Turkeys are set to join the 47%
It's funny because it's true! https://twitter.com/NotKennyRogers/status/269157601068077056
The Minnesota State Fair
Let me begin by saying I am an Iowan. I like Iowa. I understand Iowa. The Iowan traditions are familiar and comforting to me. We ask kids to tell a joke before they get candy when trick or treating. We don't allow the good fireworks, but the cops (mostly) know to look the other way the weekend of July 4. And we have the state fair by which all other fairs can be judged. There, I said it. I got into a facebook discussion with one of my sister's friends named Gianna after the Iowa State Fair had concluded. Apparently, she took offense to something I said about how the Iowa State Fair is far superior to all other fairs as if that just isn't factual. I understood her local…
My Testimony
I was interviewed at church this last Sunday, and as I promised through Google+ and Facebook, here is the audio. I come in at the 32 minute mark, so don't feel compelled to listen past about 31:45. The sermon title is "Living God's Grace." http://waukeecommunitychurch.com/podcast_item/26/119/Living+Gods+Grace+%28Titus+2_11-15%29.mp3
Happily Ever After
I'm starting to think that everyone needs to define for themselves what "Happily Ever After" looks like. Write it out someplace and refer to it frequently. Update it as you find new things and new contexts. Share it with those you love the most and let their own "Happily Ever After" story and your story influence each other. If you are married, you should have already done something along this line of thought already. If you are unmarried, perhaps hurting, this is still important, but revealing your deepest longings to another person may need to come incrementally. And sometimes it might just come gushing out, leaving you overly vulnerable. But if you are going to reconnect with others, eventually you will need to share yourself with them. Yes, this requires…
Sleep Update
I'm a little nervous writing this now. The last time I told someone that I had a good night's sleep was the last time I had a good night's sleep. Two nights ago, I got almost six hours. And that was great! Last night, I think I got closer to seven. But I'm not sure. My legs aren't as wobbly today. I don't feel any nausea from exhaustion. I caught myself smiling this morning. God is good. Please don't stop praying for me.
Sleep Deprivation
I got some world rocking news about two weeks ago. And just like so many other aspects of my new life, I can't get into the news here. You'd think I was with the CIA or something. Well, I haven't had a good night's sleep since then. I'm talking half the sleep I would normally get, compounded by two weeks. Yesterday I had my first successful nap in that time, and I have been exhausted, and trying to put up a brave front. I think the breakthrough of the nap came when I realized that I need to do some serious forgiving for somebody who is not interested in apologizing or even acknowledging any wrongdoing. It's hard, but I believe that is what I need to do. So if you,…
Update: July 30
This is NOT a "feel bad for me" post. I'm extremely happy! And I figure a random thought stream will do for now. Sorry I haven't been posting like I want to. I've been on a bit of a roller coaster lately, dealing with the sort of stuff that I can't discuss on a public forum. And that also means it's stuff I can't discuss openly on Facebook. But I can on Google+. (Nudge, nudge.) There has been a teaspoon of drought and doubt in my recent weeks that was quenched by a liter of water, both literally and figuratively. I have excluded certain paths that were there for the walking in favor of other paths that are more promising. I have met people who rightfully should be awkward people…
Thought for the day 07/18/12
I just thought I'd share something I've been thinking about for a few weeks. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17 ESV) Jesus came to fulfill the law because mankind is marred by sin and unable to fulfill the law on our own. The Law is never declared a bad thing either. It is a good thing that is fulfilled and not abolished. Let's not forget that. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 ESV) The law of Christ is not contrary to the Law or the Prophets. We are commanded to bear one another's burdens, and fulfill the law of Christ. What is…
Chicken Sandwiches and the Reason for Man
I sat in the food court at the local mall yesterday, wolfing down a wonderful grilled chicken sandwich from Wendy's, and contemplating certain theological matters. I was alone, and when left to my own devices I have a tendency to think in that direction. I thought it would be good to share with you the thoughts that I was having, since I usually forget to write them down. So here goes. Why did God create us? He didn't do so out of loneliness or any lack of His own. Our existence does not "complete" God in any way. And even as He created us for His glory, He is no more glorious for having created us and would be no less glorious if He hadn't. This is not only true…
Beautiful Scandalous Night
I started my day off right. I played this song on repeat all the way into West Des Moines to meet with my discipleship group. That's a good half hour plus, for those keeping score at home.This is my favorite song to sing at church right now, and even if we sang it weekly I would still say that we don't sing it often enough. It's called "Beautiful Scandalous Night" and it takes ownership of the contradictions that people try to attach to the cross. The cross is where the love of God is revealed and also where the wrath of God is revealed. Not two events, but one. It is the great exchange, where a holy and righteous God took His own punishment in our place. It was a beautiful, scandalous, miraculous event to be sure.…