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.....

so it's been about two months...

From November until last week, I didn't think I'd get a chance to rest and/or recuperate to do anything because of a crazy work schedule.

Then two weeks ago my hard-drive died suddenly. It's not easy to find a place that services Macs, but God really blessed me ad we got it taken care of pretty easily and quickly, like in a week. And then it was Christmas, and I could go on and on about how nice it was to spend Christmas out of America's realm of materialism, but something tells me that's for a more spiritual post.

The day after Christmas, a few of us went to the capital city to eat. Yes, that was our only goal. Round one: Outback Steakhouse. BLOOMIN' ONION! (w/ bottomless drinks, which are a foreign concept here!) And it wasn't halal, so you know what that means? Bacon!
Round two: Krispy Kreme. KRISPY KREME!
Round three: a sub-sandwich place. SUBS!
Round four: Dairy Queen Blizzard. BLIZZARD!
Round four: Chili's. I ate a Buffalo Chicken Salad. Who knew there was such a glorious thing?
Round five: Krispy Kreme. Again.
Round six: a panini place that had turkey sandwiches. TURKEY!

I'm still recovering. I'd forgotten how big American portions were.

And then, I began to download some albums. (Here, a new album can cost as low as $3, and Amazon has been having a sale with albums going for $5). I also bought a Paste Magazine Subscription for the year, which has given me some more albums. Almost 98% of this readership will not care, but for the few who do, I was fortunate enough to purchase/download:
Bebo Norman - Try
Jars of Clay - Redemption Songs
Rosie Thomas - A Very Rosie Christmas
Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas Vol. 8
Low - Christmas
Paste Sampler 49
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Matt Pond PA - The Freeep
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer

I don't even understand what I'm saying...

Today I taught a class on:

I lie on the bed.
I am lying on the bed.
I lay on the bed
I have lain on the bed.

He lay the box on the bed.
He is laying the box on the bed.
He laid the box on the bed.
He has laid the box on the bed.

Right. Just so you all know, I'm typing this as I lay on my bed.

in but not of

For those of you that thought this would be spiritual, I'm sorry to mislead you. Just an update of a few things I've noticed about myself, which will only confirm my being a freak when I return to the States.

In Fall 2008, I know I'm in a different culture because...
1) I choose the squatty potty over the Western potty. It's more practical, and much easier.
2) To speak English, sometimes I translate from my adopted language because I forget the English equivalents. (note: this does not mean I am fluent, it only means I'm stupid.)
3) I like jackfruit. Yes, the fruit that stinks, the close cousin to durian. Did I mention that it stinks?
4) The idea that families of mosquitoes are flying around me don't alarm me. (Have I mentioned that I hate rainy season?)
5) I just sleep on top of the bed since it is too hot to use a sheet. (Only those who know me well will know that when I sleep, I generally like to re-enact my time in the womb, which involves heavy blankets, or at least a sheet.)
6) I want to ride my bike with a jacket on, since I might have air enter my body and get violently ill the next day. (A local myth that I now believe in--and now, if I ride my bike, I can feel the air in my head. It hurts.)
7) Driving without rules is totally normal. I can pass a car whenever I want, even if there's one coming from the opposite direction. No harm, no foul. There is no white line. There is no speed limit.
8) When I prepare American meals, they don't have any taste. Where are my chili peppers? I guess the bottled chili sauce will do...
9) I was teaching in a government building and looked down to see a stray kitten (with no tail because they're all so inbred) that had wandered into the room...you know, like usual.
10) I can't imagine life without my rice cooker or wok, and actually make mental notes to buy said tools when I move back to the States.

insights in translation

Something interesting about the Christian culture here is that they will have the traditional songs with a completely different translation. As much as I like Fanny Crosby's version of the hymn, "Near the Cross," I think my new culture's translation is a whole lot more powerful.

Thankfully, my church sang it twice on Sunday. This is my rough translation from my new language.

Bring Me Near the Cross (or, the English title, "Near the Cross")

bring me Jesus, near Your Cross
the water of life and Your blood make my heart holy
the Cross, the Cross, forever glory
my sin has been erased by the blood of Jesus

my faith is the smallest, the Lord will not leave me
illuminate my heart with Your Holy Spirit
the Cross, the Cross, forever glory
my sin has been erased by the blood of Jesus

Your cross, my rest, I long for your love
As long as I live I want to be obedient to you
the Cross, the Cross, forever glory
my sin has been erased by the blood of Jesus