Beauty in the simple perspective of a canine.

Consider my little dog Riley. He’s a little rat terrier. A feisty and very energetic little creature. He is lovable and needy.

I have been teaching him the concept of action/reaction. Bad behavior warrants punishment. Good behavior, well, it opens several doors He is now trained to stay on the carpet area, which rests on the cusp of the dinning and kitchen area. Though the scents coming from the kitchen cause him to stumble and disobey the boundaries set forth he knows what obedience means. But he’s a dog! You say, oh trust me he knows.

His master will reward him sometimes when he remains in the carpet area without coming into the kitchen and getting underfoot. There are other times he does not receive any approval because that’s expected behavior. Other times he will get punished if he does not obey what is expected of him.

All he knows with that specific rule is that he is expected to obey. His master may say “well done” and reward him in the form of a treat. Other times his master may not even acknowledge his obedience because he expects him to obey (we are still talking about Riley- the dog- here). When he is not obedient well he knows that something is coming.

Hope you guys are still with me here.

The other day I came home and found that he had torn through a package of cookies and left the wrapper everywhere in the living room. He knew he had done something wrong not because his master acknowledged it but because he knew!

His ears were folded behind the back of his neck and his tail tucked between his legs indicated that he was ashamed of his wrongdoing. But here’s the part I love. He came crawling to the master begging to be held. I wasn’t sure if he wanted to avoid punishment or receive grace (probably both).  I knelt down and sternly whispered “Nooooooo”. All I had to do next was point down the hall. He knew that for the next 30 minutes his tiny cage would be his quarters where he would think about the wrong committed. This dog is quite the feeler man. He doesn’t need spankings; in fact physical discipline has proven to incite him to be more violent- who knows, short man complex.

You may roll your eyes and think it would be even silly to consider that little canine is capable of knowing right from wrong or having a conscience, and you may be right.

I don’t know if he has any type of what we would call “feeling” but he does know his master’s voice and his master touch. He wants to please his master. He wants to be in his favor. It kills him to hurt his master or for his master to be mad at him.

I don’t know, I guess I just like the little lesson here. Are we obedient to our master? Do we want to please him and not be ashamed to come to him? Do we turn to him when we mess up? Do we want to make him smile? Can our master love us more than he already does?

One of those little observations where I got to sit back and thank Our Father for setting standards. Expecting us to obey them. Loving us in spite of our failures yet at the same time being just when we do disobey.

Praise him for his goodness. Even when he refines you in His refiner’s fire.

My Way

My Way

Allow me to recall one of the songs that epitomize our self-love and infatuation with everything “me”.  It was written by Paul Anka in 1968 and popularized by Frank Sinatra. However though written a generation ago the taste and the feel ring true to the reality we seem to have created.   The idea of Sinatra’s song is that I did what I wanted to do and even though sometimes I messed up, tough! I’m not apologizing for any of it.  The last verse in the song sings

:“what is a man, what has he got?   If not himself, then he has naught.  To say the things he truly feels; And not the words of one who kneels. The record shows I took the blows - And did it my way!

 It only makes sense; I can trust the path I create because I created it.

I don’t want to expose my observations and thoughts onto a secular outlet because for one no one wants to address this “reality” we are so cozy in. Besides, most of us would claim that this wave of pride and self-satisfaction is unduly spotlighted or some would claim such phenomena don’t even exist. “It is what it is and how it should be” they say.

Drawing from the words of the brilliant mind of Albert Einstein “If you are out to seek truth, leave elegance at the door”. Let me speak very candidly when I say I have no elegance in my words, nor do I have any elegance in my thought process but as Mr.  Einstein suggested I do want to seek truth. I will share with you as direct and concise as I can.  

The Bible is the word of God. It details the story of God’s progress of redemption from the origins of life to the foretelling of His Second Coming where every man that ever lived will be judged according to his deeds.  It tells us of  how man severed a relationship with God by disobeying him and thus requiring punishment with the intent of restoring and making right the wrong committed. Read Romans 1:18-2:16

Since that first wrong committed, God has given us plenty of opportunities to restore that relationship with Him and we failed each time. God is Holy and He has commanded us to be like him, so how is it possible to uphold so high a standard?   The Bible shows us ways of how to live a Holy and blameless life and yet we still fail. In order for us to be able to have any kind of a fighting chance to “do good”, we need to find a way to find favor in a God whom we have betrayed. Bearing in mind that we cannot do anything to restore the wrong committed the only conclusion is that we need help

We need help. Let me say that again, we need help. Before I start feeling good after watching that Disney movie that reminds me  yet again to “follow my heart”  or to just cross my arms and cry if I want to because after all it is MY party, let me sit on it for a second  and look at this objectively.

Do we sincerely believe that if we follow our hearts or that if we all do things “My Way” we will be happier?  How about satisfied or accomplished? Do we think that we will be happier, satisfied or accomplished? Seriously, answer that for me. 

Now consider this with me; the current number of people on planet Earth according to www.geohive.com   is  6,737,873,802. Now I’m not entirely sure how empirically accurate that number is but let’s just say that for the sake of argument we can easily say that Earth is comprised of 6.7 billion people. Allow 6.7 billion people to follow their heart.  Independently of what their heart may be filled with, have each one remove any prior thought, and any notion of traditions or laws or customs. Let’s all follow our heart. Would our Planet be different? Would it be fair to live by the rule of  “to each his own”?

Before we laugh it off or are perplexed by the notion of   6.7 million living for what they want or for even what they want to want let’s examine ourselves. As believers we have been doing exactly that for quite some time now. We read our Bibles and we say “hmm I like that verse or that chapter”  or “that parable or that principle” and in doing so we become pickers and choosers of what we like to apply and what sounds right and feels right. I mean if we can chapter and verse it must be scriptural right? Let me even go a little bit further. If I chapter and verse it then it must make me more, and I say this very carefully, it makes me more spiritual right?

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on ladies and Gentlemen. Whose word is this?  What was the purpose of God’s word?  We ought to think about what the purpose of God’s word is. Knowing what God’s Word is and what it says is paramount for its proper understanding, application and instruction.  

There are some rules and guidelines that need to be applied when reading such precious, and at times confusing, text and I’m not the most indicated person to spell those guidelines for you. I do want to reiterate that the whole Bible in its FULL CONTEXT is capable of being its own commentary on itself. The Bible will harmonize with itself and it will never contradict itself.  Therefore not only is it true but it is also reliable.

            If we say we believe in the Word of God and we claim that we love the Lord and we agree with the Psalmist that the book of the law is sweeter than honey from the comb lets attempt to understand it. The Bible is indeed sweet and it is indeed precious in value. It is full of instruction and promises but it is also filled with warnings and commandments. Let’s be humble in our approach as we take in what we are reading and let’s eliminate doing things “our way”. We will find that we will have to reconsider many ideas we had before actually sitting down and truly reading what the “good book” says. However, in doing so, you will be blessed and encouraged and will grow in truth and will be armed for battle. Not a bad return for your investment now is it?

 

            …Please be on the lookout for  “brothers in arms”, “watch your mouth” and “got beef? Settle it right”.

Tianjin, China - My humble take

It has been nearly two weeks now since our return from China and I’ve had plenty of time let the experience soak in.

Among all the sights and smells, cultural nuances, customs, mannerisms, styles and way of life altogether the thing that impacted me the most took place internally.

I could sit here and write about what a kick I got of the chaotic flow of traffic that boasted of driving lanes shared with passengers, pedestrians and bicycles in a near perfect harmony. I could also tell you about the intriguing resting pose of many as you could see “retailers” and common folk “resters” take their little break by squatting as if sitting or hovering over their heels. Some of these fellas were even napping! Though I imagine such muscles have been developed during a lifetime, the staggering amount of leg strength required to develop such muscles is most impressive. Sure, I wasn’t in Tianjin, China for the Olympics but man!!

I loved being able to see Mom and Mark in their purest form. Whether on the bike weathering the influx of traffic darting in and out from all angles in all shapes and sizes (remember cars, bikes and people share the road) to sharing the good news in its simplest form to those who have never heard.

Pollution is not a culturally exclusive phenomenon to Tianjin, so I wasn’t disappointed, frustrated, or agitated by the prevalence of it. It was a dead issue. So I guess there is no real need to expaciate on that one (look mom I used it right!)

I really enjoyed playing the tourist role as Bethany and I unabashedly paraded our western selves around the souvenir-loaded, haggle-friendly, hot spots of Tianjin. However even these remarkable brain-weary negotiations that could take a good 15 minutes per item though an immediate highlight of the trip were not the most meaningful thing I flew away with.

So yeah, let me get on with it!!!!!! ----- what I learned about China is that besides its thousands of rice fields and vast farming countryside the most important harvest of all is ready to be picked. Please note that I am extremely humbled as I write this because I have been so moved by the people of Tianjin and their way of life that I have been challenged to rethink or re-strategize my approach to sharing the gospel altogether. Let me explain.

(I know tons of articles, books, journal entries and publications have already been written about this, but here is my take - overly simplistic but my take nonetheless …. )

A lot of bad things can be said about Communism, but I will not even try to make this is a political piece. My mind takes snapshots of life, chews on them and then regurgitates the incoming data into a simple form where I can learn a life lesson from it. With that in mind let me just tell you that one thing I learned or witnessed was that the mind numbing propaganda and media controlled society has mightily affected the entry and propagation of the Gospel. Think about it, you are accustomed to living as a machine and your life is limited to simply existing, working (or trying to make a living) for your country to make her great. At an individual level you cling to the hopes and dreams that your kids get a good enough education (in an extremely competitive educational system) that will land them a good enough career to support you and themselves, their wife and their one child (under the one-child policy). One must understand that the prospects to this outlook can become pretty mundane and in turn a mindless, asinine, vacuous existence. If you are a machine working for the greater good that is Papa Government then your only true hope is surviving. Bearing that in mind think about the implications the Good News could (and does) have on such a culture?!?!??!!?

You tell someone that they have been created long enough they start believing you. Even though you and I (us westerners I mean) know that that, creation, is a fact (more to come on that one). If you are created then the Creator had a purpose in mind when he created you. Do you understand what this means to a person that has, up to this point just been surviving this thing we call life? It means several things.

1) If I am created, my life is not my own.
2) If I am created I have a purpose. Because if someone creates something he has a purpose for his creation no?
3) If I am created my life has meaning because I am a created being.
4) If I am created, what then should I live for now ? or for whom should I live for?

I am not just a survivor anymore. There is a reason for all of this!

Brothers and Sisters is this not exciting? Do you not see that China is ready to hear, receive and accept the Gospel? (Which already has been for years – I don’t presume to be unveiling anything new) Do you realize why they are more ready/open to the Good News than say a culture that doesn’t really need a God anymore?

What this meant for me is that I ought to simplify my life more. I have had a renewed awareness and strengthened passion to be counter-cultural, at least here in the United States. That means give up distractions that can easily become stumbling blocks. There is a movement in Spain among young adults called "contracorriente" (lit. means against the current) which too is also something worth getting excited about. To me it means using my time for more productive things like studying the Bible more and meditating on it as well as spending more time in prayer. That means that many habits need to change, starting with time management. Cable is out, Netflix subscription is reduced, internet time must take a substantial cut, and money spending ought to be directed into more kingdom-building activies. Sharing a meal with those who have not heard maybe, or spending my time hanging out with real life people again! Jesus and his life and his truth would then begin to re-conquer my heart as I empty myself of those “distractions”. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us: “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” I like what English Standard Version has to say “lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely.”

Please pray for me that this not be a “church camp” experience but that it will serve as a turn around the corner with a better understanding of complete abandonment and sacrificial giving of myself to those who need to hear about Jesus the Christ, the Son of God the Creator.

Soon I plan to write more about the blessing and refreshment of meeting my new brother and sister,Murphy and Nichole, and what they mean to my life as well as the “English Corner” experience and the meeting of the University students.

For now let me leave you with this sugary love song I have dedidated to my precious wife given the context. Hope you too can enjoy!

What to expect here

Hello friends,

A few months (September 2007 to be excact) ago I decided to create a blog unsure of what the nature of it would be. From time to time I get very analytical and ponder on several issues that I believe demand our attention. Those issues span from the implication of what we believe about certain biblical topics. These topics may include the thing like what Genesis meant when it read "In the beginning", or understanding the finality of absolute statements in the Bible like "As it written" or "Thus says the Lord" or " It is finished". I also would like to consider the early Church in Acts and what the heart of their ministry was and how they intentionally carried out Jesus' last instructions/promises including the need for a Holy Spirit. I have also set out to present my humble defense for the authority and historical accuracy of the Bible as well as the confirmation of Jesus as our only hope. This one is gonna step on some toes right out of the gate but I am willing to set out to prove, that Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven (Bible being my primary resource). Not only because the Bible says so but because ..... well for many reasons. You'll see, I'm especially excited about this one.

Yeah I know, hot topics! I believe they have been hot topics for far too long and that have been left to the Christian scholars to figure out and for our evangelical heavyweights to explain. I suggest we take to heart the Good Book that has been passed down to us over the past 2,000 or so, and study it. What is the Word of God telling us? Let's be careful to read those translations that have been translated from the original texts and not the most recent cultural-friendly ones. I suggest we use one of thsese: KJV, NIV, NAS maybe even NLT or ESV. Though The Message is exciting as well as maybe other versions I humbly ask that we discuss these topics stemming from versions closer to the greek and hebrew manuscripts.

Phew! so I put it out there. Now you have it; now you have a clear idea of what to expect, look forward to, or ignore. All are viable courses of action or inaction and my feelings will not be hurt, I promise. Seriously guys, at the end of the day these are my thoughts grounded in what the BIBLE has to tell us and what my exegetical findings show. These thoughts have absolutely nothing to do with what I feel or what I think or even what I believe to be held as truth. The Bible is TRUE independent of a what I perceive cognitively,what I feel in my heart or even what I sense in my spirit.

Let this blog serve as a thought-provoking, self-examining, discussion-prompting and sometimes even emotionally provocative slice of your time surfing around the murky waters of our beloved web.

Let's talk about the issues, opinions, ideas, principles or topics that are presented. Just like one of my favorite professors in college once said "Can we do that?"

The only thing I ask when commenting on an issue is that you limit your thoughts or opinions to a maximum of 2 inches of screen space (to all those English majors I don't know how much of a word count that would be) regardless of the font or format you use. Though I am willing to put myself out there and am ready to receive criticism and disagreements, let your conversation be void of any bad language, misleading tangents and defamatory remarks or ideas. However, please bring on the discussion!