I had lunch with a friend a couple days ago. During our lunch I was amazed to discover that he had memorized the entire books of Galatians, Ephesians, Phillipians, and Colossians, and Philemon. He wasn't showing off or bragging, he was simply showing how useful and wonderful it can be to have entire sections of scripture memorized. Not only did he know verses, he could get them in the context. I loved it!. It produced a twofold emotional response. I was happy for my brother, and slightly embarrassed that I hadn't attempted to memorize any scripture myself. During this lunch conversation I rememberd a previous desire of mine start memorizing scripture. I also listened to a sermon recently imploring me to take the matter of scripture memorization seriously. So my loyal readers I'm here to annouce that I am going to memroize some. I'm going to take up the daunting task of memorizing Psalm 119. Now for those of you who don't know, Psalm 119 is the largest chapter in the bible, containting 176 verses. The main theme of Psalm 119 is the word of the Lord. This entire chapter is dedicated to expressing our love for God's word. I will post the Psalm for you hear. I could just cut and paste, but I figure it will be better for me to type it out and get it in my head.
Psalm 119: 1 - 32
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who kep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
I will kep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!
How can a young man keep his way pure? by guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin agianst you.
Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statues; I will not forget your word.
Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
I am a sojourner on the earth; hid not your commandments from me!
My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.
You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.
Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.
Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statues.
Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.
My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!
When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes!
Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!
Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!
I have hcosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.
I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heat!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Expanding my Library
Every now and then I look at my personal Library and feel a pang of guilt about all the books that I own and haven't had the opportunity to read. Part of the reason I haven't read them is I waste my time checking facebook every five minutes to see if anybody commented on my posts or to creep on somebody I haven't talked to in a long time. But after the guilt and remorse subside I leaf through magazines or book reviews and drool over a dozen or more books. Below you will find a list of books along with their prices. If any of you ever want to buy me a gift to say how much I love you, you can get me one of these books!
You can find the following books on Christianbook.com
Calvin's Commentairs, 22 Volumes with Institutes of the Christian Religion ~ $99.99. Normally $1200.00!
Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes ~ $9.99
Forgotten God by Francis Chan ~ $9.99
Doctrine: What Christians should believe by Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears ~ 13.79
Classical Teachings on the Nature of God, 3 Volumes in 1 by R.C. Sproul ~ 16.99
Systematic Theoloyg, 4 Volumes by Lewis Sperry Chafer ~ 59.99
The Works of Jonathan Edwards, 2 Volumes ~ 54.99
The Creeds of Christendom, 3 volumes by Philip Schaff ~ 19.99
Foxe's Christian Martyrs, Abridged Edition ~ 3.49
The Early church Fathers, 38 Volumes edited by Philip Schaff & Alexander Roberts ~ only $499.99!
Early Church History Library 3 Volumes: Eusebius; Ecclesiastical History, The Works of Josephus, The Works of Philo ~ 39.99
You can find the following books through libertyfundcatalog.com
The Anti-Federalist Writings of the Melancton Smith Circle edited by Michael Zuckert and Derek A. Webb ~ $14.50
Liberty and Order: The First American Party Struggle edited by Lance Banning ~ $14.50
In Defense of the Constitution by George W. Carey ~ $12.00
Political Sermons of the American Founding Era, 1730 - 1805 2 volumes edited by Ellis Sandoz ~ $27.00
The American Nation: Primary Sources edited by Bruce Frohnen ~ $14.50
You can find the following books on Christianbook.com
Calvin's Commentairs, 22 Volumes with Institutes of the Christian Religion ~ $99.99. Normally $1200.00!
Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes ~ $9.99
Forgotten God by Francis Chan ~ $9.99
Doctrine: What Christians should believe by Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears ~ 13.79
Classical Teachings on the Nature of God, 3 Volumes in 1 by R.C. Sproul ~ 16.99
Systematic Theoloyg, 4 Volumes by Lewis Sperry Chafer ~ 59.99
The Works of Jonathan Edwards, 2 Volumes ~ 54.99
The Creeds of Christendom, 3 volumes by Philip Schaff ~ 19.99
Foxe's Christian Martyrs, Abridged Edition ~ 3.49
The Early church Fathers, 38 Volumes edited by Philip Schaff & Alexander Roberts ~ only $499.99!
Early Church History Library 3 Volumes: Eusebius; Ecclesiastical History, The Works of Josephus, The Works of Philo ~ 39.99
You can find the following books through libertyfundcatalog.com
The Anti-Federalist Writings of the Melancton Smith Circle edited by Michael Zuckert and Derek A. Webb ~ $14.50
Liberty and Order: The First American Party Struggle edited by Lance Banning ~ $14.50
In Defense of the Constitution by George W. Carey ~ $12.00
Political Sermons of the American Founding Era, 1730 - 1805 2 volumes edited by Ellis Sandoz ~ $27.00
The American Nation: Primary Sources edited by Bruce Frohnen ~ $14.50
A changing of the guard
This past weekend Hannah and I drove four hours up to Camp Joy Bible Camp up in Dent MN. After battling rush hour and summer construction traffic we finally got out of the cities... only to be met by the largest storm I've experienced this summer.
After pulling over for about 10 min. due to heavy rain and hail, we were back on the road! We finally pulled in to camp around 9:30 p.m. It was great to see the familiar wooden sign welcoming me back home. You see, this place has been my summer home for the past six years. Four out of those six, I was there all summer. I guess you could say I spent a large percentage of my teenage and maturing years at this place. The familiar smell of the lake, the booming voice of our director, and the stinging sensation of a mosquito sent my senses into overdrive. I was back... but something was different. It was the same place, and the same people (not to mention the same great food), and yet I didn't feel that familiar sense of belonging. Camp had opened its arms to me, just as it always had done. Only this time, I knew that I was a mere spectator, and not a conductor. It wasn't my place to make decisions, plan activities or be on the inside track. I was supposed to enjoy camp as I had never been allowed to enjoy it before.
This past weekend, whenever something would come up, a good buddy of mine would somewhat jokingly remind me, "It's not my problem." This is going to be a hard lesson for me to learn. Whenever something was going on, I was there trying to get my abnormally large nose involved in some way. But now, somebody else was responsible, some other team was in charge. It wasn't my team, but I think after seeing them at work, it'll be ok. I think I'm finally starting to be ok with "a changing of the guard."
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Unstoppable Focus
Ecclesiastes 2:17
So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
On Sunday the pastor delivered an amazing message. He gave the congregation some understanding of what happens when we lose our focus on what ultimately matters, the glory of our Lord. To check our focus, the pastor gave us three things to look for.
1. Thinking nothing you do ever matters. King Solomon was plagued by these same feelings and wrote Ecclesiasties to try and describe them. He was the richest, wisest person in all of Israel, and he still felt like nothing mattered. He needed a shift in focus. A person can go through their whole life and not grasp an important concept. If everything you do is for yourself, eventually none of it will matter.
2. I'm tired. Look around you. Everywhere you look people cry out from exhaustion. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, caffeine, consumption of these beverages is a modern day sacrement to some people. Why are we so tired? We are over worked and over stressed. My pastor back home would often say the most important thing a Christian need to remember is that the Joy of the Lord is your strength. You lose your joy, you lose your strength. People, the only way to survive in this world with some semblance of sanity is to look upon the joy of the Lord. A hymn written by Helen H. Lemmel captures this idea so perfectly!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full on His wonderful face,
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
3. Somethings missing. You have that perfect job, a loving family, a good car, vacations to the best places every year, and yet... you want more. How many movies, songs, and stories have been written around this theme? Why is it that humanity is never satisfied with what we have? We need more stuff! We need more accomplishments! Why do we have this need to medicate an emptiness with more possessions? It's because we were created for something more. We were created for something bigger than earthly accomplishments. If you find yourself saying something's missing, it is. I am only 22 years old, and each year I begin to understand this lesson a little more.
If all you ever do is "earthly work" you will always feel like nothing matters, you will always feel tired, and you will constantly be searching for something else. Instead focus on the eternal. Find things that will have significance after you are gone. It is in these tasks that we feel most alive and fulfilled!
So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
On Sunday the pastor delivered an amazing message. He gave the congregation some understanding of what happens when we lose our focus on what ultimately matters, the glory of our Lord. To check our focus, the pastor gave us three things to look for.
1. Thinking nothing you do ever matters. King Solomon was plagued by these same feelings and wrote Ecclesiasties to try and describe them. He was the richest, wisest person in all of Israel, and he still felt like nothing mattered. He needed a shift in focus. A person can go through their whole life and not grasp an important concept. If everything you do is for yourself, eventually none of it will matter.
2. I'm tired. Look around you. Everywhere you look people cry out from exhaustion. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, caffeine, consumption of these beverages is a modern day sacrement to some people. Why are we so tired? We are over worked and over stressed. My pastor back home would often say the most important thing a Christian need to remember is that the Joy of the Lord is your strength. You lose your joy, you lose your strength. People, the only way to survive in this world with some semblance of sanity is to look upon the joy of the Lord. A hymn written by Helen H. Lemmel captures this idea so perfectly!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full on His wonderful face,
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
3. Somethings missing. You have that perfect job, a loving family, a good car, vacations to the best places every year, and yet... you want more. How many movies, songs, and stories have been written around this theme? Why is it that humanity is never satisfied with what we have? We need more stuff! We need more accomplishments! Why do we have this need to medicate an emptiness with more possessions? It's because we were created for something more. We were created for something bigger than earthly accomplishments. If you find yourself saying something's missing, it is. I am only 22 years old, and each year I begin to understand this lesson a little more.
If all you ever do is "earthly work" you will always feel like nothing matters, you will always feel tired, and you will constantly be searching for something else. Instead focus on the eternal. Find things that will have significance after you are gone. It is in these tasks that we feel most alive and fulfilled!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Required reading.
I subscribe to a daily journal called Inside Higher Ed. This journal is dedicated to any news about higher education (college) in the U.S. and Canada. The other day I came across this article that I've so graciously linked for you (I love me when I do that, don't you!?). If you don't want to read it, that's fine I'll tell you what it is about. The article talks about how some school require incoming freshman to all read a specific book that the school chooses. They say it fosters community and gets the academic juices flowing. What I want to know from you, is what books have you read during your schooling (if it's been awhile since school, don't worry, you can still participate!) that you would require your incoming freshman class to read? I look forward to seeing what you put down!
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/06/04/books
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/06/04/books
Thoughts on Catholicism
Every student needs a teacher. I would like to take this time to introduce you to one of my teachers. His name is Stephen Colbert. He has so graciously furnished me with a book in which he shares all of his thoughts, feelings, and essential truths that he lives by. From time to time, I would like to re - post some of his greater lessons. *WARNING* If you are offended by joking, satire, or general humor, please LIGHTEN UP!
The Great Colbert, on the Roman Catholic Church
(Stephen Colbert's views do not necessarily represent my views on any or all subject matter. All punctuation and capitalization styles are the original intent of the author).
Jesus founded only One Church and it wasn't Unitarian. He took His apostle Simon and made him into a rock and built a church on him. It's called "the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church," or "Church" for short.
Catholics have many advantages over other Christians. One is marble. For the buck I put into the collection plate, I want some production value. that means a church, not some community center that doubles as a basketball court.
Also, Catholics have saints -- more than 10,000 of them. They're like God's customer service reps, and each of them has a specialty. Say you lose your wallet. You could bother the Creator to help you find it, but if your Catholic, you don't have to. Just pray to St. Anthony. Finding lost things is all he does. For Eternity. Also, there are times when you might want to pray to St. Agatha. She's the patron saint of nursing and bell -making. If you're both a nurse and a bell - maker, that's one - stop shopping.
Some are put off by the labyrinthine structure of Catholic dogma, but many of its rituals are quite beautiful, and not just when edited together as a tense, poetic counterpoint to brutal Mafia films.
But maybe you're not ready to be a Roman Catholic. Well, as the saying goes, "There are many roads to God." Some are just more twisty than others. So if you want to get a little needless exercise, why don't you try one of these Goat Paths to Nowhere?
The Great Colbert, on the Roman Catholic Church
(Stephen Colbert's views do not necessarily represent my views on any or all subject matter. All punctuation and capitalization styles are the original intent of the author).
Jesus founded only One Church and it wasn't Unitarian. He took His apostle Simon and made him into a rock and built a church on him. It's called "the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church," or "Church" for short.
Catholics have many advantages over other Christians. One is marble. For the buck I put into the collection plate, I want some production value. that means a church, not some community center that doubles as a basketball court.
Also, Catholics have saints -- more than 10,000 of them. They're like God's customer service reps, and each of them has a specialty. Say you lose your wallet. You could bother the Creator to help you find it, but if your Catholic, you don't have to. Just pray to St. Anthony. Finding lost things is all he does. For Eternity. Also, there are times when you might want to pray to St. Agatha. She's the patron saint of nursing and bell -making. If you're both a nurse and a bell - maker, that's one - stop shopping.
Some are put off by the labyrinthine structure of Catholic dogma, but many of its rituals are quite beautiful, and not just when edited together as a tense, poetic counterpoint to brutal Mafia films.
But maybe you're not ready to be a Roman Catholic. Well, as the saying goes, "There are many roads to God." Some are just more twisty than others. So if you want to get a little needless exercise, why don't you try one of these Goat Paths to Nowhere?
The Way of Improvement Leads Home.
For the past couple months, I have been contemplating what it means to pursue an education. Is it simply the required schooling until you are 18 and then four more years to pursue a bachelor's degree? Or is there something else I am missing? I have tried to grasp what a true education should look like. I can safely say that I am further along in my pursuit, and yet at the same time, nowhere near completion. I have read books outside of a required syllabi, blog posts on history, and shared numerous lunch conversations with faculty and students, actions which have led me to realize something. For me, education is not just a means to a job. It is a lifestyle of constantly seeking improvement. My pursuit of education is to better myself and to prepare myself to be a citizen of the world around me. I have had the privilege of reading a book recently by Dr. Jon Fea Ph.D. (Check out his blog here!) who is a professor of American History over at Messiah college in Pennsylvania. His book, "The Way of Improvement Leads Home", details the life of Philip Vickers Fithian, a New Jersey man who is on his own quest for improvement. The challenges that Fithian must go through in order to achieve his education have illuminated my own path and inspired me to press on. Fithian does not stop after his formal education is over. He corresponds with others, he debates, he continues to read and record his thoughts on what he has read. Fithian represents something that is lost today. Philip Vickers Fithian is a man who pursued improvement for improvements sake. This pursuit and understanding is something I have been struggling with for about a year. My struggle for improvement, is the reason this blog exists. I hope any readers of this blog, will continue to follow me on my journey and maybe, just maybe, they will decide that it's a journey that they would like to be a part of themselves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)