"Trace the shape of my heart"

"Imagine I take a blind test in which my task is to identify the genuine follower of Jesus Christ. My choices are an unregenerate individual and you.

I'm given two reports detailing conversations, Internet activity, manner of dress, iPod playlists, television choices, hobbies, leisure time, financial transactions, thoughts, passions, dreams.

The question is: Would I be able to tell you apart? Would I discern a difference between you and your unconverted neighbor, coworker, classmate, or friend?"

-CJ Mahaney, 24 Worldliness

What stirs my heart and captures my mind? Is it all things put under the submission of Christ to the glory of the Father? Or, is it for my own elevation and security? Whose glory am I seeking in my walk and life?

What is the shape of my heart? If opened what will spill out? What can break it?

The truth of the matter is that I am the worst judge of my own character and walk with Christ. I need my church, my small group, my brothers and sisters (of which I am blessed that my wife is a part of such a group) to make this evaluation. In my own eyes, I err on judgement, the king of sinners in my own eyes. I am too aware of my sin, its ever-presence. But within the context of His community, I am made more aware of God's mercy, His grace, His acceptance, His call on my life, His Lordship over a people redeemed for His glory - True Sovereign of the world!

Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another as a reflection of their love for Him (John 15:10). We cannot think of this love as secondary to how much we love those outside the body. Can the hand be effective without the foot? Evangelism is first the edification of the body. We need to tell and encourage each other first the good news and how we have been effected by it. How has the good news awed us and put us in wonder, humbled us and changed our life?

So, how do I know if I'm following Him and loving Him? I need to look at how I treat the family of God. Am I amazed by our stories, and the God who saves? Am I being broken by the world and full of compassion for those outside of Him? Does my concern of my sin stem from a concern for how it effects the whole body, my family, my kids, my wife?

Sorry to mislead, and disappoint

Ok, so there is something hatching in my head. I just wanted to leave a blurb that am down at WorshipGod 09 and so I may not be able to put all my thoughts on here from a recent excursion God has lead me on. But I will drop it here soon. Promise.

Two ideals, one goal

I'm more and more convinced that it is becoming increasingly harder to be a Christian in the US. Not because of any type of persecution, but because we've been convinced that we can be a Christian in America. We are maintaining our ideals in an ever increasing Democratically free-state, a state that only pushes against who we are and what we believe.

And we've bought into it. We have been told that our rights are guaranteed and that we can live how we want, worship how we want, and yet we do not feel these rights apply to anyone who would think or believe otherwise.

And its not just Christians. This core belief has been the real battle ground of politics for, well, forever. Everyone wants their guaranteed rights, and may their be vengeance on anyone who wants their own rights that some how conflict with my ability to be free. "Keep your laws off my body" is a cry for inalienable rights, a pursuit of happiness. How can we as Christians show a way contrary to this very worldly, very un-Christian mindset if we keep struggling for our own government guaranteed "rights"?

Yesterday was the anniversary of the case that got rid of the definition of the "obscene". And today, while reading CNN's website (I know that I have said that I would never again go to these websites, but I was bored at work today), I came across the story about a small town in Wisconsin which wants to remove some books from their library. On one side are the librarians who do not feel that the nature of the books in question harm the integrity of the other books in the library or their patrons. Then there is the other side, who want the books removed because of the harm they can do to young adults who may read them.

Again, it really comes down to whose "rights" win? Who has the more "right"?

The more ironic part of the discussion is this quote, given by one of the leaders of the group that wants the books removed: "We want parents to decide whether they want their children to have access to these books ... and we want the library's help in identifying [them through labeling and moving]," Maziarka said. "It's just common sense."

It all comes back to one main issue: parents. Parents are the ones who need to be the ones guiding and instructing their children. To rely on government, no matter how very much elected, is to put reliance on the world. As we live and grapple in this American Democratic Society, our task is going to be hard as we grapple and struggle for what is rightfully ours... which makes it hard to live a life of submission and humility to our Lord, and a keen understanding of who should be raising our children.

While it is important to be active and to be a voice, we can not get frustrated at the world for being the world. Nor should we be relying on the world and its means to keep our children safe and to instruct them how to make "good" (read Godly) decisions.

So, please don't burn books. Parents, teach your kids how to write and enjoy books that will be a better example and give off more light than any pile of books lit ablaze. And teach them, show them, how to love and pray for their political leaders, while not seeing them as their leaders. And show them, with the example and exhortation of Christ, Paul, and Peter, how to properly submit to the world without being influenced by it. Show them how to be salt that flavors. Because by what right and by whose authority do we cling to anything of this world.

Obscenity was made permissable today

Today, whether you are aware of it or not, is a big day in our nation's history. 50 years ago today, the matter was settled as far as to what the federal and state govt's could determine as obscene. The Supreme court overturned a previous decision which would then allow books like "Lady Chatterly's Lover" to be published uncensored.

It's a pretty big day.

This is the case that would help further question the parameters, or lack of, for the First Amendment Rights cases. It was also a case which showed the turn of the courts, and the American culture towards a more "liberal" mindset. (Which plays against a largely Conservative belief that judges are more umpires than markers of social change).

There are two questions that revolved around this case and these are questions we should ask often. What influences us, and does it matter what form it takes? The main question the lawyer for the bookseller had argued was that “A novel, no matter how much devoted to the act of sex,” he said, “can hardly add to the constant sexual prodding with which our environment assails us.” In other words, what does it matter that there is one more screaming voice in the throng? It's a bit like asking which bullet did the real damage in the riddle of a man's body?

Where there are foodies, I guess I am a bookie (?), or maybe a bibliophile (really, I think we need a better more masculine term). I generally shy away from censorship. I don't know that I've ever not read a book because of a general outcry against it. I will admit that one of the reasons I started reading Harry Potter was because I was so curious as to how this little book was causing so many to "fall away from Godliness". Same goes for why I read the "Davinci Code", which lead me to "Angels and Demons". I don't look for the offensive ones and head that-a-way. I'm not a fan of Vonnegut, who I think is offensive sometimes for the sake of being offensive, but I do read Palahniuk and appreciate his view of society.

It comes to the point of asking whether or not we are listening to the mob to help us decide the norms and the appropriate ways to behave. Paul has said that "to the pure all things are pure", and this is a warning that to those who are innocent in mind, there is innocence in motive and action, and in how we are able to discern the motives of others. Judgement relies on that.

I've been moved by the thought made by Wright recently that one of the solid aims of Christianity is to allow Christ to speak to and critique society, and allow Him to inform our opinions and actions towards the world. So, amidst this thronging mass, there is one who speaks truth to it, calling us to rest in the true definition of what he created us to be, and that should be the voice we listen to.

Let the world have its clamour and want of rights and liberties. I don't know that we should be opposed or as loud sometimes as we are against their want of these things. We claim it has to do with how much it affects or infects our insular bubble, but in reality it should be watched. Its from this cry we can see where they are looking for Christ (read freedom).

Please, be advised of the cops in the area. Given the chance they will ruin your family's vacation

Last night at the Hilton, two guests approached my co-worker and I at the front desk and asked us if we we knew of all the speed traps in the area. I answered that we knew that the cops were usually around. From our vantage point on top of the hill we can see flaching lights most nights as they target nearby 322.

"Well," the guest continues, "you should really warn people. My wife got pulled over down the hill here doing 55 in a 35 - it can really ruin a family vacation."

This took me by surprise. Not really sure how to respond, I apologized (kind of) by telling them that it was unfortunate. But, seriously? When do I have to remind people to follow the law? Its not my responsibilty, nor is it a kindness or a function of hospitatlity to make people aware of the places where they could get caught by not following the law. I generally do not expect people to break the law. If I told people of these traps, wouldn't it be a bit demeaning, as if I'm expecting them to break the law? Or, it would reveal my heart as someone who probably does break teh law a bit and need to point out to otheres where they could get caught.

To this gentleman, I had played a part in ruining their family vacation by not having a low expectation for their behaviour, or trusting that they could read signs along the highway. If they had known that the policeman was going to be there, they would have had the decency to slow down before they were in radar range.

Sorry, my bad, New Jersey couple. Next time, I promise not to expect too much.

Reasons I don't read the news

Here are some of the reasons I don't read the news, in ascending order, backwards:

7) Is any of this actual news? Some of these stories are no more than shocking family dramas, which are no more than gossip, really.

6) I'm not addicted, but I am. I feel drawn to it, to find out about things that preety much don't concern me.

5) I do enjoy reading the comics, but I can do that online.


4) After I read the news, I'm not happy that I did it, or do I feel that I spent my time doing something worthwhile.

3) Print is dead.

2) Is any of this really worth my attention? Pop and fuzz show the state of the culture, and though I am apart of it, I am somewhat removed. Is any of this worth my attention?

1) The world is fallen and as much as I am aware of it, being barraged by the beatings and death of children just makes me want to flee it and cry for it more than I think I can bear.

So, I'll stop reading the "news", and "Come quickly, Lord".

Upon passing a billboard somewhere in PA, on my way home...

We passed a billboard on our way home today from the UB National Conference, somewhere between Harrisburg and Clarion, PA. It had been a long van ride, and I hadn't been looking outside the van a whole lot but was rather napping. Anyway, we had just eaten at Applebee's and we had still a large part of travel time left on our way home and on the left side of the highway there appeared a billboard with clouds and fire asking this question: "Where are you going, Heaven or Hell?" And then there was a website to somewhere, but we had gone passed it before I could catch what it was.

Its a question that reveals much about the thoughts and philosophy of the church or group that posted it. Its a question that reveals the heart of the matter for this group. It reveals where they miss the mark.

Our hope is built on more than escaping Hell's fire or the comfort of Heaven - it is built on the righteousness of the Son of God and on being called by Him. What more do we have? Was Abraham or Moses ever promised a life of cool repose in a land far from the tongues of Hell? No, they were given the promise of redemption so eloquently inspired in Job: "Though my flesh may be destroyed, yet with my eyes I will see God; For I know that my Redeemer lives, and I will be standing with Him on that day!"

Cause what does it matter to gain the whole world, even escape Hell and achieve Heaven, if Christ is not there? If Jesus is in the desert, that is where I will gladly go if just to be with Him, to see His face, to hear His voice.