Storms

Storms conjure up a certain set of emotions in me.  I count myself fortunate to have had a wide range of experiences, but from time to time I can't shake the dramatic flashing of images in my mind when emotions and memories collide with my present circumstances.

There is a huge storm rolling through north Dallas right now.  The awesome display of water, electricity, and wind is impressive and my eyes struggle to take it all in, trying to frantically dash after elusive lightning strikes, usually over before I can look their way.  God's mighty power is evident.....

Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail?  Who has cleft a channel for the flood, or a way for the thunderbolt?  Has the rain a father?  Can you lift up your voice to the clouds so that an abundance of water will cover you?

Like an uninvited phone call during dinner, my mind suddenly turns to Biloxi, Mississippi.  To anyone who has ever participated in hurricane relief work, a set of images is now forming in your mind.  In an instant, my mind is on Obunga.  To anyone who has ever tried to walk the paths of an African slum during the rainy season, you are now remembering a near-impossible task.  I am thinking of Sam.  To anyone who has been privileged to meet and hold a conversation with a homeless person recently, you are now considering the plight of those with no roof during a cold rainstorm.  And of course, Balcones de Palin leaps into my thoughts like a cold dagger.  To anyone who has nearly perished in a flash flood in a foreign country or known the death that a storm brings to people in a community with no flood control, you are now sitting soberly valuing your life.

What is man, that you remember him?  Or the son of man that you are concerned about him?  You have appointed him over the works of your hands, you have put all things in subjection under his feet.  But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

We have not yet inherited the earth.  We do not yet control the elements or have authority over the things of this world.  But Jesus Christ went first, suffering death in order to taste death for everyone.  He is our brother in this world, having experienced what we experience, in order that he might help us in our time of need.  And he has gone before us as the pioneer, declaring that he now has all authority on heaven and on earth.  He will free those who are in slavery to the fear of death and someday welcome us into the same authority over heaven and earth.

Though now we see suffering and death, though now we languish in hopelessness at the oppressive and destructive systems of this world, though we feel lonely and abandoned, one day we will take all authority on heaven and on earth as the rightful heirs of the creation.  It is the free gift of God because he loves us.

Sources: Job 38 and Hebrews 2

Omar Al-Bashir

As important as the economic crisis is around the world, another crisis situation took place recently.  It made front page news, but has since disappeared and I fear that we will not hear another word.  Omar Al-Bashir, the President of the Sudan regime that has been committing genocide and war crimes for years in Darfur, finally has a warrant for his arrest from the International Criminal Court.  The warrant stopped short of mentioning war crimes, but it is a start toward bringing this heinous man to justice.

Unfortunately, if this is the first step, it is more analogous to the first step of a baby.  It is likely to take a few more, then falter.  The ICC has no legitimate power to serve a warrant - it must rely on individuals to either turn themselves in or be found and taken into custody by somebody else's army.  And sadly, while the world is discussing what to do about this warrant, Omar Al-Bashir made the decision to freeze several of the largest humanitarian aid groups in his country.  Oxfam, for one, serves 600,000 people.

From here, there are two options.  One, internationally condemn the arrest warrant and plead with Sudan to re-instate the NGOs.  Two, internationally condemn Al-Bashir and bring him to justice.  Before his election, President Barack Obama had an exemplary track record on genocide.  Now we will see how he does.

More Quotes

My own design: optimized for an 8.5x14 print, cheap at Kinko's.

Neil Cole, author of The Organic Church:

"As leaders and organizations, we have bought into a theology of SAFE:

(S)elf-preservation = mission

(A)voidance of the world/risk = wisdom

(F)inancial security = responsible faith

(E)ducation = maturity

Instead of seeking to be 'safe,' Christians need a theology of DEATH:

(D)ie daily to who you are

(E)mpowerment of others is our life

(A)cceptance of risk is normative

(T)heology is not just knowledge, it is practice

(H)old on to Christ, open your hands for all else."

Frederick Buechner:

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

Aristotle:

"Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy."

A new Hillsong United background

On rough days I get creative.  Here's a background from a picture that I took in North Carolina over Thanksgiving break - that's the Biltmore estate rising in the background.  Picture significantly recolored and touched up.

Every New Day

Man versus machine, man versus himself, man vesus the world, mankind versus me. The struggles go on, the wisdom I lack, the burdens keep piling up on my back. So hard to breathe, to take the next step: the mountain is high, I wait in the depths, yearning for grace and hoping for peace, dear God, increase! Healing hands of God have mercy on our unclean souls once again. Jesus Christ, Light of the World, burning bright within our hearts forever. Freedom means love without condition, without beginning or an end. Here's my heart, let it be forever Yours, only You can make every new day seem so new! - Five Iron Frenzy