Needed: a swift kick

The Kingdom is an interesting place. When I do something to grow as a believer, it is not only for my benefit, but for that of the Kingdom of God as well. That means, when I make a commitment to grow, I am not only committing to myself and to God, but to my brothers and sisters in the Kingdom. I was re-reading some past entries into my journal (man's diary) and I came across a commitment I made back in July...JULY... that I have yet to start on. I made a commitment to memorize 40 passages in the bible in 1 year. I have it broken down into 4 sections.

10 passages about or by Christ
10 passages about character/ virtues of a Christ-follower
10 passages about sin/ grace/ freedom
10 passages about the Holy Spirit

Today I started making my list. I decided to start with the second 10 (virtues). Here's what I came up with.
Contentment - 1 Timothy 6:6
Endurance - Philippians 3:12-14
Faith - Matthew 8:5-13
Forgiveness - Ephesians 4:31, 32
Holiness - 1 Peter 1:13-16
Honesty - 2 Corinthians 8:21
Integrity - Titus 2:7, 8
Purity of Thought - Philippians 4:8
Steadfastness - 1 Corinthians 15:58
Trust - Psalm 37:3-6


This is a Kingdom commitment, so ask me... quiz me... pester me about these.

A Room Called Remember

I was given an excerpt from a book a few years ago. I don't know the name of the book or who wrote it (I'll find out, though). Here is an excerpt from that excerpt.

"There is no telling what trivial thing may do it, and then suddenly there it all is - something that happened to us once - and it is there not just as a picture on the wall to stand back from and gaze at but as a reality we are so much a part of still and that is still so much a part of us that we feel something close to its original intensity and freshness what it felt like, say, to fall in love at the age of sixteen, or to smell the smells and hear the sounds of a house that has long since disappeared, or to laugh till the tears ran down our cheeks with somebody who died more years ago than we can easily count or for whom, in every way that matters, we might as well have died years ago ourselves. Old failures, old hurts. Times to beautiful to tell or too terrible... The room called Remember, on the other hand, is a room where all emotions are caught up in and transcended by an extraordinary sense of well-being."

I was inspired as I re-read this this morning to take a step towards completing one of my 101 in 1001. #49: Write 10 poems. .::Here's attempt #1::.

A Room Called Remember

Here do I enter
To a room called Remember
Where the Past, once laid ember
Is Present

Though I thought that the Past
And all things that have passed
Were not meant to last
as they went

Here it is clear
That these things much less near
Old love lost, pain, joy, fear
Are not gone

Lost lessons let lapse
At the snap of synapse
Are as close as, hear Taps
See the dawn

Not for the sake
Of re-living the ache
Of re-feeling the quake
But to learn

He was there all along
In the silence and song
When the world all went wrong
As I yearned

Call+Response

Have you ever had one of those moments that changes the course of your life forever? It's that moment when all of reality shifts a little further into focus... and it's almost blinding. I want to tell you about that moment for a hero of mine. And when I say hero, I mean it in every sense of the word. He has a vision for his life that inspires and humbles me. I want to be like him... I look up to him... and he's in high school! When Zach Hunter was 12 years old, he was studying pre-Civil War America. We all know about that dark time in America's history... when we were deeply involved in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. He was inspired and moved by the stories of people like Harriet Tubman and her Underground Railroad. He told his mom, "If I were alive back then, I'd be an abolitionist."

"You know, Zach, slavery still exists today," his mother said. "In fact, there are more slaves in this moment than in the entire 400 years of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade."

--CRACK!!-- This was that moment for Zach. His whole world quaked. He couldn't comprehend a world that hadn't learned from it's past sins. He started a movement called Lose Change to Loosen Chains. Is simple, you educate people on the horrors of the International Slave Trade and ask them to donate their loose change. That money is then donated to any number of organizations whose mission includes freeing slaves (IJM, FreeTheSlaves, etc.). Zach's story was really the first to open my eyes to the International Slave Trade.


Well today I heard about another great movement in the abolishment of slavery. It's called CALL+RESPONSE. CALL+RESPONSE is a first of its kind feature documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India to reveal that in 2007, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

Luminaries on the issue such as Cornel West, Madeleine Albright, Daryl Hannah, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures offer first hand account of this 21st century trade. Performances from Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Natasha Bedingfield, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek and Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, Rocco Deluca move this chilling information into inspiration for stopping it.

CALL+RESPONSE.COM

Moving Woe's (Part 1)

As Shannon and I are getting ready for the move back to the desert, our lives are a bit hectic.
This is our living room!

(can you see Shannon buried in the mess)

Chi-Town

Well, my two-year and a half year adventure in Illinois is coming to an end. I hate to admit it, but this desert boy has really loved living here. Having lived in Arizona my whole life, it was really magical to live where there are 4 seasons (the leaves are changing right now) and SNOW. Even greater than that, it was great living near one of the funnest cities on Earth. Our apartment is only 40 mins due West of downtown Chicago.

As our time here is drawing to a close, we've decided to take as much advantage of the city as time will allow. Last week, Shannon's dad came out to visit for four days. During his time here, we went to Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum, went to the top of the Sears Tower, and went on a boat tour of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Besides going to Wicked with my wife, the boat tour was the coolest thing we've done in Chicago. Basically, as we floated up and down the river, and eventually out into the lake, our tour guide gave us an architectural history of many of the buildings in the city. I know it sounds really nerdy, but it was facinating. Here are some of the sites:

This fountain was built to commemorate the reversing of the flow of the Chicago River. It took 25 years, but the river now flows out of Lake Michigan, instead of into it. The fountain shoots across the river for 10 mins at each hour, on the hour.

This is the Carbide and Carbon building. It was built in 1929, at the height of the Prohibition Era (1920-1933). As an act of defiance, the architects designed the building to look like a giant champagne bottle... note the top looks like the foil atop the bottle neck.
(it's covered with real GOLD!)

The new Trump Tower... 'nuf said.
(I'm pretty sure this is the one being built by the winner of the first season of The Apprentice)

The greatest skyline in the country (as seen from Lake Michigan).

Another great view of the skyline, this time right outside the Shedd Aquarium.

Our friend Melissa is in town for a few days and we'll be visiting the Art Institute of Chicago!!

stay tuned...

Snag

I'd like to introduce you to Snag Films. Snagfilms.com is a website that features a catalog of documentaries for you to watch... for FREE. Not only can you watch them on the website (with a few commercial breaks), but you can 'sang' the film from the site and post it on your web page (Facebook, Blogger, Xanga, Friendster, WordPress, etc.)... FOR FREE (see below).

I just watched Supersize Me. I'm pretty sure everyone but me has already seen it, so I thought I'd see what the buzz was all about. If you are like me and have been living in a cave for the last 4 years, you should check it out... it's pretty disturbing. (let me warn you, there is some medical-related nudity and a small bit of coarse language). Morgan Spurlock (What Would Jesus Buy, Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden, and TV's 30 Days) investigates the effects of our fast-food addicted culture by exploring the effects on his own body. He, under the supervision of a team of doctors, embarks on a 30-day McDonald's only eating binge. He eats only McDonald's for each meal for 30 days. I won't spoil it for you if you've yet to see it, but the effects are quite shocking... even to the medical community.

More than just an experiment in self-abuse, the documentary explores the growing problem of obesity in our culture. Over 100 Million Americans are classified as either overweight, obese or morbidly obese. Obesity is the 2nd leading cause of preventable death... just behind smoking! Well, as an overweight man, I was moved to action by the film. While I have been taking my health a lot more seriously over the last 10 months, these last 3 weeks have been less than apathetic. It's time I start on a few of my 101 in 1001 goals. #11 - Loose 35 lbs and #42 - Go for a morning jog everyday for a month. I am NOT much of a jogger... so pray for me!


Supersize Me

WHAT?!

weird ad... catchy jingle

Opening Pandora's Box

This afternoon I was sitting at La Spiaza (my fav coffee shop in Downtown Wheaton). I was supposed to be doing homework and writing curriculum, but I was beyOND distracted. I'm not sure what it is, but I need a certain balance of privacy and stimulation when I have to concentrate. If I stay home, there's privacy... but there's also a lot of stuff to distract me (DVD's, wii, Shannon, books, Tivo, my Rubik's Cube, Keena). That's why I usually head to a coffee shop when I have to concentrate. There's privacy in anonymity, but there's also enough background noise to keep my mind from going numb.

But then I have those days when the balance is almost impossible to strike. Either, I keep getting distracted by listening to the random conversation’s going on around me (I’m nosy… sue me), or I get annoyed at the typical annoying coffee-house music playing. It’s usually some combination of classical music and obscure indie artists… so as to make all of us coffee-house junkies feel like we have ‘artsy-indy-street-cred.’ Well, today was one of those days. I was caught between two women gossiping about the pastor at their church and a mix CD of Death Cab, Flyleaf and Dashboard.

I just needed something interesting enough not be annoying, and discrete enough to ignore. I though I’d give online radio a shot (as I didn’t have my iPod and I have only Podcasts on my computer). I did a Google-search for ‘streaming radio’ and found this lovely website.

Pandora.com
Most streaming music sites I’ve visited are simply radio stations streaming their shows (commercials and all) on the web. This is completely different. It’s JUST music. And the best part, you can pick the artists you listen to. Today, I created my own ‘radio station’ and filled it with music I thought would help my situation. But about 3 songs in, I started hearing songs I did NOT know… but really liked. The website makes decisions for you based on the artists/ songs you’ve chosen! I have to say, the website figured me out pretty well (ironically, the website wanted me to listen to a good amount of Death Cab).

And an hour later, I still had yet to do any homework…

Leading the Charge

This is an article I came across in Relevant (sept/oct 2008). I found it especially encouraging and energizing... especially during this current political frenzy. Read and Enjoy.

"Leading the Charge"
by Cameron Strang

Let's get this out of the way up front: I'm not a politically motivated person. Which is why I felt a tad out of place meeting Barack Obama this summer. And talking to John McCain. And doing countless interviews about faith and [the] shifting political views of our generation.

Yet I have unwittingly found myself thrust into the political arena, a place where people are vehemently passionate about their ideologies and platforms. It's an entire industry built around being right an proving your opponent wrong, and winning at all cost. It's a continual power struggle and- from my humble vantage point- seems a bit flawed.

I'm someone who tries to think independently and objectively, rather than simply follow what the pundits tell me to think. Because of that, I've realized I cannot fully embrace either political party. Both sides of the aisle have some great ideas and goals. But both also have areas where they simply get it wrong.

I know the power of politics and the importance of the process in our world. But I also know that, historically, real [and] lasting change has started first at the grassroots level long before it was ever legislated. Cultural mindshifts influence Washington, not the other way around.

Many Christians traditionally have voted Republican because of their justifiable conviction to protect the lives of the unborn. Now, many younger Christians are voting Democrat because of their justifiable desire to see our nation, the most prosperous in the world, address issues of poverty, global aid and the environment.

The problem is, many Christians vote these convictions, but that's largely where their personal involvement in the issues stops. Are the government leaders we vote for meant to do our jobs for us?

If God has given you a heart for the poor, or to see a reduction in the number of abortions, or promote peace, or help the sick, or to stand for strong moral values, or to be a better steward of the environment, then your personal focus needs to be on that- whether or not the President shares your same values.

The Bible reminds us to pray for our leaders, but it also talks about praying for those who persecute us. Thought I can't foresee any situation where this would be the case, what if one day every value Christians stand for, even religious freedom itself, was legislatively removed? Christians in China and many other parts of the world face this reality every day. Would it change us?

Dare I say, it might actually spur the Body of Christ here into greater action. Could it be that the loss of religious freedoms would ultimately be the best thing for American Christians because it would cause us to stand on our own feet rather than relying on the government to legislate our faith and values for us?

I've heard that only 5 percent of people who attend church regularly actually serve in any way. I've read that if every Christian in America actually tithed 10 percent of their income, we would have enough financial resources to wipe out global poverty.

There's more power lying dormant in pews across the nation than any government could hope to provide, and that's where our focus should be.

Many Christians want to overturn Roe v. Wade, but I don't hear nearly as many leading the charge on a national adoption movement. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, where are all of those babies going to end up? Christians should be focused on personal action regardless of legislation, not just waiting for the right number of Supreme Court justices to come along.

I'm not saying don't vote. Do. Vote your convictions and let your voice be heard- that's one of the perks of living in a democracy. But don't let politics breed division, or make you see people in a different light.

If you have a passion for an issue, rather than judging someone who doesn't share that passion or viewpoint, just go do something about it. Give your life to it. Be the change you want to see.

We need to pray for our leaders and our country, but always remember that our leaders and country do not define us. We are the generation that will shape the direction culture, government and social action will take in the next 50 years. It's not up to Washington, it's up to us- and I say it's time we step up and lead the charge.

But that means with our lives, our finances and our actions every day. Not just Nov. 4.

Reckless Abandon

Here's another great and challenging article by the folks over at Relevant. It was inspired by the tragedy that took place between Korean missionaries and the Taliban just this past July. I'm just going to put a little taste here for you. Follow the link to the rest.

- Enjoy -


"You might wonder how that kind of logic sits with Christ followers like the original Apostles, or Dietrich Bonhoeffer, or Jim Elliot. Each of them, and many more, allowed their faith in God to lead them directly into harm’s way, and nearly all of them paid for it with their lives. So it seems that something fundamental to our message, and its delivery, has changed. Has our over-developed world of liability insurance and denominational actuaries and class-action lawsuits watered down ancient Scripture’s warning that this was all supposed to be dangerous in the first place? When Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble,” He wasn’t talking about losing the right to pray in school or losing our 501(c)(3) IRS tax advantages.
Matthew 24:9 says, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me” (TNIV)." Click on the picture to read on...

Dwell in the Tension

I need a picture of this poem... something that will illustrate this tension.



A tension is here, and has always been here
Where we live in both gladness and sadness
It's called life in a Kingdom both distant and near
Where we live between boredom and madness

The tension is found where the Dark meets the Light
Where ugly and beauty collide
Where our hearts whisper "peace" while our voices scream "fight"
And the living have already died

No our King is not safe, but He's certainly Good
And He carries no sword nor a gun
It confused us at first; we assumed that He would
But you see, He has already won

So are we afraid in this tension to dwell
Between the world and how it could be
Where we see glimpses of Heaven through the fingers of Hell
And we're set free to be who we should be

I'll start with a list...

I'm going to give this blogging thing another go. To start, I'm going to strait up steal an idea from a friend, Melissa. In Feb of '07, Melissa set out to accomplish 101 in 1001. That is, 101 goals in 1001 days. Well like I said, I'm gonna strait up steal her idea.

Here are my 101 goals I hope to accomplish in the next 1001 days.
1001 days from today (October 2, 2008) will be June 30, 2011.

1 – Graduate College (projected July 29th)
2 – Go deer hunting with my dad… and kill a deer.
3 – Record a CD of my OWN music
4 – Find a doctor I like
5 – Be a part of the solution in Africa
6 – Sponsor a child with Providence World Ministries
7 – Visit that child in Honduras
8 – Camp in the woods for a month (survivor man style)
9 – Ride my bike from West Cost to East Cost to raise awareness and $$ for a cause
10 – Go to Israel
11 – Lose 35 lbs.
12 – Buy a house
13 – Start an HSA
14 – Adopt a dog and name him Gunther
15 – Read every Philip Yancey book (3 of 8)
16 – Read every Brennan Manning book (1 of 14)
17 – Audit a photography class
18 – Take a beautiful picture of something common
19 – Take lessons for a new instrument (either piano, cello, mandolin, or drums)
20 – Visit Alaska
21 – Do a 7-day fast
22 – Run a mile with my wife
23 – Go deep-sea fishing
24 – Make a coffee table
25 – Invest
26 – Hike Picacho Peak with Shannon
27 – Hike Camelback with Shannon
28 – Visit my sister and brother-in-law in Vegas
29 – Rescue someone
30 – Go on a motorcycle trip
31 – Tattoo
32 – Learn to golf
33 – Be an extra in a movie
34 – Learn to love vegetables
35 – Do something I hate to challenge myself
36 – Give up something I love to learn something new
37 – Do 10 chin-ups in a row
38 – Do 100 push-ups in a row
39 – Play guitar and sing at an open mic night somewhere
40 – See a stand-up comedian
41 – Go to the Opera
42 – Have an entire conversation in Spanish
43 – Go for a morning jog everyday for a month
44 – Write a love song for Shannon and sing it for her
45 – Be alone for 48 hours
46 – Take a 24-hour vow of silence
47 – Cook an exotic meal
48 – Read a book in 1 day
49 – Write 10 poems
50 – Teach Melissa to grill meat
51 – Go to Portland
52 – Eat Mexican food in Mexico
53 – Learn Photoshop
54 – Design a website
55 – Go to a Jazz gig
56 – Wine tasting
57 – Buy a nice camera
58 – Grow an herb garden
59 – 2 words… Chia Pet
60 – Audit an Astronomy class
61 – See the Blue Man Group
62 – Bet $25 on Black
63 – See 15 of the AFI top 100 movies that I’ve yet to see
64 – Buy stock in a company I believe in
65 – Ride a horse
66 – No soda for a month
67 – Video myself sleeping
68 – Collect all State quarters in both mints (59/100)
69 – Play hookie w/ Shannon and go out of town
70 – Get a Pedicure
71 – Contribute the max to an IRA for 6 months of a year
72 – Buy a rifle and a handgun
73 – Teach Shannon how to shoot
74 – Do a home improvement project
75 – Go a month without eating at a restaurant
76 – Go a week without buying anything
77 – Surprise Shannon with a trip somewhere
78 – Switch to energy-saving light bulbs
79 – Learn to cook 5 organic meals
80 – Ride my bike to work once a week for 4 months (actual weeks… not average)
81 – (when we have a house) – Audit energy consumption for 2 months.
82 – Then cut energy usage by 25%
83 – Buy all organic produce at a Farmer’s Market
84 – Raise awareness and $$ for a cause
85 – Research socially conscious companies and buy clothes from them only
86 – Apply to be on a game show
87 – Buy a juicer
88 – Buy a food processor
89 – Try a yoga class… a macho one
90 – Learn to do a back flip
91 – Reupholster my motorcycle seat
92 – See Switchfoot or Jon Foreman in San Diego
93 – Visit a coffee plantation
94 – Eat Sushi
95 – Fly first class
96 – Buy an original painting
97 – Share my faith with a stranger
98 – Update my blog at least weekly
99 – Go on another LeaderTreks trip
100 – Go mountain biking on South Mountain
101 – Save $10 for each 101 accomplished (including this one) and put it in my sock drawer… I MEAN… A bank guarded by ROBOTS!!