It is what it is. I read it on a cubicle wall. It’s a country-craft sign with large, cursive script, a script to make one curse. Words to echo the curse. The sign is made to look like it was made on a farm, but it was made in China. And not on a farm in China. The smooth, shimmering surface lies about its age. It’s made to appear older with new-painted fading, meticulously manufactured cracks, and … [Read more...] about It Is What It Is, But It Is Not What It Shall Be
Attempted Wisdom
Passing On
The bicycle pictured is from Vashon Island, Washington. Some history can be learned here, but it appears most people don't know where the bike came from. Some say it was left there by a young man who went off to fight in The Great War, never to return. That's how I first heard of it and it got me thinking. A picture's worth a thousand tears. When I'm leaving the house I sometimes think, "If I … [Read more...] about Passing On
In Defense of Using Big Words With Little Kids
Gina sent this to me, because she knows this is something I believe is important. I'm a "big" advocate of using big words around kids. Obviously, there are some qualifiers to be explored. But overall, I believe parents generally don't use enough mysterious (to them for the moment), meaningful (growing) language with children. Of course explain as you go, to be sure, but don't shy away from using … [Read more...] about In Defense of Using Big Words With Little Kids
Sigh Not So
Note: This was originally posted at The Rabbit Room. Also, FYI FWIW: This is my 700th post here. It’s a dangerous thing to be alive, where temptations to think we’re better than others are everywhere. Temptations to believe we deserve more, ubiquitous. Sinful pride is part of our awful inheritance, even when we’re depressed. Sometimes I think it’s all about me, that even my failures are more … [Read more...] about Sigh Not So
Reality Is Relevant
They posted this at the Rabbit Rom the other day. But here it is here. -Sam This is very instructive stuff from King Of The Hill on many fronts. Watch it, if you are cool. I know this can be argued many ways. King Of The Hill is not, sadly, the final word on this subject. But it seems worthy of sharing. When relevance is king, the kingdom soon ceases to exist. And non-existence is not … [Read more...] about Reality Is Relevant
Don’t Hate…Meditate
"If I get 1,000 compliments and one insult, guess which one I listen to? The insult, of course. I have an unbelievable ability to ignore a swarm of positive words and camp out on the one negative." Jon Acuff Et tu, Acuff? This is from a short post excellently titled, "Quit Giving The Haters PhDs." He refers to the tendency in our minds to promote those who snipe and sideline those who encourage. … [Read more...] about Don’t Hate…Meditate
Let It Be So
"I am trying to recover a respect for the life of the Spirit that is revealed in Jesus and the Scriptures in contrast to a life that is defined by consumption and achievement, competition and psychological profiling. I am trying to develop an imagination that is immersed in the operations of the Trinity so that I will not be constantly seduced into thinking that spirituality is a way of managing … [Read more...] about Let It Be So
Good At Arguing, Bad At Living?
Lately I've been feeling and seeing the need to reevaluate what merits arguing about. What is worth fighting for? Lately, there have been a couple of extra-heated internet debates which I've tried to stay out of. Some of it is actually encouraging, but some is just unbelievably sad. But it's made me think about both what is worth arguing about and whether or not most of our arguments are very … [Read more...] about Good At Arguing, Bad At Living?
I Want To Fail At Almost Everything Else Before I Fail At This
Regarding the quotation below, Zach Nielsen says, "Tozer was great, but don't be like him in this way." I strongly agree. Many Christian men (esp. leaders) are busy with many things and are easily tempted towards a lifestyle of neglecting our families and leaving to our wives great piles of lonely, largely-thankless work. Men, this should not be. This is the first province of our stewardship. We … [Read more...] about I Want To Fail At Almost Everything Else Before I Fail At This
If Someone Thinks Ill Of You, They’re Right
"Brother, if any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are worse than he thinks you to be. If he charges you falsely on some point, yet be satisfied, for if he knew you better he might change the accusation, and you would be no gainer by the correction. If you have your moral portrait painted, and it is ugly, be satisfied; for it only needs a few blacker touches, and it would be … [Read more...] about If Someone Thinks Ill Of You, They’re Right
The Stories We Believe Make Sense Of Our Lives
This idea has been circling in on me more and more. The reason good teaching (right doctrine) is important is because it can connect us to the right story. The story of Jesus and his self-sacrificial, substitutional death --which atones for sin-- is the central story of human history. By hearing that good news and then trusting in Jesus' work on our behalf, we are rescued from our real guilt … [Read more...] about The Stories We Believe Make Sense Of Our Lives
The Good Old Days Were…ah…Lousy
Thankful? Or envious and angry (and nostalgic)? Now, I understand that there are more ways to measure the health of a culture than by lifespan and wealth, but still, this is quite telling. It's a wonderful time to be alive in so many, many ways! "Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not quick in your spirit to become … [Read more...] about The Good Old Days Were…ah…Lousy