The Failure of All Things

    I've taken a break from reading The Doctrine of Repentance. Well, honestly, I just haven't finished it (put your stones down). I have, however, continued on reading Every Good Endeavor by Keller. Mainly, because I have much accountability in doing so (found in the form of godly men at Crema every Thursday a.m.) Praise God for that in my life! Anyway, Keller quoted something from a guy named Al Wolters' book Creation Regained that I am going to re-quote, give a thought I have, and then leave you to ruminate on its simple profoundness, too.

Here is what Wolters says:

The whole world is fallen. There is no aspect of the world affected by sin more or less than any other. For example, are emotion and passions untrustworthy and reason infallible? Is the physical bad and the spiritual good? Is the day-to-day world profane but religious observances good? None of these are true; but non-Christian story lines must adopt some variations of these in order to villanize and even demonize some created thing instead of sin.

The whole world is going to be redeemed. Jesus is going to redeem spirit and body, reason, and emotion, people and nature. There is no part of reality for which there is no hope.

A Thought:

    I so often put my hope in some aspect of the world which is fallen. I play that grass is greener game. Or, I bargain with God attempting to get the thing I so desperately "need" to be able to make it here on earth. While attempting the consumption of those fictional needs, I've become acquainted with the failure of all things that Wolter writes about above. But here is the true need: Jesus. 

    Here is my challenge to you dear reader: When you are faced with the thing that has been bothering you for this season in life don't pursue the anti-gospel, pursue Jesus. He is the hope; even in unclarity (or even clarity), he is the true hope.

Let the rumination begin... Comments?

Repentance, The Doctrine of (part 2)

I'm still in the tale end of chapter 3 heading into chapter 4. I'm reading about confession's place in repentance. Here is my first thought toward this passage, with many more following:

Confession is a true friend's task

Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 27:9

I have had several good friends. People I just enjoy being around. People that laugh at my stupid jokes, and understand my unique way of venting conflicts. They just like the way I currently am and are patient with me while I become like Him. I bet you, dear reader, have had some of these relationships, too. Life giving, soul refreshing, breaths of life. Cling to these guys and be close so sin won't be. My point: a good friendship will have the elements of light so deeply ingrained in it that there is no shadow in which to hide. Confession will be a part of living life in community with men you trust and love. Page 37 drills this idea home.

Back to the Book
"They who will not confess their sin as David did, that they may be pardoned, shall confess their sin as Achan did, that they may be stoned." (pg. 32) I think this is what will happen on the last day during that "Every knee shall bow..." celebration. Honestly, in my misunderstanding, I always wondered how someone could confess Christ then be sentenced to eternity in Hell. The root of my failed logic lies in my thinking of salvation as a recipe: 2 parts "Jesus is Lord", 2 parts "Jesus is savior" and presto... Christian Lasagna. Watson, I think, is attacking this simplistic view of salvation as well. Not that its complicated, but it is. Make sense? Oh Jesus, help us...

Sin
Katie, like Eve, is responsible for all my failings...Sorry, babe.
In my mind, I extenuate my sins.
I blame shift, mainly towards God.
And I'm a damn good complainer!
I don't speak
My eyes often darken my soul.
I need the light and confession helps it shine through.

I love Watson's usage of gross similes. Confession is like: lancing an abscess, letting out bad blood from a vein, and opening a dung gate.

Confession of sin is agreeing with truth. I can't deny or justify my sin. I can't explain why it happened. There is no logic. Sin is insane; to rationalize it only wounds the victims more, confuses the thinker, and makes a fan of modern psychology. Being a sinner (one who sins) is needing Christ.

I love the promises associated with confession on pages 35&36. If I confess God will be faithful and just to forgive.
"...draw up an indictment against yourself and plead guilty, and you shall be sure of mercy."

Auricular...That's another cool word.

Ok, I hope you worship Christ more through reading this. Thanks, friends.

In Christ Alone,

David

For Katie:

"I love you," said Katie.
"And I love you," replied David, as they snuggled as deep in the covers as they are in love. All of David's days are lovely because of his wonderful wife. He doesn't know how gracious God really has been to him by loaning her to him. All of their troubles are kind of worth it, in the right lighting, and together.

The Doctrine of Repentance

Thomas Watson wrote a bunch of good stuff. Really he did. At Katie's prodding, I started looking for a book for us to devour. Nolan, my bro-in-law, was reading The Doctrine of Repentance and Facebooked about it. I took the bait when I considered how difficult it is to weigh true repentance in my life.

I just feel like so many modern authors just aren't as thought provoking as some of these old dead guys. I love that I have to harass my dictionary app while reading most pages. You know... I'm pretty sure his education would have been double of any given modern doctorate degree. Something else: he didn't have TV. Which, through my many hours of observation, has convinced me it is the devil's box. 

On to Repentance

My goal in writing this blog is to re-communicate some of the things I'm learning through this book. And secondly: because I mainly learn from regurgitating information.

Observations

I think it is important to note that there is nothing in the Christian life that is an equation. I could conceivably follow every step Watson lays out and never repent. Or I could feel terribly about my sin and again never repent. But, nevertheless, Watson gives an excellent starting point for the deep, soul saving half-act of repentance. The other half is faith in Christ, Amen!

This is probably oversimplified, but I'm thinking repentance is aligning our spiritual vision to view our actions as Jesus views them. Then calling them what they are: sin. Leaving these sin then for the hand of Jesus. Trading dust for living water. 

"The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out." (Proverbs 20:5) I'm still learning what this means, but I think it can be said of one who is trying to truly repent.

Chapter 1

12: I love that he isn't going to dive into the "What came first?" argument, and in a short sweet paragraph says what many have said in verbose books. Of course, Watson probably has read all those books. On page 14, he kind of restates this in his two points on how repentance is wrought. 

13: "Repentance is a pure gospel grace... The law required personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience." 

Chapter 2

16: 

    It is a great matter to leave a sin. Then Watson says many people would leave a child before some sins. I thought, "No way! I would give anything for AK and Spero!" Then I thought to the times I have failed to perpetual struggles throughout the years. I can see his point. Another thought: How many people in the world have left families and loved ones to chase after romance (lust), money, power, etc. Yeah, we people choose sin first. This is more evidence that page 12 is correct. 

"An old sin may be left to entertain a new..." Yeap, this is why many a smoker quits and gains 50 lbs. (I wonder why I have and extra 50 lbs. then!?) 

Seriously though, the path is wider on the edge of hell than at the start of life. 

17: "True leaving of sin is when the acts of sin cease from the infusion of a principle of grace, as the air ceases to be dark from the infusion of light."

Chapter 3 

"Sin must first be seen before it can be wept for." Jesus said it this way, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Lord Christ, will you give us holy sight to see our sin like you see it?

19:

    "A woman may as well expect to have a child without pangs as one can have repentance without sorrow." Katie went naturally with Spero. No Tylenol,  no epidural, no morphine. Just pressure, pain, and a little screaming. "IT HURTS!" is specifically what she demanded everyone know while Spero was crowning. 

Repentance will have sorrow like Katie had Spero.

22: 

    Fiducial. I like that word. Say it out loud. It means: having the nature of trust. Godly sorrow that leads to repentance has the nature of trust. Sorrow is sorrow, not repentance. Repentance is a mixture of part sorrow, some other good stuff, and part trust in Christ. 

    Ok, so this is a stretch and a little random, but follow me here. Trust is being sure what you hope in is going to be there, is unchanging, and is powerful enough to be trusted. Therefore you, dear reader, cannot have true trust in something that is not committed, right? You cannot have trust in something that is not powerful, right? This is my point: Marriage has been given these qualities: Commitment and Love based on the truth of the Gospel (Power). And should be a safe place for godly sorrow, then confession, and then repentance to take place without the fear of rejection. Matthew 18 is the standard I'm thinking of here. 

That's enough for now! Much love to my singular, soul, at home with the kids while I'm at work typing this, blog follower: Katie.

-David

WSJ, stop making me think... I'm enjoying my Kool Aid

Friends take a look at this article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303505504577406603829668714.html

Ok, so, MY biggest problem with education is that all knowledge begins with God.

My second is America's seeming denial of the logical fact that our most intelligent men and women in history were not always products of our current public educational system. Really!? Multiple choice test scores mean smart kids? Where did all the classical education models go?

Yeah I know engineers are tested via multiple choice tests, but do you want all their education to be all knowledge and regurgitation? No projects? Just auto-cad?

What about your doctor?

To the Teachers and Administrators:

If I can't get students to do well on a test that means, as a teacher I failed? Hummm... What about thinking logically? What about moral social interaction? What about firing the ancients and understanding that "years of experience" isn't the same as "wise."

High Test Scores don't mean we'll educated.

Please can we take the education system and revolt so old people, who can't even debate right (I'm looking at you RomneyBama) aren't making the decisions for educating the kids? Who put government in charge of educating all the kids in the US anyways?

I know this is a seemingly bitter rant, but that doesn't negate the fact that there is a big problem in our public daycare system... uhh I mean Public Education System.

What's the goal?

Compete with the world? That's our goal? So 'Merica can compete? Then we need to not educate every one that can't pay for it. Don't worry I want to teach everybody... I just don't want to compare my education apple to education oranges. Hey Globalization isn't bad, by the way! Pretty soon Universities are going to be full of foreigners watching via Skype (or something).

What if our goal was to train parents to individually care for their kid's educational path? What if we took each kid to their level plus one? Or to their maximum by the end of school? What if we focused on their strengths, while shoring in their weaknesses, in an attempt to drill down deep into a interested strength?

Drop the testing folly. Or at least change it to something that really tells people how their doing.

End of rant. Post your thoughts below!

United... Wonderings from Psalm 52

United 'til death do we meet him who saved us by his faith.
Not for me, but for He who died upon the tree. I exist: a being who is only righteous by decree from the Lamb who is and is to come.
What is?
Anything that is: awoke, by the powerful words perfectly, quietly (or loudly) spoke.

Potency-I will wait
Glory-for your name
Defining- for it is good
United- in the presence of the godly.

Because you have done it.
Because you have done it.
Because you have done it.

Mercy, not Sacrifice...

In Matthew Chapter 12, Jesus rebuked the pharisees perfectly by telling them God desires mercy, not sacrifice. It's brilliant really, which I guess I shouldn't be surprised by because it is Jesus talking after all. It's brilliant, though, because of the implications this has for performingly religious people.

Just speaking for myself, I am naturally prone to want sacrifice from others. What I mean is: I want them to perform to get my approval. Sacrificing their time to serve me. Sacrificing thier differences in personality. Sacrificing something to show themselves worthy of my respect. Yeah, I know I suck...but if you think that I suck are you desiring me to sacrifice to get your approval? (I'm just sayin'...)

This idea is really a plague in our world. In all religions and demographics people require performance (AKA sacrifice) for approval. Think about when you see some rich guy walk by... what's your first thought? Do you require something from that guy to give your approval to him? Maybe him to share his wealth? Or think about the beggar at the traffic light. 'Nough said, right? Or, if you were a Muslim, looking at a Non-muslim what would you tell them they had to perform to be in the good graces of Allah?

When we Christians are in the mind set of earning approval (making sacrifices), or making other's make sacrifices to get closer to God, there is no difference between this kind of Christian religion and the other world religions.

Thankfully, that is not true Christianity.


Hosea 6:6, "For I desire steadfast [mercy] and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."

Psalm 51:16-17, "For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
                you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
                    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
                a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Matthew 12:7, "And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

John 6:28-29, "Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'"

Here is true Christianity: our righteousness comes from Christ, because there is where God's mercy is most found, in his performance. It must be this way. If I think I can perform to bring me closer to God, I am really saying this action of performance will bribe God to overlook the transgression for which I am responsible. God is Just and must punish that transgression, and either I face that punishment, or I faith in Jesus' work of mercy on the cross.

How does this apply to my life? I need not be critical of others, for they are on their own journey and God is doing a work in their lives. Katie, my wife, Alex Kate, my daughter, and Spero, my son, don't have to preform to receive God's grace, nor should they perform to receive mine. My Christian family doesn't have to be perfect. They don't have to act like me, dress like me, or watch UFC.

Here is the main point: If I see God as making me and others sacrifice to get closer to him; I will also make people sacrifice to get closer to me. This is the way the world works... I hate the world; I love Jesus, and he loves me. Performance-less, perfect, Gracious, overlooking love.

Lord Christ, help me love like you and give much mercy, not sacrifice.

JOBLESSNESS (not hopelessness)

I found out Friday, June 29 that I wasn't going to be rehired for the next school year at ACMS. The reason: It's complicated, but essentially the test scores say I suck at teaching. I'm not sure if I do or not, but the truth I can say: this thing is of God. This last Friday, July 6 we moved out of our apartment in Athens. We're chillin' with los padres in Oliver Springs job hunting. Our junk is on a trailer awaiting orders.

I'm not a Diest; God actively brought this about for our good. I'm not a practical atheist; I cannot trust in pulling hard on my boot straps.

I'm a follower of Christ: I drink his blood and I eat his flesh. 

This is the story, the one I'm living, the one he brought about and is going to walk through with me. I'm emotional right now. (Yeah, I know I'm a man saying this...) I drift from anger to excitement, from faith to faithlessness. I can't figure out what I'm good at; its not obvious right now. I want to be a (blank) at any given moment. Identity struggles are hard, but I know I'm his. I'm thankful for the rock in the storm. 

Last week:

I had an interview at Apple. I was so excited about getting in there! Then I got the email (after 3 meetings) and I didn't get it. Which was hard, because I think too highly of myself. 

This week:

I have a phone call with an admissions counselor today at 3ish. I've been thinking of getting my master's in counseling from Biblical Seminary up in PA. Actually, we were planning on going there, but I decided to take the path of least resistance and stay in Athens, which apparently wasn't the right path. But this path has it's difficulties, too. Spero is coming in late September. 30k-ish total after 2 years in debt. No job (seems to be a theme). Maybe the Apple retail store in PA wants to hire a washed-up teacher with no clear strengths, except eating and losing hair. (It's ok you can laugh.) 

Maybe Nashville will have an opportunity. We're going there for a week (or forever) to apply at some Christian Schools. (If you have any connections leave a comment :) Ray Ortlund here we come! Maybe...I've been using that word a ton recently. 

Here is the end of the matter: One day we will be worshipping Jesus in heaven, our journey will be over. I will hold my wife's hand and praise his name forever! and ever. and ever. Until then, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:8

Pray for us:

Health Care

Good job 

Clarity, Wisdom, Discernment

Faith in Christ

Grace and Patience while we are in between housing

Resilience in our souls

Thanks friends... 

-David 

Mercy, and not Sacrifice

Hosea 6:6

For I desire steadfast love [mercy] and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Matthew 9: 13

"Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 12: 7

"And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless."

Merriam-Webster clarifies exactly what Mercy and Sacrifice can be considered as:

Mercy

1: a : compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also : lenient or compassionate treatment 

2: a : a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion b : a fortunate circumstance
3: compassionate treatment of those in distress 

Sacrifice

1: an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially: the killing of a victim on an altar
2: something offered in sacrifice
3: a : destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else b : something given up or lost
4: loss

Some thoughts: 

My heart has leaped at the idea of God desiring mercy and not sacrifice from me. God interacts with me this way, and he wants me to interact with others this way, too. The vertical and horizontal, if you will. 

Vertical

God sees me as excellent in Christ. I haven't earned that title; I can't earn that title. God isn't picky about my interactions with him. In fact, multiple interactions with him (as myself) is what will make me act like Him. I am an offender to God, I am subject to His power, and I am in distress, and He has shown me compassion. 

Horizontal

My wife is excellent (really, she is). I don't require burnt offerings for myself. I don't require perfection in every interaction, but grace. I don't condemn her because she is guiltless, like me, in Christ alone. The list is endless. 

Praise God that in my interactions with Him I don't have to grovel after every offense. I go to Christ, who requires mercy, not sacrifice. I hope you find this encouraging, dear reader! Mercy is found in God through Christ.

Love... by George Herbert

George Herbert (1593-1633)

Love Bade Me Welcome

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back

    Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

    From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

    If I lacked anything.

"A guest," I answered, "worthy to be here";

    Love said, "You shall be he."

"I, the unkind, the ungrateful? Ah my dear, 

    I cannot look on thee."

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

    "Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord, but I have marred them; let my shame

    Go where it doth deserve."

"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"

    "My dear, then I will serve."

"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."

    So I did sit and eat.

I hope this encourages you as it does me. Thank you Christ for loving my marred eyes...

A remembrance of Christ's work.

"26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,3 not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being4 might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him5 you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”


1 Corinthians: 26-31


     I became a Christian soon after I graduated High School. I was raised in a Christian home. We attended a Southern Baptist church faithfully through out my elementary, middle, and high school years. Regardless of the attendance to church and morality in life, I wasn't a changed life. Soon after high school I was working in a Summer Camp where I had the chance to observe the life of a young man be changed into following Christ. This young man seemed to change within the week that I was there. I realized that I wanted that, and regardless of my faithful participation to church I didn't have the change that Christ brings. Around this time, in an obvious working of the Spirit, I heard a sermon dissecting 2 Corinthians 5:17, which led me to really think about my hearts desire and if Christ had changed them. I asked Christ to do so, and be the master of my life. I then began seeking Him and not reputation before men. My reputation had been the motivation behind my pursuing anything of God. I had wanted to look good to people, not look good before God. Christ brought reconciliation to my life by converging the life I led on the outside before people to the life I led behind closed doors. He taught me integrity.

    He led me to Tennessee Tech. University where I got involved in Campus Outreach. After much school work and all my summer spent on Campus Outreach Summer Projects, I graduated. I went to live in Brazil for about 5 months. It was suppose to be a year, but I came home early to get married to my wonderful wife, Katie.

   We have been following Christ around Tennessee for the last 4 years. From Cookeville to Athens, He has been faithfully leading us and growing us. We are now members at Cornerstone Church of Knoxville where we seek to serve the body by loving our neighbors and serving our small group when we can.

To my love, for my Love

To my love, for my Love

The one who shows me much of Love married me today.
Not today exactly, but four years ago, today.
I'm not sure how to explain her... I am speechless in love with my love.
A perfect picture of true love.
Proof of the seventh point: the best of all worlds.
Proof of Psalm eighty four: eleven.
Proof that love never fails.
Proof of Proof.
Abundantly, lovingly, quietly, she helps me serve Love.
Grace abounds in our gospel picture.
Clinging we step out, our faith will be strengthen in our pursuit of the path less traveled.

Bless us with a hundred more expounding upon the last four, then when its our time, Lord of Love, build my mansion next to hers above.

-David

Psalm 71

1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him."
12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.

I was encouraged by this Psalm today. Lord, will you encourage the believers today? Help us to be aware of our need for you. Protect us from materialism and the "American Dream" during the sales push of the holidays. Help our gaze to be fixed on you; grace us to proclaim your name to the next generation. Thank you for proclaiming yourself to us through King David!

In Christ Alone,
-David (a lesser one)

Jesus' Narrow Gate

Reflections on Matthew 7

I'm loving the study though Matthew Katie and I are attempting. I can feel the person of Christ coming through these scriptures during the times I read this gospel. This morning Jesus was taking me through multi-faceted corrections and encouragement in my walk with him. He starts with an encouragement to interactions with other believers (with implications to interactions with non-believers), a pushing to trust God, moving then to guidelines for living in righteousness, with a line to walk with cautions about the dangers of falling off either side.

Jesus starts off with an awe striking thought on judgement. Don't judge unless you want to be judged. When I do judge people, I will be judged by God with the same rigor I use. Then Jesus clarifies why; we do the same things we so readily judge in others (see Romans 2 as a cross-reference). How can I so harshly judge when I'm also to blame? Just to emphasize correctly, Jesus doesn't forbid judgement but attacks the heart behind it. He seems to ask the question: Do you really want to crush someone who does the same things you do? Then don't crush them. Help them as one beggar to another. Then Christ wisely adds, "Do not give to dogs what is holy..." (Matt. 7:6). I take from this to wait for teachable moments to share observations in someone's life. Two reasons why: 1. I run the risk of pressuring out performance in believers who aren't convinced by God of their actions. 2. Calling into righteousness is the effect of the Holy Spirit not the effect of judgmental corrections. I'm not going to accomplish my agenda on people; the Spirit is going to accomplish His.

The next section is teaching how to trust God. Just keep asking. Just keep coming to God because he is trustworthy. What a great promise for me as I look to God for where I should go! He will answer with GOOD things! He loves me and will keep me. How good is it that the world has no secrets that will just jump out and get me, but that GOD is in control of it all.

After the trusting God section, I found the narrow path. Narrow: doing to others what I would have them do to me. Narrow: hard. Narrow: faith in God. Narrow: walking in mercy. Narrow: asking God for things, not forcing my wants to happen.

False prophets? What the heck does all this stuff have to do with false prophets? I think Jesus has given me the outlines for holy living in the following section. Holy living defined by him. He doesn't want me to live according to a man's design for me. He tells me I will know false teachers by their fruits. What fruits come from false teaching? Bad ones. Galatians 5 expounds this idea:

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5: 19-25)."

I'll leave it up to you to see the connection between false teaching and fruits. Jesus makes it clear; he's smarter than I am. Let those who have ears hear the Lord's word. 

This is the line: Follow Jesus through the narrow gate. Falling off on one side lands me in self-centered sinfulness. Falling off the other lands me in a self-centered pharisaical position. Pharisees are the ones Jesus speaks to in the next section. Depart from me you worker's of lawlessness. Pharisee's through teaching too much law (really their own versions of law) became the thing they were trying to prevent, lawless. 

Do you see the line of thought all the way through the chapter? I thought it was cool. Leave a comment, I want to read it!

-David

Koral X-Trech BJJ Pants

The background
After 3 months of searching and reading forums, my expedition for a new pair of BJJ pants ended like a fairy tale. It all started about 6 months ago back in April-ish, while at class. We were doing some squats to warm up with when all the sudden I heard a rippppppp followed by a cool breeze. Don't get me wrong, I loved my A-5 Fuji gi. I'd worn it for about 3 years, but now the pants had a ginormous crack right next to mine.

The arrival
So, after many visits to the KoralUSA website, I decided to purchase a pair of the "X-Trech" black ripstop pants. A whopping $70.00 later they arrived in all their glory. My first thought when I touched them was how good they were going to feel while I was rolling an omaplata on a poor unsuspecting soul at Jiu-jitsu class.

The fit
As soon as I tried them on I was in love. They were the best fitting BJJ pants I've ever had. I did have a couple of concerns before buying them. One, I know Koral is notorious for having tight fitting pants. They taper the legs so to have less of a grip for would be pants grabbers. This isn't a problem for the "X-Trech" pants. The A5s I have don't have a noticeable taper, if they even have one at all. Two, I'm a big guy. 6'4"-265 lbs. Don't get me wrong I don't have a gut (well not a big one anyway) I'm just a large human. These pants are meant for me. They will fit a taller and rounder person than I am by far.

The material
I was also concerned with the durability of the ripstop fabric. After the first class, I'm not concerned any more. They took everything without budging a bit.

Conclusion
Koral has made an excellent pair of BJJ pants. If they were to match up the "X-Trech" pants with one of their ripstop Gi tops in a package deal then I think they would be the top selling Gi world wide!

Koral "X-Trech" pants are worth every penny and will last me for years. This blog post is a sweet little shout out to them for doing their job well. THANKS!

Satisfied

Discontentment...

Been trying to sell our house; year 2, no offers yet.

Been doing jiu-jitsu for 4 years; no black belt yet. Got another 8 years to go.

I've got a '94 Honda 'Gas port' with 199k. The thing screams, "get another car!"

Contentment
Been teaching for 4 1/2 years. This year was my first rehire.

Got a beautiful wife who loves me. Got a beautiful daughter and a button in a belly (who will come out in 9).

Been a Christ follower for 8 years.

With all this you'd think I'm the most content man on earth, but I'm not all the time.

Rambles:
Contentment must be another name for happiness.

Why do I search for contentment when the things in my grasp don't satisfy contentment's thirst? I look. I grasp. I'm not satisfied.

It's so weird how I keep coming back to the same things as if they will help me. It's like the difference between eating chocolate covered, creme filled donuts or eggs, bacon, toast and OJ for breakfast. They both have the same effect, but the effect of one lasts most of the day. So where's the good meal? I don't think I can live on donuts alone.

Matthew 4:4
"...It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

I know I will not be satisfied by any good (or bad) thing on this earth for very long. Jesus has got to keep teaching me about how he helped Paul say in 2 Corinthians 2:9-10 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Jesus, please teach me, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Fearing the PowerFaux...

I have been reading Psalm 27 for a couple of days. This morning I was encouraged by the first verse, "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?"
In my job (as with any job) I have superiors in whom I am to submit. Although this isn't the exact historical context, I see this verse having deep application to my interactions with my bosses. The application is this: God is my salvation, not my kind compliments (which were intended for my personal gain), not my purposeful silence during imperfect executive decisions, and not even my perfect new shirt (which I wore with the intentions of looking good to others not to God).
God has brought salvation. Not me. Not my bosses. Not any other thing in this world. God is Powerful; idols are PowerFaux

Man That Hurt!!!

So the other day I was accused of some pretty nasty things. That's all I need to say so that I don't follow my heart's temptations to slander and gossip about the person. Honestly, it hurt. It really hurt. I know I am proud and that is the reason it hurt. If I weren't so wrapped up in how much awesomeness I have, I wouldn't have limped away so wounded, but nevertheless I am. And now I'm struggling in my mind to not replay the scenario over and over and over again with all the alternate endings cued up. It's now over. The fog has cleared a little and it's just me and Jesus.
Although the jury is still out on if the person is a true Christ follower, the recent article I read by Dr. Mike Milton put the healing balm of the Gospel on my wound. Please read this excerpt. I think it will help you, dear reader, if one day you are hurt by a person meaning to hurt you.
This is for anyone who is a believer hurt by another believer, for a loved one hurt by another loved one, for anyone feeling like a victim of another person, or maybe just feeling betrayed by life. In order for you to move from victim to victor in dealing with the pain of betrayal or suffering of any kind, drastic steps must be taken. The hurt person, who is not embracing that pain as a means for God to do something in his life, is the person who is stuck and for whom the clock has stopped. He is not denying himself. In fact, the very thing he wants to do is feed pain: "They hurt me, they said this about me, and I was offended." But Jesus says, "Take up your cross, follow Me, deny yourself, whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

We want to think about cross-bearing as physical pain, and it is. We also want to think about taking up our cross as standing up for truth and maybe taking some hits for it, maybe even being a martyr for it. Throughout church history may have done so.

But the context of the cross is betrayal. The context of the cross is the pain of being hurt by those close to us.

Zechariah 13:6 speaks of "the wounds I received in the house of my friends." This is the pain you may feel in your heart. This may be where you are living today.

God does not call us to live in distrust, but to live by faith in Christ. It is not that I implicitly trust all men; it is that I trust God in all situations. And this makes life sweet.

Will you say, "I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and share in His sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may rise again"? Will you believe that though "they" meant it for evil, God meant it for good? Will you go on and live this risen life that Christ offers you right now?

This is from Dr. Milton's booklet Hit by Friendly Fire: What to do When Christians Hurt You.

Friendship

In a recent sermon series, we have been confronted with the truth that not all relationships are worth having. At least, they should be filed in the appropriate sector for the good of our souls.
My years in college were filled with many relationships, but I'll never forget the relationships I had with the new freshmen who just arrived to TTU's campus.
The campus ministry I was involved in would make every effort to get connected with people early in the year. We would swarm the dorms on move in day just to meet and help out people in hopes to share the good news of Christ with them. We would then proceed to wave bye to their moms and dads and show them around campus. Our tour would always involve a trip to the UC.
On the path from the dorms to the UC there is a belly-button high bush about six foot in length and 3-4 foot wide. The bush is pretty, nice and green, and groomed properly. Every year we would pick the most athletic guy hanging out with us and peer pressure him into jumping the bush. Before you start hurling your stones of judgment at me, let me tell you the bush is jump-able. I've seen several people clear it with no problem. The part that is sooo funny is that not everyone clears the bush.
I left out (as I did when I would challenge the freshmen) the description of the 2 inch needle like thorns the bush had hidden in its clutches. Waiting to claw their way into the freshman's flesh as they were trying to show off their athleticism at their new home. Many guys found the thorns after the landing!
I have to be honest, I did this for the enjoyment of pulling a prank on the new guy. I loved it! I wasn't really a good friend to these guys. I was using them as a selfish form of entertainment. This story is connected to the sermon we heard.
Our pastor made several points about the differences between having friends, counsel, and evangelistic relationships. We as Christians have friends who are Christians (or at least claim to be) in whom we wouldn't confide in. And our relationships should look that way! We should properly confide in older more mature Christians that will help us on our marathon to Jesus. I need to watch out for those who would talk me into "jumping the bushes" without my good in mind. My counsel will point out the thorns when my friends may not even know the thorns exist.
And be sure the strongest warning is against confiding in those who are non-Christian. I think this is the most tempting for those who aren't involved in a strong church. Where the advice of the members is not that different from that of the non-Christian. Sad, huh? I've seen it. People turn to non-Christians for their thoughts and get crazy answers like, "Just follow your heart," or, "Do what you want," or the advice comes through the lifestyle of the person being questioned. Let's be honest...non-Christians have idols like: Self satisfaction, Materialism, and Comfort. Why do you think Oprah and Dr. Phil make so much money? They will tell you what you want to hear so that you will watch their show. DON'T Listen to the LOST over GOD's wise counsel in your life. The result may be worse than the thorns of the freshman bush.

Do you have any thoughts about this subject? Have you proven these truth from experiences on either side?

Public Education

The Demise of Public Education

Recently, I have been reading a ton of articles on public education I gathered up for some research. Honestly, I was discouraged. This slug of a public education system we have is struggling to keep its head above water. While the blame for the failure is placed on the teachers, the real problem is the foundational beliefs driving public education. I am a teacher; I have 3 certifications and I'm working on my Master's degree, but public education may not be the best work in the future. I think it may end up like the US Postal Service, which is slowly grinding to a halt as people figure out how to go purely electronic. Its demise may have began not too long ago.

These things are related because there is a plethora of education materials out there for students of all ages. Just check out wolframalpha.com some time. While you're at it, look at owl.perdue.edu. These are just a couple of sites dedicated to knowledge. Public education mainly follows the Greek philosophy of learning. Simply put this is the idea of an expert imparting knowledge to non-experts. Basically the transition of knowledge is the essence of education. In the schools it is the teachers transmitting knowledge of a subject to a student. This seems like a great idea if the information wasn't already floating around cyber-space ripe for the picking. So my thought is this: we really don't have a need for teachers, just a basic understanding of how to get information (and motivation to do so) and the process is complete. I guess I'm saying my job is useless... You can find what I know by looking for 10 minutes on google! I hope the system doesn't figure this out soon!

The failure of the public education system has been in the spot light for a while now. I know this is an unprovable thought but I think it is because of what God teaches in the Bible. I get this from my recent reading in Proverbs. Chapter 1 says this, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7 ESV). Logically, then it is true to say Fear of God= beginning of knowledge. Then the inverse is true No Fear of God= No beginning of knowledge. Obviously, there is no fear of God in public education, so there is no knowledge, right? Well, there is knowledge at school, but knowledge my point is that it has no real value if it doesn't deal with the fear of Him. I suppose all knowledge is from God, but He is the source of true and valuable (as He defines value) knowledge.

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—" (1 Corinthians 1:4-5 ESV). I think this teaches in grace through Christ our knowledge is enriched to true knowledge of God. The knowledge of God is the only truly valuable knowledge because it leads to the salvation of one's soul.

For some further reading on some of the problems with Public Education:

http://www.firstthings.com/article/2008/03/004-reforming-education-a-whole-new-world-20

This is just scratching the surface of the gigantic problem of education. I would love to hear some of your thoughts (reader) about it.

Brazil and God's Goodness

God is so Good! He has been teaching me so much about Himself and His mission.
About five years ago I began my relationship with Christ and He began to teach me about who He is and what He desires to be done in the world. He wants to know me and guide me because He cares about me and He wants me to tell others about His coming and their purpose as He defines it. About three years after I became a Christian I had an oppourtunity to learn about His desire for me to tell others with Campus Outreach (www.campusoutreach.org). We went to Belo Horizonte, Brazil for 8 weeks. I didn't know it but God had a bigger plan in store for me the whole time.

So we fast forward through the last two years and now I am about to graduate from Tennessee Technological University May 5th, 2007. As I look out across the gulf of my future I am amazed at the oppourtunities God has given me for my future (Jeremiah 29:11). I will be spending one year in Belo Horizonte, Brazil as a missionary for the Gospel of Christ. Praise God!!! He is surely the author of this!!! I will be raising money the next 29 days so I can leave on May 15th, 2007.

My work there will be with Campus Outreach Brazil Team. I will be on staff working to share Christ's Love with recent graduate students from the local University (Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG) and using English as an oppourtunity to teach the Gospel to students. I am really excited about Brazil and the gospel of Christ being spread where He wants it to go. I listed some request below.

Please Pray:
-That GOD would move people's hearts to join with me in Brazil
-That the Graduate Communities would fall deeper in Love with Christ
-God will prepare my heart to share and Brazilian's hearts to be shared with
-GOD will supply all my needs as He promises to do in His word