Boozing, cheating on his wife, indulging in porn...this could be about any number of men. He is near tears as he tells the story of his family. For many people, he is the scum of the earth. He is just the man Christ came to save.
It is not that the man is deserving because he is indulging in these sins. It is that he is broken and realizes he needs to stop. He needs someone to tell him that he can have forgiveness. He needs someone to tell him to repent. He needs someone to tell him that Christ is who he needs forgiveness from and needs to repent to.
May the Lord bless him and all like him.
May we all learn to take satisfaction in Christ, what He has done, and what He promises to do.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Not your most celebrated decision
Here's an interesting story you don't always see.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=555353&sec=mls&cc=3888
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=555353&sec=mls&cc=3888
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Self-denial
Self-denial. What an utterly frightening term. Just hearing it conjures up thoughts of all of a sudden giving up following my sports teams, (an idolatrous)desire for relationships, love of food and control over my time...in entirety. Yet, as a Christian, this is what I have been called to. Deny self for Christ and the Church.
Is there a balance here? Can I still hold on to some of the things I like as long as they do not become idolatrous? How can they not become idolatrous? If I share these experience with others, does that make it OK?
I'm probably asking the wrong questions if I want to know how much I can hold on to these things. Without a doubt, I will hang on to some of these likes/idols (?).
Whatever the answer, I must daily remind myself of how great a gift I have been given and that I am called to live accordingly. Who or what else can provide me with salvation, justification, forgiveness of sins? Who or what else promises me eternal life?
I have recently let my mind be clouded with desires for a great many things, things that are not inherently sinful, but have probably led me to sin as a result of the emphasis I've placed on them.
Admittedly, I'm afraid to dive in again. A young woman recently remarked to me saying, "I find it hard to pray to God because He takes so long to answer or things don't turn out the way I pray for." I, too, have fallen into such near-sighted hopelessness. But then, why am I praying? Too often, I find myself praying that things would go MY way, rather than God's. No wonder I'm disappointed.
Certainly, my mindset needs to change.
The Gospel must be part of my life each day so I am reminded of what a great gift I've been given and, thus, prayer and self-denial are 'easier'. Though, I'm sure that this road is marked with suffering, hope is in the end of the world and the new world to come, not the world itself and what it offers.
To those so inclined, help to pray that I may see it so. Because, too often, I do not.
Is there a balance here? Can I still hold on to some of the things I like as long as they do not become idolatrous? How can they not become idolatrous? If I share these experience with others, does that make it OK?
I'm probably asking the wrong questions if I want to know how much I can hold on to these things. Without a doubt, I will hang on to some of these likes/idols (?).
Whatever the answer, I must daily remind myself of how great a gift I have been given and that I am called to live accordingly. Who or what else can provide me with salvation, justification, forgiveness of sins? Who or what else promises me eternal life?
I have recently let my mind be clouded with desires for a great many things, things that are not inherently sinful, but have probably led me to sin as a result of the emphasis I've placed on them.
Admittedly, I'm afraid to dive in again. A young woman recently remarked to me saying, "I find it hard to pray to God because He takes so long to answer or things don't turn out the way I pray for." I, too, have fallen into such near-sighted hopelessness. But then, why am I praying? Too often, I find myself praying that things would go MY way, rather than God's. No wonder I'm disappointed.
Certainly, my mindset needs to change.
The Gospel must be part of my life each day so I am reminded of what a great gift I've been given and, thus, prayer and self-denial are 'easier'. Though, I'm sure that this road is marked with suffering, hope is in the end of the world and the new world to come, not the world itself and what it offers.
To those so inclined, help to pray that I may see it so. Because, too often, I do not.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Work...
can be strangely exhausting. My day was not as hectic as yesterday, and yet here I am feeling absolutely drained. I even got out early!
Ughhh.
Ughhh.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Hancock
Man, I read the reviews on this movie and it was all over the board. Over on Metacritic, people seemed to either hate it or love it. So understandably, I was confused as to what to expect. But with the mixed reviews, I wanted to see for myself. And since it was supposed to have some pretty neat affects, I plunked down the cash to see it in the theatre.
The theatre was about 75% full. I guess the initial buzz really died down. I went in not expecting whole lot so I figured, besides the promos, I was a blank slate. All I knew was that this was not your usual superhero movie.
A few observations (I don't think there are any spoiler below but you may not want to read down if you haven't seen it):
4) In the same vein, language is...well...there
5) The special effects were pretty cool - less of the spectacular explosive variety but interesting none the less; though it did not make me grip the edge of my seat - but that's a product of the story
6) Smith is pretty good as a psychological mishap (see I Am Legend)
7) Interesting story line with a twist about how "superhumans" interact and how their power are affected. I'm not a comic book buff so take that comment with a grain of salt.
8) It's a good thing the story went along at a good clip because there's lots of questions left unanswered
The theatre was about 75% full. I guess the initial buzz really died down. I went in not expecting whole lot so I figured, besides the promos, I was a blank slate. All I knew was that this was not your usual superhero movie.
A few observations (I don't think there are any spoiler below but you may not want to read down if you haven't seen it):
1) First of all, the movie is blatanly humanistic - people can change solely with the care of another, without God
2) Bateman is just a great deadpan guy
4) In the same vein, language is...well...there
5) The special effects were pretty cool - less of the spectacular explosive variety but interesting none the less; though it did not make me grip the edge of my seat - but that's a product of the story
6) Smith is pretty good as a psychological mishap (see I Am Legend)
7) Interesting story line with a twist about how "superhumans" interact and how their power are affected. I'm not a comic book buff so take that comment with a grain of salt.
8) It's a good thing the story went along at a good clip because there's lots of questions left unanswered
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Making a u-turn
Can people backtrack? If someone were to be button-down, do things by the book because it's the right thing to do, is it possible to step away from that without being overwhelmed by guilt? My mind says, yes, out of the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why is it hard to do? Maybe, if the person were to worry more about what others think about him, it would be hard. Has anyone ever done a large about face with regards to a major life issue? If so, what did you learn and notice as you walked through this experience?
what happens to a person in need
My friend had told me about an experience he had while in Taiwan. A man on a moped was knocked off his vehicle onto the street. He appeared injured and a crowd materialized. Rather than help him, the onlookers just stared at the man while they murmured with each other. I was incensed. How could no one help him? How selfish are these people? Then I realized that I'm not sure I would step out to help the man either.
Just recently, I finished a book call River City. The book is written by an American peace corp volunteer who goes to the city of Fuling, along the Yangtze downstream from Chongqing, to teach English at the local school. He describes a similar episode along the dingy streets in the poorer part of the city. Once again, the onlookers stare and do nothing.
I would at least feel guilty, I thought. I don't know. I'm not sure that I would go out of my way.
What would you do? Why?
Just recently, I finished a book call River City. The book is written by an American peace corp volunteer who goes to the city of Fuling, along the Yangtze downstream from Chongqing, to teach English at the local school. He describes a similar episode along the dingy streets in the poorer part of the city. Once again, the onlookers stare and do nothing.
I would at least feel guilty, I thought. I don't know. I'm not sure that I would go out of my way.
What would you do? Why?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
City of God
Hebrews 12:18-29
We have been brought not to a city that is under the covenant God made with Moses. We have been brought to a city that we are able to touch and inhabit, a city that is under the covenant of Christ in grace, mercy, justice and truth.
The city is heavenly Mt. Zion, inhabited by our God in Trinitarian glory and countless angels. Also as important is that his city contains us, his firstborn - the church.
Do I believe it and see the church in such a glorified status? No...not always, perhaps, rarely.
I generally have a hard time dealing with the people in any sort of long-term relationship. So to say that I am in a city filled with the imperfect like me is dauting. The church much more so as it exists here in the flesh, still subject to the ravages of sin.
It is worthwhile to remember and appreciate that this is the perfect, now-but-not-yet fully fulfilled city to which we have been brought to and to which we will eventually see in all it's full glory in the new earth. Hence the title of the blog - eternalopolis.
Check out this song that I wrote. A/V to come soon.
Verse 1
This city of dust
Has blinded our hearts
It caresses our minds
And blows away with the wind
The shape of our hopes
To this city conformed
But by the breath of a breeze
Our hearts tremble and shake
Bridge
Let us hear You God today
The dust it leads astray
There’s better news today
Your city’s here to stay
For Your city is
Chorus
Holy, seat of Your mercy
Heavenly, Zion’s that’s risen
Joyful, assembly of angels
Bathed in Your glory
The assembly, of Your redeemed people
In chorus, singing of Your name and
Jesus’ blood freely given
How much better’s your city,
How much better’s your city, than any other.
Verse 2
Tears on this earth
Last but a second compared
To the reign of Your throne
And the reward of endurance
Forever she stands
Victorious and free
From the cords of despair
And powers of the air
We have been brought not to a city that is under the covenant God made with Moses. We have been brought to a city that we are able to touch and inhabit, a city that is under the covenant of Christ in grace, mercy, justice and truth.
The city is heavenly Mt. Zion, inhabited by our God in Trinitarian glory and countless angels. Also as important is that his city contains us, his firstborn - the church.
Do I believe it and see the church in such a glorified status? No...not always, perhaps, rarely.
I generally have a hard time dealing with the people in any sort of long-term relationship. So to say that I am in a city filled with the imperfect like me is dauting. The church much more so as it exists here in the flesh, still subject to the ravages of sin.
It is worthwhile to remember and appreciate that this is the perfect, now-but-not-yet fully fulfilled city to which we have been brought to and to which we will eventually see in all it's full glory in the new earth. Hence the title of the blog - eternalopolis.
Check out this song that I wrote. A/V to come soon.
Verse 1
This city of dust
Has blinded our hearts
It caresses our minds
And blows away with the wind
The shape of our hopes
To this city conformed
But by the breath of a breeze
Our hearts tremble and shake
Bridge
Let us hear You God today
The dust it leads astray
There’s better news today
Your city’s here to stay
For Your city is
Chorus
Holy, seat of Your mercy
Heavenly, Zion’s that’s risen
Joyful, assembly of angels
Bathed in Your glory
The assembly, of Your redeemed people
In chorus, singing of Your name and
Jesus’ blood freely given
How much better’s your city,
How much better’s your city, than any other.
Verse 2
Tears on this earth
Last but a second compared
To the reign of Your throne
And the reward of endurance
Forever she stands
Victorious and free
From the cords of despair
And powers of the air
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