I'm possibly back to the once a week posting. Hopefully I'll be able to improve my frequency soon.
Since my last post I've watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith, taken Anthony job-hunting, watched the Nativity Story, finished The Eye of the World and started The Great Hunt, done some Christmas shopping, given away food and Christmas presents in Waukegan, watched The Librarian : the Quest for the Spear, moved some videos out of my office, had a good prayer time with the guys from the LifeGroup, watched the Bears kick Ram-butt, cataloged some books, heard a message to the youth on trusting God from another of the high school students who used to be in my small group, taken Anthony to get an i.d. and some work clothes, talked to Mom, shocked co-workers by showing up before 8 a.m., taken Anthony to his work orientation at a local theatre, eaten boneless wings, watched Talledega Nights with some friends again, finished and discussed The Gutenberg Elegies for our library task force on information and the future, created a long run list of stuff I've done. Tonight Steve and I are going to see Eragon in an attempt to help Steve recover from a long day of inventory. I've not read the book and I'm not really expecting much, so it should be o.k.
This Sunday we got to hear from self-proclaimed bald-guy #3 instead of the one of the Johns. Greg is a Ph. D. student in New Testament at TEDS and I thought he had a very good sermon on dealing with selfishness in the holiday season from Philippians 2:3-11. The title was Christmas Ahead: Prepare to Yield. He began by telling us about an interview in the newspaper with a local mall parking lot security guard that illustrated people's selfishness this time of year. He also used a personal example of his own selfishness when he was in East Asia. Turning to the passage he structured it around the command in verse 3-4 with reasons for obedience from the following verses. According to verse 3 we should do nothing out of vain ambition or empty conceit. Greg likened this to a prima donna attitude that assumes the world exists to serve or fulfill me. Instead Paul challenges us to count others as more important than ourselves. Verse 4 expands on this by encouraging us to yield to the interests of others. Greg mentioned the common attitude that this is a nice principle but is not for the real world where nice guys finish last and we don't want to be doormats. He acknowledged the force of that objection, especially if the world is a closed system but argued that verses 6-11 show a different way to live.
Greg pointed to the argument of 2 Corinthians 8:8-9 where we have nothing to offer Christ but he becomes poor that we might become rich. Coming back to Philippians, we yield because we share the mind of Christ. According to verse 5 we should seek conformity with the live of Christ because he defines our existence. Therefore we should look at people and things as he did.
We yield for others because Christ did. Christ was the son of God and fully divine but he did not grasp onto his equality with God but willingly gave it up to take the form of a man, no longer the King but now a servant. As a servant he was obedient to the Father even to the point of dying on a cross, a death designed to display the criminal as an object of shame. The beauty of the Christmas story lies in God choosing to become man for our benefit.
We also yield because what happens here is not the end. We share in the destiny of Christ. The humiliation of the Son of Man was only temporary. The Father restores the glory and honor that the son had relinquished. As his followers we share in the suffering and humiliation of Christ but we will also have a share in His eternal glory. This is shown in Philippians 3:20-21 and Romans 8:16-17. We should expect our life to follow the same pattern as his, suffering and humiliation for a season, glory for eternity. Greg used the example of climbing the Yellow Mountains to watch the sunrise. It was a great deal of suffering getting up the mountain but beauty the next morning. He called us to imagine what our lives would be like if we were willing to yield.
As a result of the conviction I was feeling during the sermon and the communion and singing that followed. I went out with our church's monthly food delivery to a poor neighborhood in Waukegan. We deliver bags of groceries and this week we also had presents for the children. It was a good time and I was glad to be able to serve.
Verse of the week:
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:3-11 (ESV)
Friday, December 15, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
Why I Don't Have a Christmas Tree
I'm not really a Scrooge I just don't have any real enthusiasm for decorating my home or office for Christmas. My friend Matt put his finger on the issue this morning at work. I don't have a tree or decorate my apartment because I don't celebrate Christmas there. Christmas for me centers (focuses?) for me on two things, meditating on God's love shown in Christ's incarnation and celebrating with loved ones.
The former hasn't really involved any decorations for me. I know there are people out there attempting to invest trees, wreathes, and candy canes with Christian meaning but those attempts have never really resonated with me. There was a Wizard of Id cartoon once where the Spook (the prisoner) was given a Christmas tree by one of the guards. Somehow Spook knocked all the needles off, maybe by sneezing on it. The guard looks in on Spook and says, "Great! You've ruined the symbol of Christmas." Spook is standing there looking at a bare tree in the shape of a cross. I'd rather honor Christmas by reading a chapter from one of the Gospels every day, meditating on the Magnificat, and reading a book on the incarnation than by putting up decorations. Traditional decorations don't have much meaning for me so I don't spend time on them. But maybe this year I'll try out my nativity set.
The latter point also plays against decorations. I enjoy getting together with friends and family at Christmas and exchanging gifts, eating, singing, even decorating trees (at least watching people who enjoy decorating trees do it). But these are not things I do where I live. I don't have people over to my apartment for Christmas parties. The parties are held by people with bigger places who enjoy throwing parties. Eventually we reach the last few days before Christmas and I drive south to celebrate with Mom and Daddy, with the folks in Corbin, with the Campbells and Whites, with Lydia and Geron and Cora (Huzzah!), with Ann and Daniel. Christmas doesn't really happen in my apartment because there's hardly ever anyone there on 12/24-25. A few years ago when I lived with Matt, he put up some decorations because his sisters were coming to visit him for Christmas. He put up some lights and bought a couple of little "postmodern Christmas trees" at Ikea. I liked those trees. I came home one day and there on our end table was a red pyramid about a foot tall and maybe 4" wide at the base and a silver cone about the same size. Those were our Christmas trees the two Christmas seasons I lived with Matt. I was happy to find out that they had made it into his and Unity's decorations this year. But if his sisters hadn't been coming we may never have had them.
There was a time when I was a kid that a tree was an important part of Christmas and I'd still like there to be one at Mom and Dad's. One year when it was certain that my parents weren't going to have a tree Lydia or Ann drew one on posterboard and tacked it to the wall where the tree would have been. I like a tree where I'm celebrating but I'm not putting one up, so maybe the whole thing just comes down to laziness or thrift. I don't want to spend the energy or the time.
The former hasn't really involved any decorations for me. I know there are people out there attempting to invest trees, wreathes, and candy canes with Christian meaning but those attempts have never really resonated with me. There was a Wizard of Id cartoon once where the Spook (the prisoner) was given a Christmas tree by one of the guards. Somehow Spook knocked all the needles off, maybe by sneezing on it. The guard looks in on Spook and says, "Great! You've ruined the symbol of Christmas." Spook is standing there looking at a bare tree in the shape of a cross. I'd rather honor Christmas by reading a chapter from one of the Gospels every day, meditating on the Magnificat, and reading a book on the incarnation than by putting up decorations. Traditional decorations don't have much meaning for me so I don't spend time on them. But maybe this year I'll try out my nativity set.
The latter point also plays against decorations. I enjoy getting together with friends and family at Christmas and exchanging gifts, eating, singing, even decorating trees (at least watching people who enjoy decorating trees do it). But these are not things I do where I live. I don't have people over to my apartment for Christmas parties. The parties are held by people with bigger places who enjoy throwing parties. Eventually we reach the last few days before Christmas and I drive south to celebrate with Mom and Daddy, with the folks in Corbin, with the Campbells and Whites, with Lydia and Geron and Cora (Huzzah!), with Ann and Daniel. Christmas doesn't really happen in my apartment because there's hardly ever anyone there on 12/24-25. A few years ago when I lived with Matt, he put up some decorations because his sisters were coming to visit him for Christmas. He put up some lights and bought a couple of little "postmodern Christmas trees" at Ikea. I liked those trees. I came home one day and there on our end table was a red pyramid about a foot tall and maybe 4" wide at the base and a silver cone about the same size. Those were our Christmas trees the two Christmas seasons I lived with Matt. I was happy to find out that they had made it into his and Unity's decorations this year. But if his sisters hadn't been coming we may never have had them.
There was a time when I was a kid that a tree was an important part of Christmas and I'd still like there to be one at Mom and Dad's. One year when it was certain that my parents weren't going to have a tree Lydia or Ann drew one on posterboard and tacked it to the wall where the tree would have been. I like a tree where I'm celebrating but I'm not putting one up, so maybe the whole thing just comes down to laziness or thrift. I don't want to spend the energy or the time.
Christmas List
1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
"Santa" wraps them.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I don't know that I have a preference for the tree. I like blue lights on the houses. There's a house nearby with Hanukkah lights that I like.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No. I try to avoid opportunities for kissing my roommates and I'm sure they appreciate that as well.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Currently never. It used to be when we got around to it.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Hard to beat country ham. I also like Dad's steaks or goulash (not traditionally holiday dishes but we often have one or the other for Christmas lunch) and Mom's scalloped oysters.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
I don't have a lot of specific childhood holiday memories. I like the time I was planning to kiss Rudolph when Santa came.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember when, I'm pretty sure it was on Whig Ct. My memory is that I hid behind the couch and saw Mom and Dad putting out the presents. I don't know if that's a reliable memory.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
No. Though we used to go over to Uncle Mike and Aunt Marcie's when they lived in Frankfort on Christmas Eve and we'd open their gifts to us then.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
I place it in a prime natural location such as a forest, tree farm, sales lot, or in a store and allow God to do with it as he sees fit.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I love it except when driving.
12. Can you ice skate?
I used to could. I might still could. I used to like the falling. I doubt I'm as enthusiastic about it as I once was.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
The Alamo that Dad made for me.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Reflecting on God's love in Jesus' incarnation.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Sentimentally it's Granny's sugar and fruitcake cookies. Realistically it is probably her fudge.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
I enjoy listening to "How Come Christmas?" I especially liked the inadvertant pause that always snuck in when Sandy Claus said, "Thank you kindly ... Lawd." Daddy would read the first part as if it were the whole sentence. Then when he turned the page he'd add the rest. I was a little sad when he started to remember it.
17. What tops your tree?
Pine needles I suppose.
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
I actually prefer receiving. Giving is nice but is always accompanied by a tinge of "will they like it?" anxiety.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Yum
21. Favorite Christmas movie?
Maybe in a couple of days I'll say the nativity story but for now it's either National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation or It's a Wonderful Life
22. What do you leave for Santa?
He can have my tree.
Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
"Santa" wraps them.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I don't know that I have a preference for the tree. I like blue lights on the houses. There's a house nearby with Hanukkah lights that I like.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No. I try to avoid opportunities for kissing my roommates and I'm sure they appreciate that as well.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Currently never. It used to be when we got around to it.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Hard to beat country ham. I also like Dad's steaks or goulash (not traditionally holiday dishes but we often have one or the other for Christmas lunch) and Mom's scalloped oysters.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
I don't have a lot of specific childhood holiday memories. I like the time I was planning to kiss Rudolph when Santa came.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember when, I'm pretty sure it was on Whig Ct. My memory is that I hid behind the couch and saw Mom and Dad putting out the presents. I don't know if that's a reliable memory.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
No. Though we used to go over to Uncle Mike and Aunt Marcie's when they lived in Frankfort on Christmas Eve and we'd open their gifts to us then.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
I place it in a prime natural location such as a forest, tree farm, sales lot, or in a store and allow God to do with it as he sees fit.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I love it except when driving.
12. Can you ice skate?
I used to could. I might still could. I used to like the falling. I doubt I'm as enthusiastic about it as I once was.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
The Alamo that Dad made for me.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Reflecting on God's love in Jesus' incarnation.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Sentimentally it's Granny's sugar and fruitcake cookies. Realistically it is probably her fudge.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
I enjoy listening to "How Come Christmas?" I especially liked the inadvertant pause that always snuck in when Sandy Claus said, "Thank you kindly ... Lawd." Daddy would read the first part as if it were the whole sentence. Then when he turned the page he'd add the rest. I was a little sad when he started to remember it.
17. What tops your tree?
Pine needles I suppose.
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
I actually prefer receiving. Giving is nice but is always accompanied by a tinge of "will they like it?" anxiety.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Yum
21. Favorite Christmas movie?
Maybe in a couple of days I'll say the nativity story but for now it's either National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation or It's a Wonderful Life
22. What do you leave for Santa?
He can have my tree.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Checking IN
Natives were getting restless so I thought I'd drop a post on here. It's hard to believe it's almost three weeks since the last time I posted anything. It doesn't seem like that long. There was plenty of stuff that was blogworthy by the ever so stringent editorial standards I've set for myself. For instance I've discovered that Target occasionally sells almost perfect Braeburn apples and I've learned that it really is "occasionally." I've had a very frustrating period at work wherein I discovered my computer was not working. At one point it appeared that whatever was affecting my computer had jumped to my phone but I learned that was merely a new person being trained at the help desk. It was a relief. I had started to worry if my car was going to be next. I had a great trip home for Thanksgiving and got to see a wonderfully beautiful and sick baby girl. I still had fun holding her and I'm glad she's on the mend. I got to see a fun penguin movie with great people and got to eat lots of country ham and eggs. There was turkey too, and mom's scalloped oysters. Daddy and I got to watch 6 football games in one weekend. I got to sing in a choir for the first time this year. I got to listen to John Piper's book Desiring God, for the second time this year. I had some fun with friends, heard a few good sermons and youth messages, and participated in some good Bible studies. Except for the computer junk it was a good month. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Quote of the day:
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." John Piper
Verse of the day:
"One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
Quote of the day:
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." John Piper
Verse of the day:
"One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Noah's Tuesday
This previous Tuesday night Noah, one of the high school students, taught our junior high group. He spoke on God as the Rock, focusing on God's unchangable character, that He can be our refuge in time of trouble, and on Jesus' parable in Mt. 7:24 and following that the one who hears his words and does them will be like a wise man building his house on a rock. It was a good message. Noah also spoke to the group over the summer during our Old Testament character series. I think he spoke about David, but I'm not sure. I've known Noah and his family almost since the first week I came to the church. His dad led our drama ministry back when I started. Both Noah and his older brother were in my small group in 3-D when they were in middle school. Now his brother's heavily involved with Campus Crusade for Christ at Illinois St. and Noah's a senior. For those who've seen my Mazatlan pictures from a couple of years ago, Noah was David in our David and Goliath skit. We walked around the city quoting O Brother Where Art Thou together while we served the poor and shared the gospel. He's also a karate star. He teaches karate to kids and a couple of months or so ago he competed at the Pan Am games down in South America. Both Noah and his brother passed through some major struggles with their faith and both have come out stronger for it. They've got a lot of living to do but they can testify to God's steadfastness and unchangeable character. One of the things I love about junior high ministry is watching kids go on to grow and mature in faith and seeing the people them become. I'm proud to know Noah.
Verse of the Day:
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Verse of the Day:
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever." Psalm 23 (ESV)
This is one of Noah's favorite passages.
Quote of the day:
"Do not seek the treasure." Pete
"We thought you was a toad." Delmar
Pete looks puzzled
"We...thought...you...was...a toad." Delmar
"Do not seek the treasure! It's a bushwhack!" Pete
O Brother, Where Art Thou
Thursday, November 09, 2006
TRUSTing and Verse of the Day
2nd John's sermon this Sunday was on trusting God in the midst of fear and was based in Isaiah 37:1-20. The context of this passage is Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem. Hezekiah, King of Judah, has been leading a revival turning his people back to the worship of God in the temple. Somehow he has angered Sennacherib, King of Assyria, and the Assyrians have invaded Judah and besieged Hezekiah. You can read the story in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. It's also believed by some that Psalm 76 was written in response to these events. John began the sermon by talking about different fears we face in life and then set the context of the passage. The body of the sermon was based on the acronym T.R.U.S.T.
Turn to God: Hezekiah, having previously failed to solve the Assyrian problem on his own, now goes into the temple and lays his problems before God. When we face difficulty where do we turn first? That shows who we're trusting. We should begin with God.
Recognize our need: Hezekiah dresses in the garb of repentance and sends his officials to the prophet Isaiah to seek his prayers then he describes his helpless and desperation to the Lord. We need to be able to admit our helplessness to God and others.
Understand God is in control: (I prefer, Understand who God is) In verse 16 Hezekiah acknowledges three crucial things about God. 1. He is the Lord of Hosts therefore He is a God of power. 2. He is the God of Israel enthroned above the Cherubim. This is a reference to the Ark of the Covenant in the temple which was the symbol of God's presence with His people, therefore He is a God who is near and who has chosen to be in relationship to this people and they are His. 3. He is the creator God over the kingdoms of the Earth, therefore no earthly problem, even the great King of Assyria, is too great for Him. It's good for us to remain in God's word so that we remember who He is.
Speak the truth to God: Hezekiah lays Sennacherib's letter before God and speaks his fears. Here John connected Philippians 4:6-7 and the great exchange we can make by giving God our fears and receiving His peace.
Trust God's character: In v.20 Hezekiah appeals to God's glory and reputation. What might we do if we truly trusted God to be who He says He is and sought His glory in and with our lives?
Verse of the Day:
"O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth." Isaiah 37:16 (ESV)
Turn to God: Hezekiah, having previously failed to solve the Assyrian problem on his own, now goes into the temple and lays his problems before God. When we face difficulty where do we turn first? That shows who we're trusting. We should begin with God.
Recognize our need: Hezekiah dresses in the garb of repentance and sends his officials to the prophet Isaiah to seek his prayers then he describes his helpless and desperation to the Lord. We need to be able to admit our helplessness to God and others.
Understand God is in control: (I prefer, Understand who God is) In verse 16 Hezekiah acknowledges three crucial things about God. 1. He is the Lord of Hosts therefore He is a God of power. 2. He is the God of Israel enthroned above the Cherubim. This is a reference to the Ark of the Covenant in the temple which was the symbol of God's presence with His people, therefore He is a God who is near and who has chosen to be in relationship to this people and they are His. 3. He is the creator God over the kingdoms of the Earth, therefore no earthly problem, even the great King of Assyria, is too great for Him. It's good for us to remain in God's word so that we remember who He is.
Speak the truth to God: Hezekiah lays Sennacherib's letter before God and speaks his fears. Here John connected Philippians 4:6-7 and the great exchange we can make by giving God our fears and receiving His peace.
Trust God's character: In v.20 Hezekiah appeals to God's glory and reputation. What might we do if we truly trusted God to be who He says He is and sought His glory in and with our lives?
Verse of the Day:
"O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth." Isaiah 37:16 (ESV)
Monday, November 06, 2006
Quick Update, Verse, A Couple of Quotes
It's been a fun couple of weeks. Since I've last blogged I've worked, read a lot of fairly useless stuff on the internet, attended a panel discussion with some students and library staff on technology and library use, participated in a Fall Fun Fest at church as parking/security team leader, attended a great halloween party as a suburban nazgul, heard a couple of good sermons at church from Matt, who's having a new baby for Sam and Ben to be big brothers to, and 2nd John, had a good Lifegroup discussion of 1 John 2:15-27, gotten a new roommate to go along with Steve for a while, served the youth, prayed for college students, heard three great lectures (or one sermon and two lectures) by Quentin Schultze at Trinity, worked some more, didn't take the new roommate to Ohio, studied more of 1 John, saw, liked, and pondered the movie "The Prestige," watched a painful Bears loss and two fantastic Colts wins, played a game of disc golf, and blogged once.
There might be more details on some of those things at some point. Last Monday a friend who's been in and out of trouble with the law and who's trying to walk with God was sharing about some of the problems he'd been having where he was staying. Steve and I offered to let him come live with us while he tries to get back on his feet. He had been told a while ago by some relatives in Ohio that he could come stay with them if he could get down there. Steve and I talked it over and thought it would be fun to go on a roadtrip so we offered to drive him to Ohio. Unfortunately we found out that his aunt there had a full house and no longer had a place for him. So he's still staying with us until he can make his next step. He'd like to get out of this area to get away from some bad relationships and try to make a clean break with his past but he doesn't know what to do. Hopefully we can encourage him and help him.
Verse of the day:
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
Quotes of the Day:
1st the serious
"Let us flee the world. For what have we got in common with it? Let us run and pursue until we have laid hold of something that is permanent and doesn't pass away, for all things perish and pass away like a dream, and nothing is lasting or certain among the things which are seen." Symeon the New Theologian (10th c. abbot in Constantinople)
2nd the humorous
"Mosquitos, the silent killer. You could be dead and not even know it. Mosquitos." 2nd John in Sunday's sermon
"WHAT AN AWESOME BLOCK! THERE'S A BIRD!" EM (not me). You probably had to be there for this one to be funny. He shouted it during a kickoff return in the Bears game yesterday. There were a lot of pigeons on and around the field.
There might be more details on some of those things at some point. Last Monday a friend who's been in and out of trouble with the law and who's trying to walk with God was sharing about some of the problems he'd been having where he was staying. Steve and I offered to let him come live with us while he tries to get back on his feet. He had been told a while ago by some relatives in Ohio that he could come stay with them if he could get down there. Steve and I talked it over and thought it would be fun to go on a roadtrip so we offered to drive him to Ohio. Unfortunately we found out that his aunt there had a full house and no longer had a place for him. So he's still staying with us until he can make his next step. He'd like to get out of this area to get away from some bad relationships and try to make a clean break with his past but he doesn't know what to do. Hopefully we can encourage him and help him.
Verse of the day:
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
Quotes of the Day:
1st the serious
"Let us flee the world. For what have we got in common with it? Let us run and pursue until we have laid hold of something that is permanent and doesn't pass away, for all things perish and pass away like a dream, and nothing is lasting or certain among the things which are seen." Symeon the New Theologian (10th c. abbot in Constantinople)
2nd the humorous
"Mosquitos, the silent killer. You could be dead and not even know it. Mosquitos." 2nd John in Sunday's sermon
"WHAT AN AWESOME BLOCK! THERE'S A BIRD!" EM (not me). You probably had to be there for this one to be funny. He shouted it during a kickoff return in the Bears game yesterday. There were a lot of pigeons on and around the field.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)