Tuesday, December 20, 2011

My favorite quarterback

Matt Stafford, Detroit Lions QB, was mic'd up for a game his rookie year.  This clip is worth watching in its entirety.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8147c551/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-mic-d-up

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Arbitrary things that I love


  1. My mom's ice cream sandwich desert
  2. The cardboard jacket that goes around a hot coffee cup
  3. A Christmas in Connecticut
  4. Twitter hashtags
  5. Strawberry Banana yogurt
  6. Strawberry Banana yogurt with granola
  7. Reheating leftover coffee
  8. Rolling over the top sheet on my pad of paper instead of ripping it off
  9. My Pilot fine-tipped pen (V7)
  10. Baked potatoes in the microwave.
  11. Dropping my keys in the white glass dish on top of my bookcase
  12. My bookcases
  13. The books on my bookcases
  14. My linen closet
  15. The walk-in closet in my bedroom that is big enough to be its own bedroom
  16. The EADG, and high E strings on the guitar.  I don't love the B string.
  17. Talking to waiters, baristas, and cashiers
  18. Making things out of construction paper
  19. Making things out of construction paper and an Elmer's Glue purple glue stick
  20. FB'ing old friends and telling them that I miss them
  21. Contact solution
  22. Ice Skating
  23. Water
  24. Analog clocks
  25. Biographies, but only in moderation.  They usually move me too much.
  26. Holding back tears.
  27. Confidence in a girl
  28. My cut-capo
  29. Crossing items off my to-do list.
  30. Not knowing if I should add a "." at the end of an item in a list.  See above items. "."
  31. The reindeer face-thing on Google Plus' video chat.  
  32. Taking screen shots of my friend's baby while he has the reindeer face-thing on him.
  33. Spicer coffee mugs that I had before I even started working at Spicer
  34. Apple products.  I like Macintosh.
  35. Gala apples.  I don't love Macintosh apples because they are too soft.
  36. Incarnation music like "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."
  37. Crucifixion songs like "Old Rugged Cross"
  38. Resurrection music like "Up from the grave he arose."
  39. Chris Julian and Renato Betim and Michael Julian and Melody Julian
  40. The Southern Baptist Church
  41. Charlie Parker
  42. Miles Davis
  43. Over The Rhine
  44. Over The Rhine concerts
  45. Over The Rhine concerts with a cute friend
  46. Empty coffee cups
  47. Being generous
  48. Windshield wipers
  49. Minivans
  50. I love that McDonalds has served over 99 Billion.  That's like... all of Abrahams's children? And I am one of them!
  51. Using french fries to eat a Wendy's Frosty
  52. Netflix Instant Streaming
  53. Battlestar Galactica
  54. Foreign martial arts films.  They always make me feel like I could be a ninja.
  55. Auto-correct on my cellphone.  I'm getting way too used to it.  Plus, it's always an adventure to see what words it thinks that I'm trying to write.
  56. Faux wood or stone laminate
  57. Ending lists at an arbitrary number
What arbitrary things do you love?  

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Twenty-Five

Yesterday, I turned 25.  According to one coworker, he thought I was 16 and asked if I was going to pick up my license later that day; My pastor wished me a happy 19th birthday.  I get it; I look young.  But really guys?

I turned 16 during my sophomore year of high school and I didn't get my driver's license that day.  At 19, I was in my freshman year at Calvin College about to begin my first set of College finals.  It's hard to remember back that far and come up with specific details of what happened on my birthday those years.  I can guess that my parents gave me a gift or two and we went out to eat for dinner (family tradition on birthdays).  I do remember what I asked for as a Christmas gift both those years:  a .22 rifle.  It's been on my list ever since I got my BB gun.

Life is different at 25 than at 16 and 19.  Not only do I have my drivers license, but I have a full-time job and business cards as well.  I didn't just finish one semester's worth of finals, I finished 12 semesters and along the way, picked up a Master's Degree.  There is less saxophone and more guitar.  I'm single (this is the same as when I was 16 and 19.  It was good that I was single back then; now?  Who knows?).  I don't remember what I did for my 16th and 19th birthdays, but I spent a good portion of my 25th birthday painting walls at church.

Life is different and better now than at 16 or 19.  I think I know and love Jesus more now than then.  I have more friends now.

Just one last thought: 25 more years puts me at 50.  I bet I'll look like I'm 45 - minimal gray hairs, still slim and strong, and a full head of hair.  I'll look good, even it means looking like I'm 16 or 19 on my 25th birthday.


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

[no title]

I just read this paragraph:
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of every four girls has been sexually molested by the time she turns 14. (Stop for a moment and let that sink in. One in four of our precious little girls.) One in six women has been a victim of attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, and approximately 7.8 million women have been raped by a boyfriend, husband, or significant other. According to estimates from the US Department of Justice, fewer than half of all rapes are reported to the police, and only one out of twenty rapists ever spends a day in jail for their crimes.
Read it again.  Read twice more.  Stop for a moment and let this paragraph sink in.  One in four girls have been sexually molested by the time she is 14.  One in six women has been a victim of attempted or completed rape.  St. Johns, MI has roughly 8,000 people. Call it 4,000 females.  That means that 667 women in my town have been a victim of attempted or completed rape or some act of sexual molestation.  This is fracked up and tragic.

I have no clue where to start or what to do to help women in St. Johns.  Ideas?

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Men and Women

A few nights ago, I grabbed coffee with an old friend and we briefly talked about standards we have for the guys and girls that we date.  She threw two Bible passages at me for the type of woman she wants to be (Proverbs 31) and the type of man she wants to marry (Psalm 15).  I've heard the Proverbs 31 description before, but the Psalm 15 description was new to me.  I think they are worthwhile suggestions for the type of man or woman you should strive to marry and be.  I've pasted the two passages below.

A few thoughts:

  • I don't know how anyone can read this part of Proverbs 31 and think that Christianity has an antiquated view of women.  Christianity has always been and will be a champion of the diversity and equality of men and women.  
  • My desire for character in my future wife increases as I get older.  I'd marry the woman in Proverbs 31.
  • My favorite parts in Proverbs 31 are vss. 20, 25-26, and 28.  
  • Psalm 15 is convicting to me because I know that I still have a lifetime of pursuing righteousness, honesty, and good works ahead of me.  I can't be THIS MAN before I'm married.  Heck, I can't be this man on this side of God's fulfilled redemption plan.  But, the pursuit of God is something worth chasing.

Truth be told, I've dated a girl who wasn't a Proverbs 31 woman and I wasn't a Psalm 15 man with her. There wasn't any happiness and right-ness to that relationship.  If we set as a guideline these two passages, I think we may find more peace and joy in our relationships.


Psalm 15

A Description of the Godly
A Davidic psalm.
 1 LORD, who can dwell in Your tent? 
    Who can live on Your holy mountain?
    2 The one who lives honestly, practices righteousness,
    and acknowledges the truth in his heart 
    3 who does not slander with his tongue, 
    who does not harm his friend
    or discredit his neighbor,
    4 who despises the one rejected by the LORD[a]
    but honors those who fear the LORD
    who keeps his word whatever the cost,
    5 who does not lend his money at interest 
    or take a bribe against the innocent 
    the one who does these things will never be moved.


Proverbs 31

In Praise of a Capable Wife
 10 Who can find a capable wife? [i]
    She is far more precious than jewels. [j]    11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will not lack anything good.
    12 She rewards him with good, not evil,
    all the days of her life.
    13 She selects wool and flax [k]
    and works with willing hands.
    14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from far away.
    15 She rises while it is still night 
    and provides food for her household
    and portions [l] for her servants.
    16 She evaluates a field and buys it;
    she plants a vineyard with her earnings. [m]
    17 She draws on her strength [n]
    and reveals that her arms are strong.
    18 She sees that her profits are good,
    and her lamp never goes out at night.
    19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
    20 Her hands reach [o] out to the poor,
    and she extends her hands to the needy.
    21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
    for all in her household are doubly clothed. [p]
    22 She makes her own bed coverings; 
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
    23 Her husband is known at the city gates,
    where he sits among the elders of the land.
    24 She makes and sells linen garments;
    she delivers belts [q] to the merchants.
    25 Strength and honor are her clothing, 
    and she can laugh at the time to come.
    26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and loving instruction [r] is on her tongue.
    27 She watches over the activities of her household 
    and is never idle. [s]
    28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
    Her husband also praises her:
    29 "Many women [t] are capable,
    but you surpass them all!"
    30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, 
    but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.
    31 Give her the reward of her labor, [u]
    and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Random

Sometimes I write something in this text editing box and then delete without posting.  I had 4 or 5 sentences condemning whining/complaining/etc online, but then deleted it.  I felt like I was starting to whine.  

Random rule that I break:  #hashtaggindoesntworkifitcanthyperlink

I'm going to write the names of people I work with here in St. Johns.  Or, because this is the internet, I'm going to write their initials.  Boom!  Protection of Privacy.

SM, JE, WK, TM, PC, S_, NE, VM, PF, LP, JW, AS, DW, JF, JZ, PH, JB.

It's not an exhaustive list.  I've started praying for some of these people regularly.  Some go to church.  Others might not.  They are all worth knowing.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

City Slicker

I'm not a farm boy.  Sometimes, I wish I were.  But I'm not.  I'm a city boy and my every desire and inclination is city-centered.

But I. Love. Farms.*

Last night, I hung out with D and A at their farm.  I work with A and we were planning on going with a few other coworkers to a concert in Grand Rapids last night.  Those other coworkers bailed (justifiably) and so A invited me over to hang with her and her husband.  10+ miles out of town, we turned a corner and I saw this large, awesome, red barn and thought,

"I hope that is the place."

And.  It.  Was.

D and A own a dairy farm and 200 acres to grow feed for the cattle.  I got to see D gather up the corn, pet some calves**, stole eggs from some chickens, held a chicken, and saw some cool tractors. We grabbed dinner at a local place and had great conversation.  I enjoyed it.

All in all, a good trade off.



*Channeling Rob Bell's grammar usage here.
**Spoiler alert: They like to suck your fingers.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Impostor Syndrome

Sometimes I feel like a fraud.  I know that I'm smart and successful and good at what I do.  But I know it in the abstract and not internally.  I know the truth: I'm lazy, not as good as I know I could be, and am superficially sincere.  

I think it is called "Impostor Syndrome" and I think it hits more people than we realize.  It could be a real psychological disorder and it could be something we all think.  We all may, at different times, feel inferior.  We will feel unqualified.   I struggled with it 2 years ago when I started grad school and I am having those same thoughts now that I'm starting a real, full-time job.  I know I can do this but get thoughts that suggest I should run back to a safe environment, like school.  I am not an impostor, but I feel like an impostor.

Question: 
Is the impostor syndrome bad?  What can we learn from these thoughts and feelings? How do we grow from feelings of inferiority to confidence?  How does the Impostor Syndrome reflect our own fallenness and God's redemptive work in our lives?

Monday, October 3, 2011

Resurrection

I love the Detroit Lions.  You might know that about me, but I needed to clarify.  I love the Detroit Lions.

The last two weeks they have been down 20+ points during their games and have fought back to win.  Down, out, beaten, and perhaps dead?  Two weeks ago, statistically they had a 2% chance of winning their game when they were down 20 at the half to the Vikings.  Yesterday, they had a 1% chance of winning after getting down 24 points to the Cowboys.*

In our terms, they were dead to rights.  Down, out, beaten AND dead.

But someone forgot to tell the Lions.

They won both games.  Surprise.  It's not the same, old Lions, right?  Down, out, beaten, dead, and back alive?

As a fan, I kinda lose hope in the one I love.  I see the death.  I see my hopes dashed, my dreams shattered, and my faith shaken.  And all for a football team.

But they won.  And it kinda makes me want to smile.**

The Lions remind me of Jesus, and we don't even have Tim Tebow....

Read the Bible, specifically John or Mark.  Jesus had some followers, some fans, if you will.  They loved him and lived with him.  They were friends and brothers.  And then Jesus died.  Cue the dashing of hopes, shattering of dreams, and shaking of faith.  All for a friend and leader.  Jesus was down, out, beaten, and dead.

Skip to the end of John or Mark.  Seriously, I give you permission to read the end first.  Jesus isn't dead.  He came back to LIFE.  He had a 0% chance of living again.  0%.  No one dies like he did and comes back to life, even in modern medicine.  Dead.  Now alive.

It kinda makes me want to smile.**



*I read the stats on the NFC North blog, written by Kevin Seifert.
**That was an intentional understatement.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Minnesota Vikings

I went to an NFL game last Sunday with my friend, Ty.  The red-hot Detroit Lions came to Minneapolis to play against the stumbling, bumbling Minnesota Vikings.

First.  NFL.  Game.  Ever.

Some background coming into the game:  The Lions dominated the Bucs and Chiefs in the first 2 weeks of the season.  The Vikings at halftime leads in their first 2 games but lost in the second half.  All signs pointed to a Lions blowout win.

Except someone forgot to tell the Lions.  Like their first two games, the Vikings came out and grabbed a 20 point lead at halftime.  The fans were cheering; the esprit de corps high.  The game was in hand and the Vikes were going to get their first win of the season.

Except someone forgot to tell the Lions.  End of the game score: 26-23, Lions in overtime.

The most surprising thing of the game wasn't that the Lions failed to play in the first half.  It wasn't the second half comeback.  It wasn't Calvin Johnson's mega catch to set up the game-winning field goal.  No, the most surprising thing in the game was the fickle-minded fans who went from cheering to booing in minutes.  My ears rung from cheering and my ears rung from the booing.

Cheering to booing in a matter of minutes.  And back to cheering when they stopped the Lions and scored a tying field goal.

It surprised me.  Just plain surprised me.

It's Matthew 21 and 27; Mark 11 and 15.  The Jews cheer Jesus when the situation is going as they want and boo (clamor for his death!) when the situation reverses itself.

Jews and Viking Fans.

And Us.

Cheering, booing.  Celebrating, complaining.  Running towards Jesus and running away from Jesus.

I guess history is doomed to repeat itself?  Human condition?  Still, surprising.

Monday, September 26, 2011

A short summary of my research and Thesis*


Stormwater runoff is a primary non-point source of pollution that contains many pollutants that have deleterious effects on the environment. To manage stormwater, different techniques that target specific stormwater pollutants may be implemented in watersheds. One such treatment practice is called bioretention, or rain gardens. This thesis discusses the use of bioretention media as a treatment technique for the removal of dissolved toxic metals and investigates the release of phosphorus. A review of previous research and the laboratory experiments will be discussed in two chapters **.

Chapter 1 reviews the literature on the concentrations, sources, and effects of dissolved toxic metals found in stormwater runoff.  The review also discusses relevant management practices and parameters related to the removal of toxic metals using materials commonly found in bioretention practices, such as MNDOT Grade 2 compost and C-33 sand. Third, Chapter 1 reviews the sorption mechanisms and important variables that aid or hinder sorption of toxic metals to organic materials.  Lastly, previous research on sorption of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc to organic and inorganic sorbent materials is discussed.

Batch and column experiment were performed to investigate the removal of cadmium, copper, and zinc form synthetic stormwater by compost-amended sand. The results of these experiments are discussed in Chapter 2. The batch sorption capacities for Cd and Zn are 2.13 mg/g and 3.82 mg/g, respectively, for Minnesota Compost 1 and 0.02 and 0.07 mg/g, respectively for sand. Copper precipitates as tenorite (CuO) at the pH of the stormwater (7.2), so a sorption capacity was not computed. Column studies using four different ratios of compost (0, 10, 30, and 50%, by volume) in sand were conducted to develop metal breakthrough curves. The breakthrough curves for Cd and Zn were fit to the Thomas Model. The resulting sorption capacities are 0.07, 0.23, 0.37, 0.78 mg Cd/g and 0.10, 0.23, 0.33, 0.61 mg Zn/g for 0, 10, 30, and 50% compost fractions, respectively. These sorption capacities, when adjusted for mass of sand and compost, are consistent with the sorption capacities determined from the batch experiments. Assuming representative values for precipitation and dissolved metal concentrations, the estimated lifespan of bioretention cells for removal of Cd and Zn ranged from 24 to greater than 95 years for bed depths of 5 to 15 cm for a bioretention practice constructed with 30% compost.  Copper was removed in the columns due to filtration and no breakthrough occurred in the duration of the study.

In the batch and column studies, concentrations of phosphorus exceeded the initial concentrations indicating that phosphorus is exported from the bioretention media to the infiltrating stormwater. The phosphorus concentrations exiting the columns were initially high (0.5 mg P/L), but then decreased to a steady state value of 0.20 - 29 mg P/L (that exceeded the influent value of 0.13 ± 0.03mg P/L) for the remainder of the experiment.  The total yearly load exported from a bioretention practice containing 30% compost is 1.44 g dissolved phosphorus per year for every square meter of bioretention area.

Overall, the results suggest that bioretention cells are not likely to fail because of loss of dissolved toxic metal removal capacity as the breakthrough times on the order of hundreds of years far exceed the typical design life of engineering systems of 30 years. Although only one compost was tested in the column experiments, the similarity in batch sorption capacities for several compost samples obtained from Minnesota and around the country suggest that the source of compost is not a strong factor in determining dissolved metal removal performance. For metals that are in particulate form or particle-associated, removals will be dictated by the filtration performance of the bioretention cell which is a function of particle size, bioretention media grain size and porosity, and other factors. Copper, 72% of which was in the particulate form in the column influent, was effectively removed by the bioretention columns and removal improved with increasing fraction of compost.  Nevertheless, it is difficult to extrapolate these results to other particle-associated metals and other bioretention practices. Finally, one significant concern regarding bioretention media is that not only are nutrient not removed effectively, but the compost that is key to metals removal may actually release nutrients (i.e., phosphorus). Thus, it is important to consider the installation of alternative media beneath the compost-amended sand to remove phosphorus, such as iron-amended sand. Such hybrid approaches require more investigation ***.

* The Executive Summary copied from my thesis.  
** I'm smirking as I copy and paste this.
*** Let me know if you want some more....

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Love is a verb


I love the combination of John 13:34, 14:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.  The idea of loving God and loving others (Jesus’ top two commands) has been the focus of my prayers and how I want to shape my life lately.  I think these are two very deep commands, but to think of them simply as “love” is important.

I don’t understand this love.  I don’t always know how to love God or love others.  I’m not pure or kind in my thoughts and not generous in my actions towards other people.  Yet, I read of Jesus’ love for us and am compelled to change.  It’s like being swept along a current, not against my will, but certainly the origin is not self-derived.  Jesus’ love motivates me, often to my surprise.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 reads: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are conviced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

In Jesus, we have hope in eternal life after death; assurance of righteousness before God; an invitation into sweet community with God; a motivator for others-focused living; and a friend and LORD.  All this comes from his love for us.  I know this love, but my knowledge of it is like a match that is almost burned out, flickering its last meager tongues of flame.  I want my knowledge and belief in Jesus’ love to be a roaring bonfire whose heat is so intense one can’t even look at it, but a fire that is so comforting that people can’t help but see and want to be a part of. 

Jesus’ love for us helps and motivates us to love God and love others.  The only way we go from a flickering, stuttering match to a roaring bonfire is by continuously reminding ourselves of God’s love for us (most strongly shown at the Cross) and reminding ourselves to respond to this love with love.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Jesus' comforting words

I'm still reading in John 14.  Jesus continues to talk to his friends after telling them he will be leaving.  This latest "I'll be leaving/dying" seems to finally hit home with his disciples and they are understandably shaken.

So Jesus comforts them with his words in John 14-16.  I don't about the disciples, but when someone says, "It's ok, I won't be around but this other person whom you've never met will be and that person will teach you.  Peace, brothers.  Don't be afraid," I don't feel all that comforted.  Since the disciples don't fully understand who is Jesus and why he is leaving, I think I can say with 67% confidence that at this point the disciples are not feeling comforted (check out 16:29-30 for their final "AHA!" moment).

Ok, so I'm not really comforted by Jesus' words right now.  I feel the loss of a friend.  Perhaps it is because I am leaving Minneapolis and leaving several close brothers.  These are guys I love and don't want to leave.  I've spent two years with some of these guys; walking, talking, encouraging, challenging, laughing, and crying.  And now I'm leaving.

Put yourself in the disciples' sandals; empathize with their loss of a friend.  I do.

I'm going to remember what Jesus said even if I can't feel at peace right now, "But the Counselor, The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."



Saturday, September 3, 2011

I miss Jesus


I think there are some really unfortunate section headings in my Bible.  One example is John 13-14. 

The scene:  The Last Supper
Importance:  Redefinition of the Passover feast in light of Jesus’ mission and impending death.

I call these “unfortunate section headings” because they disrupt the flow of some really important things Jesus is saying.  I’m going to rewrite this section as one continuous piece (with liberal use of paraphrasing).

Jesus: Guys, I’m only going to be with you a little bit longer.  I’m taking off and, just as I told everyone else, y’all will look for me, but won’t find me.  So, remember this:  love one another.  Just like I loved you, love one another.  People will see this and know that you follow me.

Pete: sir, where are you going?

Jesus: Where I’m going, you can’t follow right now, but you can follow me later.

Pete: Why not?  I’d give my life to follow you!

Jesus:  Really?  Before morning, you are going to tell people 3 times that you don’t even know me.

Jesus: Guys, don’t worry.  Trust God and trust me.  I’m going to my Father’s house to prepare a place for you.  You can’t follow now, but I’m coming back to so you can be with me again.  Besides, y’all know the way to where I’m going.

Tom: Really? We don’t even know where you are going, so how do we know how to get there?

Jesus: I’m the way, I’m the truth, and I’m the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.  If you knew me, then you’d know the Father as well; you do know me and so you know the Father.

Phil: Just show us the Father and that’s good for us (I think the implied words are “you don’t have to go”)!

Jesus:  Don’t you get it?  You’ve seen the Father because you’ve seen me.  My words are from the Father (12:47-50); my miracles are from the Father (10:25-30); The Father and I are ONE (5:19-23)!

Reading these sections, I kinda feel the loss of a friend here.  Peter, Thomas, and Philip know Jesus is leaving.  The “why” and “where” is not readily apparent to them right now.  I can empathize with their friendship and loyalty.  I don’t know how to describe it, but I can feel their confusion.  And to be honest, the rest of Jesus’ words aren’t the most comforting to me.  I understand and believe why Jesus had to leave and go to the cross.  But I don’t like it.  I know the Holy Spirit [the Comforter] is here and that I am in the Father’s hand, but this passage makes me miss Jesus.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Feeling like giving up? Persevere, doggone it.

A part of me wants to give up on the things I'm doing and move on to the next stage of life.  It's a very small part and the other 96% of Joel Morgan won't let that part win.  I find that bothersome.  I don't know why I can't feel despondent or frustrated or down.  I want to, but I don't.  Rather, I feel like persevering.  I feel like finishing strong, even if I don't feel like doing all the work required to persevere.*

Monday morning, I read Job 1:21 in the Bible, which reads:  Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.  The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.


I read it to give perspective to me before I interviewed for a job later that morning; I think of it now to remind myself to persevere.  No, I'm not Job.  Writing a thesis is not the same as losing one's entire family and fortune.  But it's a lesson that through all of life, good or bad, boring or exciting, may the name of the LORD be praised.  So, I'm going to Colossians 3:23 for the rest of this week and work hard.

Question/Answer
What's a struggle to persevere in right now?  Work, school, play?  Me - writing my thesis.



*I used "I" eight times in that paragraph.  I apologize.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

How do you worship?


I’m reading through John right now and I’m on chapter 12.  The whole chapter shares contrasts proper worship to Jesus with sinful/wrong attitudes.  I want to highlight the first story in chapter 12.

Ch. 12 begins with a story of Mary washing Jesus’s feet with an expensive perfume.  Remember, washing a guest’s feet was a common practice on those days; anointing them with an expensive perfume was not.  Obviously, this is a story worth highlighting.  Judas’s response to her action was to criticize it, saying that the money should’ve been spent on the poor (taking his own percentage off the top, of course).  Like the expensive perfume covering Jesus’s stinky feet, Judas tries to cover up his stinky sin with a nice-smelling excuse.  Jesus’ words in verses 7 and 8 highlight her action and contrast it with Judas’s greedy objection.

“It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

This happens about 1 week prior to Jesus’s crucifixion and death and he understands this anointing as preparation for his coming burial.   I don’t know if Mary understands that Jesus will die soon or if she is simply honoring the one who raised her brother from the dead.  It is possible that Mary understands the significance of Jesus’s visit to Bethany (read 11:7-16 and 12:9-11) and is very thankful for his presence despite hostile opposition.  Regardless, she gives to Jesus a great honor with her simple, beautiful action.  Judas should recognize this.  Instead, his greed gets in the way of a special moment to honor Jesus.

I was going to write on the whole chapter, but then kept cutting it down to get to the point that convicted me the most in this first story: our sin gets in the way of proper worship of God.  I do this a lot and here is an example:  3 or 4 Sundays ago, I helped set up for Jacob’s Well.  I normally set up all the sound equipment (cords, mic’s, etc), but this Sunday, a friend of mine set it up.  After that, two people came up to me to play music with us; I had asked them to play, but forgot about it.  Lastly, I had neglected to pick songs because I assumed someone else was going choose music.  These three things stressed me out BIG.  I’m not a control freak, but I am a control freak.  So I was stressed out about where to put people, if the sound system was set up properly, and what we were going to sing.  During rehearsal, when I normally have a lot of fun and enjoy playing and singing and worshipping, I was pissed off.  Sinfully pissed off.  I wish I could say that I recognized it then, but it’s always in hindsight that I realize how my sinful attitudes or actions hinder a moment of glory to God.

Instead of offering sweet praise to Jesus for his death, eternal life, and forgiveness of sins, I tried to cover up my sinful attitude with music and silence.  It was wrong.  I was Judas.  I still am Judas.

Questions to consider:
How do you worship God?  
Do you often let sin affect your time with Jesus?
Favorite soda pop?

Monday, August 22, 2011

A Weekend in Review

I like what Chris Julian has done with his blog by posting pictures of events or interesting sights from Sao Paulo.  I'm going to steal that idea for Monday posts.

1.  Football with Matt Ystad.  It was the Vikings and it was Preseason, but it was FOOTBALL

2.  I ran on Sunday morning for the first time in months.  Woof.

3.  Skyping with Renato Betim, a good friend and brother from Sao Paulo.  Notice the matching glasses.

4.  Jacob's Well.  I LOVE my family here and I love playing music with this group.

5.  Romey and Peter!  2 of our 3 kids at JW!  They are an energetic handful.