Tuesday, October 30, 2007
32 weeks!
This is Mama and Little D at 32 weeks. Today marks 33 weeks--only 7 more to go! Scary and exciting all at the same time. As the belly grows, so does the anticipation of meeting this active little guy!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
More than just a Dad?
I've been thinking a lot lately about how my life is changing this year. I seem to spend a lot of time thinking about, reading about and talking about impending fatherhood, often at the expense of other topics that I care about -- topics which use to consume a lot of my thinking, reading, talking ... and writing. I'm painfully aware, for example, that I've had just one post on this blog not related to the baby in the last four months (and that streak will continue since this post is related to the baby!)
Is my life about anything more than just, well, someone else's life? Should it be, or is it a noble thing to be that devoted to another human being? I'm wrestling with that right now.
Frankly, this whole thing started with me finally making the decision to be less selfish. Until mid-February I didn't want to give up my social life and all the things I enjoy doing with friends. I turned a corner that month and realized I was moving into a new stage of life and needed to accept that and trust that it would bring good things with it too. I'm the last of my close friends to have kids -- most of them have two in fact -- but most of the people I hang out with here in Orlando are single. But in February I stopped trying to live like them and be a part of their world. My world needed to change ... it was time.
But now, eight months later and two months shy of fatherhood, I'm a little nervous. What's my life going to look like when Baby D comes? Will my whole existence revolve around meeting his needs? If it does, will I be content in that, or will I rebel against it (as so many people do -- most publicly, the ones in Hollywood)?
At times I really worry that I'm going to resent the baby because of what his dependency will mean for me. Will I become someone who's whole life is about his kid(s)? But there are other times when I can't wait to be changed by his coming into my life. Perhaps the baby will, like nothing else ever has, compel me to be less selfish, get me out of myself, bring out a gentle, nurturing side in me and help me to understand God's love for His Son and His heartbreak on the day of Christ's crucifixion. This is my hope, and what I ought to be praying for, because I fear there's a battle waging inside of me for my "fatherhood soul".
My roaring 20s (which encapsulates my post-college single days and most of my married-without-children days) were rich times of trial and error, adventure, development and becoming comfortable in my own skin. By the time I "graduated" into my 30s I felt pretty comfortable as a 20-something. Now 31 and on the cusp of a whole new stage of life, I wonder if I have what it takes to navigate these waters.
I can take comfort in looking back though: there has always been uncertainty and doubt at the beginning of every stage. And over time God has always proven faithful to help me get through it and even to thrive in it. May it be so again.
Is my life about anything more than just, well, someone else's life? Should it be, or is it a noble thing to be that devoted to another human being? I'm wrestling with that right now.
Frankly, this whole thing started with me finally making the decision to be less selfish. Until mid-February I didn't want to give up my social life and all the things I enjoy doing with friends. I turned a corner that month and realized I was moving into a new stage of life and needed to accept that and trust that it would bring good things with it too. I'm the last of my close friends to have kids -- most of them have two in fact -- but most of the people I hang out with here in Orlando are single. But in February I stopped trying to live like them and be a part of their world. My world needed to change ... it was time.
But now, eight months later and two months shy of fatherhood, I'm a little nervous. What's my life going to look like when Baby D comes? Will my whole existence revolve around meeting his needs? If it does, will I be content in that, or will I rebel against it (as so many people do -- most publicly, the ones in Hollywood)?
At times I really worry that I'm going to resent the baby because of what his dependency will mean for me. Will I become someone who's whole life is about his kid(s)? But there are other times when I can't wait to be changed by his coming into my life. Perhaps the baby will, like nothing else ever has, compel me to be less selfish, get me out of myself, bring out a gentle, nurturing side in me and help me to understand God's love for His Son and His heartbreak on the day of Christ's crucifixion. This is my hope, and what I ought to be praying for, because I fear there's a battle waging inside of me for my "fatherhood soul".
My roaring 20s (which encapsulates my post-college single days and most of my married-without-children days) were rich times of trial and error, adventure, development and becoming comfortable in my own skin. By the time I "graduated" into my 30s I felt pretty comfortable as a 20-something. Now 31 and on the cusp of a whole new stage of life, I wonder if I have what it takes to navigate these waters.
I can take comfort in looking back though: there has always been uncertainty and doubt at the beginning of every stage. And over time God has always proven faithful to help me get through it and even to thrive in it. May it be so again.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
28 weeks and counting!
This photo of Mama and Little D was taken last week at 28 weeks. The belly is ever growing!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
More Baby D Pics
Here's baby's face... can't tell if he's smiling ... or frowning because he's being prodded with the ultrasound thingy.
Here's a close-up of baby's nose, upper lip and mouth, and his left hand -- the left hand that'll one day be throwing 99 mph heaters at Fenway Park!
And, finally, here he's showing his powerful left foot ... the foot that will score many goals in the English Premier League. (He's practicing kicking his Momma's belly right now) ...
And speaking of Momma's belly... (24 weeks and counting)
P.S. For all who might be interested or wondering, we're registered at Babies R Us for all those essential items that baby can't do without (and a few that he can, but they were SO cute!)
Here's a close-up of baby's nose, upper lip and mouth, and his left hand -- the left hand that'll one day be throwing 99 mph heaters at Fenway Park!
And, finally, here he's showing his powerful left foot ... the foot that will score many goals in the English Premier League. (He's practicing kicking his Momma's belly right now) ...
And speaking of Momma's belly... (24 weeks and counting)
P.S. For all who might be interested or wondering, we're registered at Babies R Us for all those essential items that baby can't do without (and a few that he can, but they were SO cute!)
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Fairness and Grace
On this post we finally have something other than a baby/pregnancy photo ... since I don't want to be one of those people who never talk about anything other than their kids. (Not that I know anyone like that!)
Recently I had someone tell me that he wasn't sure he could help me out with something I'd asked him for because, in his words, if he did it for me he'd have to do it for everyone who asked.
Huh?
I've heard this line of reasoning before, and until I went to Austria to work with refugees I actually believed it.
Who made up this rule and what basis does it have in Scripture (for all of us who believe that the Word of God is worth emulating)?
Since when has God been fair, giving to everyone in equal proportions? Grace is anything BUT fair. How is it fair when someone who has followed God her entire life gets the same reward (eternal life in paradise) as a convicted murderer who repents just hours before he's set to be executed? There's nothing fair about that -- but I wouldn't have it any other way!
It's grace -- freely given to us according to our need, not according to what someone else has, needs or deserves. God approaches us with great personal care and specific blessing. He knows each one of us intimately and desires to relate to us individually. He doesn't treat us like automotons or robots, giving us a one-size-fits-all proportion of Himself.
Look at the parable of the talents. He doesn't give the same amount to each person, but gives different amounts in order to test their faithfulness and stewardship, and, ultimately, to give us a lesson in each.
In my life, I know that all that I have comes from God. And he's given me things that he hasn't given to some of my friends or coworkers or family members. And he's given them some things that he hasn't given me. Rather than accusing him of being unfair, I ought to thank him for what I have and consider it a sign of his grace and blessing in my life.
God has an endless supply of blessing, but he doesn't give everything to everyone. He parcels it out in unequal amounts, giving some things to some people and some things to other people. He does this with great wisdom in order to accomplish plans we don't always understand.
Us created beings -- we have limits on what we possess and can give away. We have to be wise about it as well, and discerning. To say that we must give equally to all who asks is a cop-out -- an excuse not to listen to the Holy Spirit and apply wisdom and discernment to each situation we encounter. We can do better than that.
If my friend doesn't want to do something for me or give me something after he's thought it through and, hopefully, prayed about it, that's fine. God may not want me to have what I sought from my friend, or may want me to get it somewhere else. But if my friend says no because he is worried about setting a precedent for all those future situations he may or may not find himself in, then I would boldly suggest that he is taking the easy way out and abdicating his responsibility to carefully consider each situation like this on its own merit, allowing God to speak to and through him (directly and through his Word).
The moment we start to apply this kind of blanket philosophy to our relationships with one another, we run a terrible risk of stifling growth, squelching life and squandering opportunities.
Strong words, I know. Any counter-points out there? Comments?
Recently I had someone tell me that he wasn't sure he could help me out with something I'd asked him for because, in his words, if he did it for me he'd have to do it for everyone who asked.
Huh?
I've heard this line of reasoning before, and until I went to Austria to work with refugees I actually believed it.
Who made up this rule and what basis does it have in Scripture (for all of us who believe that the Word of God is worth emulating)?
Since when has God been fair, giving to everyone in equal proportions? Grace is anything BUT fair. How is it fair when someone who has followed God her entire life gets the same reward (eternal life in paradise) as a convicted murderer who repents just hours before he's set to be executed? There's nothing fair about that -- but I wouldn't have it any other way!
It's grace -- freely given to us according to our need, not according to what someone else has, needs or deserves. God approaches us with great personal care and specific blessing. He knows each one of us intimately and desires to relate to us individually. He doesn't treat us like automotons or robots, giving us a one-size-fits-all proportion of Himself.
Look at the parable of the talents. He doesn't give the same amount to each person, but gives different amounts in order to test their faithfulness and stewardship, and, ultimately, to give us a lesson in each.
In my life, I know that all that I have comes from God. And he's given me things that he hasn't given to some of my friends or coworkers or family members. And he's given them some things that he hasn't given me. Rather than accusing him of being unfair, I ought to thank him for what I have and consider it a sign of his grace and blessing in my life.
God has an endless supply of blessing, but he doesn't give everything to everyone. He parcels it out in unequal amounts, giving some things to some people and some things to other people. He does this with great wisdom in order to accomplish plans we don't always understand.
Us created beings -- we have limits on what we possess and can give away. We have to be wise about it as well, and discerning. To say that we must give equally to all who asks is a cop-out -- an excuse not to listen to the Holy Spirit and apply wisdom and discernment to each situation we encounter. We can do better than that.
If my friend doesn't want to do something for me or give me something after he's thought it through and, hopefully, prayed about it, that's fine. God may not want me to have what I sought from my friend, or may want me to get it somewhere else. But if my friend says no because he is worried about setting a precedent for all those future situations he may or may not find himself in, then I would boldly suggest that he is taking the easy way out and abdicating his responsibility to carefully consider each situation like this on its own merit, allowing God to speak to and through him (directly and through his Word).
The moment we start to apply this kind of blanket philosophy to our relationships with one another, we run a terrible risk of stifling growth, squelching life and squandering opportunities.
Strong words, I know. Any counter-points out there? Comments?
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
more baby pics
The upside to having to see a specialist because of a little hiccup in Baby D's development is we get more pictures of our little boy! Enjoy...
It took a while (and a little poking and prodding) but Baby D finally turn toward us so we could get a good picture of his face.
Here he's waving at us. You can even see his little metatarsals! He's got the right number of fingers!
It took a while (and a little poking and prodding) but Baby D finally turn toward us so we could get a good picture of his face.
Here he's waving at us. You can even see his little metatarsals! He's got the right number of fingers!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
It's a boy (but this is not the picture that shows it)!
This is Baby D looking right at the camera. You can see his feet at left, hands/arms in the middle, and head (cranium -- kind of looks like a skull -- I hope our little boy isn't Skeletor!) on the right. Not the cutest pic ever, but he's our boy and we love him anyway!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Photo Time
We got this lovely little surprise for our anniversary today: our first look at Little D and the sound of his/her racing heartbeat. The sound you'll have to imagine, but here's the picture (baby is actually 3.52cm long). Baby appears to have the proper number of arms and legs, is the right size for his/her age and, best of all ... there's only one! (There was some doubt about that since twins run in both our families).
Friday, May 18, 2007
Observations from Europe
A few notes from my recently completed trip to Europe -- some random, some not; some totally forgettable, some ... not so much.
-- I made one of my best-ever language gaffes on this trip. I meant to ask my German-speaking Armenian friends if their son was awake yet (aufgewacht) but instead asked if he was resurrected yet (auferwächt)!
-- I don't think there's a better place on earth in May than Austria. Naomi and I spent a super-idyllic afternoon sitting in a rose garden across the street from the Parliament building just soaking up the day in between meetings.
-- Gerard Pontier is right: no matter how bleak the weather in Britain, you'll nearly always get a break at least once in the day when the clouds part and you can see the sun and blue sky. That makes the dreariness of gray and rain easier to take.
-- After a while driving on the left doesn't seem too strange.
-- But, inevitably, heading for the car in Nottingham I went straight for what in Britain is the driver's side. I think I've done that every single time I've come to the UK -- and this was trip #7.
-- I've made more separate trips to the UK than any other country in the world.
-- I wonder how many Americans and Europeans from the continent got mowed down on English streets before they started writing "Look Right You Twit" on the pavement. (OK, they don't add on the "you twit" part).
-- In-flight movies were much better this time around than on my last two trans-ocean trips. Saw "The Holiday", "Children of Men" and "Music & Lyrics", all of which either take place in England or have very English stars. Hmm.
-- United took care of us. While in Chicago on the journey out I noticed we had middle seats for the flight to London. I approached the guy at the desk in Chicago and mentioned that Naomi was pregnant (ed. note: how's that for an announcement y'all) and needed to make frequent trips to the lav. Not only did he find us an aisle and one next to it about 10 rows up from our original seats, he also upgraded us a level and got us the same seats for the flight back yesterday. He did right by us and it won't be forgotten.
-- So, yeah, Naomi is pregnant. We're very excited! And very happily, she didn't get sick much on the trip, even though this is the dreaded first trimester. Little D is due in mid-December. On the aforementioned flight to London we had next to us a couple traveling with a 3 month old and we took notes. Their little girl hardly made a peep the whole trip. We hope it goes that way for us since we'll most likely be traveling with a 4-month old. I'm already praying we don't become the people everyone glares at.
-- It's still to-be-determined where that flight next April (Lord willing) will be headed. I think England is the front runner right now, but the jury is still out on Austria. Next weekend some of the powers-that-be for Europe will meet to discuss my job proposal and decide if it's something they want and can support. If it's a go from them we'd need to figure out where exactly to live and how to make it work. The deal in England is pretty much set. I know what I'd do and they're very keen to have us. England would cost about 2/3 what Austria would, so that's a factor as well. We hope to make a decision by June 8th. Stay tuned.
-- I have a friend named Anne Frank (really). This is for her: Louisville Billy Club!
-- I made one of my best-ever language gaffes on this trip. I meant to ask my German-speaking Armenian friends if their son was awake yet (aufgewacht) but instead asked if he was resurrected yet (auferwächt)!
-- I don't think there's a better place on earth in May than Austria. Naomi and I spent a super-idyllic afternoon sitting in a rose garden across the street from the Parliament building just soaking up the day in between meetings.
-- Gerard Pontier is right: no matter how bleak the weather in Britain, you'll nearly always get a break at least once in the day when the clouds part and you can see the sun and blue sky. That makes the dreariness of gray and rain easier to take.
-- After a while driving on the left doesn't seem too strange.
-- But, inevitably, heading for the car in Nottingham I went straight for what in Britain is the driver's side. I think I've done that every single time I've come to the UK -- and this was trip #7.
-- I've made more separate trips to the UK than any other country in the world.
-- I wonder how many Americans and Europeans from the continent got mowed down on English streets before they started writing "Look Right You Twit" on the pavement. (OK, they don't add on the "you twit" part).
-- In-flight movies were much better this time around than on my last two trans-ocean trips. Saw "The Holiday", "Children of Men" and "Music & Lyrics", all of which either take place in England or have very English stars. Hmm.
-- United took care of us. While in Chicago on the journey out I noticed we had middle seats for the flight to London. I approached the guy at the desk in Chicago and mentioned that Naomi was pregnant (ed. note: how's that for an announcement y'all) and needed to make frequent trips to the lav. Not only did he find us an aisle and one next to it about 10 rows up from our original seats, he also upgraded us a level and got us the same seats for the flight back yesterday. He did right by us and it won't be forgotten.
-- So, yeah, Naomi is pregnant. We're very excited! And very happily, she didn't get sick much on the trip, even though this is the dreaded first trimester. Little D is due in mid-December. On the aforementioned flight to London we had next to us a couple traveling with a 3 month old and we took notes. Their little girl hardly made a peep the whole trip. We hope it goes that way for us since we'll most likely be traveling with a 4-month old. I'm already praying we don't become the people everyone glares at.
-- It's still to-be-determined where that flight next April (Lord willing) will be headed. I think England is the front runner right now, but the jury is still out on Austria. Next weekend some of the powers-that-be for Europe will meet to discuss my job proposal and decide if it's something they want and can support. If it's a go from them we'd need to figure out where exactly to live and how to make it work. The deal in England is pretty much set. I know what I'd do and they're very keen to have us. England would cost about 2/3 what Austria would, so that's a factor as well. We hope to make a decision by June 8th. Stay tuned.
-- I have a friend named Anne Frank (really). This is for her: Louisville Billy Club!
Friday, May 04, 2007
back from hiatus
So the craziest thing happened to me on April 3rd -- the day after my last blog entry: I got kidnapped by a rare Central Floridian Yeti while out on a walk in my neighborhood. Said Yeti held me captive in his swamp-like lair for for one month until I was able to escape by climbing onto the back of a passing alligator. My friends and family were all very surprised and relieved when I showed up at home yesterday, safe and sound, but a little wet and stinky.
So that's why I haven't been able to update my blog in so long. True story.
Before I transition into something serious, here are a few thoughts that I just have to get off my chest (things that were on my mind while out in the swamp):
1. I try to eat salad for lunch. It's good for me. But I really can't stand the crunchy "spine" pieces of lettuce. After several irritating experiences where my bag of salad was just filled with those things I discovered, to my horror, that there was a name for these: hearts of Romaine (and they actually sell whole bags of this stuff). The name makes it sound so nice, and yet.... When I want a salad, I want something leafy! If I want something crunchy, I'll have potato chips, Cap'n Crunch or even an apple. And, to add insult to injury, the "hearts of Romaine" also happen to be the first part of the salad to go brown. Yummy. If there's a salad totem pole, hearts of Romaine is at the bottom.
2. How 'bout them Red Sox!
OK, now onto something serious: Naomi and I leave for our survey trip to Europe on Monday. We're definitely stoked. For Naomi it'll be her first time in Europe since her summer trip in 2000 -- when we first met! We'll be in Austria Tuesday through Friday next week. Saturday we travel to northern England and we'll be there through Tuesday the 15th. We'll be doing some mobilization for PI-Europe at a Bible College north of London on the 16th and will hopefully get in some site-seeing in London before our return flight on Thursday the 17th.
The point behind this trip is to investigate two different options for future ministry. We are exploring one possibility that would allow us to settle in Vienna and we've been invited to join a team in northern England. We are praying for safety, good health and plenty of energy, but also that the Lord would clearly speak to us about where we should go.
We'll give a full report once we're back, provided I don't kidnapped by that Yeti again.
So that's why I haven't been able to update my blog in so long. True story.
Before I transition into something serious, here are a few thoughts that I just have to get off my chest (things that were on my mind while out in the swamp):
1. I try to eat salad for lunch. It's good for me. But I really can't stand the crunchy "spine" pieces of lettuce. After several irritating experiences where my bag of salad was just filled with those things I discovered, to my horror, that there was a name for these: hearts of Romaine (and they actually sell whole bags of this stuff). The name makes it sound so nice, and yet.... When I want a salad, I want something leafy! If I want something crunchy, I'll have potato chips, Cap'n Crunch or even an apple. And, to add insult to injury, the "hearts of Romaine" also happen to be the first part of the salad to go brown. Yummy. If there's a salad totem pole, hearts of Romaine is at the bottom.
2. How 'bout them Red Sox!
OK, now onto something serious: Naomi and I leave for our survey trip to Europe on Monday. We're definitely stoked. For Naomi it'll be her first time in Europe since her summer trip in 2000 -- when we first met! We'll be in Austria Tuesday through Friday next week. Saturday we travel to northern England and we'll be there through Tuesday the 15th. We'll be doing some mobilization for PI-Europe at a Bible College north of London on the 16th and will hopefully get in some site-seeing in London before our return flight on Thursday the 17th.
The point behind this trip is to investigate two different options for future ministry. We are exploring one possibility that would allow us to settle in Vienna and we've been invited to join a team in northern England. We are praying for safety, good health and plenty of energy, but also that the Lord would clearly speak to us about where we should go.
We'll give a full report once we're back, provided I don't kidnapped by that Yeti again.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Superlatives, vol. 3 + MLB picks
In case you care...
Favorite albums of the moment:
"Eyes Open" Snow Patrol -- simply excellent. Not a bad song on the whole thing.
"Dusk and Summer" Dashboard Confessional -- heard one song off it so I got it from the library. Very good. I'm new to this group so I can't compare this offering to their earlier work, which I understand is much mellower.
Favorite songs:
"Make This Go On Forever" Snow Patrol
"Window in the Sky" U2 (great video too)
"Stolen" and "Reason to Believe" Dashboard Confessional
Most overplayed song:
"Sweet Escape" Gwen Stefani. I wish this song would make a sweet escape to the dustbin for at least three months.
Anything on Z 88.5. Tuned in for a few minutes this weekend -- all the same stuff still playing from my last try about six months ago.
Favorite movie:
"Amazing Grace". Please go see it! We need to support good stuff like this so more of it'll be made.
And, just for the fun, my picks for the 07 MLB season, which starts in earnest today:
AL East: Yankees (because they always do)
AL Central: Tigers (great combination of offense and pitching, even without Kenny Rogers)
AL West: Rangers (Angels are the popular pick, but I think they'll get hurt too much, so I'm picking the Rangers to finally get their pitching together enough to pull it out).
AL Wild Card: Red Sox (they won't fold like last year, but they won't have enough offense to keep pace with the Yanks)
NL East: Mets (ridiculous offense makes up for lackluster starting pitching)
NL Central: Cardinals (tempting to take the Brewers, but I'm going safe here)
NL West: Diamondbacks (the Dodgers are the sexy pick, but if they do it it'll be like 1988 when they had no offensive star; I don't think it'll happen so I'm going with the young D-backs).
NL Wild Card: Phillies (they'll finally put it together this year)
ALCS: Red Sox over Yankees
NLCS: Mets over Cardinals
World Series: Red Sox over Mets (revenge for 86!)
From my fingers to God's ears...
Favorite albums of the moment:
"Eyes Open" Snow Patrol -- simply excellent. Not a bad song on the whole thing.
"Dusk and Summer" Dashboard Confessional -- heard one song off it so I got it from the library. Very good. I'm new to this group so I can't compare this offering to their earlier work, which I understand is much mellower.
Favorite songs:
"Make This Go On Forever" Snow Patrol
"Window in the Sky" U2 (great video too)
"Stolen" and "Reason to Believe" Dashboard Confessional
Most overplayed song:
"Sweet Escape" Gwen Stefani. I wish this song would make a sweet escape to the dustbin for at least three months.
Anything on Z 88.5. Tuned in for a few minutes this weekend -- all the same stuff still playing from my last try about six months ago.
Favorite movie:
"Amazing Grace". Please go see it! We need to support good stuff like this so more of it'll be made.
And, just for the fun, my picks for the 07 MLB season, which starts in earnest today:
AL East: Yankees (because they always do)
AL Central: Tigers (great combination of offense and pitching, even without Kenny Rogers)
AL West: Rangers (Angels are the popular pick, but I think they'll get hurt too much, so I'm picking the Rangers to finally get their pitching together enough to pull it out).
AL Wild Card: Red Sox (they won't fold like last year, but they won't have enough offense to keep pace with the Yanks)
NL East: Mets (ridiculous offense makes up for lackluster starting pitching)
NL Central: Cardinals (tempting to take the Brewers, but I'm going safe here)
NL West: Diamondbacks (the Dodgers are the sexy pick, but if they do it it'll be like 1988 when they had no offensive star; I don't think it'll happen so I'm going with the young D-backs).
NL Wild Card: Phillies (they'll finally put it together this year)
ALCS: Red Sox over Yankees
NLCS: Mets over Cardinals
World Series: Red Sox over Mets (revenge for 86!)
From my fingers to God's ears...
Saturday, March 24, 2007
The Parades
Last week I was at Biola University for their annual missions conference. During the first main session, before the speaker came to the pulpit, they had students come to the front of the assembly area carrying the national flag of the country they are from (though in some cases I'm not sure the flag-bearers were actually from the country in question).
This isn't all that unusual (Moody does it, as do several other universities), but for some reason it affected me more this time. As I watched them each walk by I thought that it would be like that one day in heaven. Except that, instead of countries being represented, it would be people groups. And the procession would not end so quickly. The parade of flags at Biola ended after about 30 students had come forward. There are over 200 countries in the world, and thousands of people groups. All will be represented in heaven, according to Revelation 5:9 and 7:9.
But that day still seems to be far off. Right now there is no one to carry the flag of many of these people groups. And for some reason the truth of that sank in that day more than it ever had before, and my heart wept. I hope I can some day come back to Biola, to the parade of flags, and see the Iraqi flag and the Saudi Arabian flag alongside the flags of Myanmar, Chad, Sudan and dozens more. I hope some day there will be scores of Christians in each of those countries, dozens who can enjoy a solid Biblical education at a school like Biola, and many who will take the Gospel to neighbors in people groups that are yet unreached.
The next day the leaders of the missions conference did something I'd never seen before: a parade of majors. They had student carry signs announcing their major and props that were associated with that skill or practice. Members of the student body cheered loudly when their major came down the aisle (I think the nurses were loudest). I was pleasantly surprised to see this, and it felt so right and good to me. I think it's great to honor the academic achievements the students are making, and to celebrate their entry into these disciplines as committed Christians. I think the development of Christian nurses is awesome, as is the training of Christian audio/visual professionals, Christian historians, Christian writers, Christian sociologists and Christian musicians. I think we ought to encourage and celebrate those who will be excellent in those fields and be a light to those they labor alongside. I also hope to see many of them use those skills as platforms on the mission field for entering into closed countries, serving the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the saved and unsaved alike as a testimony to His unwavering love for them.
So it was a moving week. Sometimes it's easy for missions to become blase for me -- like I've seen and heard it all a thousand times. It was good for me last week then to be stirred again and remember what I'm working toward, and to have an emotional response to it all. I feel refueled and reinvigorated, redetermined in the ultimate aim of all that I labor for.
This isn't all that unusual (Moody does it, as do several other universities), but for some reason it affected me more this time. As I watched them each walk by I thought that it would be like that one day in heaven. Except that, instead of countries being represented, it would be people groups. And the procession would not end so quickly. The parade of flags at Biola ended after about 30 students had come forward. There are over 200 countries in the world, and thousands of people groups. All will be represented in heaven, according to Revelation 5:9 and 7:9.
But that day still seems to be far off. Right now there is no one to carry the flag of many of these people groups. And for some reason the truth of that sank in that day more than it ever had before, and my heart wept. I hope I can some day come back to Biola, to the parade of flags, and see the Iraqi flag and the Saudi Arabian flag alongside the flags of Myanmar, Chad, Sudan and dozens more. I hope some day there will be scores of Christians in each of those countries, dozens who can enjoy a solid Biblical education at a school like Biola, and many who will take the Gospel to neighbors in people groups that are yet unreached.
The next day the leaders of the missions conference did something I'd never seen before: a parade of majors. They had student carry signs announcing their major and props that were associated with that skill or practice. Members of the student body cheered loudly when their major came down the aisle (I think the nurses were loudest). I was pleasantly surprised to see this, and it felt so right and good to me. I think it's great to honor the academic achievements the students are making, and to celebrate their entry into these disciplines as committed Christians. I think the development of Christian nurses is awesome, as is the training of Christian audio/visual professionals, Christian historians, Christian writers, Christian sociologists and Christian musicians. I think we ought to encourage and celebrate those who will be excellent in those fields and be a light to those they labor alongside. I also hope to see many of them use those skills as platforms on the mission field for entering into closed countries, serving the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the saved and unsaved alike as a testimony to His unwavering love for them.
So it was a moving week. Sometimes it's easy for missions to become blase for me -- like I've seen and heard it all a thousand times. It was good for me last week then to be stirred again and remember what I'm working toward, and to have an emotional response to it all. I feel refueled and reinvigorated, redetermined in the ultimate aim of all that I labor for.
Monday, March 19, 2007
The wisdom of Dan
A few gems from my former roommate Dan, who is not normally known for being especially quotable:
Dan on sin: "Temptation isn't tempting until it's temptation."
Dan on famous skier Marc Girardelli: "The thing he was good at was that he was good at everything."
Dan, to me and Naomi: "What exactly what went wrong at your wedding?"
Dan, showing up our other former roommate Kevin: "Worters."
Dan on sin: "Temptation isn't tempting until it's temptation."
Dan on famous skier Marc Girardelli: "The thing he was good at was that he was good at everything."
Dan, to me and Naomi: "What exactly what went wrong at your wedding?"
Dan, showing up our other former roommate Kevin: "Worters."
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Awkwardness
You know you have reached a certain level of trust in your marriage when your wife tells you that she found a woman's undergarment in the house that doesn't belong to her and she's not the least bit upset.
So, yes, the other day Naomi is cleaning the guest bedroom in anticipation of our next visitor and discovers a woman's undergarment under the bed. It dawned on me immediately how uncomfortable this discovery could be if indeed I had anything to hide, which made me feel very happy that I don't (I am neither a cheater nor a cross-dresser).
The next thought was, "whose is it?" We mentally went down the list of recent guests and concluded without too much trouble that it must belong to the last visitors we had a few weeks back. This led to a second awkward moment as these last visitors (a couple) are people we had not met prior to their showing up on our doorstep. Not only that, but we didn't even have contact information for them. The woman whose personal item is in question here is the sister of a friend and former co-worker. We did manage to get her email address from our friend, but a week later we still haven't emailed her.
Why? Well how exactly do you write that email? Neither of us knows her really, but Naomi doesn't really even know her brother that well. I know him well, but I'm not sure I'm the one to be emailing her about this. It's tempting to create a new email account (discreet@hotmail.com or unmentionables@yahoo.com perhaps) just to give her the news anonymously, but that wouldn't really work either since it's our stinkin' house that is the scene of the crime.
I think, in the end, we're just going to have to tag-team it: I write the email using all the diplomacy and formal language I can muster and send it to Naomi to send from her email account.
This is what marriage is all about. No, not discovering undergarments from strange women in one's house, but sharing the burden of the unpleasant necessities of life. And all the better when you can do so with a good attitude and a chuckle or two.
So, yes, the other day Naomi is cleaning the guest bedroom in anticipation of our next visitor and discovers a woman's undergarment under the bed. It dawned on me immediately how uncomfortable this discovery could be if indeed I had anything to hide, which made me feel very happy that I don't (I am neither a cheater nor a cross-dresser).
The next thought was, "whose is it?" We mentally went down the list of recent guests and concluded without too much trouble that it must belong to the last visitors we had a few weeks back. This led to a second awkward moment as these last visitors (a couple) are people we had not met prior to their showing up on our doorstep. Not only that, but we didn't even have contact information for them. The woman whose personal item is in question here is the sister of a friend and former co-worker. We did manage to get her email address from our friend, but a week later we still haven't emailed her.
Why? Well how exactly do you write that email? Neither of us knows her really, but Naomi doesn't really even know her brother that well. I know him well, but I'm not sure I'm the one to be emailing her about this. It's tempting to create a new email account (discreet@hotmail.com or unmentionables@yahoo.com perhaps) just to give her the news anonymously, but that wouldn't really work either since it's our stinkin' house that is the scene of the crime.
I think, in the end, we're just going to have to tag-team it: I write the email using all the diplomacy and formal language I can muster and send it to Naomi to send from her email account.
This is what marriage is all about. No, not discovering undergarments from strange women in one's house, but sharing the burden of the unpleasant necessities of life. And all the better when you can do so with a good attitude and a chuckle or two.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Things I discovered on my trip to Virginia
1. Poker is fun when you're winning. Last Saturday my friend Ruben, who plays frequently and wins often, had me over to his place in Richmond and we got to playing Texas Hold 'Em. We split up the chips evenly and I took all his money three straight times before we ran out of time with me comfortably ahead on the fourth time we had started over with even stacks. I would love to say I am secretly an amazing poker player, but the truth is that the only thing sicker than I was (and still am) were the cards I was getting. I beat Ruben on my kicker at least twice -- we both paired up sixes once and queens once (I think) and each time I had a stronger kicker. If he paired up eights, I had nines, and so on and so forth. I have to give Rubes credit though -- he took it well. Just wasn't his day. I think I rather like just playing head to head -- less to think about with other players. I still focus too much on my own hand and not enough on what the other players might be doing.
2. Coffee can be good. I needed some help waking up upon arriving in Virginia two weeks ago. I'd gotten to bed at about 2:30am and was up again at 6:45. My friend Dan put on a pot of java and poured me some in a travel mug for the road. I took one sip and ... holy beans! It was actually good! I tend to drink coffee only for it's medicinal purposes, and as I drink it so seldom, the caffeine tends to have a dramatic impact on me. Well this was more than just a drug ... it was pleasing to the palate too. So I asked Dan where I could pick up some of this fine brew. His answer: Costa Rica. Seems he was there not too long ago and brought some back. Bummer.
3. Cheap Target sunglasses can survive in a dryer set at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes and be none the worse for wear (just a little hot). This was a pleasant surprise.
4. End of the Spear is a good movie, but Amazing Grace (cheating slightly -- actually saw it in Orlando yesterday) is better. The latter movie is instantly on my top 10 list. But more about that later...
2. Coffee can be good. I needed some help waking up upon arriving in Virginia two weeks ago. I'd gotten to bed at about 2:30am and was up again at 6:45. My friend Dan put on a pot of java and poured me some in a travel mug for the road. I took one sip and ... holy beans! It was actually good! I tend to drink coffee only for it's medicinal purposes, and as I drink it so seldom, the caffeine tends to have a dramatic impact on me. Well this was more than just a drug ... it was pleasing to the palate too. So I asked Dan where I could pick up some of this fine brew. His answer: Costa Rica. Seems he was there not too long ago and brought some back. Bummer.
3. Cheap Target sunglasses can survive in a dryer set at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes and be none the worse for wear (just a little hot). This was a pleasant surprise.
4. End of the Spear is a good movie, but Amazing Grace (cheating slightly -- actually saw it in Orlando yesterday) is better. The latter movie is instantly on my top 10 list. But more about that later...
Friday, February 23, 2007
Jerry Falwell
So I've been in Lynchburg, VA at Liberty University this week and yesterday got to meet Jerry Falwell. I wasn't sure what to think about this occasion since I have mixed feelings about him. He's one of many high-profile Christians who seems to have a propensity for sticking his foot in his mouth. Despite that, I tried to go into the breakfast meeting with an open mind.
In person Dr. Falwell reminded me simultaneously of my father in law (only larger and much older) and of the stereotypical Baptist preacher: well dressed, perfectly coiffed hair, a man of some girth, paternal yet still a good 'ol boy.
He spoke to all of the reps there for the missions conference and talked about the history of the school and their future vision. I came away from it rather impressed. What impressed me was his drive for excellence in Jesus' name. Certainly there are times when the pursuit of this standard can lead to poor choices, but the standard itself is not bad.
I have blogged on this before, but will make the point again. Jesus was excellent, and I believe his followers should pursue that standard as well. Why should everything Christian be second-best? When did it become OK to accept low quality so long as it's Christian? We used to lead the world in nearly everything: music, art, politics and education. Dr. Falwell reminded us that almost all the Ivy League schools were founded by Christians to train ministers.
Nowadays we lag. We've abandoned many of these fields out of some misguided sense of pietism. The point Dr. Falwell made is that we need to re-enter and make a solid contribution in Jesus' name, bringing faith and a Biblical perspective back into these arenas. Rather than just talk about it, he's doing something about it -- establishing a world class liberal arts undergraduate institution, along with a Bible institute and a seminary. They opened a law school three years ago and plan to open a medical school in the near future. I'm all for more Christians in the legal and medical fields.
In addition, he also talked about extending this drive for professionalism and excellence into the athletic realm. They have very intentionally built their athletic programs into Division I caliber, able to compete with and beat larger, better funded, more recognizable schools. They've already made huge gains in the basketball program and he said his goal with football was to one day go to South Bend and beat Notre Dame while sitting next to the Father (the President of Notre Dame). I'm not sure Jerry will live THAT long, but I like his moxie.
His frankness and ambition were refreshing. He wants to see Christ exalted -- and most especially in those arenas we have abdicated. May God grant them favor in this endeavor, for the benefit of us all.
In person Dr. Falwell reminded me simultaneously of my father in law (only larger and much older) and of the stereotypical Baptist preacher: well dressed, perfectly coiffed hair, a man of some girth, paternal yet still a good 'ol boy.
He spoke to all of the reps there for the missions conference and talked about the history of the school and their future vision. I came away from it rather impressed. What impressed me was his drive for excellence in Jesus' name. Certainly there are times when the pursuit of this standard can lead to poor choices, but the standard itself is not bad.
I have blogged on this before, but will make the point again. Jesus was excellent, and I believe his followers should pursue that standard as well. Why should everything Christian be second-best? When did it become OK to accept low quality so long as it's Christian? We used to lead the world in nearly everything: music, art, politics and education. Dr. Falwell reminded us that almost all the Ivy League schools were founded by Christians to train ministers.
Nowadays we lag. We've abandoned many of these fields out of some misguided sense of pietism. The point Dr. Falwell made is that we need to re-enter and make a solid contribution in Jesus' name, bringing faith and a Biblical perspective back into these arenas. Rather than just talk about it, he's doing something about it -- establishing a world class liberal arts undergraduate institution, along with a Bible institute and a seminary. They opened a law school three years ago and plan to open a medical school in the near future. I'm all for more Christians in the legal and medical fields.
In addition, he also talked about extending this drive for professionalism and excellence into the athletic realm. They have very intentionally built their athletic programs into Division I caliber, able to compete with and beat larger, better funded, more recognizable schools. They've already made huge gains in the basketball program and he said his goal with football was to one day go to South Bend and beat Notre Dame while sitting next to the Father (the President of Notre Dame). I'm not sure Jerry will live THAT long, but I like his moxie.
His frankness and ambition were refreshing. He wants to see Christ exalted -- and most especially in those arenas we have abdicated. May God grant them favor in this endeavor, for the benefit of us all.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
X-treme X-cultural Xperience
I have lived in Austria, Germany, Iran and California, but none of those experiences quite compares to the cross-cultural moment I had tonight. What, you might ask, could trump those? Me speaking to a group of 182 college students -- every single one of them female. That's what.
When I first heard I was speaking to the students of one floor in a residence hall, it was going to be 60 female students. Then I found out a little later two other floors of the same hall didn't have speakers so I would be addressing all three floors of hall 25 -- a total of 182 girls. Even then I wasn't fazed. No, I was fine until I walked into the lecture hall at 9:45. I felt like I had just walked into the women's bathroom. Now I have never been in the women's bathroom, but I imagine it would be like this. Every single eye in the room was on me and I think I could hear them all thinking, "What is he doing here?!?!" (Note to my wife: I cannot actually hear women's thoughts.) They can't have been shocked though because I'm sure they were told they'd be having a guy speaking. They may, however, have been surprised to see that I was not 50, since just about every other agency rep here is.
Anyway, I did feel alternately like:
a) I was sitting in on a giant sorority meeting
b) I was the last living man on the planet
and c) I was bravely going where no man had gone before.
I think I just earned the right to be called a true "pioneer". Honestly, I was a little afraid. But I gathered my wits about me and addressed them, feeling very much like I'd stepped into a time warp and wound up back in 1950 (i.e. man speaks, women listen). Part of me wanted to call one of the women in the front row up, hand her my notes and insist that she speak instead while I sat in her seat or went outside to have a cigar and belch a few times.
But I made it through, got past the "dear Lord what am I doing here?" and the "my goodness these college girls can be very rowdy" and managed to deliver what I thought was a pretty competent message. Around 20 ladies stood up at the end when asked if there were any there who planned to go into full-time missions, though I'm sure most or all already planned to do so before I began. Hopefully some will have been impacted by what I said and will remember this night as long as I will.
When I first heard I was speaking to the students of one floor in a residence hall, it was going to be 60 female students. Then I found out a little later two other floors of the same hall didn't have speakers so I would be addressing all three floors of hall 25 -- a total of 182 girls. Even then I wasn't fazed. No, I was fine until I walked into the lecture hall at 9:45. I felt like I had just walked into the women's bathroom. Now I have never been in the women's bathroom, but I imagine it would be like this. Every single eye in the room was on me and I think I could hear them all thinking, "What is he doing here?!?!" (Note to my wife: I cannot actually hear women's thoughts.) They can't have been shocked though because I'm sure they were told they'd be having a guy speaking. They may, however, have been surprised to see that I was not 50, since just about every other agency rep here is.
Anyway, I did feel alternately like:
a) I was sitting in on a giant sorority meeting
b) I was the last living man on the planet
and c) I was bravely going where no man had gone before.
I think I just earned the right to be called a true "pioneer". Honestly, I was a little afraid. But I gathered my wits about me and addressed them, feeling very much like I'd stepped into a time warp and wound up back in 1950 (i.e. man speaks, women listen). Part of me wanted to call one of the women in the front row up, hand her my notes and insist that she speak instead while I sat in her seat or went outside to have a cigar and belch a few times.
But I made it through, got past the "dear Lord what am I doing here?" and the "my goodness these college girls can be very rowdy" and managed to deliver what I thought was a pretty competent message. Around 20 ladies stood up at the end when asked if there were any there who planned to go into full-time missions, though I'm sure most or all already planned to do so before I began. Hopefully some will have been impacted by what I said and will remember this night as long as I will.
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