Today is my birthday. Praise God for giving me 25 years!

Rachel got me a really cool espresso machine!
















My friend Liz sent me this funny e-card as well:

Birthday Card

In a modern-day adaptation of Brother Lawrences Practing the Presence of God , he writes:

"God never shares a heart with anyone or anything. So there's going to be some housecleaning if He comes to live in a person's life because He doesn't work to the fullest unless that heart has a "vacancy" sign on its door."


This makes me think, "What may be taking up residence in my heart that needs to be evicted?"

God help me to see things that may be in my heart that are blocking you from working to the fullest.

Rachel and I are planning on getting our first pet!  We went to the SPCA the other day “just to look” and found a cat.  We were going to pick him up yesterday, but he had come down with a cold, so we decided to let him stay there until it passes.  So, by next week we’ll be the proud new parents of a 6 month old tabby.  One step closer to real parenthood!

Love God, Love People.

Seems simple enough. It also seems to be one of the most difficult for human beings to do. Jesus said that these two things are the most important. The Apostle Paul echoed him when he said that without love we are nothing.

Its so easy to get distracted from this ultimate goal. In fact, many of the things that end up causing the distraction are things that we hoped would help us to achieve the Greatest Commandment.

My prayer lately has been, "God, help me to love people more." I need to pray this because I realize how easily I am distracted.

We would be wise to continually examine ourselves with this litmus test. Am I growing in my love for God? Am I growing in my love for people?

ABC News last nite ran a very interesting show. It was titled What Would You Do?

Scenarios were played out where someone was doing something obviously wrong in public (verbal abuse, shop lifting) and hidden cameras watched to see if anyone passing by would intervene.

It was shocking! People just walking right by as a woman was being verbally abused (see pic), people looking away as someone shoplifted items from THEIR FRIENDS STORE!

Of course, whenever you watch these things, you think that you'd be the rare person that stepped up and did the right thing. But, would I really? I sure hope so, but would I?

It was also quite amusing to listen to peoples excuses for why they didn't do anything.

So, what would I do? I don't know. At least now I'll be more aware of the issue and hopefully (with God's grace and guidance) I will be one of those rare people.

Luke 10
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

The season premier for LOST is tonite!  I can’t wait.  I got hooked on this show over the summer when they were showing reruns of season 1.  

UPDATE:

We had some friends (Jamaar & Travis) over to watch the show last nite.  WOW.  Well it definitely hooked you for next week.  Several new big twists!  Can’t wait to see next week as they said the “fate of the survivors will be revealed.”  

LOST really is one of the most spiritual shows on TV right now in my opinion.  Things like faith, mystery, hope, & destiny are all major themes.  I think it is reflective of the changes that are happening culturally in our world; a shift from pure scientific reasoning to the possibility of mystery and faith.  Not to mention it is brilliantly written and has you on the edge of the seat wondering what is around the corner.  

LostTelevision    

I enjoy reading.  The “books I’m reading” stack always grows to the point where it’s difficult to finish anything.  It’s always good stuff that I read and I always gain something valuable.  However, the realization came to me the other day that I’ve been putting more of my mental energy into reading all these great books than I do in reading the Bible (the greatest book).  

So, I’ve decided to go on a “book fast.”  Once I’m finished with my current reading list (which is down to just a couple), I’m going to enter into a season of only reading the Bible.

I don’t necessarily see this as a “pulling away” but, rather a reconnecting to the source.  

This past weekend Rachel and I saw the movie “Just Like Heaven” starring Reese Witherspoon and yes Napolean Dynamite (Jon Heder)! It was pretty good. I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars if I were a movie critic. Not enough of Heder. But, regardless, it was very nice to go out with my wife.


Movies

Our church’s Young Adult’s group had a “round table” lunch meeting yesterday where we were hoping to meet new people and share the vision for some new ideas. It went pretty well, I wish more new people came though. But, there was some good interaction and some good discussion. Also, our website if on-line now! Yay!

Young Adults
Ministry

Scrubs is quickly becoming one of my favorite tv shows. It's always hilarious. The show also has a reflective side to it, which I think helps set it apart. In my opinion, the show reflects the thoughts, desires, and feelings of the 20-30 something generation. So go watch!

Entertainment

Caught most of President Bush's address to the nation last night. Honestly, I thought he did a decent job. I was glad that he took full responsibility for not only the mistakes but also for the future work that needs to be done. Comments from some of the people caught in the middle of all this were varied.

I hope that the President holds true to his word and begins the much needed work down South and across the country.


In addition to the address, ABC news really played into peoples fears with a special on how America is in no way shape or form ready for either a massive earthquake (San Fransisco), a nuclear attack (any major city), or an outbreak of the avion flu (worldwide). I mean, yes, we should try to be prepared for these possibilities and not live foolishly, but, on the other hand, we can;t spend all of our lives worried about the next big disaster. I don't know, maybe I'm just not that worried.


Presidential Address
News

This morning I found a praying mantis INSIDE my house!! Kinda freaky. I successfully got it outside without harm.

I am preparing to teach a sunday school class on the spiritual disciplines. I've taught it before and am excited to do it again. I'm looking forward to meeting new people and sharing with them. I am going to try and do some tweaking on my teaching style; use more visuals, try to weave in stories, and be more dialogue based. I am also hoping to use the Internet as a supplement to the class times, maybe use a message board or suggest that they use a blog for a journal.

Teaching
Ministry

Why Blog?

I’ve been blogging now for a few months and doing so at a somewhat regular rate.  I began for several reasons.  The first being that I couldn’t resist the allure of all the buzz about blogging, it just seemed like such a cool idea.  I’ve tried journaling before, but it never lasted very long.  The second reason was more of a spiritual one.  I thought blogging would be a sort of discipline for me, forcing me to think and get my thoughts out.  

So, the other night the thought came to my mind, “What is the purpose of me blogging?”  “What has it become?”  As I processed these thoughts, I realized that perhaps for a moment I got too caught up in the superficialities of blogging.  Templates, linking to cool stuff, xml, rss, etc.  All of these things had begun to overshadow the deeper purpose.  

Coming to this realization, I will now blog with a more clear mind and focus.  I won’t be overly concerned with how many hits I get.  I want to blog so that I can grow.  I want to reflect and write on life.  I want this blog to urge me to go deeper in thought.  I want this blog to, as the title scripture says, be an offering to God.  So, no more posting just for the sake of posting.  No more blogging without purpose.  



Blog
Spirituality

I've never really liked talking about politics. There are several reasons: 1. I'm not that knowledgable. 2. My views tend to differ than most of the people I spend time with.

But, I have to ask why does it seem that so many otherwise well intentioned Christians have this attitude of support Pres. Bush without question, like he can do no wrong? I have seen this bubble to the surface recently with the hurricane tragedy. Bush and other top leadership has been recieving alot of criticism for their slow response. Now, whether or not the government acted adequately or not, many Christians I've encountered are awfully quick to defend Bush. I've heard things like, "He's only one man", "He can't be responsible for the actions of those beneath him", "He'd did everything he could." How can we offer such blind support? I voted for Bush, but that doesn't mean he can now do whatever and get off scott free! He is the leader of the country and he IS responsible for the actions of those below him! I'm sorry but why does it seem like its a sin to criticize Bush? Don't get me wrong, I fully believe we should pray for our leaders and do everything we can to live under their authority, but they are to be held accountable! Bush is not perfect, its ok to question him and still respect him.

That's enough of my rare political rant.

President Bush
Hurricane

I continue to move forward in entering the world of vocation ministry. I feel excitement and fear at the same time. I know that this is what God has called me to and it is exciting to see it becoming such a reality. I’m not one that thinks you can’t minister without being a vocational minister, but I feel very strongly that this is God's plan for me. I pray that I will be completely open to God and obedient to His will for me.



Ministry

I am still in shock at the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.  Watching the news last night, it seems that things are only getting worse.  People are without food, water, and shelter.  People are dying in the streets.  Flood waters are still there and disease is becoming a huge fear.  I don’t know why help seems to be taking so long to get there.  

God, what is going on?  Please hear their cries for help!

On top of all of that, it seems that there is a bit of racism or classism coming out among some people.  Many of the people who are trapped down there are there because they either had no vehicle, not enough money to afford to leave, or were incapable of moving because of some handicap.  Many of them are also part of a minority and are poor.  The NAACP has pointed out several instances of what they called “unconscious racism.”  I hope and pray that any attitude of superiority will be dissolved among those who can help.  I pray that there would be unity and not disunity.  

My heart hurts.  God, please send help.