take with a grain of salt

Typically, my ramblings on the sports world aren't found here. If you are really interested in my point of view then tap into the phone conversations between my brother and I. They are a real treat. Secretly we dreamed on doing sports radio together, but thus far our dream is yet to become a reality. We can't find anyone that interested in listening to our musings about everything sports. I think they'll come around eventually.

The real point I wanted to make today revolved around the Phillies signing of Cliff Lee. As a lifelong (only 24 years compared to my dad) Phillies fan, I spent a good part of today rationalizing the signing and giggling like a boy at the thought of a Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hamels rotation. From a baseball perspective, it's borderline inconceivable. Philadelphia is not supposed to experience this kind of euphoria from their teams, especially the Phillies.

As I listened to sports radio at work, I kept hearing about Lee leaving money "on the table" in order to return to the Phillies. To be fair, he is making $120 million over the next 5 or 6 years. There is no threat to his overall well being by taking "less" money. However, I still give the guy credit.

Not many athletes will sacrifice money for anything, even winning. Yesterday's athletes might have, but not today's. They are too pampered, glorified, and, even, worshiped to say no when someone "shows them the money!" (see Jason Werth for an example) Lee chose to head to a place where he could use his very skilled talents to help a team win. He didn't want a stage where everyone could see him. While this will inevitably happen, the guy simply wants to play with a group of players dedicated to winning. I see nothing wrong with that. In the today's world of sports, I actually find it somewhat respectable. It is a breath of fresh air, if you will, in this stale, self-glorifying microcosm of society.

what did he say?

I was absent from my home church this morning due to my niece's baptism. In the sermon the phrase "put the 'Herod' back in Christmas" ushered from the lips of God's servant. My ears perked up almost instantly.

Typically we hear people talking about putting Christ back into Christmas instead of "replacing" Him with a subtle X. (Personally I see no problem with the X because long before people used it to "remove" Christ, X was understood to be an abbreviation for "chi," which stands for Christ in Greek. The X simply made copying easier for the scribes in the olden days. I actually find the use of the X in today's culture to be rather ironic. God must chuckle when we do things like this with the mindset that somehow we have finally fooled Him. Ah, the foolishness of man.) Anyways, putting Herod back into Christmas seems awfully close to heresy or some other gross error. He was a wicked tyrant who killed multiple members of his own family in order to preserve his kingship. Why would a tyrant be an important piece to remember in the Christmas story (and the redemption story at that)?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. ~Isaiah 9:6-7

One sentence interpretation: Jesus Christ came, lived, left, and will come again as King, the only King. Matthew tells us that Herod knew this. He decision to put to death all males born in Bethlehem was a reaction of terror and fear. He feared the One "born king of the Jews." This King would overthrow Herod before Herod knew what hit him. Obviously, Jesus did not lead a revolt against the established authority, but He did something much greater. He life, death, and resurrection placed Him as King over all of creation once and for all, subsequently declaring every earthly authority utterly powerless against Him.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2:9-11

This King is the one born to a virgin and placed in an animal's feeding trough. To an extent our reaction should equal Herod's. Our hearts should tremble at the coming of this King. He may seem weak, but the Bible is clear about His absolute sovereignty over all creation (see Colossians 1:15-20). This includes the lives of both those who submit and rebel against Him. For those who submit, how much of your life do you allow Christ to reign over, all or parts? He's not a King who shares authority, but demands all of it. He is deserves that much considering who He is AND all that He has done for His rebellious people. For those who rebel, would you rather submit to His Kingship now or when you have no other choice? As stated by Paul in the above passage, all will recognize His Kingship. It's simply a matter of when.

So in this Christmas season, let us rejoice that Immanuel (God with us) has come. We no longer must live under the yoke of sin and slavery. Let us also confess where Christ is not King in our hearts and start living as if He was. Then let us rejoice because His Kingdom is forever, and He is a good, gracious, and loving King.

an early Christmas present

I received a present in the mail from a friend I made over the course of last school year. This particular gentlemen is a retired educator who spent last year as a volunteer in my classroom. His original purpose was to aid in whatever ways I needed throughout the day. By the end of the year, he was running small groups or working one-on-one with students who needed some extra help and attention. As rigorous as last year was, his presence made the days easier, if even by only a small margin.

As the year progressed, his activity picked up as well as his pen. He would document various episodes which occurred (both good and bad), type them up, and give them for me to read over. I think he wanted me to read it for pleasure, but I liked to use them as an informal observation of how I handled things in my classroom, both positively and negatively. Sometimes I would come away challenged, while others times encouraged by my progress. It was another unexpected blessing God gave me as I labored through each day.

Well, my friend decided to take all his documents and transpose them into a memoir of sorts. I believe his hope was to aid educators near and far by providing a glimpse into a specific classroom. The final result is roughly 150 pages of the journey my students and I went on last year. Some of the chapters revolved around my interactions with them, while others are more isolated to particular students. I am looking forward to bringing this book along with my to India as a pleasant stroll down one of the hardest years of my life (to this point).

If you would like to borrow it at some point, I can lend it out. If you would like to purchase it for yourself (yup, I figured I would help him advertise) look for The Village of Poe by Clifton Dwight Edwards. Hopefully, it can be a blessing to all who read it. I know it will be one for me.

the study of God

(from the preface to Knowing God by J.I. Packer)

...ignorance of God-ignorance both of his ways and of the practice of communion with him-lies at the root of much of the church's weaknesses today (p.12).

(and his one-sentence solution)

The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls Father (p.17)

Where am I ignorant, indifferent, or simply uninterested when it comes to God?

bear witness

On this, the 2nd week of the advent season, portions of John 1 were read to remind us of John the Baptist's involvement in the coming of Christ. A verse I read maybe hundreds of times over jumped out at me as I listened this morning.

He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. ~John 1:8

John had one purpose during the time gifted him by God: bear witness to Christ. He wasn't there to start a revolution or gain a following. His very words to the religious folk around him was a testament to that truth.

I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord" ~John 1:23

What jumped out at me was my general attitude towards my purpose as a follower of Christ. Jesus does tell His followers that they are "the light of the world." We are called to let our light shine to those around us so they "may see our good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Unfortunately, my pride tends to place me in the position of the source of that light. I think I am the one who is shining instead of the indwelling Spirit. I need an attitude like that of John the Baptist.

I am expected to bear witness to the light. When it is faithfully shining through me, I give the credit to the Spirit for I know what I am capable of in my own strength. I don't shine forth in order to hear the praises of men or ignite a cause to take the world by storm. I shine to glorify the name of Jesus Christ. I shine to see Him gain the praises of men and take this world by storm.

here comes the bride

I have the privilege and blessing to be a part of the wedding celebration for a close friend this weekend. Tonight is the rehearsal with the actual ceremony being tomorrow afternoon. I used to be impartial to weddings. I knew I would enjoy celebrating, but I never had much anticipation heading into them (besides when the couple was family and/or close friends). Now I look forward to each and every one I get to be involved in, whether as a member of the bridal party or one of the guests. Some of it has to do with the couple, but most of it centers around the beautiful picture of what awaits those who are in Christ Jesus.

"Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;

it was granted to her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure..."

And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb."

~Revelation 19:6-9

One day the Bride of Christ (the Church) will finally be ready for her wedding day. Until then, we continue to make ourselves ready by working out our salvation through the power of the Spirit. On that day, we will be in full reality what we already are (because of Jesus Christ) before the throne of God: bright and pure. All of our imperfections will be removed completely. We will be the immaculate bride dressed in white. Our groom will be Jesus Christ ready to usher us into His presence for all of eternity.

Weddings on earth provide a glimpse into our hope. We see the establishment of an everlasting covenant, joyful celebrating, reuniting with friends from long ago, worshiping of God, the presentation of a bride, and so much more. It should cause us to sit on the edge of seats and long for the day when we will be united forever with our Groom who gave Himself up for us.

new and improved

I got sick of the design for my blog. It was a bit dull and unattractive. Unfortunately, my colorblindness limits my creativity, but this should suffice. The background picture is one I took in Utah. It is the dry ground right before the rain. I loved the exposed earth with veins spreading everywhere. Then, when the rain comes the earth soaks it in with every ounce of strength it has left.

I want that depiction to be my view towards Christ. I am the dry, rain deprived earth. Regardless of how often I am spending intimate time with Him, I always want room for more. Given my upcoming winter plans (and every day for the rest of my life), I pray what David prayed in Psalm 63 everyday.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.