32
When just sixteen, I knew it all;
by twenty-one, I'd learned the rest.
At thirty-two, I have the grace
to forgive youthful foolishness.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
All Things Breathed Into Being
A poem I've worked on lately...
All things breathed into being,
God crowned creation with approval
yet was not satisfied
to charge the man,
"take dominion alone."
So from dusty flesh
He formed her,
she who would be
more a part of man removed
than when she was his rib.
He knew her.
She knew him.
Both were known.
I've known you.
You've known me.
We've both been known.
But prone to wander alone,
we go apple-picking where
Serpents lie,
and in our fig-leaved solitude,
one flesh begins to feel as two.
Oh, to shed concealments
born in shame and lack of faith,
souls, thereby, freed to mingle.
Oh, flesh of my flesh,
bone of my bone,
to be naked and unashamed!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Bird Bombs
It was a beautiful day yesterday to sit outside under the trees and have a nice, leisurely lunch behind the student union on the MSU campus. So, that's what my writing group and I did. We were conversing, laughing, sharing...and then Lauren noticed something on her binder. Looking up at me, she noted the same foreign substance trickling down the right side of my bald head. Immediately, everyone recognized what it was: a gravitationally-delivered gift from some fiendish bird in the tree above. Yes, I was pooped on.
After having a few more good laughs about it, we wisely moved one table over to one that had an umbrella to protect us from any subsequent bombings. Later, I spent a little time pondering what provoked this devilish creature of the air to do such a thing to me; I can only surmise that my winged nemesis felt life had cut him a raw deal somehow, so he had decided to pay that trespass forward. He also must have known that I was the forgiving type who had no interest in climbing a large tree to return the favor.
What stands out to me most about the incident is that I had no idea what had happened. Sure, I'd felt something hit my head, but at no point did I entertain the idea that I may have just served as nature's toilet. I simply assumed it was a drop of water...from the rain...that had happened like three days earlier...(what was I thinking?). Thankfully, I had a group of good friends to kindly and gently break the truth to me.
While not a perfect comparison, this got me thinking again about how important it is that we, as Christians, live in community with one another. Too often, we falsely assume the Christian life is to be lived alone; that the cross we bear is to be shouldered but not shared; that we can look out for ourselves; that we don't need to be open, honest, and vulnerable to other believers. The writer of Ecclesiastes speaks of this when he says "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Solomon, the man who had wisdom beyond wisdom, here notes that we cannot afford to be lone rangers. On our own, we are set up for failure. I've seen this in my own life on numerous occasions. I'm prone to overlook dangerous pitfalls and cannot always see the sins that reside in the "blind spots" of my life. Worse yet, if I have the presence of mind to recognize the situation, on my own I have no one to walk with me through it. It ends up as if I were in quicksand with no one around to pull me out.
No person with any sense would willingly let their child wander alone in dangerous places, yet the world is a dangerous, tough place that so many Christains try to navigate in solitude. Pridefully, we attempt to go it alone, telling ourselves to "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps," all the while missing the truth that it is not weakness to admit that we need each other; it's wisdom.
The older I get, the more thankful I am that God has a)impressed upon me the necessity of community and b)provided wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ to do life with. Without them, I'd surely be the guy walking around with bird poop on his head.
After having a few more good laughs about it, we wisely moved one table over to one that had an umbrella to protect us from any subsequent bombings. Later, I spent a little time pondering what provoked this devilish creature of the air to do such a thing to me; I can only surmise that my winged nemesis felt life had cut him a raw deal somehow, so he had decided to pay that trespass forward. He also must have known that I was the forgiving type who had no interest in climbing a large tree to return the favor.
What stands out to me most about the incident is that I had no idea what had happened. Sure, I'd felt something hit my head, but at no point did I entertain the idea that I may have just served as nature's toilet. I simply assumed it was a drop of water...from the rain...that had happened like three days earlier...(what was I thinking?). Thankfully, I had a group of good friends to kindly and gently break the truth to me.
While not a perfect comparison, this got me thinking again about how important it is that we, as Christians, live in community with one another. Too often, we falsely assume the Christian life is to be lived alone; that the cross we bear is to be shouldered but not shared; that we can look out for ourselves; that we don't need to be open, honest, and vulnerable to other believers. The writer of Ecclesiastes speaks of this when he says "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Solomon, the man who had wisdom beyond wisdom, here notes that we cannot afford to be lone rangers. On our own, we are set up for failure. I've seen this in my own life on numerous occasions. I'm prone to overlook dangerous pitfalls and cannot always see the sins that reside in the "blind spots" of my life. Worse yet, if I have the presence of mind to recognize the situation, on my own I have no one to walk with me through it. It ends up as if I were in quicksand with no one around to pull me out.
No person with any sense would willingly let their child wander alone in dangerous places, yet the world is a dangerous, tough place that so many Christains try to navigate in solitude. Pridefully, we attempt to go it alone, telling ourselves to "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps," all the while missing the truth that it is not weakness to admit that we need each other; it's wisdom.
The older I get, the more thankful I am that God has a)impressed upon me the necessity of community and b)provided wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ to do life with. Without them, I'd surely be the guy walking around with bird poop on his head.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Morning Reminder
This summer, I'm spending the bulk of my time racking up graduate hours in pursuit of master's degree #2. It's always daunting (and healthy) to step back in the role of student, but the course I'm currently enrolled in has probably yielded more professional growth in a week than any grad course I took during my first master's program.
In this particular course, I've had the pleasure of being around some really fine folks I never would have run into otherwise. It's amazing that I find myself learning and growing, even being inspired, simply through proximity.
One person I've learned a great deal from already is a retired teacher named Colleen. I've learned much from her because in some ways, we are quite opposite.
To explain:
But here's our biggest difference: I feel a constant need to assert myself in conversations. I interrupt, I correct, I hear but make little attempt to understand. She listens. Plain and simple. Perhaps this is the key reason that her feedback is always helpful, always purposeful, and always well-received (even if it's semi-corrective).
This morning, I read in Proverbs that "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame." I'm fairly positive that my need to answer before listening has been my folly and shame more times and in more contexts (marriage, career, parenting,coaching,etc.) than I care to remember. I've probably offended and frustrated more students, players, parents, and friends than I realize by rushing to answer rather than actually listening deeply to them.
This is why I'm so thankful God puts people like Colleen in my path. Through such people, I'm learning that words often follow rules of supply and demand; flooding the market with them usually drives their value down, but spent wisely, they become precious commodities. I'm learning to listen, honestly listen, not just to what people are saying, but also to the feelings they're expressing. I'm learning to ask the deeper questions but to clarify understanding before doing so. I'm learning to sit and let others finish...the entire thought...they are expressing...rather than jumping in...and hijacking our interaction.
As I always say, I'm a work in progress...but arent' we all?
***Late addition: Colleen, if I've totally misrepresented you, feel free to scold me during coaching group.
In this particular course, I've had the pleasure of being around some really fine folks I never would have run into otherwise. It's amazing that I find myself learning and growing, even being inspired, simply through proximity.
One person I've learned a great deal from already is a retired teacher named Colleen. I've learned much from her because in some ways, we are quite opposite.
To explain:
- I am quick to speak. She times her words perfectly.
- I throw out words like candy on Halloween. She conserves hers, using them purposefully and precisely.
- I ask pointed questions to push people in a direction. She asks thought-provoking questions that help other people to answer their own.
But here's our biggest difference: I feel a constant need to assert myself in conversations. I interrupt, I correct, I hear but make little attempt to understand. She listens. Plain and simple. Perhaps this is the key reason that her feedback is always helpful, always purposeful, and always well-received (even if it's semi-corrective).
This morning, I read in Proverbs that "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame." I'm fairly positive that my need to answer before listening has been my folly and shame more times and in more contexts (marriage, career, parenting,coaching,etc.) than I care to remember. I've probably offended and frustrated more students, players, parents, and friends than I realize by rushing to answer rather than actually listening deeply to them.
This is why I'm so thankful God puts people like Colleen in my path. Through such people, I'm learning that words often follow rules of supply and demand; flooding the market with them usually drives their value down, but spent wisely, they become precious commodities. I'm learning to listen, honestly listen, not just to what people are saying, but also to the feelings they're expressing. I'm learning to ask the deeper questions but to clarify understanding before doing so. I'm learning to sit and let others finish...the entire thought...they are expressing...rather than jumping in...and hijacking our interaction.
As I always say, I'm a work in progress...but arent' we all?
***Late addition: Colleen, if I've totally misrepresented you, feel free to scold me during coaching group.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Score...
Simple truths learned while at Barnes and Noble with no agenda and no time constraints:
- Being surrounded by books is always a good feeling.
- Teen Paranormal Romance is a genre that now commands its own section?
- Conversing with Bill Bryson would be sweet, but I'm certain I'd make a fool of myself if I ever got the chance to meet him.
- It's a surreal feeling to see the complete sonnets of William Shakespeare shelved so near to Snooki's autobiography.
- I'm a fool for not purchasing the discount card. I buy books...lots of them. It would pay for itself quickly.
- Buying a book is a good feeling even if you have no idea when (or if) you'll get around to reading it.
- If it didn't cause more work for the employees, I'd always grab an Ann Coulter book and an Al Franken book and arrange them side-by-side in the Marriage section.
- When I see that section for Manga, I always think of that Chris Kattan character, Mango, from his days on SNL.
- Seeing awesome-looking personal journals just reminds me that my handwriting sucks.
- I scored on two books both marked down to under $8.
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| My Haul |
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| The Mango |
Friday, June 8, 2012
Killing Zombies
Every week or so, I get together with a few young guys to have breakfast, talk life, pray, and examine God's word. Whenever we get together, we have a passage of the Bible that we all read beforehand and then discuss over a morning meal. Sometimes the discussion goes on for a while and gets pretty deep; sometimes the conversation is short and to the point. Regardless, it's awesome to watch God use any and all of our discussions to open our eyes to His truth. Today was no exception.
Today we attempted to tackle Romans 6 and 7. Admittedly, there's no way we can fully delve into two chapters like these in an hour over greasy (translated delicious) diner-style breakfast, but what little of Paul's letter to the Romans we did get to today hit me like a brick.
The main part we discussed comes from the beginning of Romans 6, which reads:
In this passage, Paul refutes the idea that because sin gives occasion to God's grace, we should sin all the more. After asking the question, "Should we just keep sinning so God will pour out more grace?" Paul emphatically answers, "OF COURSE NOT!" But, why not? Why, Paul, would I not continue to give into my sinful nature so I can receive more of God's grace? Paul's answer is incredibly complex, but incredibly simple at the same time. We don't sin because identifying with Christ means dying. Those who have given lordship of their lives to Christ are those who have allowed their old, sinful nature to be "crucified with Christ." So if the old self is dead, who are we now? As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5, "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
This is the huge truth that struck me like a punch to the face today. Through the death of Christ, I am a new creation. The old Andy is effectively dead and I'm no longer enslaved to sin as he was; in fact, I'm dead to it. Why is this so important? This is important because I know who I used to be; I know how willfully sinful I used to be. There are times when I ask myself, "What right do I have to tell people about following Christ and living a life that's pleasing and honoring to God when I know my own track record of not doing so myself?" Paul knew this all too well.
Before Jesus called him, Paul was spending his time in what he thought was ultimate service to God...exterminating Christianity. Can you imagine what it was like when he rolled in proclaiming Jesus as the only path to salvation? Do you think anybody might have been like, "Bro, you spent years killing Jesus' posse and now you want to tell me about how I should trust in him? Right...."
So why did Paul have no hesitancy in proclaiming Christ? Why did he not cower under the weight of his murderous, anti-Jesus past? Because the old Paul (aka Saul) was no more.
For those of us who, because of our sinful past, wonder whether we have the "right" to proclaim the truth of Christ, what would Paul tell us? He'd likely tell us this: "You're right; the old you has no right to tell people how to live...good thing that old you is dead, crucified with Christ so that you no longer live, but Christ lives in you."
How comforting is that? Sure you were a drunkard/cheater/liar/adulterer/abuser/racist/jerk/idolater/pervert/thief/sower of discord/(insert label here); what of it? That old self and its sin-loving nature was nailed to the cross, and you've been raised to life in Christ, empowered to live a life that honors your Creator!
Awesome! But here's the catch; our old self has a zombie-like nature. Like the undead of Hollywood fame, while we're still physically living, our old nature will always have a habit of resurrecting itself and seeking to once again leave a trail of destruction in its wake. Therefore, the putting to death of our old self becomes not just a one-time event, but a daily discipline. Jesus assured as much when he said in Luke that whoever would follow him would have to "take up his cross daily." Crosses were used for one purpose in the ancient world: death. Thus, when Christ himself says, "Take up your cross daily," he's implying that from the day of our conversion to the day we're put six feet under, we're going to be about the business of killing the zombie of our former self.
It won't always be easy, and it won't always be pretty, but isn't it good to know that in Christ, you're not who you were ten years ago? two weeks ago? yesterday? ten minutes ago?
It sure is for me.
Keep killing that zombie,
A. Love
Today we attempted to tackle Romans 6 and 7. Admittedly, there's no way we can fully delve into two chapters like these in an hour over greasy (translated delicious) diner-style breakfast, but what little of Paul's letter to the Romans we did get to today hit me like a brick.
The main part we discussed comes from the beginning of Romans 6, which reads:
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.In this passage, Paul refutes the idea that because sin gives occasion to God's grace, we should sin all the more. After asking the question, "Should we just keep sinning so God will pour out more grace?" Paul emphatically answers, "OF COURSE NOT!" But, why not? Why, Paul, would I not continue to give into my sinful nature so I can receive more of God's grace? Paul's answer is incredibly complex, but incredibly simple at the same time. We don't sin because identifying with Christ means dying. Those who have given lordship of their lives to Christ are those who have allowed their old, sinful nature to be "crucified with Christ." So if the old self is dead, who are we now? As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5, "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
This is the huge truth that struck me like a punch to the face today. Through the death of Christ, I am a new creation. The old Andy is effectively dead and I'm no longer enslaved to sin as he was; in fact, I'm dead to it. Why is this so important? This is important because I know who I used to be; I know how willfully sinful I used to be. There are times when I ask myself, "What right do I have to tell people about following Christ and living a life that's pleasing and honoring to God when I know my own track record of not doing so myself?" Paul knew this all too well.
Before Jesus called him, Paul was spending his time in what he thought was ultimate service to God...exterminating Christianity. Can you imagine what it was like when he rolled in proclaiming Jesus as the only path to salvation? Do you think anybody might have been like, "Bro, you spent years killing Jesus' posse and now you want to tell me about how I should trust in him? Right...."
So why did Paul have no hesitancy in proclaiming Christ? Why did he not cower under the weight of his murderous, anti-Jesus past? Because the old Paul (aka Saul) was no more.
For those of us who, because of our sinful past, wonder whether we have the "right" to proclaim the truth of Christ, what would Paul tell us? He'd likely tell us this: "You're right; the old you has no right to tell people how to live...good thing that old you is dead, crucified with Christ so that you no longer live, but Christ lives in you."
How comforting is that? Sure you were a drunkard/cheater/liar/adulterer/abuser/racist/jerk/idolater/pervert/thief/sower of discord/(insert label here); what of it? That old self and its sin-loving nature was nailed to the cross, and you've been raised to life in Christ, empowered to live a life that honors your Creator!
Awesome! But here's the catch; our old self has a zombie-like nature. Like the undead of Hollywood fame, while we're still physically living, our old nature will always have a habit of resurrecting itself and seeking to once again leave a trail of destruction in its wake. Therefore, the putting to death of our old self becomes not just a one-time event, but a daily discipline. Jesus assured as much when he said in Luke that whoever would follow him would have to "take up his cross daily." Crosses were used for one purpose in the ancient world: death. Thus, when Christ himself says, "Take up your cross daily," he's implying that from the day of our conversion to the day we're put six feet under, we're going to be about the business of killing the zombie of our former self.
It won't always be easy, and it won't always be pretty, but isn't it good to know that in Christ, you're not who you were ten years ago? two weeks ago? yesterday? ten minutes ago?
It sure is for me.
Keep killing that zombie,
A. Love
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