Busy Summer

Sketch Dump

It has been a very busy summer. Karen and I have moved back to North Carolina. I have accepted a two point charge as a student pastorate. Technically it's a half-time position, but this is ministry so how that works exactly... Karen and I are still trying to figure out. I had one class on campus in Wilmore and I'm supposed to be working on the final for Philosophy of Christian Religion right now. I'm half way through.

However, yesterday was my Sabbath because my Friday night will be consumed with Oakboro, NC's Cruise Inn. It's a big money maker for one of my churches and we're all hoping the Cruise Inn won't be rained out. What's a Cruise Inn? A Cruise Inn is where people bring in their restored classic cars and park them up and down the main street. Then people come out to see them. Oakboro UMC will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers and lemonade, and just trying to spread the good news of Christ through our actions.

As I was saying. Sabbath. I took a little time to doodle for myself last night and it was great. I had to finish it up this morning, but it was a lot of fun. 9h drafting pencil, colored pencil and brush pen. You'll probably get all of the references. I wasn't going for anything new. I just wanted to play a bit, and it's the first time I've had a chance to doodle in months. I hope you enjoy.

10 Reasons Why I Swear

10 Reasons Why I Swear
#1 It pleases mother so much
#2 It's a fine mark of manliness.
#3 It proves I have self-control
#4 It shows how clearly my mind operates.
#5 It makes my conversation so pleasing to everybody
#6 It is an unmistakable sign of culture and refinement.
#7 It impresses people with the fact that I have more than ordinary education and vocabulary.
#8 It makes me a very desirable personality among women and children and in respectable society.
#9 It is such a useful accomplishment. of all the sins that I could commit, it brings me the largest financial and material returns.
#10 It is my way of honoring God, who said, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." -- Quoted

Sometimes I just love sarcasm. This is from a 1956 issue of "The Herald."

You know profanity is one of those things which has a place but is often misplaced and misused. If I drop a heavy object on my foot or accidentally hit my thumb with a hammer then perhaps a well placed profanity is appropriate. The trouble is I all too often catch myself swearing when nothing bad has occurred. I do not swear all the time, and when I do more often than not I stick to what the world might call the minor swear words, and abstain from the all too frequently used F-bomb, and the even worse GD. However, I sincerely believe God calls us all - not just wanna be preachers - to live a more joyful life. Check out this word from James 3:1-6 NIV

 ¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. ³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

While profanity may be culturally appropriate its frequent or flagrant use damages our credibility. I want to be understood as a credible witness of the gospel while still being genuine. I do not want to just put on an act, and that is why I try not to swear. I'm not trying to be better than anyone else, or holier than thou. I just want to be me - a person who genuinely loves God and wants to share that love with others.

Joplin, MO

These storms are too fast and furious to be believable. They make Twister look like a kids movie. Some great artists are going to be selling artwork and giving the proceeds to the folks in Joplin. I really like all the stuff they create so pop on over and check these two out. If you can swing it, pick up one or two of their pieces to help out the folks in Joplin.

SkottieScott
http://www.skottiescott.com/2011/05/joplin-mo-aid.html

 

BABY MONKEY

Baby Monkey,

Baby Monkey

Riding on a pig baby monkey

Baby Monkey

Baby Monkey

Backwards on a pig baby monkey

The world has gone insane.

And you don't know what is right.

You've got to keep on keepin on

So get on that pig and hold on tight.

Baby Monkey,

Baby Monkey

Riding on a pig baby monkey

Baby Monkey

Baby Monkey

Backwards on a pig baby monkey

Every morning I send my wife an e-mail with something animal related to let her know I'm thinking about her. It is especially important here at the end of the semester when I'm so crazed. I found this thing about a monkey riding on a pig, and she got such a kick out of it I decided to draw this for my wife. It helps me blow off steam and I hope it puts a smile on my wife's face.

Blowing off Steam

When I was in high school I think the last comic I collected faithfully was Leave It To Chance. There was something about a kid with her own dragon tromping around sewers in a town where her father was the head ghost buster, and defender against the occult that held my attention. When I saw DrawForce was dong a hot rod theme I started playing around with ideas and then I remembered Chance's air car, and decided it needed to be souped up a bit. I've actually been working on it five minutes here, ten minutes there for weeks. The end of the semester is kicking my butt and I really needed to blow off some steam so I thought I'd put the finishing touches on this one and post it.

Constantine killed the church?

You know churches are always asking for money. They're always asking for your tithe. They're always asking for a special collection for this, that, or the other. On the surface it always sounds like a good thing. Then I found this quote while writing a mercy and justice paper for a class on John Wesley's theology.

 Persecution never did, never could, give any lasting wound to genuine Christianity. But the greatest it ever received, the grand blow which was struck at the very root of that humble, gentle patient love, which is the fulfilling of the Christian law, the whole essence of true religion, was struck in the fourth century by Constantine the Great, when he called himself a Christian, and poured in a flood of riches, honours, and power, upon the Christians; more especially upon the Clergy...Then, not the golden, but the iron age of the Church commenced.ⁱi John Wesley sermons., 2:462-463. (The Mystery of Iniquity)

Wesley goes on to emphasize money and power are not the best when trying to give aid to the poor, to educate the ignorant, to bring food to the needy. Without a doubt money helps make those things happen, but without people to step out in faith, to answer the call saying, "Here I am am. I will go," money is just another trap.

This being said I never thought of Constantine having such a negative effect on the church. Thanks to Constantine the church stopped being persecuted by the Romans. Thanks to Constantine the way was paved for Roman Christianity which is Roman Catholicism. Why was this a bad thing? Putting that much money, power and influence into the hand of any human - Christian or otherwise, is a whole lot of temptation. Through the centuries the "Church" supported forcing the lower class into near slavery under the guise some people are born to lower station, and it is God's will they were born to be serfs. The Church strong armed countries in Europe to fight the crusades by refusing their people the sacraments, and then didn't provide for the spiritual development of the soldiers to prevent atrocities like the sacking of Constantinople. At Constantinople European Christian crusaders roasted Turkish Christians on spits outside the city walls. These are just the first of many atrocities committed by Christians (not just Roman Catholics) in the name of God. 

Money and power are not evil in and of themselves, but they are an awful temptation for misery - even in the hands of Christians. I'm not saying everyone should be poor. I'm saying at some point we have to be grateful for what we have, and generous enough in spirit to go to those who are hurting with more than our wallets. Perhaps we need to do more showing up for the gospel, and less looking for a handout.

The Tooth!

Evan has been pretty fussy lately, and he's only been teething for four months, but today I found it. I had started to feel something sharpish in Evan's mouth a day or so ago, but today I felt the rough edge of a front tooth. Then when I finally moved his tongue out of the way there it was. The tooth is certainly not all the way in, but the tooth has broken the gum line. If you're looking right at him it's bottom right. Finally, the tooth has broken through!

On a separate note I am pleased to announce my brother and his family now have power at their apartment in Madison. Ryan has gone back to work so I imagine Amber will gather the flock and reclaim their apartment - and then probably hit the grocery store since the had to throw everything in their refrigerator out. Still, the fact they can move back home on the fifth day when most of Harvest, Alabama, will probably be without power into next weekend is a good sign of hope. Maybe the power companies will be able to get power to Harvest sooner.

Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church

Ford's Chapel was one of six Methodist societies created in 1808. The congregation has met on the same spot for over 200 years. In the late 1980s and most of the way through the 1990's Ford's Chapel was my church home. I was in middle school and high school, and just beginning to learn about who God is for myself. A friend, Angie, invited me to come to UMYF. I began attending worship because we needed to show the congregation there actually was a youth group. In September of 1992 there was a grease fire in our home. My Dad suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 70% of his body. Pop spent six weeks in the burn ward at UAB. My family didn't attend church at the time. It was just me. When it was time for prayer concerns that next Sunday a 13 year old boy stood up among so many older congregants to ask for prayers for his father. I don't know why I did it, but it happened. Call it a prompting of the Spirit. The outpouring of love and compassion from that congregation who really didn't know me from Adam's house cat made a huge impact on my life. I did my Eagle project for that church. My brother came to Christ in that church and my Mom reaffirmed her commitment to Jesus Christ in what they now call the old sanctuary. There are so many memories attached to that building. There were Christmas Eve candle light services, and the celebration of the church's 200th birthday. I can still remember hearing the bell in the bell tower when I pull up for church. However, Wednesday nights storms put an end to the bell ringing at Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church.

I no longer live in Alabama. I haven't for over ten years. Seeing these images is difficult. For me, Ford's Chapel was like the steps to the threshold of the Kingdom of God. However, I am trying to remember the Kingdom of God is not built with bricks and mortar. The Kingdom of God is more than pianos and pews. The Kingdom of God means more than crucifixes and communion kneelers. The Kingdom of God is placed in the hearts of believers. The Kingdom of God is made manifest when the Spirit of God bears witness to the spirit of believers that these are the children of God. The Kingdom of God comes alive when the storms of life rage, and the darkness - though it may tear down our church buildings - cannot tear down the hearts of the faithful. If Ford's Chapel has suffered at the hands of Wednesday nights storms how much more must the people in the community of Harvest, the city of Huntsville, the people in Madison County? All those who have been spared have a tremendous task ahead of them, but the task is not to rebuild with brick and mortar. The task ahead is to build up the faith of those who question in the face of adversity. Which is the greater storm? The twisters which tear down brick and mortar, or the doubt that fills so many hearts and minds in the wake of these storms? It is my prayer the Spirit would blaze in the hearts of those who call Ford's Chapel their church home. I hope Ford's Chapel will reach out to their community in the same love and Spirit of God they used to reach out to a scared thirteen year old boy.

Blount Family Update

Just a quick update. I spoke with my brother Ryan and he is returning to Huntsville tonight to be with Amber, Abbie and Jacob and to figure out how to handle the no power situation. New estimates are the area will probably be without power for a week give or take a day. Ryan told me there is also a curfew in effect for Huntsville which runs from sun up to sun down. I imagine the curfew is to stop looters, break-ins and vandalism while the power is out. I will keep you posted as I find out more information.

Family Tornado Update

Since I am the only member of my family who is not in North Alabama at the moment I thought I would share this update about Mom, Dad, Ryan, Amber, Abbie and Jacob. I spoke with Mom and Pop last night from 8:30-9. Mom, Dad, Amber, Abbie and Jacob are fine. They are at home and do not have power. Ryan is in Birmingham taking depositions for a case he's been working on for four years. Ryan is the one who has done all of the background research for these depositions so he could not get out of it. Luckily everyone is safe. Mom and Pop lost two trees on the back of their property and their neighbors have water within 30 yards of their back door.

The forecasters are calling it the worst storm in 40 years with over 200 twisters on the ground. As I understand it all of the network television stations are down, and most of the local radio stations are down. There is one station in Athens which is still able to broadcast and they are now the source of information from the national weather service. CNN is giving okay updates about Alabama, but without power there are no updates with specifics out of Huntsville.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/28/severe.weather/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

Evan Update

Evan is six months old and as the pictures can attest he is picking all up kinds of new skills.  Evan enjoys grabbing the spoon when he's being fed. The trouble is he tries to either jab the spoon into his mouth or chew on it. Thank goodness for the rubber coating on the flat part of the spoon. Evan has been introduced to the sippy cup with water which he is so so about. He has even started trying to grab the bottle to feed himself. Evan can't quite handle the full bottles yet, but it doesn't stop him from trying. Most nights when I get up for the O-dawn:thirty feeding Evan has rolled himself from his back to his belly, and I've given up turning him over. Now he gets changed, fed, back to bed on his back, and by the time I get up early to study Evan has long since rolled over onto his belly again. Evan smiles now when Karen or I go into to get him up in the morning. This morning he smiled real big when I went into get him up, and then he smiled really big when Karen got up. Today was a nice change because of Good Friday. I didn't have to work today, but I got up early to study anyway. Because I didn't have to work I was able to give Karen a little break, and fed Evan breakfast this morning. Evan is recovering from a double ear infection so he's getting amoxicilan in his cereal in the morning. Nothing like pink cereal to get your day started, but Evan takes it well so it's not a real big deal. Just three more days of the antibiotic, and hopefully Evan will only have to worry about teething. Sorry to report there are no teeth yet, but his bottom row look so close we hope they'll break through any day now.

The Mountain

The Mountain

I found this on Yahoo this morning. I don't know why, but I've always looked at the sky and been awed by it's size and beauty. It's probably a direct result of growing up in tornado alley and watching for wall clouds why I mowed the lawn. Anyway, click on The Mountain to see a cool video showing the night sky video taped from a mountain top in Spain.

You Might Be Wrong

Before I came to seminary I had a lot of ideas about theology. I didn't know that's what it was called, but I had a lot of ideas. I also had a lot of things I was really confused about. What's the difference between justification and sanctification? Why do they matter? Stuff like that. Here are a few basic definitions to keep it simple.

Prevenient Grace: God is out to get you. He spent all of his anger for all the sins you and I have committed on His only Son, Jesus Christ. Now that the price has been paid, God is out to make us part of the family. God loves us. The price for our sin has been paid. God is calling us, and enabling us to accept God's grace and to become part of the family. We cannot accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior if God has not first given us the ability to do so.

Justification/Regneration: The moment we stop filling our eyes and ears with sin, the moment we stop trying to drown out the sound of the Holy Spirit, and listen for God's still small voice calling out to us. The moment our soul respond's to God's calls saying, "Abba, Father!" In that moment we are reborn and we are given the ability to resist our sinful nature.

Process of Sanctification: The race run to the end of our days to become more like Christ, and to cast off all of the sins we habitually commit in every waking breath. The purpose? To be fit for heaven. This is not a terrific example, but think of it as joining the military. Justification/Regeneration is like getting off the bus at boot camp. Your head is shaved, your clothes are sent home to Mommy, and the drill instructors set out to make you into a new person. Sometimes you're torn down, but all of the time you are in basic you are becoming stronger. Why? To be ready for what's ahead. What's ahead for Christians? Heaven. And Heaven is worth being in shape for.

Entire Sanctification: Entire sanctification is a qualitative change. You can no more earn, or build yourself into being entirely sanctified than you could earn your way to salvation. There should probably be another term to distinguish between the process of sanctification and entire sanctification. I've often been confused about the two. Entire Sanctification is like the change in the new birth except way better. If regeneration wipes away all of our past sin, and relieves us of the burden of guilt for those sins, entire sanctification takes away the stain of sin. - I think. To be honest. I'm still trying to work this one out.

I hope this helps.

A Bag of Marbles

"A sweet lesson of this kind happened to her in the case of one of her children. She was making a bag for her to hold marbles, and she wanted a string in it, and she went to put the string in with a bodkin; but when the child saw the bodkin disappear, she said, 'Mother, I want the string,' but no string appeared; and she said, with an anxious sort of brow, 'Oh, mother, do put the string'; and she said, 'Darling, trust mother.' Presently the string came out, and she tied it, and gave it to her, and the little girl looked at it thoughtfully for a moment, and then said,  'Oh, that is just like Jesus. We give Him things to do, and He don't seem to be doing the right way, but we know that Jesus knows, and we wait and don't worry, and it come out all right,' Now, that is rest. they should trust Jesus, and although they may not understand at the time His way of working, yet they leave it with Him, and he brings it out all right, and they have rest." ~ Mrs. Pearsall Smith quoted in The Baptist June 11, 1813

I'm not sure I can top the simplicity of this story. However, it seems quite relevant to my wife and I. We did not receive a student placement in the Western North Carolin Conference this year. The conference is full. I have a promise to keep to my wife so I find myself and my family in the familiar situation of looking for a job with the added responsibility of a wife and son to provide for, while I still have another year of seminary to complete. It is helpful to be able to look back on that time of unemployment and remember all of the ways God looked after me; especially as I work to continue putting my trust in God. Isn't that the definition of holiness? Instead of a laundry list of do this, and don't do that shouldn't holiness be about daily practices which help us to better trust in God? During this season of Lent when people often give up something isn't the point to learn to trust in God more? Giving up something in Lent is like "Basic Training" in the military. We give up something while we have the option not to, so when we are caught between a rock and a hard place we have practiced trusting God. What is that old phrase; first we try then we trust? Lent is about learning to trust God when life is easy so when we face trials of various kinds we have a firm foundation of trust in God and the reassurance God will see us through.

Every Ordinary Thing Can Be Sacramental

"Earth's Cramed with Heaven
And every common bush a fire with God:
But only he who sees takes off his shoes,
The rest sit around and pick black berries."
~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Tweak in Direction

My wife pointed out the reason she never reads my blog is because it is always something Biblical or religious or both. I am forced to concede she has a point. Then again I am in seminary. I do have projects and deadlines, and John Wesley sermons all running through my head so I guess some of that is to be expected. I could go on a Monday morning rant about all of the things I am struggling with in seminary. Sadly, I'd probably have more people reading this blog if I did. Suddenly there would be the drama of misery. This blog would follow the newspaper's example of "if it bleeds it leads." Okay. I took that quote from a movie, but it applies. Just look at the evening news. So what would it take to make this blog a bit more interesting? I think I need to do a better job of addressing my everyday life in seminary, as a husband, father, child of God. Wow just listing those out I think I got them out of order in terms of the priorities I hold to. I'll give it a try and see how things go.

The Line

In the life of a person of faith there is a line between what a person wills to do, and what the All Mighty empowers them to do. There is a clear distinction between the will of distruction, and the empowering force which enables us to truly live life. For those who follow the commands to Love God, love neighbor as ourselves; holiness becomes trusting God, and discovering there is power and peace, when the will of man becomes trust in God.

Psalm 4

“Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
You gave me room when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.”
                                        (Psalm 4:1 NRSV)
Under the current economic conditions there have been a lot of people over the last three or four years who have prayed this prayer; although, perhaps not in so many words. God you have provided for me in the past. Please watch over me and my family now. My company has downsized, and I am now unemployed. My family is hungry. We have bills to pay. I would gladly work, if I could only find a job. Be gracious to me O Lord and hear my call.
For the unemployed there are many aspersions, dispersions, negative connotations, and misconceptions about what it means to be unemployed. Is every person living on the street homeless because they are a drug addict, or an alcoholic? No. Is every family on unemployment just a bunch of lazy free loaders who do not want to work? No. It was not always the job of the Federal Government in this country to help those in need. How long will the children of God love vain words instead of helping their brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in need? How long will we deny Christ a drink of water at the well?
According to a February article on Bloomberg.com unemployment in the United States of America is up to 9% – Nine Percent. For those struggling to get buy it is easy to feel angry, and to let that anger lead to despair. The Psalmist urges us not to let our despair cause us to sin. Now is not the time to allow depression to cloud your mind. Now is not the time to let anger or pride misdirect your judgment. In your time of trial it is time to put your whole trust in the Lord, and to bring your plight before the altar of God. I am not promising a sign from God, or a financial wind fall. However, I have been down this road. I know what peace God can put in your heart to help you endure when the storms of life are raging. Now is the time to strengthen the foundations of your faith and your home. Put your faith in the Lord. Trust in God’s power and peace that you might lay down in safety with a roof over your head, food in your belly and the knowledge God will see you safely through the storms if you will but trust in God’s grace.

Amen.

Pandora's Box

Greek mythology explains the evils of the world with the story of Pandora's box. Pandora opened the box and all of the evils of the world were let loose so all that was left in the box was hope.

I do not place my hope for today and for the world in a metaphor from the ancient world, but in a king who lives and reigns every bit as much today as he did 2000 years ago. He came into a world already filled with the darkness and decay of our own making which had only been further complicated by the lies of the tempter. No. My King came into the darkness, and wild destructive decay of a thoroughly broken world as a pale ray of light in the form baby born to a destitute itinerant family. As He grew into adulthood he listened, and witnessed, and loved humanity because His Father loves humanity. Then in the fullness of time, while we were still willfully defiant, He gave his life that light would dawn in the darkness of the world and we would all see something so good, so wonderful, we would be both in awe of it and convicted by its grace and goodness.

All give honor and praise through the Holy Spirit to Christ for God's love that Christ has entered the world. Let the darkness hear and tremble at these words, "SUNDAY'S COMING!"

Night Owl

Wikipedia describes a night owl this way.
Night owl is a term used to describe a person who tends to stay up until late at night. Another name for a night owl is evening person 
I do not typically function this way. Usually I am one of those early to bed early to rise folks who try not to annoy the night owls first thing in the morning. However, lately I am becoming a night owl. This week it's up until midnight every night and up at five in the morning to feed Evan. Then I stay up and try to get reading done or to finish the sermon due for class on Wednesday. This is turning out to be a very busy semester which is why I'm starting to look like my fine feathered friend here. Please don't stare if you see me walking across campus with this look on my face.

A GREAT IDEA!

Alina Chau is an Asian American Artist who works for Lucasfilm - which before God called me to seminary would have been a dream job. She is selling this painting on eBay for a program called Art Blocks for Ghana. The proceeds from the paintings will be sent to help families in Ghana build homes. A part of the money from the auction of this painting will go to "Artists Help Japan" and Give2Asia - Artists. Alina is planing to have another auction in April specifically to help those in Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami. All of these programs are legitimate. I wonder if there are any artists out there creating specifically Christian artwork for these programs?

Psalm 29

I am taking a preaching class and a couple of weeks ago I chose Psalm 29 as the passage I would preach from first. It was one from a list the professor assigned. As I have been praying about what message God would have me to reveal from Psalm 29 the earthquake and tsunami in Japan have weighed heavily on my mind. Psalm 29 makes it very clear God is over the waters, and his voice can boom like thunder. There is tremendous power in the voice of God over all things. One commentary went so far to say Psalm 29 places God, enthroned over the waters of chaos. Japan has certainly seen its fair share of chaos - especially with the impending nuclear threat. Japan would seem to be struggling against earth, fire, and water. I am sure there are those who would say, "Where is God if He is enthroned over the waters of chaos, and if His voice is so powerful?" The "Where is God" question in the face of tragedy is always difficult. The answer is tied up in God's character, the gift of free choice to human beings, and the Fall. This is a blog and not a term paper so I won't give the long winded answer. I'd rather focus on the last verse of Psalm 29. "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace (NIV)." John Wesley in his sermon "The Almost Christian" points out that God delights to work through people for the good of the world. Humanity was God's stewards of creation going all the way back to Genesis. This does not mean we are on our own to handle natural disasters. Quite often God's blessings in our lives are meant to be used to help others. Wesley puts it this way. Those who are given ability have the responsibility to act. Uncle Ben put it this way, "With great power comes great responsibility." The blessing of God is quite often the Holy Spirit moving in our lives to will and to act for God's glory. One way you can help the people in Japan is by offering to help through UMCOR the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Won't you prayerfully consider how God's prompting in your life today and give as you are able?

Bucket List

Click here to go to the website.

Good Morning,

A few years ago there was this movie called, The Bucket List where a couple of guys near the end of their lives decide to do all the things we all say we want to do before we die, but never do. I stumbled across this blog post this morning, and it is so cool I had to post it here. Just one question though. What do you want to do before you die?

Flintstone Powered Car

First a disclaimer: Karen did not dress Evan this morning - I did. And everything matched this morning until he peed on his shirt and pants. After that I just kinda made due since Karen was off running errands. She thought Evan's wardrobe was so comical she took a picture of him with her phone and e-mailed her Mom and sister. However, this is not the reason for this post.

Evan sat in the driver seat of his first car. Granted it's Flintsone powered, but there he is. We decided there was no sense in paying for an activity center for $100 bucks and then turning around to pay another $40 for a walker. We've got a blanket in front and behind him, but it won't be long until he doesn't need those at all. He likes it pretty well for a 4.5 month little boy.

Lybia

This is going to give away my age, but the only thing I really know about Lybia comes from the Back To The Future movies. I stumbled across this blog with images of Lybia and I am reminded they aren't just angry people, half way around the world, rioting in the streets. They are people with hearts and minds, with families, and a culture all of their own. It is really neat to see them this way. 

Crystal Clear Lybia

Check out the blog article and then follow the link to Charles O Cecil's photo gallery. He was the U.S. Ambassador to Lybia for many years and took some great photographs of the people there. Most of them are not Christians, but that certainly does not mean we shouldn't love them as fellow creatures of God. God made us all. Jesus died for us all. I don't think we have the luxury of not praying for people who are not like us. 

Wood Burning Robots

I thought it would be a good stress reliever to ink some of the stuff I drew before I came to seminary. It’s been a lot of fun, but I am really slow, and since I can only afford allow myself 15 minutes a day to doodle it takes me a while to get anything finished. Enjoy!

Learn from my mistakes

“What is man that you should note him, and the human creature, that You pay him heed, and You make him little less than the gods, with glory and grandeur You crown him?” (Psalm 8:5-6 Translation by Robert Alter)

I’ve just returned from North Carolina where I appeared before my District Committee on Ordained Ministry (DCOM), and I learned a couple of very valuable lessons.

#1 If you are a verbal thinker the very best thing you can do when you get nervous is to shut your mouth. Abraham Lincoln was right. “It’s better to let someone think you are a fool than to open your mouth and prove them right.”

#2 This one is tied to number one if you are a verbal thinker in a situation where you are nervous. Take an extra moment or two to center yourself before you attempt to answer a question, and when you do answer a question, answer the question asked. In my nervousness I bounced all around what they were asking without landing on the point they were looking for, and what’s worse I didn’t take the time to clarify what they were asking.

#3 Never wander into theology with a group of ministers, whether by accident or on purpose if you haven’t had any training on the subject. If you do find yourself in that dark forest make sure to point out what little training you’ve had.

For all of these lessons learned I too ask God who am I that you should take note of me? Who am I that you would call me to follow this path? In the end I too must admit like Job, God is God and I am not. I cannot explain a fraction of the resources God used to create the universe much less His plan for my life. Instead I will rely on His mercies for today. I have fallen down. Now I will rely on God to stand back up.

Science and Theology: Fact or Truth

I am a student at Asbury Theological Seminary, and yesterday in class we took time to discuss the Rose Window at Drew Theological seminary. I have had some art history in my background so I found the discussion very interesting predominantly because of the way it depicts the relationship between science and theology. Science and Theology were not always at odds with each other, and I found the description so interesting I decided to copy the write up from Drew Theological Seminary's website and post it here. This is going to be a long post.

Before I post the window and the write up I’d like to throw this question out there. Do you think there is a difference between truth and fact? I do. Facts are determined by scrutinizing the smallest data to determine how quantifiably reliable these data are, and then these data are the basis for facts. A couple of years ago scientists decided Pluto was not really a planet because it no longer fit their definition of what a planet is. Their understanding of the data changed and so the facts changed. Suddenly in an afternoon there were only eight planets in our solar system. The truth is the truth because we cannot change it. The truth changes all of the people it impacts. This is a truth out approach as opposed to a data in approach. What I can testify to is the truth has changed me, and I have seen the truth change other people for the better. I have never seen a fact make a sincere difference in someone’s life for better or worse.

THE ROSE WINDOW

The Rose Window, displayed over the entrance of the present library building, was designed by Henry Holiday for Drew's first library, the Cornell (1883). Below: the Cornell Library, with the Rose Window on the back wall. The first photo was probably taken around the turn of the century; the second in the 1920s.
Photos courtesy of the Drew University Archives.

The Cornell Library was razed in 1937 when the Rose Memorial Library was constructed on the site; the window was removed at that time and placed in storage for over forty years. No formal records were kept of its whereabouts.

In 1978, when plans to add a Learning Center to the Rose Memorial Library were almost finished, the dismantled window was unexpectedly rediscovered in a crate in the attic of the Hall of Sciences. It was decided that the window should be restored to a place over the library's new entrance.

Gordon Henderson, a stained glass craftsman, reconstructed the window with the help of his son Todd. Because there was no original copy of the design, it took six months to piece together the small stained glass parcels. Henderson's great grandfather had restored stained glass windows in the Graduate School Building named after Samuel W. Bowne, back when the University was still a seminary.

"Rose" is the term used to describe a round cathedral or church stained glass window whose design emanates from the center, like the flower after which it is named. This rose window has a nine and a half foot diameter. A letter from Henry Holiday, dated April 20, 1888 (Drew University Archives), gives a fascinating explanation of its symbolism:

In the center is seated Theology ("Knowledge of God") as the focus of all knowledge. The globe upon which she is seated symbolizes her domain, and the nimbus around her head indicates her spiritual character. The dove in the panel that rests on her shoulder symbolizes the voice of God, and the two seraphs, angels who symbolize "Wisdom," kneel before her. The motto for this central panel is taken from Isaiah 55:9: "As the heavens are exalted from the earth, so are my ways exalted from your ways."

At the feet of Theology sits another female figure, Humility, leading a child towards Theology. The motto for this panel is taken from Psalms 25:9: "He shall teach the lowly his ways."

Above the figure of Theology are the three cardinal virtues: Faith (Fides) on the left, Charity (Caritas) in the center and Hope (Spes) on the right. Faith's text is from Hebrews 11:3: "By faith we understand that the ages were fashioned by the word of God." Hope's text is taken from Romans 8:25: "If what we do not see we hope for, we await it in patience."

At the sides of Theology are two panels. The one on the left is composed of philosophy (Philosophia), reflective, with her foot on a pile of books symbolizing knowledge. History (Historia) lifts a veil to symbolize her "retrospective search." She was almost omitted, but Holiday included her "because we study the relation of God to Man through his dealings with mankind."

On the right side of the central panel is another figure Holiday had some trouble with, Science (Scientia), but he felt that her presence symbolized the study of the structure of God's universe, and represented her interests by a globe (earth science), a flower (Botany), and a book (theoretical sciences). Art (Ars) accompanies Science because she symbolizes the beauty of the ordered universe.

The summary passage inscribed on the outer circumference of the circular window is from I Corinthians 13:10: "Cum venerit quod perfectum est, evacuabitur quod ex parte est." ("When what is perfect has come, the imperfect will pass away.")

Walking Home

I haven’t talked about why I named this blog Walking Home in a while, and this morning I woke up thinking about it so here goes. First of all I am a United Methodist. It is a part of our theology that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (especially me). Methodists believe all our lives the Holy Spirit is on our tales like some great Holy Hound from Heaven. In this capacity the Spirit is like a herding dog; nipping at our heels, and barking at us to go this way or that way. Methodists call this prevenient Grace. It is the grace which calls us home to a relationship with the Lord God Almighty. In the moment we are saved the Holy Spirit justifies us before God, and we are cleansed of all our sin because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Methodists call the removal of all our past sins at the moment of conversion, justifying grace. Now here is where the Methodists differ from our Baptist brothers and sisters. The path to God does not end once we are saved. Certainly our past sins are washed away in the blood of Jesus Christ, but we are not like Christ yet. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism described what comes next as going on to complete sanctification. Through the power of sanctifying grace we seek to become more like Christ in every aspect of our lives, and to maintain the quest for sanctification until the race is finished, and we can finally return home. I am not completely sanctified, and I cannot hope to make it without the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. All of humanity is like the prodigal son, sitting out with the pigs and remembering how much better it was in the Father’s house. The only difference for me is I decided to stop sitting on the fence  watching the pigs. I decided to answer God’s call to walk home.

This blog is about me working out what it means to walk home, and learning to rely on Christ for every aspect of my life. Hopefully what I have written, or doodled or posted links too will help others to find their way as well.

How Do You Frame Your Future?

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful
            to me,
    for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
    til the storms of destruction pass by by.
I will cry out to God Most High,
    to God who fulfills his purpose
            for me.”        (Psalm 57:1-2 ESV)

Last night was a long night and I am having a hard time getting myself in gear this morning. Evan woke up screaming twice last night. The first time Karen and I were still up trying to have a little quality time watching an episode of the Golden Girls (GGs) so we worked together to try to settle him back down to sleep. He wasn’t anywhere near due to eat, he couldn’t have more Tylenol, and we were pretty sure it was his teeth. All we could do was make him comfortable and put him back to bed. The second time he woke up it was just me on night duty, and Evan was both hungry and fighting with his mouth. That one was all me, but I managed to feed him, change him and get him back to sleep by 3am. All of that combined with a weekend full of “have to’s” makes it very hard to get going on a Monday. And this isn’t just any Monday. It’s the first day of the spring semester. I could fill this blog with complaints about the reading I need to start getting done, or whining about how I’m going to do the reading while Evan is teething. Instead I am going to look to the Psalms for a little help, and think about how I am framing my life.

My life is about priorities and how I spend my time. The way a person spends their time says a lot about who they are and what they value. I do my very best to try to line up my priorities in this order; God, Karen and Evan, school/work, church. This morning when I am tired and struggling to get going I am choosing to look to the Lord, the God Most High, and in Him I will take refuge and look for the strength to get through the day. God is stronger than I am. God is stronger than you are. If God can give Elijah the strength to run 40 days and 40 nights to the mountain of God, God can certainly get me through the first day of the semester. If I stumble today – when I stumble today, I will remember from where my strength comes, and pick myself up to begin again. God has a purpose for me, and I will do my best to make myself open and available for God to work His will in my life. How will I frame my future? I will frame my future through the way I spend my time.

Evan Update

For everyone who's curious how Evan is doing here's an update. Can you say teething? Evan has a good ridge of teeth trying to push through the gums on the top and bottom. Right now when I put a finger in his mouth to rub his gums I can feel grooves and ridges going all the way back to his molars. We have officially moved from a touch of colic, with a bunch of reflux to grumpy teething. Some days I wonder if he's going to cut every tooth in his head all at once. There's no rest for Mommy and Daddy, but I tell you what. All of the fussing, crying and crankiness make his smiles that much more winsome. Evan is making good use of his hands, and trying to grab a hold of everything - shirts, plastic chains, toys, and just this morning two handfuls of Mommy's hair.

For those in the greater Charlotte area Evan will be baptized February 13th during the 9:40 service. We found out just this past week February 13th is Boy Scout Sunday as well. I guess we all better be prepared because here comes Evan. Will he be fussy? Will he be good? I don't know, but it will be entertaining.

Looking for a little help to pay for school

Going to Seminary is expensive. On top of that, finding a scholarship can be really difficult. That's why I was so excited to find this <a href="http://www.seminaryscholarship.com">Seminary Scholarship</a> website today. Not only are they giving away a $1,000.00 scholarship and a digital theological library, all I had to do to apply was watch a short video and answer a few questions! It took less than 15 minutes. What is best of all is that if you're in seminary and apply for the <a href="http://www.seminaryscholarship.com">Seminary Scholarship</a>, and put my name as the person who referred you, if you win the scholarship, so do I! <strong>We could both get a $1,000.00 scholarship and digital theological library.</strong> So, do us both a favor and go apply for the <a href="http://www.seminaryscholarship.com">Seminary Scholarship</a> today.

Just Go Through The Motions

“Clap your hands, all peoples!
     Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, is to be
           feared,
      a great king over all the earth.”
                                      (Psalm 47:1-2 ESV)

Since the late 1980’s and early 1990’s the Body of Christ has been undergoing what some have called the “Worship Wars.” There has been this fight for the heart of the church over whether worship music should just use organs and choirs, or electric guitars and drums. Should worship music sound like blue grass music with little old ladies who can barely carry a tune wailing for the glory of the Lord, or should worship be people sitting, standing or kneeling while some guy up front preaches in a language no one understands? What is worship, and is it okay to just show up on Sunday morning and do your best to stay awake while simply going through the motions? I hope the answer to the last question is obvious. No, it is not okay to just go through the motions because that kind of worship is dead, and our God is a living God. Worship is about offering up our love back to God for all of the wonderful blessings He has bestowed upon creation. God gave us life and breath. God saved us through the death of His only Son on the cross, and raised us from our destruction in the resurrection. God has given us life, and salvation to new life. Shouldn’t worship offered up to the Lord be full of life as well? I have had the privilege of worshiping in high steeple churches, and back woods country churches. I consider myself blessed to have worshiped in an Emmaus Community, and in a Pentecostal church. Each worships God in their own way, but let us not be closed to continually looking for new ways to express our gratitude to God through worship. Let us not hide our appreciation because we’re afraid we’ll be thought of as odd. Whatever, style of worship you attend let your worship be free of concern for how you’ll look or what other people will think. If need be clap your hands and shout for joy with songs and dancing that love for the Lord would be heard.

Too Cool Not To Share

Wilmore, Kentucky = The Mayberry of Nerds

How will you use your tongue?

John Wesley is quoted as having said, "My talent is to speak my mind. God won't object if you bury that talent." I can think of many occasions when these words make a lot of sense. Abraham Lincoln had a similar thought, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."  These quotes stand out to me because I am a seminary student and it seems everyone has an opinion they are dieing to share with everyone who will listen and occasionally even those who won't. Too many seminary students, and I confess I have been guilty of this as well, think speaking their mind is what pastors are supposed to do. I am not so sure.
This morning I am reading Psalm 39. David explains he has tried to guard what he says to keep himself from sinning. Specifically, David keeps silent around people who are sinning. However, then the text says there was a burning within David to speak. The psalm does not tell us what David felt compelled to say, or whom he felt compelled to correct. This psalm is about something else. In verses seven and eight David says, "O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool." Now we have a new problem. Too many Christians are afraid to share what they know about God because they are afraid they do not know enough when people begin to ask questions. These Christians do not want to look like a fool, and really; who does - but here's the catch. I am not a great spots caster, but if I see the University of Alabama walk all over Auburn you can bet I'm going to tell everyone I meet. I am not an esteemed movie critic, but if I see a movie I like I am going to share it with people. Why is it not the same for the love of God. Christians do not have to be great theologians to share the love of Christ with a neighbor, a coworker or a stranger. While some will question and want deeper answers it is okay to say, "I don't know," but do not let yourselves be troubled any more than you would about telling someone about the person who helped you with a flat tire on the side of the road. Sincerely sharing what God has done in our lives with others is at the heart of the Great Commission. Just honestly share what you know, and let your hope be in God that He will take care of the rest.

God's Faithfulness Reaches to the Sky

Psalm 36 begins with the words, "Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart," and in my ESV Bible there is a footnote which says in some translations verse one reads, "Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in my heart." King David is often referred to as a man after God's own heart. The reason is David loved God and wanted to see God's face all the time. However, even King David felt "transgression," or sin creeping into his heart and mind. There are some Christians who feel like they've made it and will never sin again. There are still more who do not think they've made it, but act as though they have the right to push around everyone else like the blind leading the blind. When I read these verses from Psalm 36 it reminds me that all have fallen short before the glory of God, and that includes me. These verses hold me in check because if King David felt the tug of transgression on his own heart the tug of transgression is certainly in mine as well. David fights against the transgression pulling at his heart by singing out about the glory of the Lord. I really like the way Third Day puts David's words to music and reminds me God's love, and faithfulness is just as real, just as honest, and just as powerful as today as the day David wrote the words of Psalm 36. I try to think about these words when I am in a situation to correct others. I try to remember it is God who changes lives and not me. All I can do is show people the door and live a life as close to Christ as I can. God loves all of us, and so should I; so it is with love I will try to help others learn from my own mistakes.

Learning in our Prosperity

I'm Trading My Sorrows
In the New Testament letter written by the apostle James we are told to,

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."    (James 2:2-4 ESV)

I confess I find it hard to see various trials as opportunities to be steadfast in the Lord. During good times it is hard to think about, and when I face those trials... well... it seems impossible. Fortunately, the Biblical writers spared no ink when it came to dealing with mourning, sorrow, and how we should face various trials. Psalm 30 is titled "Joy Comes in the Morning." Verses four and five are the hook for "I'm Trading My Sorrows."

 ⁴Sing praises to the LORD, O you^(H) his saints,
   and^(I) give thanks to his holy name.^[b]
5(J) For his anger is but for a moment,
   and^(K) his favor is for a lifetime.^[c]
(L) Weeping may tarry for the night,
   but^(M) joy comes with the morning.

I love those verses, but the harder lesson comes with verses six and seven. David admits that during a time of prosperity when he claimed, "I shall never be moved." We don't know what he claimed to never be moved from, but we do know God hid Himself from David, and David was dismayed. Most of us in America have a roof over our heads, a job, and the ability to put food on our table. It is entirely too easy to forget from whence our prosperity comes, and why it has been given. We take it for granted, and when our prosperity is gone we are at a loss. The lesson of Psalm 30 is to be mindful of our relationship with the Giver of all good things in the good times so when the bad times come we are better able to put our trust in the Lord - for the Lord can turn our mourning into dancing.

The Lord is my Strength

“The Lord is the strength of his people;
     he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
Oh, save your people and bless your
             heritage!
     Be their shepherd and carry them
             forever.”                (Psalm 28:8-9 ESV)

To whom and for what should I live my life if not the Lord? It is not enough to be moral. Even moral people make mistakes, and who is there to set them back on the right paths and hold them accountable? It is not enough to be happy. All my life I have heard my parents and others say they just want their children to be happy. The pursuit of happiness alone, much like the pursuit of property has proven time and again to be a gateway for selfishness. If I am only worried about my own happiness then why should I care about anyone else’s happiness? To follow this logic we become like children clutching their first toy and shouting, “Mine!” In doing so we cut ourselves off from the blessings of the Father’s love, of community, and of family. If we want to be one nation under God we must consider our purpose. Are we only interested in ourselves, or are we willing to listen one another? Are we only willing to listen to those who tell us what we want to hear, or are we willing to listen to God? I have a dream these words would be written on the heart of our American nation.

“Blessed be the Lord!
    for he has heard the voice of my pleas
           for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    in Him my heart trusts, and I am
           helped;
my heart exults,
    and with my song I give thanks to
           him.”         (Psalm 28:6-7 ESV)

Is Your Dream Big Enough?

Picture it! August 1963, Washington, D.C. standing atop the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Dr. Martin Luther King Jr proclaimed he had a dream. King's dream was to see the liberty promised in the Declaration of Independence, and the freedoms prescribed in the Emancipation Proclamation paid in full to the African Americans who were still being persecuted in the United States in the 60's. King wanted to see his four children able to play with any other children regardless of of any race, creed or color. When you think about the challenges African American's faced at that time those were impressive dreams. As I consider those dreams I wonder about my dreams for America today.Americans have been gifted by our forefathers with so many protections of liberty in the U.S. Constitution. What do we do with those freedoms?

I've been rereading Psalm 24 and while wondering about the freedoms we possess considering our dreams for this nation and specifically for the Body of Christ. King David refers talks about the kinds of people who will enter the kingdom of heaven in Psalm 24. Who will enter the Kingdom is important because it begs the question who is worthy. David explains it this way.

4(F) He who has(G) clean hands and(H) a pure heart,
   who does not(I) lift up his soul to(J) what is false
   and does not swear deceitfully.
5He will receive(K) blessing from the LORD
   and(L) righteousness from(M) the God of his salvation.
6Such is(N) the generation of those who seek him,
   who(O) seek the face of the God of Jacob.[b]
                                                                                  Selah

My dream for America is we would become the generation David is talking about in Psalm 24. In no other nation in the world do we have the freedom to worship, the freedom to serve our fellow man, the freedom to share our faith with someone we meet in Starbucks, or Bojangles without fear of punishment from the government. Too many people abuse the freedoms we have in this great country. My dream is that the Body of Christ would dust off their swords and use their freedom to share the love of Christ with everyone they meet.

Let's face it. A wood burning, 

steam powered robot with a jack hammer for an arm 

is pretty cool.

The Mouse Captain

Mouse Captain 
                                       of the Under Sea
I decided to let loose a little more with this one, and to let go of a lot of the predrawn detail. I like this one better than the others because it's simpler, and still communicates very clearly. Plus I thought it would be interesting to draw a mouse missing the lower part of its leg and replaced with a fish hook instead of a peg leg. The whole mouse thing appeals to me because a couple of months ago I watched "The Secret of NIMH" again, and I'm convinced Don Bluth is a genius when it comes to characterization. His characters are easy on the detail, and communicate really awesome emotions. It's really great.

That's My Boy!

three months old

two thumbs

one mouth

NO PROBLEM

Mouse Captain Design

I always start with pencil drawings - usually with a very hard HB lead pencil. The trick to sharing those pencil sketches is a little Photoshop CS2 to darken the contrast so they could be seen for this post. I finally picked up a brush pen I really like for my birthday. It's a Japanese calligraphy pen, and it is a great combination of flexibility and ink that won't soak through the paper. I really love this pen and the first thing I inked with it is the mouse captain in the lower right hand corner. Enjoy!

Something I gotta tell you…

As I read over Psalm 18:43-50 I am reminded of this commercial for Little Ceasar's pizza. A guy is standing in a full elevator with a bunch of people when he suddenly starts bragging to everyone about how well he ate the night before. He just won't stop talking about how good a deal he got on the pizza he ate last night. David is doing something similar. No. David isn't bragging about pizza. David is bragging about God and all of the things God has done for David. God has given David stewardship over all of the Children of Israel. God has put people under David’s authority whom David had not known. David’s enemies lost any desire to come up against him. God has been a place of refuge and a deliverer from trouble. Now David, like the guy in the Little Ceasar’s commercial won’t stop talking about the things God has done for him to anyone who will listen. Shouldn’t we do the same?

Have you ever noticed when people are first saved how they cannot wait to tell everyone about this great thing that has happened? Before they know anything about what is in the Bible, or have any great grasp of what God asks of us they run off on fire to share this wonderful thing called salvation. But after a while something happens. Either the emotional high goes away or we just get caught up in our lives again, and begin to forget what God’s salvation meant to us when we first believed. This morning I am praying for God to build up those fires again. Let us all be as excited to share God’s love for others as we were they day God first allowed His Holy Spirit to fall on us. Let’s put that guy in the elevator to shame, and show the world what it really means to be excited about God’s love.

A Boy and His Robot

Ink on paper bag from a couple of months ago.

God of War

Our God has many faces. In the Old Testament the God of Israel is often remembered as the warrior God of the desert. The God of Israel made Egypt (arguably the most powerful nation of the Ancient Near East at that time) look foolish when he rescued the Israelites. The God of Israel defended and provided support for Israel's people for forty years in the wilderness. The God of Israel sent Judges to lead the people in battle against their enemies, and crushed Israel's enemies again and again. Psalm 18:31-42 is David's turn to tell us how God gave David the agility and strength to over come all of David's enemies. When I look at verses like these from the Old Testament I sometimes wonder why doesn't God work that way today. The truth is God does, only the warriors are not men on a field, and the stakes are a lot higher than whether the faithful will own a given piece of land. Paul explains the war for us in Ephesians 6:12.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

With Psalm-like imagery Paul describes how we are to fight this war in  Ephesians 6:10-20. God is absolutely a God of war, but the war is not against men. God is not stretching his hand out to fight Muslims, Taliban, Afgan rebels, child molesters, or rapists. God is in all out war against the very forces which have brought sin into this world. God is working through us the same way He worked through David. God desires to heal the brokenness with people that causes them to think taking from another for personal gain is okay. It does not matter to God if that taking DVD you did not pay for, or the personal integrity of a woman or a child at the hands of a rapist or child molester. God is working through us to share the Gospel with those who do not know and do not care who God is or worse twist God's word as an excuse to take from others both here in the U.S. or abroad in places like Afganistan and Iraq. Make no mistake. Our God is a God of War, in some ways the ultimate God of war. God has already paid the ultimate price by sending His only Son to die for us while we were still not worthy. God is all in - are you? Are you ready to leave your old sinful life behind and to take up the armor of God?

Is Anyone Good Enough?

Verses 20-30 are the reason why I wanted to delve into Psalm 18 in the first place. These verses confuse and challenge me. The text asserts God has saved David from all of his enemies because David is righteous. The reason this challenges me is because I know all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We’re all broken messed up people dealing with emotional baggage of one form or another which is a direct result of our own sinfulness. People can blame Adam and Eve all they like, but let’s not give the first couple too much credit. We mess up plenty on our own. Then we come to verses like these when David says God saved me because I am so good. Perhaps David should have read Job. This Psalm is very different from Psalms David writes after Nathan calls David out for sleeping with Bathsheba and having her husband killed. In those Psalms David seems to realize the sin we all carry. As I read this text it gives me insight into the mind of David. David started out as a righteous guerilla fighter. When you read 1st and 2nd Samuel it feels like David doesn’t pick his nose without asking God first. However, when David becomes king and sets up his kingdom in Jerusalem we see a change. David is no longer going to the Lord in person. David begins acting like other kings and relying on prophets to talk to, and receive messages from God. This Psalm seems to lie right at the beginning of that transition. David thinks very highly of himself, and perhaps this is the start of the fall of Israel as a nation.  Pride has been the death nail of so many wonderful and God given projects. It was in David’s pride he walked into sin with Bathsheba. Pride is dangerous. It can cloud our vision to the dangers around us, and we so easily walk into a ditch without ever seeing its edge. We are left wondering how did I ever end up sitting here in the mud. No one is good enough to deserve the grace God pours out on all of us. No one is worthy of salvation. That is why God’s grace and salvation are such precious gifts.

Missile Mouse Tribute

I've become a fan of Jake Parker's illustrations. I meant to have this finished in time for Jake Parker's Missile Mouse Giveaway, but life has its own priorities. Anyway. This is my take on Jake Parker's character Missile Mouse.

Daddy to the Rescue

When I read Psalm 18:6-15 I cannot help, but think of hearing my son's cries in the middle of the night. Right now Evan cries for food, but in the future the cries will be for skinned knees, bumps and bruises and eventually for broken hearts. I want to be there through all of those times; both good and bad. In these verses David is bragging about the way God came to his rescue. This account of God bowing the heavens and riding on a cherub is not in the historical account of these events found in 1-2Kings or 1-2Chronicles. However, David did have success evading Saul's army as it pursued David and fighting against Israel's enemies. God did come through for David when David was in tight spot after tight spot. This was one of the ways God taught David to trust in Him. Like a bank account, God was putting pennies into the account to teach David, God could be trusted. David was also putting money into the account by relying on God more and more, and by lifting up praises to the Lord God of Hosts, or as the message puts it "Lord God of the Angel Armies of Heaven." This idea of the relationship bank explains what I am trying to do during January. When the semester begins I have so little free time it is very important I pay into the relationship bank with my wife, and with my son. Sure, at 3 months (today) he probably won't remember this specific month, but I hope he will always have the same feeling about me that David has about God. I want my son to know in his heart I will always be there when he is in a tight spot.