Deep reflection

Randy and I made the trip to the Apple store early this morning in hopes of getting my darn Ipod to sync with my computer. Well, the trip to Tampa proved to be a futile attempt to bring an Ipod and its coolness into my life. The tech dude hadn't used Windows stuff since 98, so he couldn't do much more than I could. That was information that would have been helfpul if brought to my attention yesterday. Nevertheless, it was good to have someone to whom I could talk and discuss hard life decisions.

But in reflection, after numerous attempts to get this thing to work, maybe the Ipod (for me) is like that girl you wished you could date, but she wouldn't give you the time of day, or just wanted to be friends (even worse!). And to pursue her any longer would be tantamount to stalking. Am I a stalker? I don't want to be that guy.

Maybe the Ipod isn't 'meant to be' for this time in my life....Or maybe this is a sign to get a new computer after 5 years of Toshiba excellence.....Maybe I can see some 'writing' on the wall, but I just can't read it yet. Maybe.

Microsoft Excel in Grace

I've been reading II Corinthians for my morning devotions the past month or so. Today I came across a puzzling passage: "But as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you-see that you excel in this act of grace also" (8:7).

The question I raise is "How does someone 'excel' in an 'act of grace' when Paul begins the passage by explaining that the grace God has given the churches in Macedonia has moved them to give, and even in the toughest situations? I mean if grace is given, then how can someone excel in it?

At first look it sounds like a contradiction. But I think I might at first glance have been falsely dichotomizing two truths. God gives grace and this grace is responsible for any good work in the life of a Christian. Yet we must respond to this grace. Westminster Shorter Catechism question 35 defines sanctification as "the work of God's free grace,(1) whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God,(2) and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness."

God works in us= grace. Because God works in us to will and work for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13), then we do live out our salvation (Phil 2:12). In other words we are enabled by his grace to lay aside our own innate selfishness and follow Jesus more nearly. In order to "excel in this grace" we are then to regularly respond to the grace given to us.

How might we regularly respond? Jesus told the disciples to freely give as they have received. In order to 'excel in this grace' I imagine we would need to actively realize how much we have been given, and actively repent from our own love of money. Of course, who works that repentance in our lives? God in His grace. Fortunately we can pray for a repentant heart.

Did Paul's exemplary church in Macedonia excel in this grace because they simply had 'more grace?' I don't know (I really don't know what that means anyway). But one thing I do know is that a lack of response to God's grace is never blamed on the fact that God didn't 'give' enough grace. Giving is a spiritual gift-and some are more giving than others.

But a lack of excelling in this grace is more probably due to a lack of reflection and belief in that grace. At least for me. So probably I can't use that excuse when challenged to give!

I'm tired of three's

I've been making some bad purchases lately. Although I don't know if I'm worthy of all the blame-certainly not most of it. Now I did buy an awfully made kayak fairly whimsically the other day. However I learned my lesson, did some research, and bought a more expensive kayak which had come well recommended. The only problem with that one was that it leaked. Kind of important for a boat not to leak. Kind of. So I took that one back and bought a third. I should be keeping that one.

Next came the weed whacker. This time I waited for a recommendation: go Electric. So I did, but the spool kept coming off on my first run through. So back to the drawing board. I needed to go Black & Decker said so and so. I did, and when I opened up the box to put it together-alas, behold, or whatever other word you would say-there was no spool or cover at all.

So I took that back today during my lunch break and got the same kind. This time the Lowe's guy opened it up just to make sure. It was there. At least I didn't buy the recalled model.

Well now my Ipod (which I thought was going to be like "A whole new world" for me, some sort of "dazzling place I've never been") won't sync. My kayak would sink, but my Ipod won't sync. A cruel irony. An Ipod that won't sync is like a boat that does sink: worthless. So I'll be driving to the Apple store to see if they can 'sync it up.' If this three part sequence continues, I should only have to drive to Tampa or return the Ipod one more time after this Friday. But I'm hoping to break the sequence. More of a curse really. Hope you don't get struck by the Terrible Threes.

A Hell of a Good Time

I DVR'd a hellish Dateline special about a month and a half ago, and finally got around to watching it last night. The subject matter was Hell.

Different people offered viewpoints, from a charismatic preacher, to a Oral Roberts grad turned liberal, to your friend and mine Marilyn Manson, to a torture victim. Manson believes hell and heaven are simply two ways of explaining the dual nature of man (good/bad). "Its that simple." Some believed that we've created hell on Earth, while others emphasized that everyone goes to heaven.

They allowed everyone from Satanists to evangelicals to speak, and did a fine job representing each party. Here are two things I found worthy of a second look.

First of all, the narrator explained how the former Oral Roberts pentecostal mega-church preacher made his shift to universalism. First he began to see the bible as simply a book about God, written by men. Then came study in original languages, followed by the notion, "I just don't see how a God of mercy could......" He still obviously believes in God, and so asked Him, "Am I doing the right thing in leading people down this path?" God gave him the green light. Of course, without the aid of scripture, God can 'say' a lot of crazy things, and justify a lot of stuff. But the special was beneficial in showing how his metamorphosis all began.

Secondly, a woman who had been tortured by some S. American government, expressed that her only hope in life was that the goodness of humanity would triumph over the evil of it. If humanity weren't in essence good, then she would just give up now. There could then be no hope outside of this truth; it would have 'destroyed her sweater', pulling the proverbial thread as she walked away (hope you enjoyed the Weezer flashback).

Concentration camp survivor Ellie Wiesel expressed similar sentiments. Perhaps that was the agenda of the show? I've recently noticed through several mediums (sports talk, TV) a need for people to reestablish, or personally re-believe in the goodness of humanity. Although this is really anti-post modern, and I thought we were passed that.

Do you encounter people 'pimping' the goodness of humanity? Let me know. It is definitely a bridge to the gospel, but just a different one than I would expect to use. Maybe I shouldn't expect.

Disagreeing with a King

Well, Michael Vick did what anyone would do when facing federal charges, with clear evidence and people willing to testify against him: he pleaded guilty to dog fighting.

And so this story has captured the sports world. Most of the shows and segments on those shows, dealt with the question: where do we go from here? I found one particular segment on "Cold Pizza" quite fascinating. Former Bucs QB Shaun King participated in the discussion and made some fairly bold statements. Apparently Michael Vick didn't "owe anyone an apology."

This 'anyone' did not include, of course, "The Lord." Vick needed to seek forgiveness from God, but really didn't need to apologize to the people he let down (like the fans and his teammates) as well as the commissioner (who he blatantly lied to). His public apology today went a step further in showing his contrition, and proving his forgiveness. These apologies weren't superfluous, but they were not required. He only needed forgiveness from God, and he had that.

I love Shaun King, I really do. Not only because he was a classy Bucs QB (who's job was simply taken away from him), but he is a brother in Christ. And he is very bold with his faith, and I love that. And his point is made that there is forgiveness in Christ. With that being said, I'd like to examine what he said.

Does Michael Vick 'owe' an apology to the fans of Atlanta, and his teammates? His poor decision making not only hurt himself, but also hurt the Falcon's chances (which I'm glad for by the way). But then again, maybe Joey Harrington is the answer there? An apology might not be required, but it certainly seems like there was a lack of concern for others.

Does Michael Vick 'owe' an apology to the commissioner (whom he lied to face to face), and to all those he lied to when he professed his innocence via a statement? Certainly we are forgiven even though we can't go back and tell the truth to all those who we've been dishonest or lied to over the years. That is not a prerequisite for forgiveness.

But how can there be reconciliation without apologies for wrong done to one another? Certainly sins can only be forgiven by God through the work of Christ. But the fruit of forgiveness in a believer's heart is expressed through apologizing to the offended party.

Psalm 51 does show David saying that he sinned only against the Lord. Perhaps this is King's thinking. But is this a correct application? Clearly people do sin against one another. In James 5, we are instructed to confess sins to one another (although very few Christians think James is serious in much of what he says) , and Jesus instructs us to even seek out those who might have something against us. Perhaps we have sinned against them, and an apology is what he has in mind?

I still think that if Uriah weren't killed in battle, David would have 'owed' him an apology for sleeping with his wife. So while Shaun King is by far my favorite 'King,' I will respectfully disagree with my Buccaneer brother in Christ.

Vision from a tuna

Our session (our 6 elders) is going on a retreat this weekend. And I have to say, I'm a bit excited. We'll be taking some time to look at where we've been heading as a church, and hopefully be able to evaluate it.

I think continually reexamining and evaluating your vision (or whether you are actually implementing and applying that vision) in any area of life, be it your spiritual walk, leadership, marriage, business is always a good thing. I'm not saying that I do it often, but I'm learning to.

Why? Well let me sum it up with a short story about a Tuna. I once asked a Hawaiian commercial fisherman how he could catch huge tuna on hand-lines. He told me it was simple. Once you turn the fish's head, you've won the battle. The fish will swim in whatever direction his head is facing (this is not meant to be sexist-female fish do the same thing). It's not hard to bring in a several hundred pound fish when he is swimming right toward you.

Like big tuna, we will head in whatever direction our eyes are fixed upon. Everything from pizza, to sex, to approval, to success vies for our attention. So it is wise to continually evaluate whether your head (vision) really is pointed in the correct, or desired/planned, direction.

Same principle put forth by the writer of Hebrews: "Fixing our eyes upon Jesus"(Heb 12:2 NAS). So ideally, we would like to head in that direction. The neat thing is that as different churches fix their collective eyes upon Jesus, they can still look very different from one another.
Their vision may have them reaching and shepherding different people with different methods.

I think that's pretty cool. There may be different visions as long as its the same Jesus, and the same Kingdom (not your own) going forward.

A Technological Cataclysm

If I look different to you, its because I am. I'm starting to catch up, technologically speaking of course (I've always been hip and down with the times), to the world around me. I'm not going to look like this guy anymore. The balding guy with the old cell phone. Not a good look for me.

I purchased an IPOD today. Yes, an IPOD. You know those things with a ton of Gigs, and memory, and everything. I got one now. I'll still be balding, but I'll be looking good doing it.

I really don't know how to use the IPOD; I haven't exactly taken it out of the box yet (it's only been a few hours though so don't judge me). But I made the first step. One small step for Geoff, one large step for Geoff-kind. I'm sorry that didn't make any sense, but it just seemed apropos.

In addition, I'll be retiring my Motorola phone since Amy and I just purchased new ones. It was actually the oldest working cell phone in Bradenton. Someone called me the other day from a museum and asked for it, but I cordially declined. Big money too. Now if they'll only call me back.....

So to quote Bill and Ted during their Excellent Adventure, "Strange things are afoot at the Circle K." Yes strange things are afoot at the Circle K of my life indeed. I only hope that I can handle the overwhelming flood of new technology. I'll keep you posted, but don't expect a text message or anything. Not yet.

The Ringing Bell: Come and get it.

The other day, and when I say 'the other day', I can mean up to a year (however this was only a month ago) someone recommended to me Derek Webb's album The Ringing Bell.

Derek Webb, formerly of Caedmon's Call, has already put out several solo albums, and The Ringing Bell is his most recent.

I know I'm not a professional music reviewer, but I do have ears and I do have a little bit of taste. So I'll tell you what I think of his new project (don't I sound sophisticated saying 'project?'). Anyhow, here's my first review.

The sound varies from song to song, featuring acoustic numbers, as well as folk, and rock. What I really appreciate the most from Webb are his thought/emotion provoking lyrics. The lyrics however, will not win him approval from any positive-thought pimping preacher. Instead they can be quite dark and very heavy, dealing with the frustration of life this side of heaven.

Contextualizing Ecclesiastes 3 (you know, made famous by that Byrd's song "Turn, Turn, Turn") and Romans 8:18-25, Webb expresses the frustration of living in between two different worlds. The old has gone and the new has come (II Cor 5:17), but the world still awaits Jesus' return to complete that newness. He sings:

There is a time for hunger and genocide, a time for babies to lose their lives.
And this too shall be made right.

Pretty heavy stuff. But he at least recognizes that "this too shall be made right." There is an end in sight. Web beautifully weds these two truths (what we see now vs. what is not yet seen) which divorce both despair and an ignorant dishonesty from our hearts. It will do us well to see how much we need Jesus to complete his work in this world. Heck he might even use us somehow.

In another song, he challenges the notion of having a "savior on Capitol Hill." The song is politically charged, but in such a way as we can listen. Webb's voice is the prophetic voice calling us to think biblically, even before we think conservatively or liberally. He's not a Dixie Chick who just hates the president. And so I do appreciate a dissenting voice who criticizes even himself. He also sings a confession:

I don't even know the suffering outside my front door.
I join the oppressors of those I choose to ignore

The album is filled out by some love songs and a few other songs expressing honest frustrations and a deep need for Christ. Webb is really the voice of a modern day prophet, not one that predicts the future, but one who challenges the church to a deeper faithfulness to the gospel and covenant. That's more of what OT prophets did anyway.

Overall, I highly recommend the album not just for the musical quality but for the lyrical richness. The music is pleasant to the ear and the lyrics inspire immediate, and sometimes challenging, reflection. Like everything, you can purchase it on Amazon.com

Back that thing up

Yesterday I was pulling out of my favorite local fishing store in Bradenton. As I was easing out onto 1st St, I recognized that I was blocking the sidewalk. A man, who looked to be homeless, or at the very least shirtless, rode his bicycle directly in my path.

Instead of making him go around me into the street, I promptly backed my car up so he could stay on the sidewalk. His look of appreciation and hand wave spoke 5,000 thank you's to my heart.

I think he was taken aback that someone would do something, even something small, for him. Something that showed he was important, and worth backing up for.

Now I'm not patting myself on the back here or claiming that I am a mini-Good Samaritan. This is probably the second or third time I've done something like this, and I've received the same extremely grateful response the other time/s as well.

It is just an observation: people really respond to you treating them like they are important. And when someone is treated like he/she is important, they really appreciate it. Particularly when they may not have been treated in such a way very often, or even ever.

Psalm 8 reminds us that even though men and women are sinful, they are still amazing creations who reflect something true of their creator. That is why doing things to honor others, or as Paul puts it in Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves" really resonates with folks who are often treated poorly.

Our actions, no matter how seemingly small, ought to reflect this truth. Whether we like it or not, our actions do reflect what we truly believe. Believe me.

How dumb do I look?

How often do you get angry? Well, I imagine a few times a week. Perhaps, if you're like me, a few more than few. Or maybe even a few more than that. Anyhow, I think people get angry with God and with each other all the time. But how many times are we actually justified in being angry with God and others? With the latter rarely, with the former never (even though it is healthy to express frustration to God like in the Psalms).

There is a funny little situation (although its more silly than funny) in the book of Jonah. In the Fourth and final chapter, God appoints a ginormous plant to grow up really quickly to provide shade for Jonah. But the next morning comes, and so does a worm. And we all know that the early worm gets the tree. So God takes the shade away, and Jonah is left treeless and angry.

God then asks Jonah if he has a right to be angry with Him for taking away the very tree He made grow. This is the silly part. Yes, of course I have a right to be angry. I am angry enough to die! (Jonah 4:9).

That's pretty ridiculous. But I wonder how often we really do have the right to be angry at people, at God, friends, the church, enemies....More often than not we just get angry, and have problems with folks. But how often do we ask the question God asks Jonah? Do we have the right to be angry? Sometimes we do. Often times we don't.

I think if someone were writing a story about our lives, like a very close personal biography, I bet we would look pretty silly in our anger. Probably as silly as Jonah. Probably more dumb than silly even.

Freedom isn't free

I got an interesting call from a local yesterday. Apparently someone who read my article in the Herald last week (it's good to know that more than one person outside my family and church family reads those things!). She passed it on to her mother and father. Well, in case you didn't get to read the Pullitzer prize winning article (probably the wrong prize, but I don't know which one's go to good articles), I made reference to the survivors of the USS Indianapolis floating in shark infested waters.

Well apparently this father was a survivor the USS Indianapolis tragedy, and was actually interviewed in the recent special during Shark Week called "Ocean of Fear." How crazy that he lives in the area! Anyhow he sent me a speech that he gives to high schools and colleges. We're going to get up and have a cup of coffee or something when he gets back from his trip to North Carolina to interview with the preacher Charles Stanley.

I haven't read his speech yet, but will check it out soon and relay information as it becomes available. His main point behind the speech is that freedom isn't free. And he's right. Someone paid for it.

Christians ought to be the first to realize that, since our freedom has been purchased. And with that freedom, we are able to live life fully, fully enjoying and following our Savior.

As Charles Wesley once wrote, "My chains fell off, my heart was free. I rose, went forth, and followed thee." Hard to believe that this dude was very anti-Reformed. But even theologically/practically, he's a heck of a hymn writer.

Payday

After much strife, calling, faxing, and fretting, I finally have my tax return. While I religiously checked my mail each day hoping for the envelope marked "IRS," I instead found the good news electronically. Checking my balance at wachovia.com alerted me to the good news of the much thought about governmental deposit.

There it was. Finally. I already had confirmation from an 'agent' (or more like underpaid customer service rep I guess) once before. So just because I had confirmation this 2nd time, I couldn't begin filing away my income tax info. But now I can; it is actually in my 'hands.'

Now I can't say that I'm all that comfortable with people I don't know putting money into my account. But as long as they don't take any out, I guess I shan't have any problems. Before they try to take it back though, I might want to think about spending it on something soon. You can never have enough fishing reels.

Why did I not expect it to come? Because the IRS had proven themselves untrustworthy (saying I needed more forms, then losing that form I faxed, then telling me that I would be receiving the money, then sending me another form explaining how much I owed with interest.....) They had a track record (why is that a bad term when getting a record in on a track is good thing?).

I only hope that I don't become hardened by my experience and project my lack of trust with them upon others in general. It might be better to be disappointed at times, then to always assume the worst. Worst case scenario, they still don't have my banking info, you know.

How much ya bench?

Yesterday I worked out at my new gym. Well it wasn't really new; Fusion Fitness just rearranged all the free weights and benches to isolate the meat heads like me. I actually don't deserve that title yet, but we should all have goals, you know?

The new room was an ugly off-smurf blue color, and noticeably smaller. I'm actually not even looking forward to going in to there today, but I need to do so. I was noticeably weaker in there as well!

Apparently the goal of the new management at Fusion is to focus on people who don't want to get big, but instead those who simply want to 'get fit.'

Sometimes I love when things change. Sometimes I don't. Without disagreeing with the fact that people, families, churches need to change/adapt, I can at least sympathize with the fact that it is hard on some.

However, it would have made it harder for a meathead like me (just kidding again, I need like 50 more lbs of muscle in my upper body alone) if I didn't understand and appreciate their vision at Fusion: to keep those meatheads around, but also to adapt to their surroundings.
It also would have made it harder if they simply threw out the free weights and bars, and just asked me to switch to machines. There was a vision behind the changes, and I was still included. When I understood that, I was less angry.

Ultimately their purpose for the changes at Fusion is money. And that makes it hard. However if there is a greater purpose behind change in general, (like my sanctification, Jesus Kingdom moving forward and reaching more folks, not just change itself), then I can more easily go along. Not necessarily easily, but 'more' easily!

Wheelin' down the road

Today on the way to the church, I saw a woman pushing another woman in a wheelchair. The passenger was certainly an invalid, and looked to be fairly unresponsive to the morning walk/ride. I have seen these two woman on a number of occasions, and wondered what the relationship is between the two.

Now I have NO idea of her motivation. But I can figure that this is probably a thankless act, as are many which have been performed, and yet to be performed. But taking care of the needs of someone who can't take care of themselves (emphasis on CAN'T) is just as 'spiritual' as going to a bible study. Showing mercy is to typify God's people (Micah 6:8-love justice, show mercy, walk humbly with God).

No deed is good in and of itself (Romans 14 tells us that everything not done in faith is sin), but if done in faith honors God greatly. Deeds such as these are often considered less 'spiritual' and are certainly unnoticed by most. But biblically there is no dichotomy. God commands mercy, and Jesus commended doing things without the praise and thanks which come from spectators. Thankless acts honor God.

So I guess you could say that God smiles the widest when He sees such deeds done in faith (not for approval, but simply because we already have His approval), and not for thanksgiving and approval from others. His smile, in some interconnected way, brings us more joy than praise from people.

What else are sharks good for?

In case you didn't get a chance to read my article in The Herald, here it is. However once again my title has been deprived from its rightful resting place. The correct title is, "What else are sharks good for?" One of these days, I'm naive enough to believe that they will reward me with my actual requested title. One day. Click here to read the article.

Don't feed the seagulls

There is a theological term known as the noetic effect of sin. What it means is that sin doesn't just influence and cloud our hearts; it reaches to all regions, particularly our minds. You can read about it in Romans 1:21 "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

In other words, because of sin, we are dumber than we were in our original state. And we often display it. Today, I witnessed a beautiful display of this at Siesta Key.

I was told by many that Siesta Key was the best beach in the area. So with my brother-in-law in town, we all headed down south a bit. After enjoying some sun, surf, and an inordinate amount of seaweed, I began reading a good book.

Unfortunately I was interrupted by a few couples next to us feeding seagulls. You can't just feed one. That's why they called that 80's band "Flock of Seagulls." Seagulls from all over Florida flocked to the Ritz crackers like, well, like you would expect them to flock to a free mail. We had to stop reading and use our books to protect ourselves. Fortunately we stayed dry.

There are two types of people in this world: those who feed seagulls at the beach, and those who don't like it when people feed seagulls at the beach. If you are the former, please consider that feeding seagulls might just be a noetic effect of sin. Or I might just be a spoiled Florida native who has witnessed one too many seagull feedings. But I don't think so.

What were you thinking?

Have you ever done something that is perhaps, stupid? Done something major without thinking? Its amazing how irrational we become when we're obsessed with something.

Northern Colorado's back-up punter, Mitch Cozad, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for stabbing his on-field rival, the starting punter, Rafael Mendoza. What was this dude thinking? How glamorous is the kicking job at a sub 500 non competitive, unheard of, college like N. Colorado? Perhaps a springboard to the NFL, or CFL, or NFL Europe?

Jim Rome pondered the question: "Mitch, how did you think it would 'go down' after you stabbed him?" What did he think would happen after he stabbed the guy?

Even worse, he was engaged. I don't know when he got engaged, but the incident happened nearly a year ago. Engagement might not have been the best idea for either party.

I've learned over the years, mostly by mistake, that seeking counsel on major decisions in life limits the irrationality that ALL of us in some way possess. From things like whether or not to stab a rival punter, to marriage and divorce, to jobs, to where to go to church or college, counsel can really make a difference. Joan Rivers used to say, "Can we talk?" Not a bad idea to limit our irrationality, even if you don't have any stabbings on the brain.

If you want more info on this bizarre story, click here.

Afraid to Flop?

Last night we had our weekly college bible study. At some level, I was incredibly thankful. We actually had 9 folks there! We had 2 the previous week which led us to watch Space Balls instead.

However the lesson was pretty much a complete bust. Discussion was nill. Most of it was simply my fault-I was unprepared because I had spent 3 hours helping a young lad get ready for ordination exams when I needed to prepare. I thought preparation from the previous week would be sufficient. It wasn't. Not even close.

The subject matter, legalism, should have been more dynamic. But it just wasn't. Perhaps the makers of the study should be faulted, but probably not. I should have just changed the questions.

There were times in the study when I just wanted to pause time. Pause time and leave. Not dig my head in the ground and eat worms. Just leave. The largest and last meeting of the summer, and it was just hard. I was frustrated for a number of reasons and I'm sure it showed.

Some nights you "just don't have it." Things flop. You can be over-prepared or under-prepared.
Sometimes there are clear mistakes you can learn from. At least I learned that preparation from a previous week does absolutely no good the next week.

Yet there is a sense of freedom that can only be experienced in failure. We're free to flop. We can mess up. We can take steps of faith and mess up. And that's alright. My security can't lie in the fact we got 9 college kids to come. My security can only rest in the unchanging truth that I'm still a child of God. And who knows, maybe I wouldn't have treasured that truth as much if I didn't flop last night? So I guess I really shouldn't be afraid to flop. You neither.

Kudos to the Discovery Channel

Sunday was a sad day. It marked the conclusion to the series of shows about the family Chondrichthyes, the cartilagenous fishes, or sharks to the layman. But "Shark Week" shall return one day next year, and we shall all be better for it-though perhaps a little more fearful of the water.

One of the shows was a special on Tiger Shark attacks. One woman, Marty Morelle, swimming in front of her house, was thrashed and shaken viciously by a marauding Tiger Shark. The story centered around her death, and how her demise sparked a mass killing of Tiger Sharks. But eventually shark studies increased, and it was determined that one shark attacking a beach goer on one beach could be 40 miles away the next day. So the scientists and Hawaian powers-that-be denounced the need and efficacy of senseless shark killings (several swimmers were killed soon after Marty, proving that this only harms the eco-system and doesn't prevent further attacks).

The decision to save large sharks is somewhat comforting, I guess, because large sharks eat smaller sharks. Smaller sharks eat fish. Too many smaller sharks will lead to too few fish. And that's obviously bad.

But I found the conclusion of the show even more comforting. The husband had struggled dealing with the loss of his wife. But he could find refuge in God's ultimate plan of working everything out for the good of those who love Him. Yes, that is exactly how the show concluded. He read the verses from Romans 8, and then the show ended.

Kudos to the Discovery Channel for ending the show like that. They didn't have to. Their normally atheistic worldview or liberal and aloof God "came alive" that day through His word. His word that comforts His children even in the mess of tragedy.

I thought this conclusion was also quite fitting. Even though the shark ate most of her body, she will one day be getting another one. And her husband knew it.

Troubled bridge over water

This morning I watched a segment on one of the morning shows featuring bridge phobias. There are people scared of driving over bridges. One woman has a business where she simply drives people over a specific bridge (5 miles long). She averages about 11 folks per day. Crazy.

One man, who was a Vietnam vet, had been scared to drive over bridges for years. Eventually with the help of a cognitive-behavioral psychologist, he is now a bridge-phobialess driver. She drove him, drove with him, behind him, until he could drive by himself.

The problem, the psychologist pointed out, is that phobia's are irrational. They don't make sense and they are incredibly debilitating. People cannot simply stop being scared of certain things by an outside command or simple explanation. For some it takes repetitive events with a 'coach' alongside them to make any progress.

A simple command, "Do not fear" does not work for a phobia, and it doesn't work to move a Christian forward to face any fear or phobia in his life (making new relationships, evangelism, taking any risks). However God's command to His people in Isaiah 41 "Do not fear...for I am with you" brings to mind the 'missing link' in the equation. Jesus' coming leaves no doubt that God is with us (Emmanuel).

So he is more than the psychologist. He issues the command, has proven that it is true and our phobia's are false, and still promises to be with us every step of the way. One step at a time. Fear is debilitating, but faith is more powerful. And God gives us that faith, but sometimes I think he won't give it to us, until we get on the bridge.

Engagement calling circle

A few days ago someone called me to tell me he was engaged. I was excited for him and his good news. But about 15 minutes after we chatted, I felt even more excited. Not so much because his joy had infiltrated my joy (it also happened to be my birthday!), but because he had chosen to call me personally and share the good news with me.

It made me feel honored that I was part of his 'engagement calling circle.' Friendships and deeper relationships are things worth starting and cultivating. For some folks it comes quite easy, while for others it is painstaking. But deeper relationships among family and friends make life a lot more enjoyable.

I think the dude from Ecclesiastes stumbled upon this point:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Salt N Pepa: what this duo teaches about church attendance and commitment

I once took-now brace yourselves, but this is true-etiquette class in high school. One of the things which I distinctly remember about the class was the marriage of the salt and pepper shakers. At this time I apologize if you were expecting words of wisdom from 80's rap diva's Salt N Pepa, I know my title and picture were a bit misleading. When someone asks you to pass the salt, you always pass the salt and pepper shakers together. They are married, and should not be separated.

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but sometimes, I actually 'follow the rules,' and pass both of them together. But salt can exist fine without pepper. While they may be 'married' in some etiquette perfect world (perhaps like Plato's world of Forms), they really don't necessarily 'go' together.

Unfortunately many people operate with the same thinking in regards to going to church. Being a Christian and actually going to (and yes even committing to one and serving) church, actually have no necessary connection. You can be a Christian and not go to church at all, go once a month, once a year. The two go together like Salt and Pepper: its nice to keep the two entities together in their marriage, but certainly it is not necessary. Just do it when you can, I guess.

But Jesus and His Church are married; and it is a marriage stronger than salt and pepper.
Christians need to abandon the salt and pepper shaker model of church attendance/ commitment, and actually believe that Christ and His Church (each local body is a manifestation of The Church) are indeed married.

Sharing Spots

When I was in college, I got along very well with my roommate. We really had only one instant where we talked about going to the "Roommate Zone" (like a talk show where people dealt with roommate problems at Furman).

I had a 6 CD changer, with of course, 6 of MY CD's. My roommate listened to bad music, and so I didn't give him a 'spot.' The CD player would play only MY music, and MY music only. One day he mustered up enough chutzpah, with the aid of some fellow hallmates, and demanded he get 1 CD in the player. How dare he! How dare them!

I was angry, but finally caved. He got his one 'booty' (R&B) CD. Looking back it was pretty selfish of me. Actually VERY selfish of me, and I'm somewhat embarrassed.

I wish people in churches today could 'share spots' in the CD 'players.' I think that more often than not, folks want THEIR music ONLY in church. But sometimes, when there is a diversity in worship styles in a single service, we are given the opportunity to 'share spots.' We get some songs we like, we get some songs we don't like. But 'sharing spots' is expressing love. We will not get ALL of our songs, but we will get some. And others will get some too.