so this thing about the Gaza Strip...

Most of our hearts, I'm sure, are heavy from the events going on in the Middle East. (Admittedly, when I first heard of the developments there, I didn't believe it.) When I saw the first round of pictures from the Boston Globe, I was a little naseous without even looking at the "inappropriate" gory pictures. I didn't look at the second group, instead choosing to pray directly for those afflicted over the past couple of weeks.

I'm not going to go into the politics of who is right or wrong, but as believers placed on earth to usher in the new kingdom and to live out the kingdom of Christ by reflecting the thought and habits of the Lord, I do think we need to be in deep prayer for what's happening.

Over the past few days, I've heard of different groups around Southeast Asia rising up to protest these attacks, several of those protests aimed at the West in general, for supporting Israel. Not only do we have to face the carnage on scene, and the thousands of deaths, but society around the globe has been uprooted. There's a billboard next to the local mall in my city that scolds Israel's actions. Westerners are being warned by the authorities that demonstrations might happen.

I'm not writing this to say that I feel unsafe--I often feel more safe here than I do in the sketchier parts of Louisville. I'm just writing to say that this world is in disrepair and a bit of a frenzy, and we should be on our knees in intercession.

If you need a motivator to do this...
pictures from last week
pictures from this week

a quick non-spiritual testimonial

If you're reading this, then you probably know last December my hard drive died, and the hundreds of dollars I had invested in digital music were lost because of my own irresponsibility in not backing up my music. I don't want to think of how many songs there were in all, but they mainly came from Amazon.com, emusic, and iTunes (the bulk of my money being in the latter). So last week I was curious enough to e-mail iTunes. I explained my problem, not expecting much help.

Within a day, I got this reply:








So, elated, I sent this:



And then the day after that, before I even had a chance to download my music, I received this:





Needless to say, I am amazed at the customer support team over at iTunes. I didn't receive anything like that with Amazon or emusic. Usually I'm leery of big corporations, much like the customers of Dunder Mifflin. I stick to small things (Holiday World vs. Cedar Point, Sunergos vs. Starbucks), but with iTunes, I think I've got a keeper.

(This post was written to inspire all of you readers to purchase iTunes. If you need a recommendation for some new music, just ask!)

wisdom of the believer, wisdom of the world

Went to church last Sunday, and as usual, was blessed by the preacher's sermon, which was taken from Eph. 5:14-19. (If I have not mentioned my wonderful national church in times past, ask me about it sometime--I never thought I would enjoy church like I do at my home church in the States.) God revealed a lot of truth in a short amount of time, but one of the many things that struck me was the explanation of being wise as seen in this passage versus our personal conception. The preacher explained that biblical wisdom is one in which you can see the Spirit of God, and directly follow it.

It's a simple definition until you apply it to your life.

He contrasted this biblical wisdom with worldly wisdom, and how worldly wisdom is to follow what will bring you success. It was in that explanation that I realized that's often how I walk--trying to find the most successful way to do something. Sure, it's not related to money in my line of work, but there are other signs that I look for. I thought that I'd been walking wisely in these evil days, but turns out I've just been syncretising biblical wisdom with spiritual success, and the result is that I follow things that will bring spiritual fruit.

To be so atuned to the spirit of God that I move when He does, is the subject of my prayers this week.

Therefore it says,
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The following is one of the painfully-beautiful songs I've been listening to the last couple of weeks, on piano. The song is "Re: Stacks" and is originally performed by Bon Iver.

...and the original:

lost coastlines

Lately I've been studying the book of 1 Samuel, and it seems like every new chapter tells me more of God's holiness and grace, and my sinfulness. I keep going back to Israel, who knew they were wrong in choosing a king, and then Samuel reminding them in 12, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, becase it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself." I also keep going back to Saul, who knew better than his actions would let on.

If I were to theme my studies, I'd probably call it "Grasping at Straws."

And when I read this book, I wonder at their foolishness before I remember that in my line of work, it's about the same. Sometimes it feels like there's only fog, a gray, and none of this was laid out for me before I came (especially as far as business matters are concerned). Then I remember that I've indeed been given a map, the Word made flesh, Immanuel, the Christ.

On New Year's Day I'm thankful that I don't have to grasp at straws like the millions of people around me.

This is probably my favorite song that was released last year, which could have been sung by Israel or Saul, me on my forgetful days, or my neighbor.



"Lost Coastlines" by Okkervil River

Packed and all eyes turned in, no one to see on the key
No one waving for me just the shoreline receding,
Ticket in my hand and thinking wish I didn't hand it in.
Cause who said sailing is fine--
Leaving behind all the faces that I might replace if I tried on that long ride,
Looking deep inside but I don't want to look so deep inside yet.

Sit down, sit down on the prow to wave "Bye,"
There might not be another star, further on the line.
Look out, look out at each town that glides by,
And there's another crowd, to drown in crying eyes.

And see how that light you love now just won't shine,
There might just be another star,
that's high and far in some other sky.
We sing, "Is that marionette real enough yet
to step off of that set to decide
what a dance might mean to it?"
Ruining the place where the ensuing may lay escape.
We packed up all of our bags
the ship's deck now sags from the weight of our tracks
As we pace beneath flags black and battered
Rattling our swords in service of some fated, foreign, lords.

And we sail out on orders from him but we find
That the maps he sent to us don't mention lost coastlines.
Where nothing we've actually seen has been mapped or outlined
And we don't recognize the names upon these signs.

And every night finds us rocking and rolling on waves wild and wide,
Well we have lost our way, nobody's gonna say it outright.
Just go la la la la la la la la la.....