Filed under: General
Yes… you read the title correctly. No… you do not need to work on your reading comprehension skills. I am, truthfully with no hint of falsehood, writing this post from the Labor and Delivery room in a Hospital.
My thoughts right now… FRAGMENTED!
Am I processing what is going on right now… PROBABLY NOT!
If my wife weren’t sleeping right now, would I be doing this… ABSOLUTELY NOT!
So, since I shouldn’t be on here long and I really am not thinking all to clearly I am going to give some thoughts in bullet points:
- My wife is amazing! I realize we haven’t been married for more than a year (11 months tomorrow), but I have never been more proud of her (or anyone else for that matter) than I am right now. Both of us are scared, uncertain, anxiously awaiting the arrival, yet she is the one who has endured the discomfort and pain with enough strength after a contraction to smile at me and laugh at my poor attempt to make her laugh. She is wonderfully amazing.
- I am a tad bit frightened! Talking with my Dad yesterday he asked me if I was ready. Really? Can someone be ready? I think I have been more concerned with the outward details over the past 9 months that I have forgotten what all of this means: A new life… A Baby girl… A daughter. Though frightened… excited.
- Tears pretty randomly come to my eyes! Majority of the time they come as a result of me thinking of holding the Baby. Imagining looking at her wrapped in a receiving blanket in my arms is enough to send a strange chill through me.
- God is so good! He blesses beyond measure. He protects in all situations. He has had this all planned out since the beginning of time for our good and His Glory.
Filed under: General
Here I am at work multitasking. Believe it or not, all within the course of ten minutes I have read and article, began the process of eating lunch, taken two Customer Service chats (just started three more), answered multiple emails, and now I am blogging.
Well, the article I read was about that handy (which in this context means ‘annoying’) application on Facebook called Living Social. If you have any knowledge of Facebook you know what I am talking about. It is the reason that you know your “friends” five favorite Japanese Animation Characters, the five favorite things within two inches of their hand,as well as the always useful five favorite aged cheeses.
Well, the article was interviewing the creator of the application. The typical stuff was being covered, nothing too out of the ordinary until the last question:
“List your least favorite things about Facebook.”
To which the the creator of the application responded:
“One, apps aren’t a part of Facebook on the iPhone, even though they’re an integral part of the Facebook experience. Two, I wish Facebook would figure out news. And three, I wish Facebook would just hurry up and buy Twitter so there’d be less noise in the world.”
That last statement (emphasis mine) caught my eye. Sure, the statement might not mean what my redeemed mind automatically runs to, but the truth of what was said remains the same – we live in a noisy world!
Amidst the Twitter posts, the Facebook news feed, the chimes of the iPhone, the comedic Youtube videos it becomes far to easy to neglect the need for stillness and quiet.
(Wired – Hotseat: The Creator of Facebook’s most Annoying App Explains Himself)
I found myself asking a question tonight that may, at first glance, seem harsh and not at all Christ-like. The question is as follows:
What is the worth/benefit of the ‘Senior Saint?’
Or, to state it a little more bluntly:
What do ‘Old People’ have to offer?
As I stated before, this does seem a tab bit harsh and unloving. So, before all of you who never respond to any of my posts decide to respond all at once to my errant attitude, allow me chance to expound on my question.
Though it would seem as such, this question does not come out of a desire to rid the Church of all members 55 and older. I do not wish any ill will and I hold no malicious feelings toward the older crowd. Quite the contrary in fact! The question asked flows from a heart that is burdened and desires to know and understand the past generation of Christian Brothers and Sisters.
Needless to say, the differences between the Generations in Christian Culture can be astounding. Though sometimes the distance between the Generational Gap seems contrived, all too often the Christian stereo-types are true to form.
We all know what these stereo-types are when it comes to the Church. You have those who value History and Tradition and desire to stay the same on one side of the equation and you have those who cannot seem to help but change and re-evaluate on the other side. You have the ‘way things were’ and you have ‘the way things could be.’
Along with these opposed viewpoints comes tension. Tension, without staunch determination for unity, often brings division. Division is soon followed by hindered ministry.
Perhaps it is where I am at in life. I look around the Church and I see within the Twenty-Something crowd (and younger) potential. I see the countless possibilities for ministry and Spiritual victories. I see God’s Truth and Gospel being spread to the endless corners of this globe and a multitude of tribes, nations, and people being redeemed by God’s Lamb. I understand this group. I see the benefit. I can grasp the worth.
My eyes then fall on the elderly. Weak, hobbled, frail. What could have been seems to be years in their past. The potential that once was there – dwindled. Where is that benefit? What do they have left to offer?
At this point, the discussion turns to Biblical passages that deal with the Body of Christ; each part of the Body with its purpose, each part with a special use (Romans 12: 3-8; I Corinthians 12:14-26). I understand that Truth and can see the practical out-workings of that Truth in my generation, but does this mean that the Elderly are regulated to their respective prayer closets? Doubtful!
Yet, somewhere something got lost. That something, in the midst of the Generational Tension, would appear to be the answer. What is missing? Understanding of each other (young and old) and a deep understanding of God’s Truth.
Thus, we have come full circle and the question that was asked at the beginning needs to be answered:
What do ‘Old People’ have to offer?
In light of a recent conversation I have had with a Teen back in Michigan, this article by John Piper hits the nail on the head.
A Conversation Between Prayerful and Prayerless
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Filed under: General
Found a link to this SI article on Between Two Worlds.
At times I find myself amazed at the extent a Secular Sports Journalist will go to show the “Religious” aspects of an athlete’s life. Too often I am disappointed by the haphazard treatment of the testimony and the reality of what it means for the athlete.
For once, I can honestly say that I am encouraged by a Sports Illustrated article.
Interesting Paragraph:
When the speech is over, Tebow is introduced to a wiry inmate named Jeremy Bensen, who within seconds is sharing the initial difficulty he had “trusting in God.” The Scripture that got him over the hump, he says, “was Proverbs 3: 5 and 6.” He begins to recite—”Trust in the Lord with all your heart”—and Tebow chimes in, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.” They finish together, then smile a bit sheepishly across the table at one another like the nerds for Jesus they are.
“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”
Hebrews 3:13-14
I think that it is safe to say that, at times, we all have the ability to see what we want to see. With that said, the song that was brought to my attention is still thought provoking.
The song, by Regina Spektor, seems to be taking a look at our flippant attitude toward God that we, as a culture, tend to carry with us through life. The main phrase heard throughout “No one laughs at God…” used in reference with serious situations and circumstances sets a stoic tone to the song. Follow this with “God can be funny…” connected to the different caricatures that have permeated our culture and you begin to get the sense that, although a secular song, it is hinting at something spiritually critical.
To see the Music video and Read the lyrics head over to Josh Hariss’ Blog.
Update: As I mention at the beginning of this post, we all have the ability to see what we want to see. So, I still don’t feel completely comfortable saying this song is exactly what it would seem. I still flinch every time the phrase “God can be Funny…” is sung.
Hopefully at some point there will be a statement as to why this song was written. Maybe all the “Christian” assumption will be vindicated.
