Okay...My lovely wife did this some time ago, and got some great suggestions in return. I thought I could try the same because I'm excited about the kinds of books that Luke is getting into, and Christmas is coming up - a great time for books. For me, books are about the only gift that I ever consistently feel I can make personal. Though Lindley has done most of the book shopping with her dad and sister for the last several years, and though she still may get the lion's share of this, with good communication, we will try to get a few books from outside of that trip.
Therefore, allow me to share with you some books that I like, some books that I would like to consider, and ask for your feedback. Of course, you can always make suggestions that aren't my list as well.
My favorites that we have or that have already made it to this year's Christmas list:
A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan
Duck in a Truck by Jez Alborough
The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz - this one can really only be read in October and November
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
The Pencil Alan Ahlberg - I've only read this one once, but it was great!
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems - I've only heard this one read once, but it was great
I fairly confident that I'm forgetting a couple of biggies and will add them if I think of them later
Books I would like to consider and would appreciate feedback on if you have read them:
Harold and The Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
Time to Say Please by Mo Willems
I would appreciate feedback and comments on the above or others that are good for a 3-4 year old.
Thanks!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Poem
"I'm Right"
Standing across from a very dull wit,
I’m surely unsure and decide now to sit.
The world went changing twenty times ‘round us,
Yet he won’t budge nor move lest hit by a bus.
WAKE UP YOU YOUNG CUSS! Can’t you see the guise?
Be ye still so stubborn, you can’t change your mind?
I beg you to budge, to alter your ways.
If not you will stagnate, and stay just the same!
Though I wish now for things to be clearer,
‘Tis right…I’m sitting ‘fore me in the mirror.
Standing across from a very dull wit,
I’m surely unsure and decide now to sit.
The world went changing twenty times ‘round us,
Yet he won’t budge nor move lest hit by a bus.
WAKE UP YOU YOUNG CUSS! Can’t you see the guise?
Be ye still so stubborn, you can’t change your mind?
I beg you to budge, to alter your ways.
If not you will stagnate, and stay just the same!
Though I wish now for things to be clearer,
‘Tis right…I’m sitting ‘fore me in the mirror.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
When it comes to love, today's American society focuses on two things:
1. Falling in love
2. Growing old together
It seems that being there for your spouse used to be easier. That's easy when you grew up in a loving family - generally sheltered from any spousal problems. It's easy when you're young and energetic. It's easy when you don't have children pulling you in their direction all day, or when your job doesn't require more of you than your family should allow. Actually, what used to be easy was being romantic - holding hands, eating out, going around the world, date night. What I still needed to learn was how to love.
I needed to learn that it was more than just being romantic. Love was putting other lusts aside, it was cherishing her for who she was, it was loving God so much that I wanted her to grow in his love too. The basic premise of the book The Sacred Marriage is that marriage is a tool that God uses to bring us closer to him. And, when you really delve into it, we can be superbly blessed by a Godly marriage by more than just happiness. For me, God did chose to use marriage to make me happy. He showed me satisfaction and happiness that I probably never would have found if it wasn't for Lindley. That said, he's given us much more than this: peace through each other, friendship, love, and most importantly he's been using it to bring us closer to him. For years, we went our own direction, but now he's using us to sharpen eachother.
So, back to my original point...what about the times inbetween falling in love and growing old together. What happens with all of the aforementioned distractions? Fight to still be romantic: fly around the world, give flowers, offer compliments, listen even when you don't want to. Recognize that this isn't your spouse's fault either. It may be frustrating, but there is rarely a time when it is completely black or white. So, I will leave you with a poem written by a man in love. He and his wife had many children, suffered miscarriages, his famed wit required him to travel to entertain kings, but through all of this, these two still knew to love even through the rough times. Therefore, do the same. Take 100% responsibility for what you can do in your marriage, and don't let go of the love. Grow old together by loving each other. This is John Donne's "The Sun Rising:"
Busy old fool, unruly Sun,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?
Must to thy motions lovers' seasons run?
Saucy pedantic wretch, go chide
Late schoolboys, and sour prentices,
Go tell court-huntsmen that the king will ride,
Call country ants to harvest offices,
Love, all alike, no season knows, nor clime,
Nor hours, days, months, which are the rags of time.
Thy beams, so reverend and strong
Why shouldst thou think?
I could eclipse and cloud them with a wink,
But that I would not lose her sight so long:
If her eyes have not blinded thine,
Look, and tomorrow late, tell me
Whether both th' Indias of spice and mine
Be where thou leftst them, or lie here with me.
Ask for those kings whom thou saw'st yesterday,
And thou shalt hear: "All here in one bed lay."
She is all states, and all princes I,
Nothing else is.
Princes do but play us; compar'd to this,
All honour's mimic, all wealth alchemy.
Thou, sun, art half as happy 's we,
In that the world's contracted thus;
Thine age asks ease, and since thy duties be
To warm the world, that's done in warming us.
Shine here to us, and thou art everywhere;
This bed thy centre is, these walls, thy sphere.
1. Falling in love
2. Growing old together
It seems that being there for your spouse used to be easier. That's easy when you grew up in a loving family - generally sheltered from any spousal problems. It's easy when you're young and energetic. It's easy when you don't have children pulling you in their direction all day, or when your job doesn't require more of you than your family should allow. Actually, what used to be easy was being romantic - holding hands, eating out, going around the world, date night. What I still needed to learn was how to love.
I needed to learn that it was more than just being romantic. Love was putting other lusts aside, it was cherishing her for who she was, it was loving God so much that I wanted her to grow in his love too. The basic premise of the book The Sacred Marriage is that marriage is a tool that God uses to bring us closer to him. And, when you really delve into it, we can be superbly blessed by a Godly marriage by more than just happiness. For me, God did chose to use marriage to make me happy. He showed me satisfaction and happiness that I probably never would have found if it wasn't for Lindley. That said, he's given us much more than this: peace through each other, friendship, love, and most importantly he's been using it to bring us closer to him. For years, we went our own direction, but now he's using us to sharpen eachother.
So, back to my original point...what about the times inbetween falling in love and growing old together. What happens with all of the aforementioned distractions? Fight to still be romantic: fly around the world, give flowers, offer compliments, listen even when you don't want to. Recognize that this isn't your spouse's fault either. It may be frustrating, but there is rarely a time when it is completely black or white. So, I will leave you with a poem written by a man in love. He and his wife had many children, suffered miscarriages, his famed wit required him to travel to entertain kings, but through all of this, these two still knew to love even through the rough times. Therefore, do the same. Take 100% responsibility for what you can do in your marriage, and don't let go of the love. Grow old together by loving each other. This is John Donne's "The Sun Rising:"
Busy old fool, unruly Sun,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?
Must to thy motions lovers' seasons run?
Saucy pedantic wretch, go chide
Late schoolboys, and sour prentices,
Go tell court-huntsmen that the king will ride,
Call country ants to harvest offices,
Love, all alike, no season knows, nor clime,
Nor hours, days, months, which are the rags of time.
Thy beams, so reverend and strong
Why shouldst thou think?
I could eclipse and cloud them with a wink,
But that I would not lose her sight so long:
If her eyes have not blinded thine,
Look, and tomorrow late, tell me
Whether both th' Indias of spice and mine
Be where thou leftst them, or lie here with me.
Ask for those kings whom thou saw'st yesterday,
And thou shalt hear: "All here in one bed lay."
She is all states, and all princes I,
Nothing else is.
Princes do but play us; compar'd to this,
All honour's mimic, all wealth alchemy.
Thou, sun, art half as happy 's we,
In that the world's contracted thus;
Thine age asks ease, and since thy duties be
To warm the world, that's done in warming us.
Shine here to us, and thou art everywhere;
This bed thy centre is, these walls, thy sphere.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Super Long Blog - Go Grab a Cup of Coffee
I have only lived in one country other than the United States of America, and that was only for 4-5 months as a college student. I have not seen first hand atrocities committed in some nations, or fearmongering that dominates others. I have not experienced first hand the liberties upheld in many other countries that encourage creativity, art and expression, or that provide education exceedingly well.
What I do know is that God has blessed me to live in the United States. Most people see the blessing of being an American as a wealth issue, and that would be true if I believed that God put much credence in wordly wealth. But blessings that God has given me through my country come from other areas: the freedom to vote, the freedom to practice life as a Christian without fear of significant persecution, the ability to choose how to educate my children, and many other similar areas that I take for granted.
But this blog is not about the greatness of the United States of America because, though we have freedoms, we also have flaws. One of these flaws is our history of slavery. A related flaw is our history of racism. And a final related flaw – see a theme here – is modern racism.
Now, all three of these areas have very different levels of atrocity that I won't expound upon in great detail. As I am not a minority, I do not have enough experience to speak to the modern day racism – most of my experience is anecdotal. As I am not African American old enough to have a relative that was a slave, or that lived through the historical racism that occurred post-abolition and during the civil rights movement; I do not have enough experience to speak to those areas either. So, I will not dwell any more on this than to note that today my eyes were opened to the fact that modern day racism is a completely different topic than when civil liberties were prevented just 35 and sometimes fewere years ago.
So, why all of this today? Well, you may have guessed: our nation experienced the first moment yesterday that made me truly proud of our country in a few years. I’m afraid that by writing this statement, I may mislead you to think that I, out of all my wisdom, voted for Barack Obama as president. I did not – and that is hard to say as I fear that someone, other than my wife, may read this post. I always try to keep my political decisions very close to the vest. But, as a dutiful blogger, it is my obligation to fully disclose that I voted for John McCain. I gave strong consideration to voting for Obama merely because of the importance it should hold for our country not only to the African American community, but for the nation as a whole. Though for a large, important piece of our country, that one issue was the only issue; for me it was one of many. Fiscally, I believed in other philosophies; socially I was divided on issues; and regarding Iraq, I disagree with the initial exit strategies I heard. Therefore, it wasn’t enough to swing my vote. (Okay, I apologize, but the lawyers made me use this paragraph.)
But I realize that, as even one who did not vote for President-Elect Obama swells with pride, this one issue may not be the only issue for some people because it concerns race, but may be the only issue for many because it is transcendent. Minorities that once thought that we were 25 or more years away from electing an African American president, can now see that it is possible to move forward today. When Charlie is 4 years old, and possibly 8, he will only know a history that includes a black president. Luke will likely only remember one president at that point in his life too. This is only a small step to overcome inequalities that exist in our nation, but it is a step that is affecting and molding millions of young Americans.
I listened to both McCain and Obama speak last night – after the race had been decided. These were two outstanding Americans that made me appreciate the decision our country made. True, Obama said what needed to be said about working across party lines, and you may or may not believe it. What I do believe is that this is a man that will lead the way he is convicted rather than where the party dictates. At least I can’t think of any strong liberal democratic leaders to whom he owes this victory. (I am not oblivious to the fact that his philosophies are quite liberal themselves, but hear me out.)
Currently, he has changed 86 electorates votes (and I believe NC will go his way too which will bring that tally up to 101) from red to blue – about 19%. This represents votes where Americans were not concerned with voting one party or the other, but were voting on issues. I am hopeful that this will be a new era in politics. Not an era where Newt Gingrich or Nancy Pelosi spout about how the other party created this nations problems, but one where we can address individual issues on their merits rather than on their party.
President-Elect Obama and I disagree on a great number of issues, and I imagine he will make decisions and lead the nation in directions that makes me cringe. But, Franklyn Delano Roosevelt made decisions that horrified the nation too. Do you recall the “fascistic and socialistic” New Deal policies including the Social Security Act, the FDIC, the Agricultural Adjustment Act, the Emergency Banking Relief Act the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal Securities Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the nationalization of gold (which would absolutely appall me)? These are largely seen as acts that helped sustain our nation until WWII finally pulled us out of the financial crisis.
Therefore, though I may cringe, I believe that we have a man that will truly lead, and I am thrilled to see that our country has proven that we know we can be led by a person regardless of his race. Congratulations President-Elect Obama, and we will be praying for you as our leader.
THE END
What I do know is that God has blessed me to live in the United States. Most people see the blessing of being an American as a wealth issue, and that would be true if I believed that God put much credence in wordly wealth. But blessings that God has given me through my country come from other areas: the freedom to vote, the freedom to practice life as a Christian without fear of significant persecution, the ability to choose how to educate my children, and many other similar areas that I take for granted.
But this blog is not about the greatness of the United States of America because, though we have freedoms, we also have flaws. One of these flaws is our history of slavery. A related flaw is our history of racism. And a final related flaw – see a theme here – is modern racism.
Now, all three of these areas have very different levels of atrocity that I won't expound upon in great detail. As I am not a minority, I do not have enough experience to speak to the modern day racism – most of my experience is anecdotal. As I am not African American old enough to have a relative that was a slave, or that lived through the historical racism that occurred post-abolition and during the civil rights movement; I do not have enough experience to speak to those areas either. So, I will not dwell any more on this than to note that today my eyes were opened to the fact that modern day racism is a completely different topic than when civil liberties were prevented just 35 and sometimes fewere years ago.
So, why all of this today? Well, you may have guessed: our nation experienced the first moment yesterday that made me truly proud of our country in a few years. I’m afraid that by writing this statement, I may mislead you to think that I, out of all my wisdom, voted for Barack Obama as president. I did not – and that is hard to say as I fear that someone, other than my wife, may read this post. I always try to keep my political decisions very close to the vest. But, as a dutiful blogger, it is my obligation to fully disclose that I voted for John McCain. I gave strong consideration to voting for Obama merely because of the importance it should hold for our country not only to the African American community, but for the nation as a whole. Though for a large, important piece of our country, that one issue was the only issue; for me it was one of many. Fiscally, I believed in other philosophies; socially I was divided on issues; and regarding Iraq, I disagree with the initial exit strategies I heard. Therefore, it wasn’t enough to swing my vote. (Okay, I apologize, but the lawyers made me use this paragraph.)
But I realize that, as even one who did not vote for President-Elect Obama swells with pride, this one issue may not be the only issue for some people because it concerns race, but may be the only issue for many because it is transcendent. Minorities that once thought that we were 25 or more years away from electing an African American president, can now see that it is possible to move forward today. When Charlie is 4 years old, and possibly 8, he will only know a history that includes a black president. Luke will likely only remember one president at that point in his life too. This is only a small step to overcome inequalities that exist in our nation, but it is a step that is affecting and molding millions of young Americans.
I listened to both McCain and Obama speak last night – after the race had been decided. These were two outstanding Americans that made me appreciate the decision our country made. True, Obama said what needed to be said about working across party lines, and you may or may not believe it. What I do believe is that this is a man that will lead the way he is convicted rather than where the party dictates. At least I can’t think of any strong liberal democratic leaders to whom he owes this victory. (I am not oblivious to the fact that his philosophies are quite liberal themselves, but hear me out.)
Currently, he has changed 86 electorates votes (and I believe NC will go his way too which will bring that tally up to 101) from red to blue – about 19%. This represents votes where Americans were not concerned with voting one party or the other, but were voting on issues. I am hopeful that this will be a new era in politics. Not an era where Newt Gingrich or Nancy Pelosi spout about how the other party created this nations problems, but one where we can address individual issues on their merits rather than on their party.
President-Elect Obama and I disagree on a great number of issues, and I imagine he will make decisions and lead the nation in directions that makes me cringe. But, Franklyn Delano Roosevelt made decisions that horrified the nation too. Do you recall the “fascistic and socialistic” New Deal policies including the Social Security Act, the FDIC, the Agricultural Adjustment Act, the Emergency Banking Relief Act the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal Securities Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the nationalization of gold (which would absolutely appall me)? These are largely seen as acts that helped sustain our nation until WWII finally pulled us out of the financial crisis.
Therefore, though I may cringe, I believe that we have a man that will truly lead, and I am thrilled to see that our country has proven that we know we can be led by a person regardless of his race. Congratulations President-Elect Obama, and we will be praying for you as our leader.
THE END
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Silence is Golden...
My first blog eluded to the fact that I really need some type of artistic inspiration to want to write. It just so happens that I go through periods of inspiration, and then I begin forcing my expressions and then just drop the attempt at expression altogether. So, my last 2-3 blogs have been largely uninspired. I cannot say that this changes much from an inspirational perspective, but I do believe that maybe I should write.
Part of my blog-related silence is that I have been largely consumed by thoughts about changing jobs. So, I've been wrapped up in the following series of thoughts over the last few months:
1. Will I get an interview?
2. Will I get another interview?
3. Will they offer me the job?
4. and throughout all that time...Should I take the job, if it's offered?
There are some definite hurdles to overcome, but there are also great opportunities - at least in the short term - at FedEx. So, that led me to question, what is the long-term perspective on both jobs? I don't feel like there were really any major limits on my potential for growth at Marsh, other than the fact that I would have to move to either a hub or our headquarters, if I wanted to get into the kind of job responsibilities that really suit my strengths/minimize my weaknesses.
At FedEx, on the other hand, I'm already at the headquarters. Now, there's no guaranty that someone doesn't think that I need to move in order to move into better role, but the chances are better. Also, I'm really moving into a role that suits my strengths immediately. At Marsh, I was honing skills that weren't natural strengths. So, it was almost a no brainer. Okay, it should have been a no brainer, but for our purposes we will simplify it and say that it was.
I'll be honest, I think that I would have had to move to Charlotte, Atlanta, New York, etc... to really find something that I would have enjoyed long term at Marsh. So, this really opens up some exciting opportunities right away. Now I just need those of you that might happen onto this blog to be praying that things go well. Start date is August 1.
Part of my blog-related silence is that I have been largely consumed by thoughts about changing jobs. So, I've been wrapped up in the following series of thoughts over the last few months:
1. Will I get an interview?
2. Will I get another interview?
3. Will they offer me the job?
4. and throughout all that time...Should I take the job, if it's offered?
There are some definite hurdles to overcome, but there are also great opportunities - at least in the short term - at FedEx. So, that led me to question, what is the long-term perspective on both jobs? I don't feel like there were really any major limits on my potential for growth at Marsh, other than the fact that I would have to move to either a hub or our headquarters, if I wanted to get into the kind of job responsibilities that really suit my strengths/minimize my weaknesses.
At FedEx, on the other hand, I'm already at the headquarters. Now, there's no guaranty that someone doesn't think that I need to move in order to move into better role, but the chances are better. Also, I'm really moving into a role that suits my strengths immediately. At Marsh, I was honing skills that weren't natural strengths. So, it was almost a no brainer. Okay, it should have been a no brainer, but for our purposes we will simplify it and say that it was.
I'll be honest, I think that I would have had to move to Charlotte, Atlanta, New York, etc... to really find something that I would have enjoyed long term at Marsh. So, this really opens up some exciting opportunities right away. Now I just need those of you that might happen onto this blog to be praying that things go well. Start date is August 1.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Life in a nutshell...
Well, frankly, I haven't writtten anything in quite some time for many reasons. (Incidentally, I don't feel like I've written anything good in even longer, but I'm not going to concern myself with that since this is mainly supposed to be an outlet for me!) First, I haven't had much time. Second, I haven't felt any literary creative juices flowing for some time.
I attribute this to two possible excuses. For one, it could be that corporate, clock-in/out environment of which I swore I would never partake. I actually don't really clock in and out, but it still feels about the same. It amazes me, that I truly believe that I could do a better job sitting in Starbucks with my laptop than behind my desk, but that's neither here nor there. The job is still not bad. It's actually quite challenging which I enjoy. I still can be creative. It just is expressed in different ways than I expected earlier in life. So, work is good, but one reason that I am not consistently inspired to write that story, poem, inspirational epiphany, etc....
The second excuse, and one that without doubt affects me, is a lack of sleep. I have always known that good sleep keeps me at the top of my game. I would say that I am not at the top of my game because our newborn, Charlie, doesn't seem to want allow for much of it. It's completely worth it, though! (Since getting married, I have tried to live by the cliche "Work to live. Don't live to work.") Charlie is quite a handsome boy, and, once we get his digestive issues worked out, I think will be a very chill, cool little brother for Luke. I can't wait for his first smile!
So, what is life in a nutshell and why have I not been inspired to write anything?
1. There is work which is, though not what my 18-year old self had planned, not bad just busy, and often requires long days.
2. There is family which is awesome! I couldn't ask for more.
3. There is finishing up the Leadership Academy's "Community Action Plan." For my team, this is a welcome guide to Hispanics in Memphis that lists vital resources in the community, explains how to use them, whether documentation is necessary, whether Spanish is spoken, etc.... I am so glad that I had just learned the life lesson that it's okay to allow other people to run the show. Rachel has done a great job keeping the project going, and I've just gotten to do some fun things like a focus group in Spanish, translations, phone calls to the organizations, translations, proof-reading, explaining the project, etc....
4. There is Nathan Street when work hasn't kept me out.
5. There is the Argentina mission trip planning.
Well, I think you understand my life in a nutshell. Therefore, the blog just wasn't happening. But, at least you know why!
Peace,
I attribute this to two possible excuses. For one, it could be that corporate, clock-in/out environment of which I swore I would never partake. I actually don't really clock in and out, but it still feels about the same. It amazes me, that I truly believe that I could do a better job sitting in Starbucks with my laptop than behind my desk, but that's neither here nor there. The job is still not bad. It's actually quite challenging which I enjoy. I still can be creative. It just is expressed in different ways than I expected earlier in life. So, work is good, but one reason that I am not consistently inspired to write that story, poem, inspirational epiphany, etc....
The second excuse, and one that without doubt affects me, is a lack of sleep. I have always known that good sleep keeps me at the top of my game. I would say that I am not at the top of my game because our newborn, Charlie, doesn't seem to want allow for much of it. It's completely worth it, though! (Since getting married, I have tried to live by the cliche "Work to live. Don't live to work.") Charlie is quite a handsome boy, and, once we get his digestive issues worked out, I think will be a very chill, cool little brother for Luke. I can't wait for his first smile!
So, what is life in a nutshell and why have I not been inspired to write anything?
1. There is work which is, though not what my 18-year old self had planned, not bad just busy, and often requires long days.
2. There is family which is awesome! I couldn't ask for more.
3. There is finishing up the Leadership Academy's "Community Action Plan." For my team, this is a welcome guide to Hispanics in Memphis that lists vital resources in the community, explains how to use them, whether documentation is necessary, whether Spanish is spoken, etc.... I am so glad that I had just learned the life lesson that it's okay to allow other people to run the show. Rachel has done a great job keeping the project going, and I've just gotten to do some fun things like a focus group in Spanish, translations, phone calls to the organizations, translations, proof-reading, explaining the project, etc....
4. There is Nathan Street when work hasn't kept me out.
5. There is the Argentina mission trip planning.
Well, I think you understand my life in a nutshell. Therefore, the blog just wasn't happening. But, at least you know why!
Peace,
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Encouraging verses when you're tired
For any of you new, aspiring or old husbands, I have a little hint for you. Men and women are different. Their needs are met differently. Aaahhh...Now, don't you feel enlightened?!
One of the key differences, on the male side, is that you want to do things to help your wife (girlfriend, etc...) when she needs help. I found myself falling into that trap today. I saw Lindley, exhausted from nursing and never sleeping more than 2-3 hours at a time in order to get Charlie up to birth weight. So, I wanted to help with dinner, get the boys to bed, tidy up (my definition of "tidy up" may not be quite as complete as some of yours), etc....
Now mind you that, since this is a public forum, I would not be posting at all if she had a bad reaction to any of this. She has been sweet and appreciative, but sick and tired...quite literally. Clearly, any "help" by actions wasn't truly helping her needs at all.
To be perfectly honest, I know what I was trying to do and why, but I'm still not exactly sure what really needs to be done to help. I said a quick prayer for her, and then decided that I should remove myself from the equation. So, I just decided that I would let God do the talking. The following verses are what I hope can help:
Psalm 138:3
When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
1 Thes. 3:7
Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Matthew 6:31-33
31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Psalm 21:13
Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.
Psalm 107:8-9
8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 148:1-6
1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. 2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
One of the key differences, on the male side, is that you want to do things to help your wife (girlfriend, etc...) when she needs help. I found myself falling into that trap today. I saw Lindley, exhausted from nursing and never sleeping more than 2-3 hours at a time in order to get Charlie up to birth weight. So, I wanted to help with dinner, get the boys to bed, tidy up (my definition of "tidy up" may not be quite as complete as some of yours), etc....
Now mind you that, since this is a public forum, I would not be posting at all if she had a bad reaction to any of this. She has been sweet and appreciative, but sick and tired...quite literally. Clearly, any "help" by actions wasn't truly helping her needs at all.
To be perfectly honest, I know what I was trying to do and why, but I'm still not exactly sure what really needs to be done to help. I said a quick prayer for her, and then decided that I should remove myself from the equation. So, I just decided that I would let God do the talking. The following verses are what I hope can help:
Psalm 138:3
When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
1 Thes. 3:7
Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Matthew 6:31-33
31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Psalm 21:13
Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.
Psalm 107:8-9
8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 148:1-6
1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. 2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Monday, April 7, 2008
We held our collective breaths...
You know how it is. It's just like when you see that green light ahead of you. Experience tells you that it's going to change first to yellow and then to red. So, you just hold your breath knowing that this is the only way that the light might stay green until you reach the intersection.
That's how I felt about Memphis. Other than a few call-ins to local radio shows, Memphis, as a city, took one deep, collective breath after the U of M beat UCLA in the Final 4. There were few bold predictions. There was very little smack talk. Even those of us outsiders who moved to town from other storied schools were caught up in a state of suspended animation.
As the Tigers began to take on the Jayhawks, Memphis started strong. But Kansas proved that it wouldn't back down. Derrick Rose was held to 3 first half points and Memphis entered the half with it's largest halftime deficit of the year.
But it was with 12 minutes and 10 seconds remaining in regulation that Derrick drove down the lane to easily score his 2nd field goal of the game. That's when I thought, and maybe all of Memphis, thought that we might be able to breathe again soon. Because it was then that Memphis had its full team back, and the game, as they say, was on.
And then the light turned red.
Thanks for a great season Tigers.
That's how I felt about Memphis. Other than a few call-ins to local radio shows, Memphis, as a city, took one deep, collective breath after the U of M beat UCLA in the Final 4. There were few bold predictions. There was very little smack talk. Even those of us outsiders who moved to town from other storied schools were caught up in a state of suspended animation.
As the Tigers began to take on the Jayhawks, Memphis started strong. But Kansas proved that it wouldn't back down. Derrick Rose was held to 3 first half points and Memphis entered the half with it's largest halftime deficit of the year.
But it was with 12 minutes and 10 seconds remaining in regulation that Derrick drove down the lane to easily score his 2nd field goal of the game. That's when I thought, and maybe all of Memphis, thought that we might be able to breathe again soon. Because it was then that Memphis had its full team back, and the game, as they say, was on.
And then the light turned red.
Thanks for a great season Tigers.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Psalm 46:10
I've been rocked with work for a few days. Come to think of it, last week was no cake walk either. I actually took two days off, and put in a few hours on both of those days. The other days were 8a to 9:30/10:00pm-type days (barring Lindley's birthday). Couple that with my desire to be a helpful, supportive husband and dad, challenges sleeping, trying to keep up my running 3-5 days a week, etc...; I believe that it's reasonably forseeable that a moment of deflation was on it's way.
I guess it hit this afternoon. I had been left with another responsibility that I didn't expect. It has a timeframe that fits with neither my desired schedule, nor with everything else on my plate. So, I deflated. I called Lindley and she reminded me to turn to God. Then I started thinking. Well, what Paul suffered in Acts was pretty major...we're not just talking long days/big presentations here either. He kept his stuff together, and was able to spread God's word regardless of imprisonment, near floggings, plots on his life, shipwrecks, etc....
Then I ask.com'ed Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." The first entry I opened was by a parapalegic in a wheel chair that was having a rough day, and then turned to this verse and realized that his worries weren't that big of a deal. Needless to say, I chilled out a bit, and started to think about knowing that God is, and who God is.
I think it took me a while to understand why I know that God is, and that he is who he says he is. Without really thinking it through, I used to think God is God because the Bible says so. That's actually not true because God preceded the Bible. Now, before I go any farther, I do believe that the Bible is the word of God. That's how I know what God says he is. Reading the Bible is a key to communing with God, and praying scriptures is a great way to really commune with him in spirit.
But my previous thought process told me that God was basically only God during the times of the Bible, and that he is somehow different now. Hearing testimonies of some of my Christian brothers and sisters in Argentina over the last few years has really opened my eyes to this. They would say "Yo conocia al Jesucristo muerto, pero no conocia al Senor vivo." So, do you see my point? Just kidding, the translation is...I knew Jesus Christ, the guy who died on the cross, but I didn't know the one that lives. Well, that's the deal. He does live even today.
A clear example of this through prayer. It is amazing how much God answers our prayers. I don't think that Lindley or I could call ourselves righteous other than for the fact that Jesus died and atoned for our sins, but God answers our prayers anyway. This is how I know God is - we have fervently prayed on all of the following:
I guess it hit this afternoon. I had been left with another responsibility that I didn't expect. It has a timeframe that fits with neither my desired schedule, nor with everything else on my plate. So, I deflated. I called Lindley and she reminded me to turn to God. Then I started thinking. Well, what Paul suffered in Acts was pretty major...we're not just talking long days/big presentations here either. He kept his stuff together, and was able to spread God's word regardless of imprisonment, near floggings, plots on his life, shipwrecks, etc....
Then I ask.com'ed Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." The first entry I opened was by a parapalegic in a wheel chair that was having a rough day, and then turned to this verse and realized that his worries weren't that big of a deal. Needless to say, I chilled out a bit, and started to think about knowing that God is, and who God is.
I think it took me a while to understand why I know that God is, and that he is who he says he is. Without really thinking it through, I used to think God is God because the Bible says so. That's actually not true because God preceded the Bible. Now, before I go any farther, I do believe that the Bible is the word of God. That's how I know what God says he is. Reading the Bible is a key to communing with God, and praying scriptures is a great way to really commune with him in spirit.
But my previous thought process told me that God was basically only God during the times of the Bible, and that he is somehow different now. Hearing testimonies of some of my Christian brothers and sisters in Argentina over the last few years has really opened my eyes to this. They would say "Yo conocia al Jesucristo muerto, pero no conocia al Senor vivo." So, do you see my point? Just kidding, the translation is...I knew Jesus Christ, the guy who died on the cross, but I didn't know the one that lives. Well, that's the deal. He does live even today.
A clear example of this through prayer. It is amazing how much God answers our prayers. I don't think that Lindley or I could call ourselves righteous other than for the fact that Jesus died and atoned for our sins, but God answers our prayers anyway. This is how I know God is - we have fervently prayed on all of the following:
- He comforts me when I ask him to
- Because of the public nature of this forum, I won't go into all of the prayer requests he has answered in regards to work, but he has.
- He has healed Luke on multiple occassions.
- If any of you know Sara and Mac Vickers, then there is no way that you can't believe that he is an amazing God. A very long story short, they were in a car accident where the mother/wife nearly died, but has recovered in ways that doctors said that she never would.
I actually could name countless others, but I guess it's just important to know that God actually is, and that he is powerful, respondant, and loving even today.
peace,
Monday, March 24, 2008
Book Rec/Grass is Always Greener Poem
You may remember a few blogs ago – my first maybe – that I mentioned The Kite Runner. So, yes, it’s been a while, but I’m finally done. It’s good, but hold onto your socks because it can be intense. No worries, though, since the only particularly tough part is the last 79.24% of the book. (If you don’t know me, that statistic is supposed to be funny. If you do know me, you know that’s supposed to be funny even if it’s not.)
I just thought I’d throw The Kite Runner out there as a recommendation for those looking for a good, intense read.
I know that you haven’t seen the earlier poetry from Poems from a Cubicle, but below is the newest addition. I freely admit that the flow/rhythm sounds a bit forced, but that’s actually what it was. So, it’s really kind of fitting. Plus I will never claim to be a great poet, but I do believe there’s value in trying to express yourself through words no matter how bad it is!
“Greener Grass”
Here I sit in a fading office,
Ready to dream, yet ‘way from detail, profits.
Where can I go, where a muse is reality?
Where can I be, when a sung song sets you free?
It is not here, my heart softly speaks.
Remember once, years past on that mountain peak…
Yes, I voice. We freely sang Songs from the Loft,
And saw treasures from God ‘cross the view so soft.
Quickly I see I’m stuck in the past,
While there’s nothing that says those years were a blast.
So what can I do while I crunch mad numbers?
I’ll wake myself up from nightmarish slumber.
Now I key in business freely.
No time for drifting ‘way from veracity.
Now I sit by keyboard, creating new dreams.
Singing fresh praises for life as my heart beams.
I just thought I’d throw The Kite Runner out there as a recommendation for those looking for a good, intense read.
I know that you haven’t seen the earlier poetry from Poems from a Cubicle, but below is the newest addition. I freely admit that the flow/rhythm sounds a bit forced, but that’s actually what it was. So, it’s really kind of fitting. Plus I will never claim to be a great poet, but I do believe there’s value in trying to express yourself through words no matter how bad it is!
“Greener Grass”
Here I sit in a fading office,
Ready to dream, yet ‘way from detail, profits.
Where can I go, where a muse is reality?
Where can I be, when a sung song sets you free?
It is not here, my heart softly speaks.
Remember once, years past on that mountain peak…
Yes, I voice. We freely sang Songs from the Loft,
And saw treasures from God ‘cross the view so soft.
Quickly I see I’m stuck in the past,
While there’s nothing that says those years were a blast.
So what can I do while I crunch mad numbers?
I’ll wake myself up from nightmarish slumber.
Now I key in business freely.
No time for drifting ‘way from veracity.
Now I sit by keyboard, creating new dreams.
Singing fresh praises for life as my heart beams.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Running and Basketball
Okay, I have nothing great to say. I would hate to go too long without blogging at all, though. Since today is Wednesday, I updated my accountability tracker. I'm up .6 lbs from Week 0, but was down .6 lbs. last week. That's a one week increase of 1.2 lbs.
So, what did I do differently this week to gain weight? Oh...I started running again. So, yes, it's just a coincidence, and probably just has to do with how quickly I digest certain foods, how much water I have, etc... But it's still frustrating. It really shows that it's a good time to have started running!
Additionally, I can't believe the NCAA tournament is starting again. Work has been going 110 mph, Charlie's on his way, there's a lot going on at church, Leadership Academy is going fast and furious, amongst other things. I haven't really had much time at all to think about it. But tomorrow it all starts. It should be great. My top 4 NCAA basketball teams made the tournament: Indiana, Baylor, Memphis, Texas.
Peace...
So, what did I do differently this week to gain weight? Oh...I started running again. So, yes, it's just a coincidence, and probably just has to do with how quickly I digest certain foods, how much water I have, etc... But it's still frustrating. It really shows that it's a good time to have started running!
Additionally, I can't believe the NCAA tournament is starting again. Work has been going 110 mph, Charlie's on his way, there's a lot going on at church, Leadership Academy is going fast and furious, amongst other things. I haven't really had much time at all to think about it. But tomorrow it all starts. It should be great. My top 4 NCAA basketball teams made the tournament: Indiana, Baylor, Memphis, Texas.
Peace...
Friday, March 14, 2008
Controversial Topic...Easily angered please turn away!
Today’s entry should be a bit controversial, but I’ve really wanted to write this ever since I got back from NY. Please note that I grew up in the Washington DC area. DC makes the Massachusetts political outlook seem like the Deep South. So, my liberal friends could be deeply offended by one aspect of this, and my conservative friends could be deeply offended by another. I hope neither is true…kind of.
I’ll skip half of the background/set-up, and jump right into the fact that I was at La Guardia airport at 5:30 in the morning getting ready to fly to Memphis. At the airport Starbucks, a couple of men introduced themselves since I was standing nearby and had understood their Spanish conversation.
Quickly, his friend steered us not only into politics, but also religion. Incidentally, this is not a topic that you’re supposed to have with a stranger – especially not in the North! Well, they let me know they were not Christians, and gave some loose reasons. One of the two men seemed openly flamboyant, but I had no intention of assuming they were gay. I don’t know if it was before or after he called me “cute” that he did confirm that they "were not straight."
So, here was the great opportunity, and my whole point for this entry. In my opinion, and regardless of the issue of sin, the homosexual community is one that is too often shunned by Christians. I wanted these men (one of which was clearly not open to Christianity, and the other of which was fading fast on a Vicadin) to know that I was no more worthy of being a Christian than anyone else. It is only by God’s grace that we are saved. To me, we all need a starting point with God – prayer and reading the Bible. Once you get to know God, he will guide us. I want to illustrate worthiness this point of worthiness by talking about our last Nathan Street.
This was the first Nathan Street since the Lester massacre. Brian did a great job talking to the kids about how God tells us to love everyone. After asking questions about how this man could kill his brother, cut off the fingers of children, kill/attempt to kill 9 people in such a gruesome manner; one child said, “sometimes it’s hard to love people.” For those of you who don’t know Nathan Street…these kids live in the same neighborhood as the Lester Street massacre ("Lester Street Massacre" can easily be googled since it made national news last week). They interact with Dotson’s gang, and probably know, or at least went to school with some of the dead children. So, we had the gumption to tell the kids that God calls us to love even this murderer. Therefore, if you believe homosexuality is a sin, shouldn’t you love that person anyway? That’s the easy answer: yes. The hard part about being a Christian is that, eventually you must recognize that you will never be sinless in this world on your own, and that it is impossible to remain blameless without Jesus Christ.
So, yes, the way I read the Bible, homosexuality is a sin, but (and this blog was never intended to be a personal confessional) there are so many things that I do/have done that are sins too. I believe that, as a sinner, I am no more worthy of God than a gay man/woman. When I overcome one sin, others become evident too. This is why I am so grateful that God chooses to show us mercy regardless of whether we deserve it or not. We just need to walk with him. I believe Christians should deal with sin at the point that someone is committed to seeing what it means to follow God. And I believe that it isn’t up to us, as sinners, to choose who deserves God.
In case you’re curious, (I eluded to this earlier) at most I planted a seed with one of these men - I saw no conversions. Still, God can choose to work in mysterious ways so they may still become Christians. One of the best ways to evangelize, though, is to love the person, get to know him/her and care about him/her. At that point, the person would have a better chance of being receptive to a Christian message.
Okay, my blog is usually an “I don’t care if you like this or not, it’s really about just expressing my thoughts” blog. Today, I’m actually nervous about posting it. Yikes! Okay, that’s all I have.
I’ll skip half of the background/set-up, and jump right into the fact that I was at La Guardia airport at 5:30 in the morning getting ready to fly to Memphis. At the airport Starbucks, a couple of men introduced themselves since I was standing nearby and had understood their Spanish conversation.
Quickly, his friend steered us not only into politics, but also religion. Incidentally, this is not a topic that you’re supposed to have with a stranger – especially not in the North! Well, they let me know they were not Christians, and gave some loose reasons. One of the two men seemed openly flamboyant, but I had no intention of assuming they were gay. I don’t know if it was before or after he called me “cute” that he did confirm that they "were not straight."
So, here was the great opportunity, and my whole point for this entry. In my opinion, and regardless of the issue of sin, the homosexual community is one that is too often shunned by Christians. I wanted these men (one of which was clearly not open to Christianity, and the other of which was fading fast on a Vicadin) to know that I was no more worthy of being a Christian than anyone else. It is only by God’s grace that we are saved. To me, we all need a starting point with God – prayer and reading the Bible. Once you get to know God, he will guide us. I want to illustrate worthiness this point of worthiness by talking about our last Nathan Street.
This was the first Nathan Street since the Lester massacre. Brian did a great job talking to the kids about how God tells us to love everyone. After asking questions about how this man could kill his brother, cut off the fingers of children, kill/attempt to kill 9 people in such a gruesome manner; one child said, “sometimes it’s hard to love people.” For those of you who don’t know Nathan Street…these kids live in the same neighborhood as the Lester Street massacre ("Lester Street Massacre" can easily be googled since it made national news last week). They interact with Dotson’s gang, and probably know, or at least went to school with some of the dead children. So, we had the gumption to tell the kids that God calls us to love even this murderer. Therefore, if you believe homosexuality is a sin, shouldn’t you love that person anyway? That’s the easy answer: yes. The hard part about being a Christian is that, eventually you must recognize that you will never be sinless in this world on your own, and that it is impossible to remain blameless without Jesus Christ.
So, yes, the way I read the Bible, homosexuality is a sin, but (and this blog was never intended to be a personal confessional) there are so many things that I do/have done that are sins too. I believe that, as a sinner, I am no more worthy of God than a gay man/woman. When I overcome one sin, others become evident too. This is why I am so grateful that God chooses to show us mercy regardless of whether we deserve it or not. We just need to walk with him. I believe Christians should deal with sin at the point that someone is committed to seeing what it means to follow God. And I believe that it isn’t up to us, as sinners, to choose who deserves God.
In case you’re curious, (I eluded to this earlier) at most I planted a seed with one of these men - I saw no conversions. Still, God can choose to work in mysterious ways so they may still become Christians. One of the best ways to evangelize, though, is to love the person, get to know him/her and care about him/her. At that point, the person would have a better chance of being receptive to a Christian message.
Okay, my blog is usually an “I don’t care if you like this or not, it’s really about just expressing my thoughts” blog. Today, I’m actually nervous about posting it. Yikes! Okay, that’s all I have.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
10 Things About Me
I was tagged to do the below list. So, I apologize if you don’t really care about any of the below information.
10 interesting things about me:
1. Many of you know this, but I love Ultimate Frisbee. There’s nothing quite like hucking the bee, snagging the disc, laying out. Oh, and when you actually are playing it helps you to get in shape!
2. I enjoy photography. I try shooting pictures at unusual angles, framing them 10 different ways, and taking 20 different pictures. Unfortunately, my talent is not natural so I might take 100 pictures, and still not have a good one!
3. I have started two novels, and not finished or made much progress on either. Actually, I think one is lost forever since I started it 11 years ago!
4. One of the proudest moments of my Chad-centered life was playing a solo at Baylor called “Nicole” on my trumpet in front of a couple of hundred or more people. Lindley and I weren’t even dating, but she came to support me. It was not my best performance, but I still thought it sounded almost professional.
5. I am an insurance broker, and, if you would like to learn about Texas Non-Subscription versus Texas Workers’ Compensation, I’d be happy to chat with you.
6. I am a huge fan of snow!
7. I once ate 167 jalapeño slices in a jalapeño eating contest, and the guy next to me hadn’t even broken a sweat. Fortunately, they called the contest after two hours, and we both won a t-shirt. Go Baylor Athletics!
8. One day Lindley bet her dad that I could eat 5 Big Macs in 20 minutes. A few days later, when I found out, I ate 5 Big Macs…in 12 minutes. This was followed by 6 Whoppers on two different occasions while driving to Ultimate tournaments. 12 years later, I now have to have an accountability tracker on my blog to get my weight back in shape. Go figure.
9. I once bench-pressed 335 lbs. Now I wouldn’t be able to get near that.
10. One time, in band camp…just kidding. I’m happier than ever, love my family and am looking forward to son number 2!
Friday, March 7, 2008
A supplement to my last entry
I have been traveling for a couple of days, and find it quite odd that in New York when I left the temp was about 50 degrees, and upon my return to Memphis, at what should be a warmer period of the day, it was 10-15 degrees cooler.
There's not a lot to report, but we're expecting some snow over the next few hours. I'm really looking forward to that. Hopefully, we get some good accumulation so that our sick child can play in it!
Incidentally, I have had multiple comments about my last entry. Any comments about it being tough to understand, please do not credit to me. That is John Donne. Granted, he is brilliant with his words, but this is "metaphysical poetry." By definition, it is supposed to be complex and difficult to understand. I won't bore you by copying the whole description here, but if you would like to further understand the elements, follow this link (and then scroll to "metaphysical poetry:" http://www.virtualsalt.com/litterms.htm
Here's the point before I try to break it down a little bit: I had to read this poem multiple times, and had to read it slowly, in order to understand the parts of it that I do understand. I first read the poem almost 15 years ago, so I've had a lot of time to think about it.
What Donne does in the poem is to represent the desires of the heart (the 'spirit' as referenced above) through some physical manifestation. The clearest example that I recall is the compass metaphor. Okay, it might help to know what the "twin compasses" is. It's that tool that you would use to draw a perfect circle. So he illustrates that as one point of the compass distances itself from the other, they are still tied together and even leaning toward the other, almost calling out for each other. This is the way our hearts, as husband and wife, yearn for each other.
There's not a lot to report, but we're expecting some snow over the next few hours. I'm really looking forward to that. Hopefully, we get some good accumulation so that our sick child can play in it!
Incidentally, I have had multiple comments about my last entry. Any comments about it being tough to understand, please do not credit to me. That is John Donne. Granted, he is brilliant with his words, but this is "metaphysical poetry." By definition, it is supposed to be complex and difficult to understand. I won't bore you by copying the whole description here, but if you would like to further understand the elements, follow this link (and then scroll to "metaphysical poetry:" http://www.virtualsalt.com/litterms.htm
Here's the point before I try to break it down a little bit: I had to read this poem multiple times, and had to read it slowly, in order to understand the parts of it that I do understand. I first read the poem almost 15 years ago, so I've had a lot of time to think about it.
A brief attempt to break down one part of the poem is below.
"By itself, metaphysical means dealing with the relationship between spirit to matter or the ultimate nature of reality." (ref. http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/English_Literature/period/metaphysicals.html)What Donne does in the poem is to represent the desires of the heart (the 'spirit' as referenced above) through some physical manifestation. The clearest example that I recall is the compass metaphor. Okay, it might help to know what the "twin compasses" is. It's that tool that you would use to draw a perfect circle. So he illustrates that as one point of the compass distances itself from the other, they are still tied together and even leaning toward the other, almost calling out for each other. This is the way our hearts, as husband and wife, yearn for each other.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Forbidding Valediction
Again, I have found no true direction for my blog so I will continue with a random, but important expression.
John Donne is the only metaphysical poet that has ever jumped out at me. I will give you a portion of “A Valediction Forbidding Mourning” because it speaks of love. It speaks of true, deep, profound love. (The poem is also about life, death, emotion and probably quite a bit that I don’t grasp, so I am only referencing a portion of it. The entire poem will be below the excerpt for your optional perusal.)
Many of my friends now have children, and I’ve been noticing how all of the attention turns to the children. Our children’s self-confidence may grow as they receive this from outsiders (grandparents, friends, co-workers), but I don't believe that it should be the same for the parents. Though God has increased our love through the love from parenthood, I choose to forbid valediction to the love He has given us as spouses. So, here’s to true, deep, profound love, and to Lindley who has shown me the same. I leave the following (explicit material ahead, for the faint of heart, please turn away now):
“But we by a love so much refined,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assurèd of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss. 20
…
“If they be two, they are two so 25
As stiff twin compasses are two ;
Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th' other do.
“And though it in the centre sit,
Yet, when the other far doth roam, 30
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.
“Such wilt thou be to me, who must,
Like th' other foot, obliquely run ;
Thy firmness makes my circle just, 35
And makes me end where I begun.”
Full poem below:
A VALEDICTION FORBIDDING MOURNING. by John Donne
AS virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
"Now his breath goes," and some say, "No."
So let us melt, and make no noise, 5
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move ;
'Twere profanation of our joys
To tell the laity our love.
Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears ;
Men reckon what it did, and meant ; 10
But trepidation of the spheres,
Though greater far, is innocent.
Dull sublunary lovers' love
—Whose soul is sense—
cannot admit Of absence, 'cause it doth remove 15
The thing which elemented it.
But we by a love so much refined,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assurèd of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss. 20
Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to aery thinness beat.
If they be two, they are two so 25
As stiff twin compasses are two ;
Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th' other do.
And though it in the centre sit,
Yet, when the other far doth roam, 30
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.
Such wilt thou be to me, who must,
Like th' other foot, obliquely run ;
Thy firmness makes my circle just, 35
And makes me end where I begun.
John Donne is the only metaphysical poet that has ever jumped out at me. I will give you a portion of “A Valediction Forbidding Mourning” because it speaks of love. It speaks of true, deep, profound love. (The poem is also about life, death, emotion and probably quite a bit that I don’t grasp, so I am only referencing a portion of it. The entire poem will be below the excerpt for your optional perusal.)
Many of my friends now have children, and I’ve been noticing how all of the attention turns to the children. Our children’s self-confidence may grow as they receive this from outsiders (grandparents, friends, co-workers), but I don't believe that it should be the same for the parents. Though God has increased our love through the love from parenthood, I choose to forbid valediction to the love He has given us as spouses. So, here’s to true, deep, profound love, and to Lindley who has shown me the same. I leave the following (explicit material ahead, for the faint of heart, please turn away now):
“But we by a love so much refined,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assurèd of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss. 20
…
“If they be two, they are two so 25
As stiff twin compasses are two ;
Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th' other do.
“And though it in the centre sit,
Yet, when the other far doth roam, 30
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.
“Such wilt thou be to me, who must,
Like th' other foot, obliquely run ;
Thy firmness makes my circle just, 35
And makes me end where I begun.”
Full poem below:
A VALEDICTION FORBIDDING MOURNING. by John Donne
AS virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
"Now his breath goes," and some say, "No."
So let us melt, and make no noise, 5
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move ;
'Twere profanation of our joys
To tell the laity our love.
Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears ;
Men reckon what it did, and meant ; 10
But trepidation of the spheres,
Though greater far, is innocent.
Dull sublunary lovers' love
—Whose soul is sense—
cannot admit Of absence, 'cause it doth remove 15
The thing which elemented it.
But we by a love so much refined,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assurèd of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss. 20
Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to aery thinness beat.
If they be two, they are two so 25
As stiff twin compasses are two ;
Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th' other do.
And though it in the centre sit,
Yet, when the other far doth roam, 30
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.
Such wilt thou be to me, who must,
Like th' other foot, obliquely run ;
Thy firmness makes my circle just, 35
And makes me end where I begun.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Variation on a "Letter to Self"
My sister-in-law recently posed an intriguing challenge on her most recent bog: Write a letter to your 17-year old self. This was originally inspired by a Brad Paisley song: “Letter to Self,” a song that I haven’t heard. The purpose of the challenge would be to give advice to your younger self– for her it would be less than a decade removed…for me 1 and ½! I will loosely accept that challenge today, but may just do bullet points. It is something quite intriguing to ponder. Who would give the better advice? Me to my 17-year old self, or him to his 32-year old self?
Bullet points to my 17-year old self:
- Cheer up
- Don’t just read the Bible, but pray over the scriptures
- Make an effort to keep in touch with your friends
- Be nice to your family
- You have a lot to look forward to
- Maintain a work ethic – you might even be able to fool people into thinking that you’re smart with it
- Be very careful to stay close to God
Notes to my 32-year old self:
- Dude, you’re 32. It can stop being all about you.
- Hard work is good, but make sure it’s not just focused on “work,” but also on your family.
- Hard work is good, but make sure to also work hard on your non-family relationships.
- Don’t just read the Bible, but pray over the scriptures
- Your family life is awesome, Dude.
- Help the poor
- Help the poor in spirit
Okay…That’s good for now. I’m teaching Sunday School again on Sunday so could use prayers as I prepare. Scriptures are Acts 24:22 – 25:22, and deals with how Paul is received by 2-3 non-believers while he is in custody. Since non-believers react much the same way today as these gentlemen and lady, I’m hopeful to learn a lot as I delve deeper into the material tonight or tomorrow.
Peace…
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Questionable Reflections...
A quick explanation regarding the accountability tracker. I intend to keep myself accountable to loosing weight by the new tracker. Each week I will weigh myself and put either the increase or decrease from my starting point on the tracker. Hopefully, this will make me decide to make healthy choices that my children can see as they grow up.
Okay...why are today's reflections questionable? Hmmm...maybe it's because I ONLY SLEPT FOR 10 MINUTES LAST NIGHT!!!! So, yes, I'm a bit slow and foggy right now.
Reflections:
1. I'm in the business of risk and I really like this quote: The day finally came when the risk to remain tight in the bud became greater than the risk to blossom.
Many people in my business view risk as something that needs to be mitigated or protected against. That's very true, but taking great risks can and should also reap great rewards. Just make sure that you've planned for the possibility of failure.
2. Toda porfía es demasiada, cuando no se espera de ella sacar algún provecho.-- All stubborness is exaggerated if no advantage can come of it.
I see plenty of truth in this!
3. We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth, at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies. Pablo Picasso
I'm staring at a reproduction of Picasso's "El Viejo Guitarrista" ("The Old Guitarrist"), and it sure seems like the truth regarding the poor and downtrodden. Yet, maybe it lies by only telling one part of the story...the side that we too often don't want to see, or the "truth" that Pablo saw.
Okay...why are today's reflections questionable? Hmmm...maybe it's because I ONLY SLEPT FOR 10 MINUTES LAST NIGHT!!!! So, yes, I'm a bit slow and foggy right now.
Reflections:
1. I'm in the business of risk and I really like this quote: The day finally came when the risk to remain tight in the bud became greater than the risk to blossom.
Many people in my business view risk as something that needs to be mitigated or protected against. That's very true, but taking great risks can and should also reap great rewards. Just make sure that you've planned for the possibility of failure.
2. Toda porfía es demasiada, cuando no se espera de ella sacar algún provecho.-- All stubborness is exaggerated if no advantage can come of it.
I see plenty of truth in this!
3. We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth, at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies. Pablo Picasso
I'm staring at a reproduction of Picasso's "El Viejo Guitarrista" ("The Old Guitarrist"), and it sure seems like the truth regarding the poor and downtrodden. Yet, maybe it lies by only telling one part of the story...the side that we too often don't want to see, or the "truth" that Pablo saw.
El Viejo Guitarrista
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
First Blog
Lindley used to get on my case about writing a blog, but I just never felt that I had anything that would behoove me to have on the internet (you don't really want to post regarding work-related issues, and, let's face it, that is about 63% of my waking life). But last night I began reading The Kite Runner. The book centers around (and I'm really not very far into the book so this could be wrong) a young boy with a passion for literature. As often happens with me when I get into a good book, I became inspired to begin writing something.
Aside: Unfortunately, with my 5-10 minutes in the morning that I get to read, I often choose more mindless books like James Patterson, Daniel Koontz, etc.... But every once in a while, I find a gem and just can barely stop reading. (You know, I'm talking Harry Potter type good! Okay, that's actually a true statement about the can't stop reading and Harry Potter, but that's not exactly the caliber novel I was discussing.) Though I haven't read this book since high school, one of those for me was Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton. I wanted to write just like that...Create your own rules of punctuation, make the book pour out emotions like a country pouring out blood. Hmm...that doesn't make it sound quite as appealing as it was, but then again that was 15 years ago. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet was one of the more recent ones, and I was hoping to be inspired by Little Women, but other than a few chuckles, it's not really done it for me.
Okay, so back to the original point. Where were we: 1. Lindley always wanted me to blog. 2. I started The Kite Runner. 3. I thought I should start a blog. Since Lindley does quite a bit of blogging about the family, I doubt that will be much of my focus. Unfortunately, I don't really have much of a focus at all! I may post some of my much-in-demand "poems from a cubicle." I haven't decided whether that's a good idea or not...Plus there are only two or three of them. So, that could simmer down very quickly. I also know that most of you will not be able to bear through a blog this long on a regular basis so I will generally try not to go this long and ramble so much.
I will end on one note of recent interest to me:
1. I was reading in Matthew 6 the other day, and was definitely slowed down by the following:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Whether I'm right or wrong, I do think I have a handle on this now, but in my current environment success is definitely defined differently than the above and I need to be careful.
Aside: Unfortunately, with my 5-10 minutes in the morning that I get to read, I often choose more mindless books like James Patterson, Daniel Koontz, etc.... But every once in a while, I find a gem and just can barely stop reading. (You know, I'm talking Harry Potter type good! Okay, that's actually a true statement about the can't stop reading and Harry Potter, but that's not exactly the caliber novel I was discussing.) Though I haven't read this book since high school, one of those for me was Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton. I wanted to write just like that...Create your own rules of punctuation, make the book pour out emotions like a country pouring out blood. Hmm...that doesn't make it sound quite as appealing as it was, but then again that was 15 years ago. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet was one of the more recent ones, and I was hoping to be inspired by Little Women, but other than a few chuckles, it's not really done it for me.
Okay, so back to the original point. Where were we: 1. Lindley always wanted me to blog. 2. I started The Kite Runner. 3. I thought I should start a blog. Since Lindley does quite a bit of blogging about the family, I doubt that will be much of my focus. Unfortunately, I don't really have much of a focus at all! I may post some of my much-in-demand "poems from a cubicle." I haven't decided whether that's a good idea or not...Plus there are only two or three of them. So, that could simmer down very quickly. I also know that most of you will not be able to bear through a blog this long on a regular basis so I will generally try not to go this long and ramble so much.
I will end on one note of recent interest to me:
1. I was reading in Matthew 6 the other day, and was definitely slowed down by the following:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Whether I'm right or wrong, I do think I have a handle on this now, but in my current environment success is definitely defined differently than the above and I need to be careful.
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