Where's My Green Grass?

This book looks interesting and will be released by CrossWay at the end of the month. The author is addressing the "if only" notion that we tend to audibly and/or tacitly say to ourselves when we desire something. My life, up to this point, has consisted of many "if only" moments, desiring both good and bad things, both leading to utter disappointment in some way, shape, or form. I don't agree with Buddhism that desire is bad and you should get rid of it, but if we have experienced the rebirth of the Holy Spirit then everything falls in place after we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We have salvation, that which is paramount, but if we desire the things God gives over-against God Himself, we find every time that the grass we yearn to lay on isn't so green after all.

Atychiphobia

You're probably wondering this means, right? It's the fear of failure. I'm far from being a scientific expert as to what causes this, whether it be neurotransmitters or some similar chemical malfunction in the brain, but the fear of failure can be minute or catastrophic. It could push someone to do better, or to quit. This isn't going to be an exposition of any portion of Scripture, as my posts most commonly are; rather, this is going to be an honest inward reflection of what really causes me to be anxious when considering present/future things.

"Philosopher in Meditation"

This painting by Rembrandt portrays me in an honest, deep way. I think a lot. Whether I'm reading a book, working, driving, sitting in church, etc. it's more than likely visible that I'm meditating on something. What am I thinking about? Well, it varies with the moment: life, God and His Word, future, girlfriend, work, failures, some undesired past event--I could go on. From time to time, dwelling on the uncertainty knocks me off my equilibrium: "What's going to happen next?" Also, "I've begun this path; what if a dead-end awaits?" I've found myself staring at this photo time and time again, seeing my reflection in how I can hang my head low and be lost in thought.

The Authority of Jesus - How Do You Respond?

All of us have authoritative figures above us, ranging from parents, bosses, police, tax agents, etc. Each draws a different type of reaction, but they all call for obedience in some way, shape, or form: you must pay your taxes, perform your tasks at work, follow laws and ordinances. And when we knowingly stray and an authority figure is nearby, we cringe and try to hide as if everything is fine. A vivid example would be getting pulled over by local law enforcement after getting caught in a speed trap; your stomach drops and fear has brought a chill down your spine. Yet, this fear of authority does not cause us to stop disobeying what we know is right, regardless of whether or not we are caught. Jesus in his earthly ministry manifested authority over numerous realms, especially the forgiveness of sins.

Read along with me from Matthew 7:28-9:13 as I expound on 1) Authority Acknowledged, 2) Authority Manifested, 3) Authority Affirmed, and 4) Authority Despised.

Managing Well

Since June of this year, I have been supervising with my office cleaning company: during the summer I was working with a team that moved furniture, various detailed cleaning, and some stripping & waxing floors. In August I was given a position as Site Supervisor over JCB, a tractor-producing company whose headquarters for North America abides near Savannah's airport. Looking back to June, I've gone through many things that tested my ability to lead; I've continued to ask myself this question daily: Am I being trustworthy of the job and resources that my boss has granted me?

In Luke 16, in the presence of the Pharisees, scribes, and the disciples, Jesus gives the parable of the dishonest manager. This comes after chapter 15 (didn't take a seminary degree to figure that one), where the Pharisees and scribes were grumbling because Jesus was receiving and eating with sinners. Jesus, in turn, gave them three parables: a) lost sheep, b) lost coin, and the c) lost son. These were aimed directly at the Pharisees and scribes, explaining that beauty is in the eye of the beholders (shepherd, woman, father), and they gave value on what they possessed--so also, who the Father extends compassion to, is not based on any self-worth in an individual or by their own merits.

Finding the Savior in Lamentations

I felt led to read through the book of Lamentations yesterday. And as I began reading, it was tempting to stop and move somewhere else because of the reality of destruction, exile, and guilt that the Jews were going through at the time. The Jews were cast into Babylonian captivity back in 586 BC because of their own willingness to serve idols rather than the living God:

"...she took no thought of her future; therefore her fall is terrible;" 1:9a

"The Lord is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word;" 1:18a

"Look, O LORD, for I am in distress; my stomach churns; my heart is wrung within me, because I have been very rebellious." 1:20a

"Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading." 2:14

"We have transgressed and rebelled," 3:42a

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition comes to Savannah

So yesterday my father and I went down to the site in Savannah where Extreme Makeover is building a house for a family in need. And out of nowhere a reporter for the Savannah Morning News taps me on the shoulder and asked to interview me.

Be Ye Still

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10

Kids have an extremely hard time sitting still. The past month I have had the opportunity to teach the 4th-6th grade Sunday School class, and I would've never imagined it being so difficult. Don't get me wrong: I love the kids and I've enjoyed teaching them, but getting them to sit still and pay attention was a difficult task; they were either getting up out their seat to run around, talking to someone while I'm talking, or just doodling on their paper when I'm going over a blank they need to fill in. I've found my patience tested because when I want to speak, they don't want to listen (sometimes). But this is not a post about unruly children, the aforementioned was only an illustration. In the miry bog of life, when all seems to be going wrong, I would much rather run around and try to find the solution myself than be still and know that God hasn't all of a sudden forfeited His sovereignty.

Jeremiah 10 - The Absurdity of Idolatry

Pardon my absence from the blogosphere. I know it has been awhile and I hope that this post will be convicting and edifying.

Ever read through the book of Jeremiah before? Old Testament Israel seems to have this motif: when things are going great, they forget the Lord; when things aren't going great, they're wondering where He is. Specifically here in Jeremiah we see Israel before they were taken captive by Babylon; the Jews had once again forgotten the Lord of hosts, and clung themselves to the god Baal. Though the Lord had extended his hand toward them to repent, they neglected to do so; and consequently, God would punish them. What we find in chapter 10 of Jeremiah is a conversation between Jeremiah and the Lord concerning the spiritual adultery of Israel: in abandoning the worship of the one true God, they look to things that by nature are not divine at all.

Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the LORD: "Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good. 

But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation. Thus shall you say to them: "The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens." It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses. Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish." - Jeremiah 10:1-5, 10-15

10 Things I've Got Going for the Ladies

1) I work for an office cleaning company, and I make it look good.

2) I love traveling; I once spent 24 hours flying to Thailand. We could go places.

3) The Notebook. No, not the movie, but I have one that I write in.

4) I too like shoes.

5) I can do my own laundry.

6) Love cooking? If so, the kitchen is yours. I can make you breakfast in bed...because that's about all I'm good at.

7) I can live without a TV; besides, I'd rather be cuddling on the couch.

8 Grey's Anatomy--not fond of it at all. But, if I must put up with that and/or the Gilmore Girls, I'll be down.

9) I'll rub your feet, I don't mind.

10) I own a suit.

Honest Grief

As I've read through the Psalms, and especially Job, I've noticed that these men of God lifted up genuine complaints that they had to the Lord--basically various "God, I don't get it!" moments. In all of Job's complaints he never sinned, and obviously the various cries heard in the Psalms weren't transgressive either because they're inspired Scripture. I feel as if I must vent a little here...

Since early 2006, I've been single. As God drew me to himself during the Spring of that same year, he was tearing away different things from my life--things in which I sought security, satisfaction, and significance. God brought me out of a terrible past with worldly dating. Post-conversion, I knew I had to figure out my new identity and couldn't get involved with any kind of relationship for a little while. But, as I grown and matured, I began opening that door and putting myself out there--to see if God's got someone out there for me...and it's only been frustration since.