how pervasive it is in American society. It seems in EVERY aspect of our lives we are being confronted by this principle. Is it really a principle? I was recently reminded of this while in discussion with a group of friends about certain confidential issues. I most easily and immediately noticed the grace and good motives of all in the discussion, but I left with a sinking feeling. Some ideals are wonderful. In fact, I become light, happy and nearly giddy when I see solutions with potential for greatness, but words will always remain static without persistent and disciplined action.
It is interesting how the geniuses behind action work in order to achieve action from others. I smiled as I watched clips from a recent Oprah show (I know). It was Bono, Oprah, and Kanye West pitching the new "Project (RED)" fighting AIDS in Africa campaign. Kanye points out that he bought his Motorola Cell phone because he thought it was a cool looking phone, and then he realized that it supported the fight against Aids. He really does have a servant's heart. Well I suppose we can never know for sure, but is consumerism the only way that our society knows how to serve? I understand we can tithe/give to our local churches and feel we have done our part. Or give a ten spot to the homeless man holding a cup half full while begging near the John Hancock. But do we care enough to give our time and money regularly to those in need (individuals with faces). Do we suffer for our fellow man?
Allow me to generalize and say that: I believe our society gives impersonally to organizations and gives just enough to achieve a checkmark or at least achieve the joy of ignorance.
THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV (Book Five, Chapter 4 - Rebellion)
"I must make an admission," Ivan began. "I never could understand how it's possible to love one's neighbors. In my opinion, it is precisely on's neighbors that one cannot possibly love. Perhaps if they weren't so nigh . . . I read sometime, somewhere about 'John the Merciful' (some saint) that when a hungry and frozen passerby came to him and asked to be made warm, he lay down with him in bed, embraced him, and began breathing into his mouth, which was foul and festering with some terrible disease. I'm convinced that he did it with the strain of a lie, out of love enforced by duty, one of self imposed penance. If we're to come to love a man, the man himself should stay hidden, because as soon as he shows his face--love vanishes."
"The elder Zosima has spoken of that more than once," Alyosha remarked. "He also says that a man's face often prevents many people, who are as yet inexperienced in love, from loving him. But there is still much love in mankind, almost like Christ's love, I know that, Ivan . . ."
"Well, I don't know it yet, and I cannot understand it, nor can a numberless multitude of other people along with me. The question is whether this comes from bad qualities in people, or is inherent in their nature."
(I will leave the topic of: "Actions without thought are dangerous" to The Sadness of Sophistication)
I am presently going through a time of rediscovering this truth and how pervasive it is in American society. It seems in EVERY aspect of our lives we are being confronted by this principle. Is it really a principle? I was recently reminded of this while in discussion with a group of friends about certain confidential issues. I most easily and immediately noticed the grace and good motives of all in the discussion, but I left with a sinking feeling. Some ideals are wonderful. In fact, I become light, happy and nearly giddy when I see solutions with potential for greatness, but words will always remain static without persistent and disciplined action.
It is interesting how the geniuses behind action work in order to achieve action from others. I smiled as I watched clips from a recent Oprah show (I know). It was Bono, Oprah, and Kanye West pitching the new "Project (RED)" fighting AIDS in Africa campaign. Kanye points out that he bought his Motorola Cell phone because he thought it was a cool looking phone, and then he realized that it supported the fight against Aids. He really does have a servant's heart. Well I suppose we can never know for sure, but is consumerism the only way that our society knows how to serve? I understand we can tithe/give to our local churches and feel we have done our part. Or give a ten spot to the homeless man holding a cup half full while begging near the John Hancock. But do we care enough to give our time and money regularly to those in need (individuals with faces). Do we suffer for our fellow man?
Allow me to generalize and say that: I believe our society gives impersonally to organizations and gives just enough to achieve a checkmark or at least achieve the joy of ignorance.
THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV (Book Five, Chapter 4 - Rebellion)
"I must make an admission," Ivan began. "I never could understand how it's possible to love one's neighbors. In my opinion, it is precisely on's neighbors that one cannot possibly love. Perhaps if they weren't so nigh . . . I read sometime, somewhere about 'John the Merciful' (some saint) that when a hungry and frozen passerby came to him and asked to be made warm, he lay down with him in bed, embraced him, and began breathing into his mouth, which was foul and festering with some terrible disease. I'm convinced that he did it with the strain of a lie, out of love enforced by duty, one of self imposed penance. If we're to come to love a man, the man himself should stay hidden, because as soon as he shows his face--love vanishes."
"The elder Zosima has spoken of that more than once," Alyosha remarked. "He also says that a man's face often prevents many people, who are as yet inexperienced in love, from loving him. But there is still much love in mankind, almost like Christ's love, I know that, Ivan . . ."
"Well, I don't know it yet, and I cannot understand it, nor can a numberless multitude of other people along with me. The question is whether this comes from bad qualities in people, or is inherent in their nature."
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