I am back. But I am not back here. I will be posting now at a new home. Don't be mad. Or be mad, I don't care. If you really wish to continue, you can find the new content here:
Jul. 9, 2008 - Not dead, just really quiet. Like a ninja. Kinda.
I haven't posted in a while. Baby coming. Company starting. Scunday school teaching. No time for happy postings. I am thinking about moving to blogger too. I would welcome any advice about getting archived content from here to there.
As I was studying this morning the question that kept emerging was "Do I really trust God?". I get to sleep in a house in a bed with AC and clean water and a job and a car to drive and some money in the bank account. And all of those things are potential gods. They threaten my obedience to the first commandment. I count on a lot of other things before I turn to God. I plot and I complain and then I wonder why my walk with the Lord lacks the intimacy I desire. If I were Peter on the edge of that boat looking at Jesus bidding me to come, I would have been the one to question the temperature of the water, asked for life preserver, and commented that I have really had the sniffles lately.
So I have started preaching to myself more often instead of listening to myself. God is good. His steadfast love endures forever. I am never beyond His reach or sight. He disciplines those that He loves. He wants me to be happy, but not at the cost of progressing sanctification. My biggest problem was resolved at Calvary. This life is only the prologue to a much greater story.
There are lots of examples of people in the Bible that were courageous. David facing down a armored giant in his tunic and sandals. Moses walking into Pharaoh with nothing but God's promise and serpent disguised as a staff. Rahab hiding two foreign spies she didn't know. Elijah taunting a horde of rabid, self mutlilating priests of evil when he was all alone with his little altar. The list goes on....
But I think there are few people in the Scripture that were as gutsy as Stephen. By the time that we get to Acts chapter 6, the apostles have been regular visitors to the courts of the religious mean people. Guys like Peter and John had been before these rulers and chosen to publicly defy their requests for silence. With their blatant refusal to conform, the apostles had kindled the rage of the powerful religious court.
And here comes Stephen. Some of the smart guys in a particluar synagogue decided to debate with Stephen. This proves to be very poor judgment. Stephen does not lose the dispute. In fact, he routs them. Verse 10 tells us that "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking."
As you read the passage, you can feel the tension build as the losers of the debate decide to haul Stephen to the courts. False accusations against Stephen ensue and then Stephen takes the floor.....
....on your pillow, imagining that the specks on the ceiling will reveal pictures of something if you stare at them long enough. Like clouds that morph into zoo animals against a grayish sky. Yet as your eyelids chase evasive slumber, you wonder to yourself as you evaluate your life, "Am I really qualified to do this?"
I saw an article today that said that scientists are not sure why we yawn. A few even confessed that the fact that yawns are contagious makes the mystery even deeper. I think that these scientists are blockheads.
Isn't it obvious?
We yawn because we subliminally hope someone will toss an M&M in our mouth. Then those around us see us expecting a free M&M and open their mouths in hopeful expectation as well. You don't think so? Well, next time you have a group of three year olds and one yawns, toss an M&M in that open mouth. See if all the other three year olds don't yawn too.
I was recently trying to think of a good way to explain to the Pups why we can believe in a God we cannot see. For a child (and for me really), it would be much easier to believe if we could just reach out and touch God now and then. So I mentioned to them the reality of the heart inside my chest. I have never laid eyes on my heart, but I am fully confident that it is there. Beyond that, I know that my heart is working on my behalf at every moment. There are times when I know that I have heard my heart. And in the times when I am really quiet, I can feel my heart. I have never seen my heart, yet I believe that it exists. So it is with God.*
*All anaologies break down eventually. This one will break down as well if it is extended too far.
The male of the species is rather unique, don't you think? And the strange thing is that inside each grown male, that eight-year-old sense of humor is lurking. It only needs to be stoked and encouraged by the presence of a herd of other young males to burst forth in marvelous silliness. I took two young men to a baseball game this evening. There were a few conversations that would have caused anyone to stop and listen. Here is a random sampling:
- Best quote (by an 8 year old male): "If you have a Sunkist-Root Beer float burp, it tastes really bad."
- Best quote (by a 34 year old acting like an 8 year old): "I think that a meteorologist ninja is a pretty frightening combination if you ask me."
- Also overheard by any observant eavesdropper:
"How can it be 'Independent Bank' since we've seen like three of them?"
"What if the Incredible Hulk got green and big when he was really happy instead of really angry?"
"If a skunk had a dirty diaper, would anyone notice?"
Just further proof that the rich, deep philosophical conversations of the males in our society are alive and well.
Be reminded this morning that no matter where you are, no matter your circumstances, no matter what you have done, that nothing can separate you from the love of God. There is One who loves you so completely that He provided a sacrifice that would atone for every poor choice, every awful moment, every evil thought word and deed. A Lamb was killed so that you could be brought into the very presence of God without shame or despair, clothed in a righteous not your own, but bestowed by a Grace that you do not deserve and could never earn. As hard as you try to please your Heavenly Dad with your little acts of love, it buys no more favor than you have in Christ Jesus. So rest in the peace that passes understanding: that your greatest problem has been resolved! That a violent death on a hill you will likely never see by One that you cannot see is more than enough to provide you with a eternal home with a Father that loves His children completely. And know that this life is only the prologue to the real story. Because Jesus has gone to prepare a place for those that know and love and follow him. And He will return in glorious triumph to take you home. Where you will be in the very presence of the happiest Joy you can imagine. A home where faith and hope will be realized fully the moment we see Jesus face to face. And the greatest of these, Love, will be our reality for all time.
So rest in the promises of God this morning. May God bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.......
When I first started parenting ten years ago, my primary reaction to the sin of my children was anger. My children would commit some sin, it would inconvenience me or diminish my comfort level, and I would become angry. For the first ten years of parenting, I took the sins of my children personally. It was always less about their best interests and more about my self-centeredness. Oh, we disciplined, but it was with the goal of changing their behavior so that I wouldn't have to be anything less than completely happy all of the time.
But recently the Lord has drastically changed the goal of our parenting. We are starting to pursue our children's hearts. We desire that God would mold their hearts and attitudes. That they would treasure God so much that sin becomes less attractive. We have moved away from punishment and towards correction.
And yet change in approach has not brought about immediate results. Unfortunately, raising children is more challenging that making, say, Kool-Aid. But it has caused me to pray more specifically about the heart matters that I see my children wrestling with.
As God has provided new insight into our children, I have begun to take their sins less personally. Instead, I view their sin as rebellion against a Holy God. Yes, I am often offended, but that is temporary in its effects. Their consistent offense against their Creator is eternal in its ramifications. And this has led me away from anger and a new emotion has emerged when a sin occurs: sadness. I am saddened by the sin of my children because I know that it effects their fellowship with God.
I know that we are really behind when it comes to consuming movies. Really behind. But tonight Mrs. Underdog and I took in a movie made in 2006 that was outstanding. Now, in order to fully digest my recommendation, you must understand how very hard I am on movies. If a movie is a dumb movie, I will label it a dumb movie. I don't like a whole lot of movies. But tonight we saw Bella. Bella is full of life and family and redemption. It is a little unusual, but at the end of the film I was pleased that I had spent 90 minutes with the DVD. I highly recommend this movie.
I had the high honor of teaching on God's mercy yesterday. The text for we looked at was Luke 15. We talked about the Lost Son.
Here is the story. A dad has two sons. The younger son demands his inheritance and communicates very clearly his preference for possessions over his relationship with his dad. With rebellion and resources, he takes his 1/3 of the estate and leaves home. I wonder what that last conversation with the Dad was like? I wonder what that last conversation with his older brother was like?
So the younger son leaves with wealth, wastes everything in reckless living, and eventually ends up considering pig food as his best option. You can sense the spectre of death as the son seeks out farm labor and a famine worsens. He has nothing of value to offer anyone and no one has any concern for him.
Almost no one. At home the dad waits. And watches. If I close my eyes, I can see the dad's lips move as he prays for the lost son. At this point, the father does not know about the reckless living and the wasted wealth. He only knows that his beloved son is gone. He desires the relationship that has been lost. He loves the son. The possessions that went with the son are nothing compared to the relationship.
One morning as the dad goes to his normal spot to look for his son, the son appears on the horizon. It is this point in the story that is most difficult for me. I almost want the father to be a little angry with the son. I want the dad to yell a little or make the son grovel. Perhaps a "Where have you been?!" or "Where is all the stuff you left with?!" seems in order.
But the father chooses none of these options. Instead, he does what is unpredictable and seemingly unjust. The father sprints to the son and, without a word, embraces and kisses the son. The son tries to reason with his father, but never get through his rehearsed speech before the dad announces a party. And they celebrate that the son who was lost is lost no longer.
The son never gets what he deserves. He throws away everything that his dad gave to him in a rash of foolishness. And yet the father saw his undeserving son and felt compassion.
May. 9, 2008 - A brief tribute to my Mom for Mother's Day
My mom is several states away this Mother's Day. So one of the ways that I figured that I could honor her was to write a short tribute to her on this blog.
Mom-
As I thought about what to write here, there were three stories that came to mind. Each of these stories required tremendous gumption on your part and displayed your love for me.
Although I don't remember the specific details, I am told that in kindergarten that a big bully named "Jermy" repeatedly pushed me in the mud. I would then run home in a mess, only to repeat the cycle again the following day. One day, you told me to go ahead and push him back. Jermy never gave me trouble again. I learned patience....and toughness.
Thrs nothing harder than being a substitute teacher in a middle school. Except perhaps being a substitute teacher in a middle school class where your son is the resident smart aleck. So this son decided to challenge his mom (the substitute teacher) in front of the class. So she rung him up with his first after school detention in front of the class. My mom would also ring me up for my third detention later in the year. It had to be a tough call, but she made the right decision.
When I graduated from college, my dad couldn't get away from work responsibilities, so mom made the trip to Oklahoma by herself. And the airline lost her luggage. So my mom improvised. She bought the essentials and made the best of the whole weekend without a complaint. This would not be the last time that the airline luggage handlers would misplace her bags.
These are just three memories about my mom that stand out. Perhaps the greatest hope of any mom is that her children will grow in their knowledge and affection for the Saviour. And my brother and I are both following Jesus. Mom, there is no greater tribute to your motherhood than that fact. The prayers of many years have manifested themselves in this evidence of God's grace.
So as you celebrate Mother's Day at the Cheesecake Factory with Dad, know that I am thinking of you. I am proud to call you my mom.
- Too bad about the horse that finished 2nd in the Kentucky Derby. I think that if I was the 3rd or 4th place horse, I would run a lot faster next race. You finish first you get roses. You finish 2nd......
- They are replacing the roof on our house after the damage from the hailstorm a few weeks ago. I wanted a rainbow roof with multi-colored shingles. Mrs. Underdog nixed the idea. Some nonsense about resale value.....
- I think that I have all of the good music there is to have right now. Not a lot of good new stuff, either. Although Starfield had a few remarkable songs on their recent effort.
- That word is growing on me. Remarkable. Great potential to overuse it, I think.
- I suggest that you check out 22 words. Short. To the point. Not bashful in the least.
-I have been exhorted twice by two different elder Christian men this week. It stings, but I am grateful for gentle, truthful correction.
May. 5, 2008 - Plumbing the depths of my yuckiness
I continue to have the tremendous privilege of teaching a group of kids every Sunday morning. It has been a blast and I am learning as much, and probably more than the children about our great, living God.
I just wanted to post a quick note on the way that we have been describing sin in our class. Sin is described as "preferring anything else to God". At first glance, this definition does not seem quite right. But as I have thought about this definition, I have realized that it goes far beyong the simplicity of lawbreaking. I am not only a lawbreaker, but at my center I am a depraved mess. I always want what I desire. My thoughts are concentrated on putting myself at the center of the universe (mine and everyone else's universes). My desires are typically for temporary, unfulfilling things.
The chief of all ironies is that preferring anything except God does not satisify. Did you hear that? The things that we naturally desire most will not ultimately provide the satisfaction we all seek. God alone is the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Bread for the hungry, the Water for the thirsty, the Lover for the unlovely. Best of all, He wants us to know and love and prefer Him. And by sending His Son to die, He did all that was necessary for us to know Him and be satisfied.
I watched the Kentucky Derby this afternoon. I am always amazed at the beauty and power of the elite horses that run in the Derby. As they enter the paddocks, they remind me of a very tightly compressed spring just waiting to let loose.
As I watched, I was reminded of an age old question: Do the horses know when they have won? Are they disappointed when they lose?
Not that it matters that much in the grand scheme of things....
I mean, they have the numbers (there are 5 of them), a charismatic rebel leader (Pup #1), and seemingly endless energy. All they are missing is a cohesive plan. Yes, that will be their downfall. The five of them can't agree on the best flavor of jelly, much less a single strategy for a takeover. Oh, and none of them can reach the gas pedals. Or have any money.
May. 1, 2008 - A 15 year old that understands.....
...the sin nature:
"If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, just imagine how serene it would be until the looting started." -- Age 15
I am sitting in a Starbucks in Dallas, Texas. A guy with a girl walked in the door. The girl was wearing pants. The guy was wearing a brown kilt. A kilt is technically a dress. I can think of only a few explanations for this wardrobe:
The guy lost a bet.
He is confident in his kung fu skills.
He and the girl mixed up their clothing this morning.
He's William Wallace.
He did the "smell check" with clothes on the floor and had no other choices this morning.
Three words: Double dog dare.
The only other alternative was spandex shorts.
Just flew in from the 'Isle.
That's all I've got. Don't see that everyday in Texas.
Apr. 29, 2008 - The difference between cats and dogs....
The Dog's Diary
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
The Cat's Diary
Day 983 of My Captivity
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...
I am so tired of all of the presidential election nonsense that I am writing in a vote for Kermit the Frog. I was going to vote for Charlie Brown, but evidently he is a cartoon character and, therefore, not eligible. I did think this piece of art that I found was pretty fun, though. I am concerned that our presidential hopefuls really have become living, breathing characatures.
Neither Hill nor Barak seems to have much of a sense of humor. Nor can either tell a good story. Neither is humble or selfless. I haven't heard either mention servanthood.
Do we take life for granted? I mean, neither you nor I has to be alive. We could be dead or just never created. Life is a really special gift. And I can't imagine the ingenuity that it must take to create life. You are alive if you are reading this and so is the grass in my backyard (for now). The baby birds in the nest in my front door? They were eggs and now they are alive. How can you explain that?
There is only one explanation that makes any sense at all. There is a Creator that is so much more intelligent and wonderful that we can imagine. One so wise and powerful that He can bring something from nothing. Just amazing.
This will be an interesting week to teach Sunday School. As some of you may know, I teach a group of highly sophisticated 1st-3rd graders every Sunday morning. We have been working our way through the study of about 40 attributes of God. Although these children have astounded me with the simplicity and veracity of their faith, I have found it difficult to explain certain adjectives to the group. Glorious and Trinity stand out as the hardest to understand (for both them and me!).
So this week the topic du jour is Wrath. We are moving towards a complete explanation of the gospel, so we must include the truth that God is furious with sinners. Those that have not been reconciled to God through the substitutionary death of his Son are enemies of God and have no fellowship with Him. An abundant relationship with God is free to sinners, but it is not unconditional. No, the atonement for sin through the sacrifice of Jesus must be received and accepted and treasured as the only way to the the Father. God hates the wicked and depraved and that is the terrible truth.
And this [the wrath of God] is righteous anger - the right reaction of moral perfection in the Creator toward moral perversity in the creature. So far from the manifestation of God’s wrath in punishing sin being morally doubtful, the thing that would be morally doubtful would be for him not to show his wrath in this way. God is not just - that is he does not act in the way that is right, he does not do what is proper to a judge - unless he inflicts upon all sin and wrongdoing the penalty it deserves.
And so my task is to convey this truth to my little group. The problem this presents is that God's wrath is a scary subject. It is supposed to be. The bigger problem is that I will do a great injustice to the children if I do not present this part of God's character in full color. You see, in the following weeks, I will get to the wonder and beauty of the attributes that are full of God's mercy and grace and joy in making a way for us to be brought to Him. And that good news is only as good as the bad news is bad. If you view your sin (and God's righteous anger) lightly, you will view your salvation lightly as well.
So I will pray a lot for the right words and tone. I will trust that God will have His way with me and my audience. I will believe that God desires to save these children from His wrath. I will depend upon the truth that His Word will not return void. And I will rejoice in the truth that my sin can be exchanged for Jesus' righteousness through the cross. And the Father's anger averted.
Reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. - Anonymous
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers
Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful. - Ann Landers
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. - Ben Williams
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than they love themselves. - Josh Billings
The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. - Andy Rooney
We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made. - M. Acklam
Ever wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. - Rita Rudner
Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never bathed a dog. - Franklin P.
My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money. - Joe Weinstein
Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? We come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul - chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth! - Anne Tyler
You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My goodness, you're right! I never would've thought of that!' - Dave Barry
If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them. - Phil Pastoret
Apr. 21, 2008 - A birth announcement - WARNING: Really ugly children
Mrs. Underdog posted on the newest additions to our extended family. We are concerned that the children are so very homely, but we hope that with time, their appearance will improve. The little fellows may have trouble finding a mate if their looks remain so blatantly unattractive. Here are couple of pictures two days after the birth:
I found this list on the web of skills that just are no longer useful. Some of these thing I know how to do, some of them were before my time. I am betting that my Dad knows how to do all of them. Winky, winky.
1. Dialing a rotary phone.
2. Putting a needle on a vinyl record.
3. Changing tracks on an eight-track tape.
4. Shorthand.
5. Using a slide rule.
6. Using carbon paper to make copies.
7. Developing film/photos.
8. Changing the ball or ribbon on your Selectric Typewriter.
9. Getting off the couch to change channels on your TV set.
10. Adjusting the rabbit ears on your TV set.
11. Changing the gas mixture on your car’s carburetor.
One that I would add would be "Using a clutch to change gears in a car."
There is a video on the web that has recently gotten some attention on a few of the popular Christian blogs. This video was taken in Israel by some tourist and shows the slaying of a lamb and the shedding of that animal's blood It was filmed earlier this year. I just watched the video, and although I do not recommend it for those with a weak constiution, I do feel compelled to post a few comments.
As I watched the blood gush and then trickle from the neck of the lamb, I was filled with overwhelming compassion for the animal. That sheep committed no crime, no sin, was deserving of no punishment. He did nothing to deserve the sentence that was carried out. Yet his death was full of meaning to those that understood the history behind the ritual that was being carried out.
That said, that lamb's death was in vain. Those men that carried out the slaughter of the little farm animal believed that the blood that flowed might atone for their sin. But not even the death of a thousand sheep could begin to resolve the gap between us and God. Our problem is far too great to be resolved by just routines. The guy that wrote Hebrews said that "t is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." (Hebrews 10:4)
If the repetitive nature of the killing of sheep year after year after year was all there was, we would be without hope. But that was the point: one of the purposes of the Old Testament was to put on full display our inability to deal with our sin problem. But that was not the end of the story. No, God would not leave us to our futility. He would deal with our sin problem by sacrificing for us in His Son. "For Christ also sufferedonce for (our) sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (I Peter 3:18). "You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers.......with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." (I Peter 1:18-19).
Jesus died once for the forgiveness of all sin. The blood of Jesus, red and gruesome and horrible to behold, is the only thing that washes away our sin and makes us acceptable in the eyes of God. No more sheep would have to have to die.
Look, I don't know most of the people that read this blog. And I can guess that many that do come here for a few chuckles a couple of times a week (sorry if you are disappointed today, by the way). But know this: none of your rituals or habits will bring you to God. Only confessing your hopelessness and trusting in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus will bring acceptance with your Creator.
I hope that you know and trust Jesus and have experienced the adventure that He brings to life. If you haven't placed your trust in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, don't wait any longer.
--------------------------------------------
Addendum: I found this quote as I was reading this morning:
“Note how often the Scriptures speak of Christ in his glory as ‘the Lamb.’
The multitude which no man can number stand with palms of victory ‘before the Lamb’, and their worship is ascribing ‘salvation to the Lamb.’ They have ‘washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb,’ and rejoice at ‘the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ In that dwelling place ‘the Lamb is its light.’ He who feeds them is ‘the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne,’ and the river of the water of life flows ‘out of the throne of the Lamb.’ The book of citizenship to the New Jerusalem is ‘the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.’
Clearly this is meant to carry adoring thoughts of the cross into our every thought of heavenly happiness. The heir of that joy will never forget that great price. It is the chorus of every song of the saints in light. All heaven echoes with praise ‘to him who washed us from our sins in his own blood.’ ”
Just a short venting post. Mrs. Underdog and I saw a report tonight on the news about playground injuries and children. Some orgnanization with enough time on its hands to produce and promote pointless data stated that about two hundred thousand kids were injured on playground last year.
So what is wrong with that?! Is it a bad thing for our kids to get banged up every once in a while? Do we want the next generation of children to have zero toughness, having been so protected from boo-boos that they cannot deal with pain? Why don't we just put every child in a bubble and play tiddlywinks?
It drives me nuts that we are so worried about Junior skinning his knee that we don't let him take certain risks. Climbing a tall ladder to the top of the slide builds confidence. Riding that bike down an incline at high speed teaches a boy to overcome the fear in the pit of his stomach. Getting blasted with a dodgeball encourages humility and adaptability to adverse conditions.
So much is learned about life on the playground. I am not advocating recklessness. But I do think that we are cheating our kids out of very important life lessons by over protecting them from anything and everything that might hurt them. Pain serves a very important purpose in the development of good character. So the next time your child wants to do the monkey bars on his own, don't point out the distance to the ground from that lofty height. Instead, let him go for it. He might fall and learn to face fear and failure. Or he might just do it and experience the joy of small successes.
I was just thinking that everything that you do today will be a reflection of what you think about God. Your thoughts and motives. The way that you act and speak. Everything you do and say will be a commentary on how you view your Creator.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
---I Corinthians 10:31
It is a tough thing that this verse is a commandment, not a suggestion. With that in mind, I will have choices to make through the rest of the day. As I change diapers, interact with my wife, clean up after dinner, talk to the lady at the counter at Starbucks, get stuck in traffic, write a blog entry, decide how to spend my time, I will have the opportunity to glorify my Creator. In my attitude and speech and actions, I will make much of God. Or I will make much of myself.
So there you go. Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God.
Invincible. Indescribable. Amazing. Unstoppable. Furious and faithful. Just and merciful. Almighty and jealous. Praise Him all His people. Come soon, King Jesus.
Apr. 9, 2008 - Good advice for giving good advice...
This note is from CJ Mahaney on why he normally draws attention to just one verse when he has the privilege of caring for someone. I think this is really profound:
This approach of focusing on one specific passage in counseling settings is one I learned from my friend David Powlison, articulated in his article “Think Globally, Act Locally.” He writes,
In a nutshell, connect one bit of Scripture to one bit of life. In other words, always ask two questions for yourself and others: What is your current struggle? What about God in Christ connects to this? … Apply one relevant thing from our Redeemer to one significant scene in this person’s story. Bring one bit of Bible to one bit of life. You can’t say it all at once. (The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Fall 2003, p. 3)
Well, you cannot and should not say it all at once, but that hasn’t stopped me from trying in the past! My impulse is to help others by downloading as much information as possible. But I’ve learned this is not wise and really unhelpful. Those we counsel can contemplate and apply a limited amount of information, so in caring for their souls—and especially in the immediate situation—I want to provide counsel they can easily consider and remember. And that’s where David’s wisdom proves so valuable.
In these situations, we must restrain the impulse to bury others under vast amounts of theological information.
Apr. 8, 2008 - Some biblical advice on finding a wife.
I am happily married, but I understand from unmarried friends that finding a mate is not so easy these days. If you need some tips on finding a wife, maybe these examples from the Old Testament will help.
1. Find an attractive prisoner of war, bring her home, shave her head, trim her nails, and give her new clothes. Then she’s yours. - (Deuteronomy 21:11-13)
2. Find a prostitute and marry her. - (Hosea 1:1-3)
3. Find a man with seven daughters, and impress him by watering his flock.- Moses (Exodus 2:16-21)
4. Purchase a piece of property, and get a woman as part of the deal. - Boaz (Ruth 4:5-10)
5. Go to a party and hide. When the women come out to dance, grab one and carry her off to be your wife. - Benjaminites (Judges 21:19-25)
6. Have God create a wife for you while you sleep.-Adam (Genesis 2:19-24)
7. Agree to work seven years in exchange for a woman’s hand in marriage. Get tricked into marrying the wrong woman. Then work another seven years for the woman you wanted to marry in the first place. - Jacob (Genesis 29:15-30)
8. Cut 200 foreskins off of your future father-in-law’s enemies and get his daughter for a wife -David (I Samuel 18:27)
9. Even if no one is out there, just wander around a bit and you’ll definitely find someone. -Cain (Genesis 4:16-17)
10. Become the emperor of a huge nation and hold a beauty contest. - Xerxes or Ahasuerus (Esther 2:3-4)
11. When you see someone you like, go home and tell your parents, “I have seen a … woman; now get her for me.” If your parents question your decision, simply say, “Get her for me. She’s the one for me.” - Samson (Judges 14:1-3)
12. Kill any husband and take his wife. -David (2 Samuel 11)
13. Wait for your brother to die. Take his widow. -Onana and Boaz (Deuteronomy or Leviticus, example in Ruth)
14. Don’t be so picky. Make up for quality with quantity. - Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-3)
*Nothing in this post is a reflection of the author's opinion of his wife nor any women anywhere in the world that has ever breathed a breath of air. If any female believes that the author has implied anything unkind at all, the author is really sorry and promises to never speak in such a manner for the rest of his days, lest he be kicked by a toothy cow.
-Its very cool that in the past 100 visitors, I have had people from the Middle East, SE Asia, and Australia. The world is indeed flat.
-The signs in the bathrooms at restaurants that say "Employees Must Wash Hands" drive me nuts. Should we even have to suggest this course of action?
-Today, one of the Pups burned a hole in the formica counter top, we had tornadoes, Mrs. Underdog's friend had a baby and I opened a new business checking account. All in a days work.
-I would elect Oscar the Grouch just to make the pain of the Presidential Campaign news reports stop.
-My seven year old daughter beat my NCAA tournament bracket. I feel a mix of awe and shame.
-I love Vitamin Water. But with 15 grams of sugar, it's really just adult Kool Aid. That doesn't stop me from drinking it, but I have effectively replaced my old soft drink habit.
What are the odds that a father and son would decide to play wiffle ball in a backyard on Saturday afternoon?
What are the odds that they would position themselves so that the batter was facing the house?
What are the odds that they would leave the back door of the house open on this particular Saturday afternoon?
What are the odds that, due to the father's brilliant pitching, the son would whiff on the first eight pitches?
What are the odds that he would crush the ninth pitch launching a screaming line drive?
What are the odds that mom would be walking through the kitchen with a skillet of newly scrambled eggs?
What are the odds that the mom with the eggs would be walking ten feet inside the backdoor at the exact moment that the aforementioned line drive burst into the kitchen?
What are the odds that the wiffle ball would strike the mom on the knuckle of the hand holding the skillet?
What are the odds that she would somehow manage to hold on to the skillet despite the searing pain from the well hit wiffle ball?
What are the odds that the wrong thing for the father to say to just hit mom is "Why didn't you catch it? If a ball hits you in the hands you should be able to catch it."?
The odds are pretty good around our household. Pretty good, I tell ya.
Jesus, there is nothing I can offer to you that even remotely compares with what You did for me two thousands years ago on that cross. Words cannot contain the extent of your grace and mercy to one so completely undeserving. I love you, King Jesus. Come soon.
Cubs destroy coach's car, then give him brand new SUV
Chicago Cubs strength coach Tim Buss felt weak in the knees on Tuesday when players told him to take a look at his car.
According to multiple media reports out of Chicago, his 1995 Nissan Sentra was almost unrecognizable after someone or something destroyed it. The windows were smashed, the doors tied closed, the trunk peeled up and the roof punctured.
When he saw a couple of baseball bats and balls placed around the car …
"I figured [Jon] Lieber, [Kerry] Wood immediately, [Ryan] Dempster …" he said, according to The Chicago Tribune. "Then I realized it was every pitcher we have."
Players allowed Buss to fume for a while. The coach was trying to figure out how to tell his wife about her car.
"It's a shame," Lieber said, according to the newspaper. "What kind of person would do something like that? It really just shocks me. I'm sure she'll understand."
Dempster finally told Buss to take a look at something else in the parking lot.
When he walked out, several players handed him the keys to a brand new Nissan Xterra SUV.
Almost moved to tears, Buss said, according to the Tribune, "They're great guys."
Google has done something that I think is truly amazing. I thought it was pretty cool when they mapped the earth and allowed you to zoom in and out. Now they have done the same thing with the heavens. You can play with it here - - - http://www.google.com/sky/
I have often heard people say that pictures like these display the massive size of the universe. More importantly, I think that they show how small that we are. When we compare ourselves to the vastness of the heavens, we must realize how amazing it is that the Creator of such enormity and beauty would care for the likes of a rebellious person.
When we look at the stars, we should remember their Creator. And remember that the One that put those stars in their place also submitted to becoming a part of His creation. And allowed those that He created to abuse and murder Him. That He might redeem those that hated Him.
Mar. 15, 2008 - A review of Sea of Darkness (and I am giving a copy away!)
I have to start this book review with a disclaimer.The author of the book I am going to review is one of my favorite musical artists - - - Andrew Peterson.I am reminded of God’s greatness and grace when I listen to his songs.I can give no higher praise than to say that Andrew Peterson songs never leave the rotation in my iPod.Now that I have disclosed my bias, on to the business at hand.
Several months ago, I was thrilledto hear that Andrew would be trying his hand at writing a book.So when I was given a copy of the book to review, I was absolutely giddy.(Yes, I said giddy.)The day that I trotted out to the mailbox and found my pristine copy of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, three inches of snow fell at my home.In balmy Dallas, Texas.I took this auspicious event as a very good sign that this book would be a fun ride.I was not disappointed.
The story focuses on the Igiby children—Janner, his younger brother Tink, and their crippled sister Leeli – and their quest to discover the mystery of the lost jewels of Anniera. Unfortunately for them, the very mean Gnag the Nameless seeks the jewels for his own evil ends. And so our band of friends, accompanied by their trust dog Nugget, seek the jewels with the help of their mom and their ex-pirate grandfather.
Their adventure takes them through the fantastical world of Skree, complete with memorable characters (like Gnag’s evil minions the Fangs and Peet the Sock Man), fanciful creatures (like sea dragons, snickbuzzards, toothy cows, flabbits, and bomnubbles), and captivating places (like the Books & Crannies bookstore, Shaggy Tavern, the Dark Sea of Darkness that divides the land of Skree from Anniera, and Glipwood Forest).
With that background, there are a few things that I think are extraordinary about Sea of Darkness.Andrew spends a lot of time developing a world that is completely unique.The imagination runs wild as you consider the terrible terror of a toothy cow or the mouth watering intensity of cheesy chowder.The simple descriptions and word play provide a canvas for the individual mind to paint a unique fantasy world all their own.I got lost in my own personal vision of Skree as the story unfolded.
The book also contains commentary on many different books and historical figures from the fantasy world of Skree.These details in the margins add depth to the story and quite often made me laugh out loud.It was in this additional prose that I came to fear the “eggish flatulence” of the ratbadger and learned that a love of kittens is not a good foundation for a dynasty.
This is a really fun book to read.The reader will have to allow for the stage to be set before the plot is revealed.The first half of the book is spent putting all of the pieces in place.Once this is accomplished, the story picks up and does not slow until the final pages.So some patience is required to get to the meat of the plotline in Sea of Darkness.
I have one very nit-picky complaint about Sea of Darkness.There are illustrations in the book, but they are few and far between.And those that do appear are dark and lack definition.The book would lose little without them.
Sea of Darkness is the kind of book that parents should read out loud to their kids and I plan to do so with the Pups.As the first in a series of adventure novels, it provides a great premise for many sequels.You should stop what you are doing right now, go to Amazon, and buy this book.
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If you read this far, you probably want the free copy of the book. Fine, then. I have one to give away. Either post a short review of this review in the comments or send an email to crtryon at yahoo.com. Mrs. Underdog will select someone at random and I will mail it to you (via the Pony Express).
Like a toddler in a snowstorm, I am somewhat interesting and somewhat frightening to behold. I write simply because I can, but also to give my wife a break from the witty reparte. I am the proud husband to the bravest person I know (Mrs. Underdog). As the father of five tenacious, awe-inspiring children (the Pups #1-5), I am yours truly: the Underdog.
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