I don't know what I would do without it. Be on the street, obviously -- but seriously I don't know.
I was driving home today from work, heading down Digital and I just felt an overwhelming peace. I don't know what it was. For some reason I got this notion that where I was or whatever I had ever become my home would always be there waiting for me at the end of the day.
Of course I don't live in a HOUSE house or have a yard or any of those other nice things. It's just a condo. But I know the people who live here, their faces, their cars, and even their pets. I know what they look like and that they know what I look like and that I can always count on a familiar smile or "hello" as I'm grabbing the mail on my way in. I know what smells I'm going to walk into each and every day and that my parking spot will always be there waiting for me in E09.
I have grown to know and love the curves on our streets and the 7-elevens around the corner that always have my choice redbox stand and Barefoot Pinot Grigio on a late Saturday evening.
The hallways of our building are nothing less than cozy and often make me feel as though I'm living in a Penthouse suite on Park Avenue, especially when I look outside from my bedroom window at the gleaming lights of other buildings across the way. I like to dream for moments at a time that I'm in NYC writing to you, like Carrie Bradshaw. I always bring myself back to reality, though, and remember that I'm just in my cozy Signal Hill-area nook that is a playground of its own.
Up and down the hills of the main drags lie many important stores, restaurants, and other various buildings to which I have grown accustomed to and marked as favorite places to be. And even if I am not there often, like Sandy's vet clinic across the street, I know it's there in case I ever need it.
It's quiet, simple, and clean yet unfamiliar to most who don't know our community's here. It's got me in a trance from time to time just thinking about how comforted I feel when I'm here...
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Reflections
Nine years ago this time I was heading off to college. I had packed my bags, filled up my gas tank, emptied my mind, and hit the road for a 14 hour trip that would be the beginning of a four-year journey. I had about $1,000 to my name, which I would learn to stretch out for the next four months, to last me until I came home for Christmas. I had no job, no shame, and no fears (except for only failing miserably and not meeting anyone and not having enough to live on and my car breaking down and stranding me in the middle of an unknown city). I had nothing, but I had it all.
I would fall in love with Fall and Christmas and Spring more than ever and build anticipation over and over and over again every season for each homecoming reunion I would have with my family.
I would take 45 minutes of driving aimlessly to find Lake Hollingsworth during my first week on campus, which would become my college moniker and safe haven to unload my thoughts and dreams and ambitions, for the next four years of my life.
Nine years ago this time I was clueless--clueless about real love, real friends, and real careers. I was alone without a roomate who was nonexistent and a no-show, which became a blessing and a challenge. On the one hand I was living most freshman's dreams: a room to herself, no one to answer to, and peace and quiet whenever she wanted. On the other hand I was living a nightmare: no one to talk to and bond with my very first semester leading to an absolute feeling of loneliness and separation.
But thankfully, I did have my best friend Isaac to lean on--to show me the ropes, to guide me and teach me and introduce me to all that he had learned during his first year when he really was alone. I never noticed it before, but I'm dang proud of him for leaving me that first year to follow his dreams. For then I might not have ever met Kim, or Shanna, or Vanessa, or Ashley, or Roger, or Jackie or Leslie, or Shellie, the one boss who I would later not be able to tolerate, but who would teach me to love the unlovely. I might not have ever met the Lakeland Tuesday Morning, Olive Garden, Books-a-Million, or American Greetings. And I certainly would never have met Mitchell's Coffee House on North Kentucky Avenue in the heart of dowtown, where I would spend many a dates with friends chatting over my favorite indulgence, the Almond Joy Mocha.
I might not have ever moved in with Kim, who I would become close to and lean on during that first semester, and who the following semester I would room with and later, become life long friends with. I might never have been a bridesmaid in her wedding (or she in mine), 6 years later. And I might never have met Shanna, who was the only girl in our hall when Kim and I were Delta Pi's during our sophomore year, who seemed to reach out to us for guidance and conversation, which is what we were there for. I might then never have photographed her wedding, 6 years later either.
We (me and Isaac) might never have inspired Paul, Isaac's dad, to move back to Lakeland to finish his degree while we were there and purchase the house on Buttercup, that we would later live in our Senior year. And he might not have ever met Grisel, the 2nd love of his life.
Nine years ago I met Dr. Rutland, our favorite preacher of all time, who inspired us in countless ways to be all that we could be and more. Nine years ago I never knew I'd live through and see four hurricanes: Charlie, Frances, Jean, and Ivan all in one season and be exposed to parishes that were utterly ruined, mangled, and torn apart by mother nature. And "dad" might never have been able to give us and all our friends a place to sleep those windy nights, watching the earth around us blow away. I never would have visited Lake Whales, the poor community supported by the Christian Contracter's Association, who helped people put their lives back together whose cars and homes were smashed by enormous trees, who used buckets to catch the leaks and drips from holes in their roofs.
Nine years ago gas was cheaper, I was jobless, not a homeowner, and I had no degree. Nine years ago that was me. And today, gas is through the roof, I am writing you at my job, I am in mortgage debt up to my eyeballs, and have a degree I'm not even using.
Yet today, I am the happiest I think I've ever been.
I would fall in love with Fall and Christmas and Spring more than ever and build anticipation over and over and over again every season for each homecoming reunion I would have with my family.
I would take 45 minutes of driving aimlessly to find Lake Hollingsworth during my first week on campus, which would become my college moniker and safe haven to unload my thoughts and dreams and ambitions, for the next four years of my life.
Nine years ago this time I was clueless--clueless about real love, real friends, and real careers. I was alone without a roomate who was nonexistent and a no-show, which became a blessing and a challenge. On the one hand I was living most freshman's dreams: a room to herself, no one to answer to, and peace and quiet whenever she wanted. On the other hand I was living a nightmare: no one to talk to and bond with my very first semester leading to an absolute feeling of loneliness and separation.
But thankfully, I did have my best friend Isaac to lean on--to show me the ropes, to guide me and teach me and introduce me to all that he had learned during his first year when he really was alone. I never noticed it before, but I'm dang proud of him for leaving me that first year to follow his dreams. For then I might not have ever met Kim, or Shanna, or Vanessa, or Ashley, or Roger, or Jackie or Leslie, or Shellie, the one boss who I would later not be able to tolerate, but who would teach me to love the unlovely. I might not have ever met the Lakeland Tuesday Morning, Olive Garden, Books-a-Million, or American Greetings. And I certainly would never have met Mitchell's Coffee House on North Kentucky Avenue in the heart of dowtown, where I would spend many a dates with friends chatting over my favorite indulgence, the Almond Joy Mocha.
I might not have ever moved in with Kim, who I would become close to and lean on during that first semester, and who the following semester I would room with and later, become life long friends with. I might never have been a bridesmaid in her wedding (or she in mine), 6 years later. And I might never have met Shanna, who was the only girl in our hall when Kim and I were Delta Pi's during our sophomore year, who seemed to reach out to us for guidance and conversation, which is what we were there for. I might then never have photographed her wedding, 6 years later either.
We (me and Isaac) might never have inspired Paul, Isaac's dad, to move back to Lakeland to finish his degree while we were there and purchase the house on Buttercup, that we would later live in our Senior year. And he might not have ever met Grisel, the 2nd love of his life.
Nine years ago I met Dr. Rutland, our favorite preacher of all time, who inspired us in countless ways to be all that we could be and more. Nine years ago I never knew I'd live through and see four hurricanes: Charlie, Frances, Jean, and Ivan all in one season and be exposed to parishes that were utterly ruined, mangled, and torn apart by mother nature. And "dad" might never have been able to give us and all our friends a place to sleep those windy nights, watching the earth around us blow away. I never would have visited Lake Whales, the poor community supported by the Christian Contracter's Association, who helped people put their lives back together whose cars and homes were smashed by enormous trees, who used buckets to catch the leaks and drips from holes in their roofs.
Nine years ago gas was cheaper, I was jobless, not a homeowner, and I had no degree. Nine years ago that was me. And today, gas is through the roof, I am writing you at my job, I am in mortgage debt up to my eyeballs, and have a degree I'm not even using.
Yet today, I am the happiest I think I've ever been.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Discipline of Commitment
"It is the intention to please God in all our actions ... that is they key to commitment to a life of holiness. If we do not make such a commitment to obedience without exception, we will constantly find ourselves making exceptions. We will have a 'just one more time' syndrome in our lives. But the truth is, the 'one more time' manner of thinking undermines our commitment. Every time we give in to a temptation, even though it may seem small and insignificant to us, we make it easier to give in the next time.
Sin has a tendency to exert an ever-increasing power on us if it is not resisted on every occasion. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:19, 'Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.' ... Paul was referring to this ability and tendency of sin to exert a greater and greater pull on us as we give in to each temptation.
It does not matter whether the sin to which we are tempted is seemingly small or large. The principle we are looking at - that saying yes to any temptation weakens our commitment to resist sin - works in either case.
Just as we need to make a commitment not to sin willfully, so we need to make a commitment to put on or clothe ourselves with the positive virtues of Christian character. Remember that Paul said, 'Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience' (Col. 3:12). What is our intention regarding them? If we want to be like Christ in His character, we must commit ourselves to putting on His virtues.
It is not enough to stop cheating on our income tax returns; we must also learn to share with those in need. It is not enough to avoid being bitter against those who have wronged us; we need to forgive as God has forgiven us. It is not enough to pray that God will enable us to deal with a volatile temper; we must also ask Him to help us put on compassion and kindness.
And just as we need to make a commitment to deal with all sin in our lives without exception, so we need to make a commitment to be just as diligent in putting on the fruit of the Spirit...."
-Jerry Bridges
The Discipline of Grace
Sin has a tendency to exert an ever-increasing power on us if it is not resisted on every occasion. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:19, 'Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.' ... Paul was referring to this ability and tendency of sin to exert a greater and greater pull on us as we give in to each temptation.
It does not matter whether the sin to which we are tempted is seemingly small or large. The principle we are looking at - that saying yes to any temptation weakens our commitment to resist sin - works in either case.
Just as we need to make a commitment not to sin willfully, so we need to make a commitment to put on or clothe ourselves with the positive virtues of Christian character. Remember that Paul said, 'Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience' (Col. 3:12). What is our intention regarding them? If we want to be like Christ in His character, we must commit ourselves to putting on His virtues.
It is not enough to stop cheating on our income tax returns; we must also learn to share with those in need. It is not enough to avoid being bitter against those who have wronged us; we need to forgive as God has forgiven us. It is not enough to pray that God will enable us to deal with a volatile temper; we must also ask Him to help us put on compassion and kindness.
And just as we need to make a commitment to deal with all sin in our lives without exception, so we need to make a commitment to be just as diligent in putting on the fruit of the Spirit...."
-Jerry Bridges
The Discipline of Grace
Monday, August 23, 2010
Living a "Norman Rockwell" Life
I was talking with a friend the other day about simple living. We both agreed that we missed our childhood days and that society as we knew it had lost the vision of living simply (in so many words). I exxagerate that a bit here because that's not exactly how I phrased it when we were talking. I was thinking it, though, and I'm sure my friend would've agreed. And then my friend put the simple thoughts of a simple life into a simple words: "Like the Norman Rockwell Life," he said.
"Exactly."
I've been pondering so much lately on what it means to live a simple life and as mine has slowed down drastically I've had the chance to really grasp an inkling of the hope of one. I think most people might call this the American Dream. Defined by Wikipedia, though, the American Dream is "a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of prosperity and success." If you put it like that, I actually am living the American Dream. I mean, we all are living our own form it some way or another, aren't we? We have nothing lacking: good jobs, homes, food to eat, beds to sleep in, and dozens of other things that we could surely live without. Through grace, we are essentially already prosperous and successful and indeed, living the American Dream.
But reading up on what the "Norman Rockwell life" was all about, as my friend put it, I did a little research: Many of [Norman Rockwell's] works appear overly sweet in modern critics' eyes, especially the Saturday Evening Post covers, which tend toward idealistic or sentimentalized portrayals of American life— this has led to the often-deprecatory adjective "Rockwellesque."
And then I read up on what the Saturday Evening Post was really all about: The Saturday Evening Post published current event articles, editorials, human interest pieces, humor, illustrations, a letter column, poetry (with contributions submitted by readers), single-panel cartoons and stories by the leading writers of the time. It was known for commissioning lavish illustrations and original works of fiction. Illustrations were featured on the cover and embedded in stories and advertising. Some Post illustrations became popular and continue to be reproduced as posters or prints, especially those by Norman Rockwell.
What happened to our media, columns, magazines, and newspapers?
I wonder if we've gotten so far off track thinking we've surpassed the need for the continual penetration of culture, ideas, and creativity into society that we've lost the foundation we were built on. (Do I hear a big ovation in the background??). Now all we see are nothing but stories in the news about murder, political agendas, and greed. I guess we are "too good" for the simple life, now.
I don't know about you, but I would love to be able to go back to the time when you could leave your house unlocked for days on end or walk over and borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor who knew your first name or you didn't have to worry about kids playing in the street or across the street or past the street in the woods down yonder. THOSE were the days. Those ARE the days. They're the days I want my kids to see.
The "Rockwellesque" illustrations brought life, truth, honesty, and simplicity to a pre-confused world. We may have our stocks, our iPads, our platinum VP nameplates, and huge homes, but do we know where our family is, what our neighbor's names are, or the last time we played a game instead of turned on the TV?
"Exactly."
I've been pondering so much lately on what it means to live a simple life and as mine has slowed down drastically I've had the chance to really grasp an inkling of the hope of one. I think most people might call this the American Dream. Defined by Wikipedia, though, the American Dream is "a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of prosperity and success." If you put it like that, I actually am living the American Dream. I mean, we all are living our own form it some way or another, aren't we? We have nothing lacking: good jobs, homes, food to eat, beds to sleep in, and dozens of other things that we could surely live without. Through grace, we are essentially already prosperous and successful and indeed, living the American Dream.
But reading up on what the "Norman Rockwell life" was all about, as my friend put it, I did a little research: Many of [Norman Rockwell's] works appear overly sweet in modern critics' eyes, especially the Saturday Evening Post covers, which tend toward idealistic or sentimentalized portrayals of American life— this has led to the often-deprecatory adjective "Rockwellesque."
And then I read up on what the Saturday Evening Post was really all about: The Saturday Evening Post published current event articles, editorials, human interest pieces, humor, illustrations, a letter column, poetry (with contributions submitted by readers), single-panel cartoons and stories by the leading writers of the time. It was known for commissioning lavish illustrations and original works of fiction. Illustrations were featured on the cover and embedded in stories and advertising. Some Post illustrations became popular and continue to be reproduced as posters or prints, especially those by Norman Rockwell.
What happened to our media, columns, magazines, and newspapers?
I wonder if we've gotten so far off track thinking we've surpassed the need for the continual penetration of culture, ideas, and creativity into society that we've lost the foundation we were built on. (Do I hear a big ovation in the background??). Now all we see are nothing but stories in the news about murder, political agendas, and greed. I guess we are "too good" for the simple life, now.
I don't know about you, but I would love to be able to go back to the time when you could leave your house unlocked for days on end or walk over and borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor who knew your first name or you didn't have to worry about kids playing in the street or across the street or past the street in the woods down yonder. THOSE were the days. Those ARE the days. They're the days I want my kids to see.
The "Rockwellesque" illustrations brought life, truth, honesty, and simplicity to a pre-confused world. We may have our stocks, our iPads, our platinum VP nameplates, and huge homes, but do we know where our family is, what our neighbor's names are, or the last time we played a game instead of turned on the TV?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
We’re Back…
As I was putting away my clothes last night and unpacking our suitcases I got whiffs of our room at the beach. The smells resonated of pancakes and the ocean. My soul is aching to relive the good memories made. From jet skiing to playing spades to bowling to movie watching to eating at some of the best restaurants in the Outer Banks we had a more than relaxing getaway.
Here are a few shots of our time.
Our condo, the “Oasis Suites.”
Out to dinner the first night…
Jet skis.
Nags Head beach.
Isaac had to “go to bathroom.” An hour or so later he came back running because he decided to go for a jog on the beach.
Spades.
While everybody was playing cards Anna, Mariah, and I decided to model. We are funny.
Dinner.
Bowling.
“These are a few of my favorite things” that I bought at the beach…a Tommy Hilfiger purse and some Nine West Shoes. I’ve been wanting this purse for months and I finally broke down and bought it. I was on vacation. Why not? And the shoes…they were on sale and I just liked them. I feel so preppy with the brand name getups, but I’m really loving them.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Give Us Hearts Like Yours
I am supposed to be studying. And I will...in a minute. But after my devotions this morning something was laid strongly on my heart and I can't hold it in.
The other day I was talking to my best friend about a situation I had encountered with another friend and I was explaining to her how hard it was to keep giving and giving to this person and to this relationship when they keep doing the same thing over and over and over again. Not necessarily to me, but to themselves. And I was telling her it's hard to keep giving when this person keeps doing this. And her simple, yet so profound answer was, "Jesus would."
Right then and there I knew I was wrong and that I had received a response that I just didn't want to hear. It would have been so much easier to hear her say, "Oh, well some people you just have to let do their own thing and not deal with it." I think this is a big reason why this person who gave me this response is such a good friend of mine, because she says things like this. She, of all my friends in this life, keeps it honest, keeps it real, and always manages to still give me the truth in a non-judgemental way. She's been a great sounding-board for me over the many years of our friendship.
As I "struck gold with Spurgeon" in my blog yesterday and began reading his wonderful passionate words of teaching us how to love our neighbours, looking back on it now I realize it was almost another symbol and hard knock on my door to wake me up and grasp this truth. And then, as I was praying this morning, I found those very words in this blog title come out of my mouth, "Give us hearts like yours." Is this what God was and is trying to teach me this week, this month, this year? He sure knows how to masterfully orchestrate anything, including a simple life lesson that He plans to instill in our hearts before we even know it.
After sitting in silence for a moment and putting all these pieces together it dawned on me that this is how I should be living my life: through Jesus' heart. I have always been one to categorize the different strengths and weaknesses of folks, classifying them (in my mind) of who is worthier and who is more righteous according to their acts. Don't we all, at some point, do that? Shame on me for ever doing that.
Perhaps this is too much depth in one's soul to post in a blog, but I can't help but share it as I imagine some of you may have often gone through the same thought patterns in your own minds.
No one can humanly possibly be automatically fixed by this overnight, but I am so thankful for the simple words He revealed this morning so that I can try with even the smallest amount of hope to model my own life after how He would live His. He loves us more than we can imagine even in our darkest hours, yet we have trouble forgiving or even being a friend to someone who is the slightest bit different than we.
Help us, oh God, to be more like you. Give us hearts like Yours.
The other day I was talking to my best friend about a situation I had encountered with another friend and I was explaining to her how hard it was to keep giving and giving to this person and to this relationship when they keep doing the same thing over and over and over again. Not necessarily to me, but to themselves. And I was telling her it's hard to keep giving when this person keeps doing this. And her simple, yet so profound answer was, "Jesus would."
Right then and there I knew I was wrong and that I had received a response that I just didn't want to hear. It would have been so much easier to hear her say, "Oh, well some people you just have to let do their own thing and not deal with it." I think this is a big reason why this person who gave me this response is such a good friend of mine, because she says things like this. She, of all my friends in this life, keeps it honest, keeps it real, and always manages to still give me the truth in a non-judgemental way. She's been a great sounding-board for me over the many years of our friendship.
As I "struck gold with Spurgeon" in my blog yesterday and began reading his wonderful passionate words of teaching us how to love our neighbours, looking back on it now I realize it was almost another symbol and hard knock on my door to wake me up and grasp this truth. And then, as I was praying this morning, I found those very words in this blog title come out of my mouth, "Give us hearts like yours." Is this what God was and is trying to teach me this week, this month, this year? He sure knows how to masterfully orchestrate anything, including a simple life lesson that He plans to instill in our hearts before we even know it.
After sitting in silence for a moment and putting all these pieces together it dawned on me that this is how I should be living my life: through Jesus' heart. I have always been one to categorize the different strengths and weaknesses of folks, classifying them (in my mind) of who is worthier and who is more righteous according to their acts. Don't we all, at some point, do that? Shame on me for ever doing that.
Perhaps this is too much depth in one's soul to post in a blog, but I can't help but share it as I imagine some of you may have often gone through the same thought patterns in your own minds.
No one can humanly possibly be automatically fixed by this overnight, but I am so thankful for the simple words He revealed this morning so that I can try with even the smallest amount of hope to model my own life after how He would live His. He loves us more than we can imagine even in our darkest hours, yet we have trouble forgiving or even being a friend to someone who is the slightest bit different than we.
Help us, oh God, to be more like you. Give us hearts like Yours.
Just Thinkin'
It's about 12:21am and I'm out here on the couch enjoying this much awaited Friday night. The Sweetest Thing is just ending on my TV and I'm actually getting pretty tired. We leave for vacation on Monday--pics to be taken I'm sure--so, work today was filled with bubbled over anticipation and clock-watching. I have a great boss. Although it's inevitable you find flaws in any manager, she's pretty great about allowing and encouraging us to take personal time and space. She's not a micromanager at ALL, which I'm so grateful for. And, after sending off my "out of office" notification at about 4 o'clock she shortly replied with a "Get outta here early and get a head start on your vacation!" My only reply? "Woo!" (...in my head, of course. The real response was followed by a "Thanks!" and a professionally inserted smiley--you know you do it too...don't deny it!).
I adore Fridays. I really do. There's nothing better than that drive home down the highway at 5 o'clock singing country songs loudly with the windows down and your hair flapping in the wind.
Although I'm excited about leaving for vacation there is much to do. At least my kitchen floor is mopped. I did that tonight. But there are loads of laundry to be washed and folded and bathrooms to be scrubbed. Cleaning bathrooms equals my least favorite chore, which is why I usually beg (yes, beg) Isaac to do them.
I have 50 pages of reading in my personal training book to do tomorrow, but I'll be doing that with about 4 cups of coffee and a cinnamon raisin bagel by my side. I have made a pact with myself to READ SLOWER so that I do not get half of the multiple choice questions wrong at the end of the chapter. I think that's mostly due to the fact that I try to answer them from memory, which serves me right for not looking for the answers first. This stuff is HARD. Way harder than I thought it would be. I don't even think I've gotten to the parts about how you develop the actual programs yet. And I'm wondering if that's a part of this thing at all. It sort of scares me. I've read the entire Exercise Physiology book and tomorrow I start Chapter 10 of my manual. 8 more chapters to go and then it's hardcore studying for the exam. I am seriously frightened.
Well, thanks for listening to me ramble tonight. By the way, had a great evening with Carrie lastnight. We went to DC for a little meeting and ended up having one of those great moments in the car reminscing about growing up. It didn't last long but it was medicine to my soul.
TTYL!
I adore Fridays. I really do. There's nothing better than that drive home down the highway at 5 o'clock singing country songs loudly with the windows down and your hair flapping in the wind.
Although I'm excited about leaving for vacation there is much to do. At least my kitchen floor is mopped. I did that tonight. But there are loads of laundry to be washed and folded and bathrooms to be scrubbed. Cleaning bathrooms equals my least favorite chore, which is why I usually beg (yes, beg) Isaac to do them.
I have 50 pages of reading in my personal training book to do tomorrow, but I'll be doing that with about 4 cups of coffee and a cinnamon raisin bagel by my side. I have made a pact with myself to READ SLOWER so that I do not get half of the multiple choice questions wrong at the end of the chapter. I think that's mostly due to the fact that I try to answer them from memory, which serves me right for not looking for the answers first. This stuff is HARD. Way harder than I thought it would be. I don't even think I've gotten to the parts about how you develop the actual programs yet. And I'm wondering if that's a part of this thing at all. It sort of scares me. I've read the entire Exercise Physiology book and tomorrow I start Chapter 10 of my manual. 8 more chapters to go and then it's hardcore studying for the exam. I am seriously frightened.
Well, thanks for listening to me ramble tonight. By the way, had a great evening with Carrie lastnight. We went to DC for a little meeting and ended up having one of those great moments in the car reminscing about growing up. It didn't last long but it was medicine to my soul.
TTYL!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Striking Gold with Spurgeon
My sister sent me a sermon by Spurgeon about a month back and I've just now gotten the urge to dig into it. It's long and reads in old-fashioned language type (you know: thee's, thou's, henceforth and whencenot's -- you get the point). But it's really good. I've been devouring it, savouring it even, and the other night I started to read it to Isaac as well. It was a nice switch from reading the book of Samuel from the bible where every paragraph is a new story with five new characters. It takes a great deal of patience and slow digestion to intake all this sermon's content, but it's so powerful and right on. Not only that, but Spurgeon really seems to be able to speak in such a way that leaves you knowing exactly what he means wihout having to say too much or make it too complicated, even on serious issues.
For my amusement and your pleasure, I wanted to share a few snippets of things that caught my attention. Spurgeon's main emphasis here is to Love Thy Neighbour. As such, he opens up by saying that the second great commandment is to, "love they neighbour as thyself." What a powerful phrase to model our lives after. Anyway, he breaks down in the first couple paragraphs about who our neighbours are, what we are to do (love), and how we are to do it, even in the most difficult and disagreeable of circumstances. He breaks down each thoroughly and in depth. I've only gotten through the first few long paragraphs of it though, since it's such a slow-processing read.
Here are a few of my favorite passages, thus far:
On Who am I to Love?
...and if any one in the world is near us, he is our neighbour...Perhaps he is in riches, and thou art poor, and thou livest in thy little cot side-by-side with his lordly mansion. Thou seest his estates, thou markest his fine linen, and his sumptuous raiment. God has given him these gifts, and if he has not given them to thee, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him..."God hath made of one blood all people that dwell on the face of the earth." Thou art by no means better than they...
On albeit that he be a different religion.
...Thou thinkest thyself to be of that sect which is the nearest to the truth, and thou hast hope that thou and thy compeers who think so well, shall certainly be saved. Thy neighbour thinketh differently...Let not thy differences separate him from thee. Perhaps he may be right, or he may be wrong; he shall be the rightest in practice, who loves the most. Possibly he has no religion at all. He disregards thy God; he breaks the Sabbath; he is confessedly an atheist; love him still...
On although he opposes thee in trade.
...A young man has lately started a shop which you are afraid will damage you. You must not hurt him; you must neither think nor say anything to injure him. Your business is to love him, for though he oppose you in your business, he is your neighbour still...
On though he offend thee with him sin.
...Sometimes our spirits are overwhelmed, and our hearts are grieved, when we see the wickedness of our streets. The common habit with the harlot or the profligate, is to drive them out of society as a curse. It is not right, it is not Christian-like. We are bound to love even sinners...Is a man a rogue, a thief, or a liar? I cannot love his roguery, or I should be a rogue myself. I cannot love his lying, or I should be untrue; but I am bound to love him still, and even though I am wronged by him, yet I must not harbor one vindictive feeling, but as I would desire God to forgive me, so I must forgive him...And if he so sins against the law of the land, that he is to be punished I am to love him in the punishment; for I am not to condemn him to imprisonment vindictively, but I am to do it for his good, that he may be led to repent through the punishment...But let me condemn him with a tear in my eye, because I love him still...You do not hardly love all the people who go to the same chapel. Certainly, you would not think of loving those who differ from you in opinion—would you? That would be too strange a charity. Why, you hardly love your own brothers and sisters. Some of you to-day are at daggers drawing with them that hung on the same breast. O, how can I expect you to love your enemies if you do not love your friends?
That was actually more than I intended to write, but it's good stuff. If you read this, I hope it struck you and touched you as much as it did me. In my continued readings of these passages over and over, as I've done as of late, it simply leaves me only with the thought that there is never any excuse not to love a neighbor. God loved even the lowliest of the low and the supreme sinners, those who were poor, desperate, needy, and hungry and almost more often than not it seemed He wanted to be closer to those types of people more than the ones who had it all. We should be so thankful for His grace in our lives, for even our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
For my amusement and your pleasure, I wanted to share a few snippets of things that caught my attention. Spurgeon's main emphasis here is to Love Thy Neighbour. As such, he opens up by saying that the second great commandment is to, "love they neighbour as thyself." What a powerful phrase to model our lives after. Anyway, he breaks down in the first couple paragraphs about who our neighbours are, what we are to do (love), and how we are to do it, even in the most difficult and disagreeable of circumstances. He breaks down each thoroughly and in depth. I've only gotten through the first few long paragraphs of it though, since it's such a slow-processing read.
Here are a few of my favorite passages, thus far:
On Who am I to Love?
...and if any one in the world is near us, he is our neighbour...Perhaps he is in riches, and thou art poor, and thou livest in thy little cot side-by-side with his lordly mansion. Thou seest his estates, thou markest his fine linen, and his sumptuous raiment. God has given him these gifts, and if he has not given them to thee, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him..."God hath made of one blood all people that dwell on the face of the earth." Thou art by no means better than they...
On albeit that he be a different religion.
...Thou thinkest thyself to be of that sect which is the nearest to the truth, and thou hast hope that thou and thy compeers who think so well, shall certainly be saved. Thy neighbour thinketh differently...Let not thy differences separate him from thee. Perhaps he may be right, or he may be wrong; he shall be the rightest in practice, who loves the most. Possibly he has no religion at all. He disregards thy God; he breaks the Sabbath; he is confessedly an atheist; love him still...
On although he opposes thee in trade.
...A young man has lately started a shop which you are afraid will damage you. You must not hurt him; you must neither think nor say anything to injure him. Your business is to love him, for though he oppose you in your business, he is your neighbour still...
On though he offend thee with him sin.
...Sometimes our spirits are overwhelmed, and our hearts are grieved, when we see the wickedness of our streets. The common habit with the harlot or the profligate, is to drive them out of society as a curse. It is not right, it is not Christian-like. We are bound to love even sinners...Is a man a rogue, a thief, or a liar? I cannot love his roguery, or I should be a rogue myself. I cannot love his lying, or I should be untrue; but I am bound to love him still, and even though I am wronged by him, yet I must not harbor one vindictive feeling, but as I would desire God to forgive me, so I must forgive him...And if he so sins against the law of the land, that he is to be punished I am to love him in the punishment; for I am not to condemn him to imprisonment vindictively, but I am to do it for his good, that he may be led to repent through the punishment...But let me condemn him with a tear in my eye, because I love him still...You do not hardly love all the people who go to the same chapel. Certainly, you would not think of loving those who differ from you in opinion—would you? That would be too strange a charity. Why, you hardly love your own brothers and sisters. Some of you to-day are at daggers drawing with them that hung on the same breast. O, how can I expect you to love your enemies if you do not love your friends?
That was actually more than I intended to write, but it's good stuff. If you read this, I hope it struck you and touched you as much as it did me. In my continued readings of these passages over and over, as I've done as of late, it simply leaves me only with the thought that there is never any excuse not to love a neighbor. God loved even the lowliest of the low and the supreme sinners, those who were poor, desperate, needy, and hungry and almost more often than not it seemed He wanted to be closer to those types of people more than the ones who had it all. We should be so thankful for His grace in our lives, for even our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wolf Trap Venture
Isaac and I have had a pretty great summer so far. We've done a lot of great stuff like mountain biking in the Alps, our first scubadiving lesson, and taking a road trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country. No just kidding...we didn't actually do any of those things, but we are having a great summer.
We went to Wolf Trap on Saturday with a few friends for the first time in our little Gresham history. I think I may have been once before, but not really quite sure I remember it if I did. Either way, it was most enjoyable. Strolling up to the lawn an hour before the show began, our friends brought napsacks full of fresh fruit, crackers, cheeses, and wine and we snacked and talked into the wee evening. The symphony, accompanied by a screen viewing of the planets in HD in the second half, nearly put us (and the rest of the patrons) into the most relaxing deep slumber as we laid on the green lawn and sipped our spirits while nibbling on our cheese and cracker remains. It couldn't have been more refreshing or more inviting until 1/2 past 8 when the sun set and we let our minds drift off under the soothing spell of the orchestral sounds of the night.
Below are a few shots.
Matt, Nat, n' Isaac
Favorite Shot
We went to Wolf Trap on Saturday with a few friends for the first time in our little Gresham history. I think I may have been once before, but not really quite sure I remember it if I did. Either way, it was most enjoyable. Strolling up to the lawn an hour before the show began, our friends brought napsacks full of fresh fruit, crackers, cheeses, and wine and we snacked and talked into the wee evening. The symphony, accompanied by a screen viewing of the planets in HD in the second half, nearly put us (and the rest of the patrons) into the most relaxing deep slumber as we laid on the green lawn and sipped our spirits while nibbling on our cheese and cracker remains. It couldn't have been more refreshing or more inviting until 1/2 past 8 when the sun set and we let our minds drift off under the soothing spell of the orchestral sounds of the night.
Below are a few shots.
Matt, Nat, n' Isaac
Favorite Shot
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