Mr. Tall

Dad and Mom

Just wanted to tell you guys that I love you and miss having you around. It was good to just spend time with you in WV. Can't wait to see you next year! I'm proud of you guys! I thank God for you two and the ministry that you've had in my life and the Uruguayan people.

It's a girl!

Well, not yet... That's just what the Ultrasound technician type-person told my sister and brother in-law. The baby is due in April sometime...
Ivan and Tania will name her Kathleen Joy and probably call her Katie. I'm very excited, I've been praying that it would be a girl. My two older sisters have had boys so far, it's about time that the family had a girl. :) Yippee!! It was a good Birthday present to find out that they are having a girl!

B-day

Happy B-day to me! :) I'm old! jk, today I turn 26.

Thank you Lord for the past year of life and I pray that Your kingdom come (Your will be done) in my life in the coming year.

God is good

Today

Happy Thanksgiving!!

"It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union."

Abraham Lincoln - excerpt from his speech proclaiming this national holiday - 1863

Tea

Have I told you lately that I love tea? I'm an addict, especially as winter starts settling in. Without fail, I have at least a cup-a-day (if not more). I enjoy coffee as well, but that's just to get me going in the morning. Tea is a beautiful thing, I love the warmth that it provides. I love the process of heating water, hearing the keattle whistle, pouring boiling water over the tea leaves, watching as the leaves dance with water, water steeping the color and flavor from the leaves, and then enjoying the first sip of scalding liquid as you breath in the aroma. Yum!

Check out Adagio for all your loose leaf tea needs.

BW Photos

I am a huge fan of BW photography. I think that it can capture a scene and an emotion a lot better than color (well, not in all instances).
Anyway, here is something that I did recently.

What do you think? Is it too much? Feel free to click on the picture to see a larger version.

Failure

I failed in my attempt to post something everyday during the month of November... This past weekend was just crazy.

I went to "Taming of the Shrew" on Friday - It was hilarious and really really good!
Saturday, I had my photography class from 9-2. Two appointments with people in the afternoon. Dinner and ensemble rehearsal starting at 6pm for our special Sunday services.
Sunday our church celebrated its 15 year anniversary!! It was awesome. That is the only word that I can think to describe the time of worship, thanksgiving, and sharing that we had yesterday. We had 36+ songs on the schedule between our two morning services and one evening service; about 26 were congregational songs and the rest ensembles, solos, and specials. I sang 32 songs and my voice is exhausted!
It is cool to think, that despite how broken and imperfect our worship is here, we will one day sing and give praise to God with perfect voices and instruments (without cloy) for all eternity!!

Yea, again nothing for today... Going to see Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" at BJ tomorrow

Yea, I have nothing for you today. Well, I have a lot I could talk about, but I'm super busy.

Persecution

Today is a national day of prayer for the persecuted church. Please pray!

Hebrews 13:1 & 3 "Let brotherly love continue... Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body."

Did you know that 100 million Christians have been martyred for their faith in the 20th century? We are so sheltered and priviledged in our country. A friend of mine took a trip to Afghanistan a couple of months ago to meet with our brothers and sisters in that country. He was told that there are about 30,000 (or was it 3,000) Christians in a country of 23 million. And the Christians that are there all meet in home churches, with pastor that travel around from house church to house church.
He shared this story of a man he met there - This man got burdened to go to the local mosque and walked around the mosque just praying and praying. After a couple day of doing this a man approached and struck up a conversation. Christ and Christianity came up in the conversation and after a long conversation, this other man received Christ!!
This in a country where it is death to proclaim that you are a Christian.

Poetry

I've hear say that a man becomes a poet when he falls in love. Not that I'm in love or anywhere near, but I was thinking about that last night. (Disclaimer: This is purely my outsider perspective). I think I can see why...
Poetry (of the love type) is an emotionally compact artistic communication attempting to capture the granduer of the subject in a relatively small number of words.
Love is an emotion, but it is also a decision to giving of oneself. I could go on and on about love, ironically thousands of poems have been written about this little word, but since my experience is non-existant I'll stop here.

As Hitch would say: "So how does it happen, great love? Nobody knows... but what I can tell you is that it happens in the blink of an eye. One moment you're enjoying your life, and the next you're wondering how you ever lived without them."

I guess, I'll just have to wait until it happens in a blink of an eye...

Reformission 1

CAUTION: This is author is very blunt and funny! He's also very gunhoe about being a manly man...

I've started reading reading "Radical Reformission" by Mark Driscoll. It is hilarious, but very very good (so far). I read the intro and chapter 1 today and I just had to share the following (again, caution - he's blunt) starting paragraphs of chapter 1. Mark is reminding us of how the "beautifully scandalous life and grace of Jesus Christ" started:

"The story begins with God making all things, then creating a man named Adam. Though Adam is technically perfect, it is still not good for him to be alone. The Bible never tells us why, exactly. Perhaps he would have forgotten to pick up the trash around the Garden of Eden, and the place eventually would have looked like an eternal fraternity without a hint of an annual spring cleaning.
Whatever the case, God creates a perfect woman who is beautiful, sinless, and naked - the same kind of woman every guy ever since has been searching for. Adam meets her and, recognizing that his life has just taken a turn for the better, he sings her a song, after which their marriage is consummated. The Bible could end right there, after only two chapters, with the man and woman naked, eating fruit, and trying to fill the earth all by their happy, horny, holy selves.
But every since the dreadful day of the Thud in Eden, we have all been walking around scratching our thick skulls, trying to figure out how to get back to that glorious time. Why? Because our happy, naked first parents sinned against God and brought a curse upon themselves and all creation. They sinned because they believed the lies of a talking serpent who had been an angel until he got kicked out of heaven for his pride."

That's just a glimpse of chapter 1, now go buy the book and read it - it's better than Blue like Jazz.
"Reformation is the continual reforming of the mission of the church to enhance God’s command to reach out to others in a way that acknowledges the unique times and locations of daily life."

Church

God is good. I LOVE my church. It is so cool to be a part of a body of believers that loves God and each other as we seek to glorify God and make disciples.

Tonight we saw God work through church discipline. This is church discipline as it should be. The ultimate goal is for God to receive the glory for a restored life. About two years ago we had a man leave our church and his wife to pursue a selfish life in the world. After being approached by several people, he was not repentant of what he was doing. He was taken before our board of elders and still was not repentant. Our elders then had a "family chat" where this man was given over to the world. The elders made it clear that we were to love him, pray for him, but treat him as an unbeliever. The intent is not to shun him, but don't treat him like everything is just fine and you are ok with his life-style.
Two months ago, God started working on his heart convicting him of his sin and unrepentance. The Lord led him to start talking to a couple men in our church who had staying in close contact with him. A few days ago he asked his wife for forgiveness and they were reunited. Then last night after a couple of months of counseling he came before the church in a repentant spirit asking for forgiveness. God is SO good! A life restored, a family put together again, wounds starting to mend, and God glorified for His awesome deeds!!!

Free stuff...

Yes, I did it. The alure of getting a cool nalgene bottle for free is too much. I couldn't handle it. Hope it works, I'll keep you posted and tell you when I get it in the mail.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Luther

This day in 1483, Martin Luther was born.

Quotes:
"Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times."

"Be a sinner and sin strongly, but more strongly have faith and rejoice in Christ."

"You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you."

"Pray, and let God worry."

"If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there."

Love

The following poem came to mind the other day as I drove past the exit to Carl Sandburg's house. I memorized it and presented it in my Speech Interp class in college. It's very fun, a little bit long (about 12-15 mins) so I've only put a small excerpt bellow. Find it and read it all, it is very good.

Love is a little white bird
and the flight of it so fast
you can't see it
and you know it's there
only by the faint whirr of its wings
and the hush song coming so low to your ears
you fear it might be silence
and you listen keen and you listen long
and you know it's more than silence
for you get the hush song so lovely
it hurts and cuts into your heart
and what you want is to give more than you can get
and you'd like to write it but it can't be written
and you'd like to sing it but you don't dare try
because the little white bird sings it better than you can

Carl Sandburg - "Little Word, Little White Bird"

Photography

Anyone that takes a picture with a camera is dancing with light. Light is what makes photography and sight, for that matter, possible. A photograph is light captured and fixed on a 2D format. It's my firm belief that learning light is a life-long endeavor for all photographers. It is a love-hate relationship, all depending on available light and how well the photographer knows that kind of light.

Or as Wikipedia would say: Photography is the process of making pictures by means of the action of light. Light patterns reflected or emitted from objects are recorded onto a sensitive medium or storage chip through a timed exposure. The process is done through mechanical, chemical or digital devices known as cameras.

I think my favorite thing about photography is the ability to capture a moment. Like all art, being able to convey a message, feeling, idea, or just simply beauty for beauty's sake.

Just stop and think of the tools that we've created to capture light versus the two tools that God has created in us to capture light; it will blow your mind. Our eyes are incredible! With the all the technology that we have, it is impossible to create a camera that can equal our eyes. These are a few things that a camera cannot match: 1. The range of sight (including peripheral sight) is unbeatable in any wide angle lens. It is possible to get the range, but not without distortion. 2. The speed of focusing is almost instant regardless of distance. 3. Our eyes can adapt to very small or very large amounts of light very quickly. 4. And the best part is that we do all this without giving it a thought.

God is good to give us these tools to see His creation and to give Him the glory that He deserves for the amazing display that we receive. It's exciting to think, that someday, with our heavenly bodies, we will see/capture His glory with new eyes.

God's Presence 5

KEY God's eternal purpose is to dwell among a people He has made His own.
Let me say that again - God has PURPOSED to dwell among His People

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:3

5. A CITY - Revelation 21
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." Revelation 21:3
- This is the climax of God's purpose, everything in our Bible leads to this. God will dwell with man!! God's purpose is fulfilled - man returns to paradise.

"And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb." Revelation 21:22
- There is no temple in the city, there is no need. God and the Lamb are ever present in unhindered fellowship with His people.
- Also, quick observation - The New City is a all gold cube, the Holy of Holies was a cube, covered in gold. (just a cool image of some extra symbolism from the tabernacle).

The following are some of my thoughts and comments:
- These images, taken at face value, may seem that God has had to make up this plan as He went along. But, our God is not a reactive god. It didn't take Him by surprise that man sinned in the garden. This has been His plan for all eternity to bring glory to Himself. We should worship Him and give him praise for His mind boggling design for us.
- When we gather together to worship Him, He is not present because of anything that we do or because we just sung a great song. He is present in our midst because we are His people. We worship because He is present and we give of ourselves to Him, not to attract His attention but because He is worthy.
- His grace and mercy are awesome that He wants to dwell with us... it just blows me away.

God's Presence 4

KEY God's eternal purpose is to dwell among a people He has made His own.
Let me say that again - God has PURPOSED to dwell among His People

Matthew 28:20 - "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

4. A PEOPLE Temple
- Christ left the Holy Spirit to live in us.
- YOU are God's temple - 1 Corinthians 3:9 & 16
- The church now becomes the divine sanctuary - 2 Corinthians 6:16
- Christ must be ever central in the new temple
- God is uniquely present when His people are gathered
- Christ's presence demands holiness

And one day He is returning to take His people home.

God's Presence 3

KEY God's eternal purpose is to dwell among a people He has made His own.
Let me say that again - God has PURPOSED to dwell among His People

Malachi 3:1 - "...behold, He is coming."

3. A PERSON Temple/Light
- Word became flesh (John 1) and dwelt among men (dwelt shows setting up tent/tabernacle)
- Once again God dwells with His people, but in a more personal way. "The glory of God in the face of Christ." WE BEHELD HIS GLORY
- Jesus was the temple (John 2:18)
- He came to die/to remove the certificate of death from each of us.
- Access to God was opened by Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:20)
- EMMANUEL = God with us = God's presence

And just as Jesus leaves to return to heaven He says: "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

God's Presence 2

KEY God's eternal purpose is to dwell among a people He has made His own.
Let me say that again - God has PURPOSED to dwell among His People

The FALL - there is Divine Alienation. Then we wait... Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Nation of Israel and God gives another image of His presence.

2. A DWELLING Sanctuary/Temple/Tent
- Israel is promised God's very presence in the Tabernacle. Exodus 25-33
God: " My presence will go with you and give you rest."
- God's presence with them is what makes Israel distinct from all the other nation. Exodus 33:16
- God dwelt right in the middle of the of all the tents (A king's tent would be right in the middle).
- The temple and the sacrifice system are a mark of God's dwelling, but it points out God's transcendence in that there in not unhindered access to God's presence. Only by the blood of lambs and goats and then only once a year by the High Priest is there direct access to God's presence.

Aside: God's presence is not always good news (Uzah, Aaron's sons, Ananias and Siphira) It is glorious, but dangerous also.

Consider when the temple was destroyed... This wasn't just front page news material for several months, to the Jews, this was a theological catastrophe. God's presence (in a dwelling) was removed/destroyed! And when it was rebuilt, it just wasn't the same.

Now come the prophets, and they start giving good news... little by little. Malachi 3:1 - "Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts."

(I'm posting this a little early, because I'm going out of town this weekend. I will post the next image Sunday night - have a great weekend).

God's Presence 1

I wanted to share with you my sermon notes from Jeff Purswell's "A People of God's Presence." I heard Jeff preach at Sovereign Grace Worship God '06 conference that I attended in August at the Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD (I think you might be able to find it on their website). God spoke through Jeff and it was very evident. This is probably one of the only sermons that has affected me in an indescribably and immediate way (joy, chills, jaw-dropping). I've heard other sermons that have been great and have changed my life, but I think I had chills at the end from trying to grasp and digest the awesomeness of this. This was basically a summary of Bible in one sermon. I don't attribute any of this to Jeff, God spoke. Anyway... I'll try to keep it brief and yet hopefully get the point across.

What is in our minds when we think or use "presence of God?" Is it a distant wish? Is it something we strive to attain? Is it something we take for granted? Or is it simply a means of cool solidarity with other Christians?

KEY "God's eternal purpose is to dwell among a people He has made His own."
Let me say that again - God has PURPOSED to dwell among His People

Where? How? - There are 5 images that expose this throughout the Bible:

1. A GARDEN Sanctuary/Temple/Mountain
- Safety (protection, enclosure - Adam was placed there by God) Genesis 2:8
- Provision (Food, richness, diversity) Genesis 2:9-17
- Relation Intimacy (Adam & Eve) Genesis 2:18-25
- Divine Companionship (Place where God and man meet) Genesis 3:8
- Presence (walking, talking) Leviticus 26:12
- Temple (Place to worship God)
Here is a pattern of His Kingdom - "Unhindered fellowship with God in an unspoiled environment."
This is what we were created for!! This shows God's desire, His heart, to dwell among His People.

...then the FALL - There is Divine Alienation.

(I'm going to do a point-a-day for the next five days - Stay Tuned!)

Reformission

We are going to be reading "Radical Reformission" by Mark Driscoll for our Shepherding Group study book. Our S.G. leader (Matt) has highly recommended this book because the book's nature is relational. I've never heard of Mark before, but Matt highly recommended it and it sounds awesome! I really look forward to diving into this. I'll keep you posted once I start reading it. Here is an excerpt of the back of the book:

"Reformation is the continual reforming of the mission of the church to enhance God’s command to reach out to others in a way that acknowledges the unique times and locations of daily life."

November 2. Today is Daniel Boone's B-day. I chose this random fact, because my brother in-law is distantly related to the "King of the Wild Frontier." Here's to you Mr. Raccoon-skin-hat-clad-frontiersman.

Sweet November

Ahhh... I love this month! Mainly the weather, I am a huge fan of fall leaves, crisp air, and sweaters. November also means Thanksgiving, my birthday, and Christmas right around the corner.

HAPPY NOVEMBER!!
Today is the 305th day of the year (60 days left in 2006). And random fact - this day in 1512 - The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo, is exhibited to the public for the first time.

So, I'm going to try to blog at least once a day this month. I've never committed to something like this before (blog-wise), we'll see how well I do. Why? Just 'cause, to force myself to write more often and to see if I can.

I want to leave you with one link to a cool blog post. I recently stubled across "the view from her" blog and she's a pretty smart kid! If you have the time, check out her posts about "Christian" art from October 12th and 13th. Very thought provoking.