Reflections on American Kitsch

This weekend Kathi and I were up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - better known as the "good land" - attending a wedding of a co-worker. Congratulations, Jason and Danielle! It was an interesting wedding. After a string of contemporary evangelical weddings, this was a nice change of pace. Organs, choirs, bagpipes were the order of the day. Pretty liturgical too. The bride was greeted at the altar by the groom while the congregation sang "Holy, Holy, Holy."

On our way back, we stopped at one of our favorite place in all Wisconsindom: Mars Cheese Castle. This place is basically a barn full of Wisconsin cheese, summer sausage, and wine with scantly-clad women on the bottle. Classy. They also advertise an art gallery on site, but we have never been able to locate said gallery. We ended up buying a big block of cheddar and an elephant ear.

There's just something about Wisconsin. For those who haven't been, it is the only state in American where off of every highway exit you can find both a cheese and fireworks store. It's just a great piece of American kitsch.

Reflections on One Good George

Seriously, I think George Washington was freakin' amazing! He is by far the greatest leader ever in the history of the world! Now, I don't consider myself very patriotic - the whole "America is pinnacle of human government and favored by God Himself" is ridiculous. But, come on! George-freakin Washington! After leading the Continental Army in victory over the British at Yorktown in 1781, George acsended to Michael Jackson celebrity status. They wanted to make him king for crying out loud! And, he gave it all up preferring to return to his country bougeois lifestyle.

Seven years later when he was elected president he was essentially given a mandate to govern for life (at that time there were no term limits). Instead, after two terms in office, he decides not to run again setting a two-term precedent that lasted until FDR. What's so amazing about all of this? On two separate occassion, he humbly gave up power in favor of democratic principle. Napoleon couldn't do that. Robespierre wasn't up to it. I doubt very many U.S. Presidents since Washington would have done it if not compelled by law or tradition to do so. His ability to relinquish power is what makes George so awesome, and it's because of him that we still live in a (mostly) democratic society.

I have only two weeks of work left! Not much to do in the office, hence my ramblings about great world leaders. Anyway, I'm sure after two weeks of sitting on my butt at home I'll want to go back to work again...isn't that how it works?

Reflections on Violent Unification

In the ever-present fight against sin, Romans 6 has always been key to my sanity. There are times when I'm in the thick of the fights, and the last thing I feel is godly, or in anyway sanctified. Discouragement, hopelessness, and condemnation all conspire to derail me from the path toward becoming more like Jesus.

In versus 2-3, Paul makes the declaration that Christians are no longer subject to power of sin. He uses the image of baptism to communicate our radical association with Jesus. Now, we need to get out of our heads the modern image of sprinkling water on a baby's forehead. The word in the Greek carries the connotation of violence and radical transformation. It is used in other ancient literature to describe ships sinking or a flood. So, when Paul writes that we've been baptized with Jesus, he means we've been violently ripped away from our former identifications with sin and death and united with Jesus in his death and resurrection.

It's a mystery how we are spiritually united with Jesus in his crucifixion (Gal. 2:20), but Paul makes it clear that this fact is a spiritual reality. Therefore, we are no longer associated with sin. But, we all know that this spiritual reality many times seems very unreal in our daily existence. But, Paul says that in light of this new identification, we are to make this spiritual reality a physical reality. "Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (v. 11-13) The Christian life is the process by which the Holy Spirit works out in us the spiritual reality of our unity with the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

It simply amazes me that at ever level Jesus chooses to bind us to everything good and beautiful he is and has done. We are united with him. Our tattered rags have been violently ripped off us and have been replaced with the royal robes of the Son of God. Paul says then that if this is true, let's act like it! But, not by our own power, but by the Spirit working out these realities in us.

Reflections on Maranatha

Usually, I stay pretty informed on world events. Needless to say, I have certain opinions. But, everything that is happening in the Middle East right now makes me hurt. I don't know who we should blame and who we should protect, but I do know that evil is abound in that place. It's enough to make a man depressed. "How long, O Lord?" United State foreign policy doesn't give me much hope in the whole situation. Will anyone stand up for justice and peace?

So, in the midst of this I came across Psalm 12:

Help, Lord, for the godly are no more;
the faithful have vanished from among men.
Everyone lies to his neighbor;
their flattering lips speak with deception.

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue
that says, "We will triumph with our tongues;
we own our lips - who is our master?"

"Because of the oppression of the weak
and the groaning of the needy,
I will now arise," says the Lord.
"I will protect them from those who malign them."

Please pray for peace to reign in Lebanon. But, most of all pray for the glorious return of our Lord Jesus who will come to make all things right.

Reflections on Music Funk

News Flash: I'm completely out of touch with the contemporary music scene. I've noticed that as I descend into adulthood, my relevance and interaction with the currents of American popular music has disappeared along with my 29-inch waistline. Along with a generally increasing uncoolness, this situation has also contributed to a stale and overplayed music library. The result is that I listen to music much less than I used to, which is a sad state of affairs indeed.

So, I need help. Any suggestions of bands to check out will be much appreciated. Generally, I am of a cheerful and up-beat disposition, therefore, I enjoy corresponding music. The last album that I bought (not counting Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto) is Jimmy Eat World, and I've enjoyed that immensely. I'm a sucker for creative guitar licks and sweet, poppy distortion. Secular versus Christian makes no difference, although I long to find a good Christian rock band that doesn't sound like everyone else and doesn't spew crappy inspirational lyrics (I'm looking at you, Steven Curtis Chapman!). Anybody have any ideas that will save my musical soul?

Reflections on Gross Neglegence

So, I got into an accident this morning as I was leaving for work. I was in my car a grand total of 30 seconds before I rammed into another car. Brilliant. I simply pulled out of my parking spot too quickly and backed right into a passing pick-up truck. The guy's name was Ray. He was really nice, and accepted my pleadings for forgiveness. I think he is a veteran, which means he could probably kill me with his index finger. Wonderful.

Anyway, I was simply careless. It's funny how something like this will make me feel like a jerk the rest of the day. You tell yourself that accidents happen and that no real damage was done. But, man, I feel like an a**hole.

Reflections on Weekend Updates

I thought I'd give a more detailed update about this past weekend. On Friday, we drove to Wellington, Ohio, which is where Kathi's sister lives. We went there to celebrate the birthdays of both of Kathi's nieces. Cute kids. Saturday we had a birthday party extravaganza at the Clevaland Zoo. Would have been more enjoyable if it hadn't been blazing hot outside. Good times none the less.

On Sunday, we spoke at our sending church in Dellroy, Ohio. God really empowered us to communicate this vision of missions in Germany. We were able to speak for a good 20 minutes, and then the pastor followed that up with a awesome devotional on being a sending church. Afterwards we received so much encouragement and support from the congregation. The whole time really exceeded our expectations.

Monday we were able to hang out with Brian and Karin, and then Tuesday the four of us had lunch with Randy and Sarah. We all indulged in some sweet Applebee's action. I love Applebee's! Anyway, it was a great weekend.

Reflections on Church Visiting

I thought I'd write to at least give a quick update. Kathi and I spent yesterday evening with Brian and Karin. It was nice to hang out with them. This afternoon, we're driving to Columbus to see our friends Randy and Sarah. Then it's the six hour drive back to Chicago.

Our time back home went really well. We spoke at our sending church on Sunday morning, and God really used that to help us spread our vision for ministry in Germany. The whole weekend we were so encouraged by everyone in the congregation. God really did answer our prayer and show himself faithful.

Reflections on Trading Goodness

Yesterday, the Reds concluded a 8-player trade with the Washington Nationals sending Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez, and Ryan Wagner in exchange for two relievers and Royce "I've been with 5 clubs in 4 years" Clayton. I know we need serious bullpen help, but was the cost too high? If Kearns and Lopez go on to mature into .300/40/100 hitters, then this could be one of the worst trades the Reds have done since Frank Robinson.

But, as far as this season is concerned, it makes sense. The Reds would not make the playoffs without serious bullpen reconstruction. And, the team isn't exactly lacking in offense. Their bats will be missed, but there is still a fine surplus. As funny as it seems, Royce Clayton is an upgrade at shortstop in terms of defense and veteran experience.

Anyway, Kathi and I have a full weekend ahead of us. We're heading back to Ohio this weekend for Kathi's nieces' birthdays. We're also schedule to speaking at our sending church back home on Sunday. Thankfully, we're planning on taking Monday and Tuesday off to stay a few extra days at home.

Reflections on Prayer, Cars, and Sleep

It's been a long time since I've really felt like God was tangibly answering prayer. Granted, He certainly hasn't ever stopped. But, He's reminded us the past couple of days that He hears us and cares for us in a very real way. Circumstances have been testing us lately, and it's been forcing Kathi and I to go to Him.

A few days ago, Kathi noticed that her car was awefully sluggish when she tried to start it. However, it was in the Target parking lot that the car decided not to start. It didn't even turn over. Needless to say this stressed her out tremendously. So, I left work and picked her up. Before we looked at the car we decided to pray first. We ask God that the car would at least start so that we could get it back to our apartment. We turned the key and it came to life on the first try. We tried to start it when we got home with no success. Thank God, it turned out to be just the battery, which was easily and inexpensively replaced.

Kathi has also been extremely stressed out at work recently. She is working a lot of overtime with many responsibilities on her shoulders. Because of this added stress, she hasn't been sleeping well at nights, which simply contributes to the stress even more. She desperately needed to good nights sleep. Monday night we prayed that God would provide just that to her. When I left Tuesday morning for work, she was still asleep! We repeated the prayer last night, and again she slept wonderfully. What a blessing!

Reflections on Patriotic Absurdities

"Those who deface a Hummer in words or deed deface the American flag and what it stands for."

Quote from the founder of the International Hummer Owners Group, Rick Schmidt. Classic.

Reflections on Dying to Myself

As I grow older, I am becoming ever more aware of a dark root, a cancer that is festering in my heart. Everything bad that I do, think, and feel survives to serve this thing. It's the self, the flesh. It demands my worship and sacrifice to appease its burn. I hate how I feel like I'm in service to it so often. I know God wants to purify this, it's the one thing that He wants most to eradicate in me. A.W. Tozer described it this way:

Every man with moral intelligence must be aware of the curse that afflicts him inwardly; he must be conscious of the thing we call ego, by the Bible called flesh or self, but by whatever name called, a cruel master and a deadly foe.

I'm getting so tired of it. This root manifests itself in so many ways, but most poignantly in my slavery to social approval. The desire to please man instead of God. I feel like that I've come so far in my walk with the Lord, but I've never been far enough to say that my flesh has been crucified, which is not really far at all. Again, Tozer writes:

For sin's human captives God never intends anything less than full deliverance. The Christian message rightly understood means this: The God who by the word of the gospel proclaims men free, by the power of the gospel actually makes them free.

How I long for this freedom. How I long for my life to be unbound so that the power and love of Christ may flow out from me. The hardest part is that there is no technique I can perform, no book I can read, no Bible study I can do that will bring this about. Only the Holy Spirit's work in me can make that possible. And just like the eradication of any physical cancer, the pulling out of this cancer will be painful. But, I do desire to say along with Paul: "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

Reflections on Football Despair

Just wanted to send out my condolences to the entire nation of Germany, which is current mourning their defeat by Italy in the World Cup semi-final. We probably don't even realize it, but a whole country is grieving right now. At any rate, it was an amazing game, and the German national team played spectacularly. Tough loss.

Anyway, I'm again struck by how seriously the rest of the world treats football-soccer. It's astonishing how one game can send an entire country into a frenzy of hysteria and another into collective depression. We don't have any thing close in comparison in the States. Our most rabid sports tendencies don't come close to what they feel in Europe. As awesome as that is, it makes you yearn that this zeal would be redirected toward the Lord.

Reflections on Ghost Office

Am I completely oblivious? Am I that unobservant? I'm sitting in my office right now totally astonished at what happened to me this morning. I really am at a loss.

So, I pull into campus this morning at my usual ten minutes late, and I walk into a dark and deserted office. Interesting, I thought. Well, I figured that there were probably so many people taking the day off (with tomorrow being the 4th and all) that I had beaten everyone else there that morning. So, I continued with my morning rituals. Made me some oatmeal...checked my email.

At about nine o'clock, I realized that I was still the only person in the office. Now, this is weird. I logged on to our campus's messenger service. There was no one logged on. On a campus of over a thousand staff, there was not a single person logged on to the messenger. Did I miss a freakin memo? Did the rapture happen?

I concluded that somehow I missed out on the knowledge that the entire campus would be closed not only on the 4th but today as well. Simply amazing. How did I miss this?!? Anyway, enough of this...I'm going to go home and go back to bed.