Marked By Our Owner

Back when I was a kid, mom would have me write my name or initials on my toys, games, and jackets to distinguish them as my belongings. This was a good strategy for actually going home from school, sitters', play-dates, parks, school, etc. with what belonged to me and for avoiding fights with kids who wanted to insist that what you brought was theirs since they had one just like it at home. Granted, this strategy drastically decreased the later collector's value but at least it solved some problems. By bearing my mark, the item was identified as mine and, therefore, revealed a little about me.

I was reading in Luke's Gospel this morning and came to a revelation. The section I read was Luke 20:20-26 where some spies for the teachers of the law go to Jesus to try and trick Him by asking about paying taxes to Caesar. The scene ends with the classic "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." I have heard many interpretations of this, usually only along the lines of financial responsibility. However, if you step back to verse 24, then you can see that Jesus asks an important question that provides the true key to His answer.

"Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?"

Jesus identifies the money with Caesar - it is his, give it to him. Then He tells us to give to God what belongs to Him. We can take from the context that this means that whatever bears God's image and inscription belongs to Him and should thus be given. Now what bears God's image?

"So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." - Genesis 1:27

30 Days of Thanks - Day 30 - Marc Summers

I know it is a little strange to be thankful for that guy who hosted a game show in the '80s and '90s but hear me out on this one because the man deserves some sort of award. Yes, Marc Summers was the host of my favorite game show as a kid - Double Dare. The sloppiest quiz show on television, Double Dare had a lengthy run and a few spin-offs. The highlights of the show were the physical challenges and obstacle course at the end that resulted in everyone being either slimed, pied, or just plain messy in some of the most awkward ways imaginable. My memory brings about images of human burritos, finding a flag while picking a gigantic nose, and a chocolate-covered slide into a giant sundae. It was messy, funny, and enough to keep the kids (and parents) interested.

So, sure, it was a good show but Marc was also a good host. He would dive right in to the fray and had a way of describing the action like a serious sports announcer despite the oddity of the scene. What makes him worthy of mention in the 30 Days of Thanks is that Marc Summers, who would often end up like this

had an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that made him want everything to be neat and tidy and orderly and "just so".

Marc should be an inspiration to us when we are facing something we really do not want to do - something that would require us to leave our comfort zones. His success was derived from his ability to take a big step into that which he despised just to bring some entertainment and joy to others. He is an example of what can be done if we will put our desire in something greater than our fears.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 29 - The Mark Challenge

This past Sunday night we issued our middle school students a challenge to read the entire Gospel According to Mark in one month (actually 26 daily readings with some flex-time built in so they can catch up if something happens). They were to have started yesterday and we will meet up with them sometime after the end to have a discussion group. Their small-group leaders (me and the girls' group leader), will also check up with them during small-group time on Sundays. Along with this we produced a packet for the daily readings with study questions. I wrote the initial questions back in October and we did some major editing (trimming material to keep what was most important and to organize it into a usable format) to finalize everything last week.

I was thankful that we had so many BOYS who were EXCITED about this challenge! My past experience is that getting boys (of any age) to be excited about reading and answering questions is kind of like getting myself excited about going grocery shopping with mom - it just does not happen. I was also thankful to have a wonderful head youth pastor who was thrilled about doing this and who helped bring it to its 'final' state. I am also thankful for this concept of communal reading, study, and sharing. I think the Mark Challenge will be a great experience for these kids, many of whom will be reading an entire book of the Bible on their own for the first time! I also think that the kids' answers to the questions will give us (the leaders) a better idea of where they are at so that we can better serve them! I am looking forward to what this challenge brings!

For those who would like to join us in reading or adapt and use the questions for their own study, I will post it below. There are some typos we came across after the final printing but nothing that detracts from the point. Enjoy!

The Mark Challenge

__DAY 1 (1:1-20)

1. How did the way John the Baptist live connect to his mission?
2. Why was it important that Jesus was baptized?
3. What does it mean to be a “fisher of men”?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 2 (1:21-45)

1. What was different about the way Jesus taught?
2. Why wouldn’t Jesus let the demons speak or tell people who he was?
3. Read 1:35-39 again. What is the significance of this passage? What did Jesus get from prayer?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 3 (2:1-22)

1. Whose faith is Jesus responding to in 2:1-12 and what is significant about this? What is important about what Jesus does here?
2. What does Jesus mean in 2:17?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 4 (2:23-3:19)

1. What is significant about 2:23-28 and 3:1-6?
2. Were Jesus and his followers breaking the rules?
3. Why/why not (think about 2:25 and 3:4)?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 5 (3:20-35)

1. Do you think we become a house divided in our own lives when we talk bad about, or have a bad attitude towards our friends, family, or even church leaders? How does this affect a group?
2. What does Jesus say about being a part of his family?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 6 (4:1-34)

1. Explain the parable of the sower (4:1-20) in your own words.
2. What does 4:24 mean?
3. What do the parables in this section mean to you?
4. Why use parables as a teaching tool?
5. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
6. Questions and Comment

__DAY 7 (4:35-5:20)

1. What was Jesus getting at in 4:40?
2. What’s interesting about how Jesus handled the situation with the demon possessed man? Why do you think he handled it this way?
3. Why do you think the people wanted Jesus to leave after seeing the man healed (think also about where Jesus was at this point and what those people farmed)?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 8 (5:21-43)

1. Why do you think Jesus wanted to know who had touched him and been healed in the crowd?
2. How would you have reacted to the crowd’s response in 5:40? Why did Jesus put them out of the room and then tell those who were still in their not to tell others what had happened?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 9 (6:1-29)

1. Why were the people offended by Jesus in his hometown? What was the big deal? Why did this affect the miracles performed there?
2. What do you think about Jesus’ instructions to the Twelve? What does that have to do with having faith?
3. John spoke the truth even knowing what might happen to him, what is the lesson in this for us?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 10 (6:30-56)

1. What does the feeding of the 5,000 tell you about God?
2. Why does Mark connect the feeding with Jesus walking on water in 6:52?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 11 (7:1-30)

1. How can our own traditions/activities/customs/lifestyles get in the way of truly following God even if they seem good?
2. What does Jesus mean when he says that it is what comes out of a person that makes them unclean? (hint: He is not talking about going to the restroom)
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 12 (7:31-8:21)

1. Why did Jesus not want the deaf-mute man and his friends to tell anyone about his healing?
2. What did Jesus mean about the “yeast of the Pharisees”? How does this connect to them asking for a sign?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 13 (8:22-38)

1. Why do you think the man in 8:22-26 was healed in stages instead of immediately?
2. What do you think was going on in the disciples’ minds during 8:27-33?
3. Why is Jesus’ response in 8:34-38 significant? What does he mean?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 14 (9:1-29)

1. What do you think the disciples were thinking when all of this was going on?
2. Why do you think they said, “it was good for us to be here” (v.5)?
3. What was keeping the deaf and mute spirit from being driven away?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 15 (9:30-50)

1. Why would the disciples argue about who would be greatest? How does this show a misunderstanding about who Jesus is and why he came? How does Jesus correct this misunderstanding?
2. What’s the big picture of 9:38-41?
3. Why does Jesus use such extreme imagery in 9:42-50? What does he want us to understand?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 16 (10:1-31)

1. What do you think 10:15 means?
2. In your own words, how would you explain 10:23-31? How do you feel about what Jesus says here?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 17 (10:32-52)

1. What were James and John actually requesting (besides seats)? What was Jesus suggesting in his response? How does this connect to 10:41-45?
2. Why would people try to turn someone away from calling out to Jesus? How did blind Bartimaeus demonstrate faith? How did he respond to what Jesus did for him?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Question and Comments

__DAY 18 (11:1-33)

1. How would you react if Jesus told you to do what he told his disciples in 11:2-3?
2. Was it wrong for Jesus to do what he did in the temple courts? What was going on there?
3. What’s important about what Jesus says in 11:25?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 19 (12:1-27)

1. What is the meaning of the parable in 12:1-12? Why did the leaders know it was directed toward them?
2. What is the importance of 12:13-17?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 20 (12:28-44)

1. What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? What about loving your neighbor as yourself? How can you put this into practice? Why are these more important than any sacrifices?
2. What did Jesus have to say about the teachers of the law and how does this contrast with what he says about the widow’s offering?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 21 (13:1-37)

1. What does Jesus mean about us being alert?
2. Knowing what we know about the end, how should we live today?
3. How should this chapter motivate us?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 22 (14:1-31)

1. Why was it important for the woman to do what she did in 14:1-9? Why were the others so mad at her?
2. Why do you think the disciples responded as they did in 14:19 to the news that Jesus would be betrayed?
3. How would you react to Jesus’ statement in 14:27? Could you see yourself thinking like Peter here?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 23 (14:32-72)

1. Have you ever come up against a tough situation that you didn’t want to face? Why is it important that Jesus said “not what I will, but what you will”?
2. Why did the high priest take what Jesus says in 14:62 as evidence against him?
3. Like Peter, have you ever betrayed or let down someone you cared about? How did it feel? What did you do about it afterward?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 24 (15:1-20)

1. Why was Pilate amazed at Jesus’ silence?
2. Why do you think people were willing to release a murderer instead of Jesus?
3. How would you react to what the soldiers did in 15:16-20? How did Jesus handle it? Why was he able to do so?
4. How do these verses make you feel?
5. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?

6. Questions and Comments

__DAY 25 (15:21-47)

1. Why would Jesus not take the wine mixed with myrrh (a pain reliever)?
2. Jesus was crucified with two rebels, what does this tell you about what people in power thought about him?
3. Why did Jesus say, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (If you get a chance, read Psalm 22)
4. What do you think Jesus’ followers where thinking while this was happening?
5. How do these verses make you feel?
6. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?

7. Questions and Comments

__DAY 26 (CHAPTER 16)

1. How would you react to find your leader’s tomb emptied and be told what the women were told?
2. What is the Good News in the book of Mark?
3. How should we respond to what Jesus did?
4. How does it feel to know you read the entire the book of Mark?

5. Questions and Comments

30 Days of Thanks - Day 28 - The Poky Little Puppy

The first book I ever read - my favorite childhood story - was Janette Sebring Lowrey's The Poky Little Puppy. One of Simon and Schuster's twelve original Little Golden Books, The Poky Little Puppy was actually listed as the bestselling hardcover children's book of all time (at about double the sales of any Harry Potter book) back in 2001[1]. The story follows five puppies who have escaped the confines of their yard by digging a hole under the fence to go and explore "the wide, wide world." One puppy is pokier than the rest and, by hanging back, he alerts his siblings to the rice pudding being made at home. By hanging back again, he is able to sneak in after the others are scolded by their mother and sent to bed early so that he can eat the rice pudding by himself. The next day they repeat this chain of events despite the previous results and a written warning - the dessert this time being chocolate custard. Again there is a repeat of events - strawberry shortcake this time - but the four puppies fill up the hole before their brother returns and are rewarded with the shortcake. Poky comes home and goes to bed hungry and feeling "very sorry for himself." The next day there is a threat of a permanent ban on deserts for digging under the fence.

It is a fun book and addresses the reality of ultimate consequences for misbehavior even if you seem to get away with it for a time. The artwork by Gustaf Tenggren is also a plus. A few years back we managed to find an ornament and miniature version of the book. It is a neat addition to the tree and a reminder of that joy of reading I have had since I was a tyke.

[1] Publisher's Weekly.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 27 - Google Chrome

For those who do not know, YOU CAN SURF THE WEB WITHOUT INTERNET EXPLORER! So, if you are fed up with that terrible browser that seems to pick up toolbars like a pig's butt picks up flies, come on over and experience the wonder of Chrome! Yes, Firefox is still another option, but I have found Chrome to be more readily accessible, simplified, and classy. Chrome just plain works better for me.

One feature that I am extremely thankful for is the Incognito Mode that allows you to open a window in which you can browse and not leave (much of) a trace on your computer. This is especially useful for shopping for Christmas presents and when you have to visit sites for information and you are not yet sure which sites are safe. I use it as a safety buffer when looking up tech stuff or phone numbers I do not recognize since sometimes those sites can be notorious for malware. I have also found that this is like opening sites in another computer such that I can have two separate Gmail accounts open at once - a trick that helps when writing a blog on your blog account and needing something from your primary e-mail at the same time.

I feel like my experience with Chrome has made browsing safer, easier, and faster.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 26 - Eastern Thought

I am thankful for Eastern thought and how it helps me to better contemplate and explore my own faith. I say 'Eastern thought' as opposed to 'religion' or 'philosophy' because I feel those Western concepts do not adequately incorporate those concepts I am talking about and may neglect to exclude those concepts that I am not talking about. What I do refer to are basic mental concepts such as true natures along with the fluctuations and interdependence of yin and yang.

By the latter (yin and yang), I mean that I recognize that our life is made up of seasons. Seasons of being great and seasons of being small. Seasons for being active and seasons for being passive. Seasons for being flexible and seasons for being immovable. Seasons of forcing and seasons of yielding. Seasons to be the wind and seasons to be the kite.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

One does not work without the other and excesses of either will ultimately lead to their collapse into the other (often my means which will be painful). I think we need to be open to the lead of the Holy Spirit to guide us through these times. Preoccupation with a 'comfort zone' sets us up for rude transitions, whereas God has walked a path before us so that we can enjoy and make the most of these times - if we will follow it.

I also mentioned that I connect with the concept of true (or inner) nature.

Benjamin Hoff quotes the writings of Chaung-tse in his The Tao of Pooh:

Hui-tse said to Chaung-tse, "I have a large tree which no carpenter can cut into lumber. Its branches and trunk are crooked and tough, covered with bumps and depressions. No builder would turn his head to look at it. Your teachings are the same-useless, without value. Therefore, no one pays attention to them."

"As you know," Chuang-tse replied, "a cat is very skilled at capturing its prey. Crouching low, it can leap in any direction, pursuing whatever it is after. But when its attention is focused on such things, it can be easily caught with a net. On the other hand, a huge yak is not so easily caught or overcome. It stands like a stone, or a cloud in the sky. But for all its strength, it cannot catch a mouse.

"You complain that your tree is not valuable as lumber. But you could make use of the shade it provides, rest under its sheltering branches, and stroll beneath it, admiring its character and appearance. Since it would not be endangered by an axe, what could threaten its existence? It is useless to you only because you want to make it into something else and do not use it in its proper way."

The apostle known as Paul had this to say on inner nature:

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

- I Corinthians 12:4-30 (NIV)

In essence (no pun intended), we are all gifted with an inner nature - a place to fit and work and contribute - for the Kingdom of God. Part of the work of Christ was to free us from trying to be what we are not so that we can use this inner nature he has given us by working with the Holy Spirit. Part of what is wrong in this world is that we try to (or we insist that others ) function apart from the inner nature that the Father intended for us.

These are just a couple of (horribly brief and underdeveloped here) connections and I am thankful for the alternate perspective that has helped me to understand these important concepts better.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 25 - Minute Physics

I came across this channel on YouTube one day quite by accident. While I do think he over-simplifies certain concepts, I am thankful that someone is bringing these concepts to the masses.

I am especially thankful for the following video because I get tired of explaining this one to people.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 24 - Marriage

There is a lot to say about this one and not much that I have personally experienced . . . yet. I am thankful for the concept of marriage - being not just lovers but also partners for a lifetime. I am also thankful for a certain marriage that happened many years ago today. Happy Anniversary mom and dad!

As I am busy at the moment (anniversary and holiday and all those entail), I will let some YouTubers speak for me. The first is a classic and the others come from a favorite YouTube series called Kids React by The Fine Brothers.

You have to admit the boys had a better grasp on this marriage concept than the girls.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 23 - Perry Noble

I have recently been reading and enjoying a certain blog by a writer who I am beginning to admire. Some of the leaders at church had mentioned his name a few times in conversations about leadership and who's material we like to listen to or read. I decided to check him out and came across his blog pretty quickly. I have been jumping around and reading bits of it.

He made a new post today that caught my attention and I was very thankful for the insight he provided in it. The post, titled "My Wife Had A Bad Experience At Chic-Fil-A!" makes some interesting connections between his initial reactions to the bad experience and the way many people react when the shiny-new gloss of their church wears off for whatever reason. I think he makes some good points as to why we need to stick with the Church despite bad experiences instead of trying to explain the bad experiences away.

The only thing I could add to his post is the importance of not running from or ignoring the problem (or becoming part of the problem). I believe that, when these issues creep up, our noticing the problem may be the first step toward correcting it. True, there are some problems where the correcting actually needs to happen to us and our mindset (such as his example of getting upset if someone does not call you after you have been absent for two weeks), but there are some problems where we need to step up and say, "Hey, that hurt!" Also, going with his example of not liking what the preacher said, there are times where we need to dedicate ourselves to further study to see if there was actually something wrong with what the preacher said. If there is, then we need to talk to them about that concern.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 22 - Stand-Up Comedy

I think my enjoyment of stand-up began somewhere in middle school. It was just nice to hear someone else complaining about those things that irk you but doing so in a way that makes you laugh and feel less perturbed by them. It is all part of that shared human experience/misery loves company thing. It can be empowering and comforting. It can also introduce you to new subjects or new ways of looking at life. As Stephen Hawking is quoted as stating, "Life would be tragic if it weren't funny" [1]. I'll post some clips from YouTube of a few of my favorites.

Brad Stine

Tim Hawkins

Bob Smiley

These last two may not be appropriate for all ages or all tastes.

Rob Paravonian

Taylor Mali

[1] "The Science of Second-Guessing", The New York Times. 12 December 2004.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 21 - The Gustatory Uncertainty in Liking Principle

The Gustatory Uncertainty in Liking Principle (or GULP) is taken as follows:

1. I will not know if I enjoy the item until I have tried it within the present experiment (also known as a 'meal') due, in part, to fluctuations in flavor receptor function, variations in item preparation though item may possess the same or a similar name, and the potential for certain combinations in item formation may induce distinct gustatory experiences that diverge from those present in sub-items or derived from similar formulas.
2. Even upon trying an item, I may not know for certain if I enjoy it due to perceptions of the aforementioned concerns, present environmental circumstances affecting the test results, the emergence of unprecedented sensation, or my own general capriciousness. Such a situation requires further testing.
3. As Clause 1 is axiomatically true and Clause 2 will remain true until repeated testing resolves discrepancies, the suggested course of action (barring revelation of poison or bacterial/viral/unplanned-fungal contamination) is to participate in the experiment (also known as a 'meal') as it is within the best interest of scientific understanding.

I am thankful for this simple scientific principle that not only helps me to experience new foodstuffs, but will also give me a smarter way to tell my kids, "Because I said so," when they ask me why they have to eat the assumed-to-be-yucky dinner.

The Gustatory Uncertainty in Liking Principle (or GULP) is Copyright 2011 by Shannon Nichols.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 20 - Ecclesiastes

It may be one of my favorite books in the Bible due to its sheer honesty about the human condition. An existentialist treatise written millennia before the births of the greats associated with that philosophical label, Ecclesiastes lets us see that the entirety of our lives - our works, struggles, successes, failures, etc. - is meaningless when we work toward self-fulfillment. By self-fulfillment I mean what the Teacher says in 4:4, "And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Our inability to enjoy what we have and have been given robs our lives of beauty and meaning with which they were created. Our greed and covetous ambition makes us like the dog who, seeing the dog with a bone in his reflection in the river, drops his bone to chase after the empty image. It ends with a message far from the expected conclusion of a king. It does not suggest striving for glory or gain or good name or victory but simply . . .

Now all has been heard;

here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments,

for this is the whole duty of man.

For God will bring every deed into judgment,

including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Because our lives really are pointless unless they are pointing to something else much greater than they.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 19 - Ah-ha! Moments

You know what I am talking about. Those little moments when something just clicks in your head and it makes all of the difference. As someone who taught and still ministers to kids, too, this can be just as rewarding of an experience for the teacher as it is for the student. I think it can be these moments that make God smile when something the Holy Spirit has been trying to get through to us finally resonates in our minds or when we finally notice that nifty connection in Scripture.

I had one of these moments while I was reading in my Bible this past week. Something that happened in John 2 finally hit me on a much deeper level. It was about the miracle at the wedding at Cana in Galilee. No, this is not some revelation that is going to give people another excuse to be drunken idiots - they have already twisted this Scripture enough for that purpose. This involves the jars used.

We are told in John 2:6 that, "Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons." These are the jars chosen to be filled with water which is then turned into wine. I have heard preachers try to argue that changing the water to wine was about making the dirty water into something useful but that is an interpretation that completely overlooks the fact that in verse seven Jesus tells them to fill the jars with water. These are clean jars. These are not jars that were just being used for washing. The water was as clean of water as they had available. The symbolism is not of dirty water being made into clean wine.

Think about it. These were the water jars to be used for ceremonial cleaning - a ritualistic washing that would be undone as time progressed. We also know that wine is later used as a symbol for Christ's blood in the Eucharist. So this ceremonial water, which was not sufficient, is transformed into a symbol for the cleansing blood of Christ that is sufficient. From this, verse ten takes on greater meaning as it describes much more than party provisions by alluding to Grace coming in to fulfill the Law. It also amplifies verse eleven when it says that He was revealing "His glory" and not just "His power".

30 Days of Thanks - Day 18 - The Little Things

Someone holds a door for you instead of letting it slam in your face. Someone helps you pick up that package or paper or whatever you dropped so that you do not have to try and balance the rest of the stack while you get it [1]. Someone refrains from taking the last cookie or soda or appetizer or whatever so that you can try it. Someone waits so that you can pass through even though they had the right of way. Someone picks up or cleans up whatever was lying around - even though it was not their responsibility. Someone calls and says, "Hey, let's go to lunch - my treat." Someone picks something up at the store for you without being asked. You wake up to a sunny day after several rainy messes.

Love is the little things. Thank you!

[1] This has a high failure rate.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 17 - Recipes and Embellishments

Strangely, I actually enjoy cooking. It gives me that comforting feeling of both knowledge of and control over what I am about to stick in my body. I have several cookbooks (both physical and digital) and like to check it out when friends or other bloggers post new recipes. I think one of the things I like about recipes is the fact that you can deviate from them to make delicious new creations. I like experimenting with extra ingredients and spices (I am a huge fan of spices) to make new concoctions. Over the years I have made things like Spicy Cheesy Tuna 'n' Tomato Stew, Shrimp Tacos (a favorite with my parents), Pineapple-and-Teriyaki-Soaked Chicken, Spicy Parmesan Shrimp/Chicken Pasta, and What-Sweets-Do-I-Have? Cookie Bars - all by just messing around with what I had in the kitchen. I can also marinate and grill a great steak. The important thing for me is to just have fun and see what happens - I enjoy experience even if I end up with things that could have been much tastier.

A recipe I wanted to share today was one I actually found through 3 Peanuts' blog. She posted this a while back and I had to try it when I saw it. My only suggestion is that you actually bake it a tad BEFORE inserting the chocolate chips as I found most of them migrated to the bottom of the bundt pan by the time it was done (leaving a rather sticky mess to scrape off and a not-so-pretty cake).

Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

30 Days of Thanks - Day 16 - Good Coffee, Strong Coffee

At times it is a luxury - a joyous experience with room for exploration and creativity. Many times it is a necessity - requiring all the caffeine you can handle to make it through, or recover from, an all-nighter. It can help to stimulate and open up restricted airways and sinus passages. It can be a simple comfort on a rough day; a conversation carrier with old friends; a tasty treat to warm you when it is frigid. Whatever the case, I am thankful for that great gift from God that is coffee!

30 Days of Thanks - Day 15 - Peacemakers

Once upon a time in China, two rival lords were entangled in grueling land and trade negotiations. As discussion progressed, one lord felt as if the denial of certain concessions by the other had dishonored him. This lord decided to avenge himself, gathering the entirety of his troops and moving toward a hillside on the border between the two territories. The other lord, hearing of this movement, gathered his troops and camped in the plain a ways off from the hillside. This lord had managed to muster a more impressive army than the other yet the avenging lord still sought war.

The night before going to battle, the avenging lord sought the advice of a local sage. This sage had also heard of the plans and that the lord was coming to him for direction. The sage knew, too, that the lord was set on action and was unwilling to withdraw. When the lord approached him, the sage arose and began walking toward the camp. The sage declared, "Come. We must work quickly to finish before the sun rises. I will arrange your troops in a formation that will assure true victory and you will rest to prepare to receive it." The lord followed the sage back to camp, excited about his upcoming victory. He put the soldiers at the sage's command and went to his tent to rest.

As daylight broke, the lord emerged from his tent in full dress for victory. He saw that his troops had been arranged in a strange row formation over the course of the night and he smiled at the thought that this would bring him what he desired. Shortly after sunrise, the other lord sent over a delegation to speak with him. "Good," he thought. "This formation is so fearsome, I have already won."

The other lord sent the following declaration: "Greetings. When I had heard that you had gathered troops to advance on my territory, I became furious and gathered the force you see across the plain. However, having seen your message displayed upon the hillside this morning, I know now that I was mistaken. I offer to you the concessions that you requested in our meetings in light of this. I see now the sincerity you give to our alliance. There shall be peace between us as long as we both shall live."

The lord stood, looking at the hill. The sage had arranged the troops in a formation that assured true victory.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9

A peacemaker, like the sage, knows that a force that cannot be stopped must be redirected.

As far as I know, I just came up with the story above so: Copyright 2011 by Shannon Nichols.

For a good series on the Chinese written language:

How to Write 'Friend' in Chinese -- powered by ehow

30 Days of Thanks - Day 14 - Everything Matters

"For a brief time, I was here; and for a brief time, I mattered." - Harlan Ellison

We must face the fact that everything we do ultimately - through the cause and effect nature of our universe - matters. Someone is affected and, therefore, someone else is affected and so on ad infinitum. When we understand this, we should better value the time we spend here.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 13 - Community

I am thankful for community [1]. I am thankful that we were never meant to go it alone; that the first thing God says is "not good" is for a man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). I am thankful that God exists within a Community unto Himself and thus why He recognized this. I am thankful that there are many types of community - the family, the team, the club, the class, the group, the church, the Church [2]. I am thankful that we are called to support, encourage, build up, care for, provide for, correct, teach, guide, submit to, receive, love, and strengthen each other. I am thankful that what is commonly called "The LORD's Prayer" or the "Our Father" uses the inclusive language of community:

Our Father . . .

Give us this day our daily bread . . .

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us . . .

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil . . .

I am thankful that this community known as the Kingdom of Heaven - the Kingdom of God - is opened to us by a God who wants to be in communion with us and wants to repair the separation we have ultimately caused [3]. I am thankful that we can join together, that we can work together, and that we can make peace.

[1] I am not talking about the television show which I have never seen.

[2] Note the capital C.

[3] Caused between us and God as well as between ourselves.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 12 - Wide Margins

I once heard that anyone who reads a book without a pen in hand is not really reading. I would have to agree. Underlining or bracketing passages, jotting down notes, and interacting with the text brings that greater life to reading. As such, wide margins are a treat to any dedicated reader. These give you the space to become intimate with the work - merging minds as you scrawl out your meditations and make the codex an old friend. These margins must be clean. Lined margins steal space and constrict the relationship. The size of the margins must also be nonrestrictive to the size of the type. What good is it to increase your space at the sacrifice of the connecting area? Unfortunately, most wide-margin Bibles have yet to understand these two conditions and also seem to enjoy maintaining a two column format which makes the provision of wide margins even more pointless.

Though it may sound silly, I am thankful for wide margins that allow me to turn my reading into a conversation.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 11 - Veterans' Day

I am thankful for the liberties I enjoy at ease - those for which others have fought and died. I am therefore at greater thanks to those whom have struggled to secure those liberties for myself and others. May we not forget those who bind their lives to loosen the bonds of others.

"It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt." - John Philpot Curran

"The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims have been born of earnest struggle. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." - Frederick Douglas

30 Days of Thanks - Day 10 - Doctor Who

He is a cross between James Bond and MacGyver, travels through time and space (and, occasionally dimension) aboard a ship that looks like a tiny police box [1] but is far bigger on the inside, is of a species of regenerating aliens known as Time Lords, fights off various fiends who would enslave or destroy, tries to hope for the best from others, enhances his companions lives, has found more uses for a screwdriver than you could imagine [2], and genuinely enjoys the adventure of it all. What is not to like? [3] Honestly, the character has a special place in my heart - a heroic potential that beckons me to influence the lives of others for the better even if it may seem crazy at times.

[1] His TARDIS (or Time And Relative Dimension in Space) has a faulty cloaking device so it is stuck looking like a 1960s-style London police box (a phone booth for police communication or calling the police). Note that this was done before Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

[2] The sonic screwdriver is a wonderfully nifty plot device.

[3] Granted, the best Doctor by far was the Tenth, played by David Tennant who decided to pursue the actor's path at the age of three because of his love for Doctor Who (specifically the Fifth Doctor, which is slyly referenced in the Children in Need 2007 mini-sode below).

30 Days of Thanks - Day 9 - Music

I think the best way to explain this one is through a series of quotes (and a good song at the end).

"Music is, to me, proof of the existence of God. It is so extraordinarily full of magic, and in tough times of my life I can listen to music and it makes such a difference." - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

"Without music, life would be a mistake." - Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols

"Song opens a window to the secret places of the soul." - Habad

"He who sings frightens away his ills." - Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote

"God sent his Singers upon the earth

With songs of sadness and of mirth,

That they might touch the hearts of men,

And bring them back to heaven again." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Singers

"In the darkness something was happening at last. A voice had begun to sing. It was very far away and Digory found it hard to decide from what direction it was coming. Sometimes it seemed to come from all directions at once. Sometimes he almost thought it was coming out of the earth beneath them. Its lower notes were deep enough to be the voice of the earth herself. There were no words. There was hardly even a tune. But it was, beyond comparison, the most beautiful noise he had ever heard. It was so beautiful he could hardly bear it." - C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew

"There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad. For a long while they sang only each alone, or but few together, while the rest hearkened; for each comprehended only that part of the mind of Ilúvatar from which he came, and in the understanding of their brethren they grew but slowly. Yet ever as they listened they came to deeper understanding, and increased in unison and harmony. And it came to pass that Ilúvatar called together all the Ainur and declared to them a mighty theme, unfolding to them things greater and more wonderful than he had yet revealed; and the glory of its beginning and the splendour of its end amazed the Ainur, so that they bowed before Ilúvatar and were silent. Then Ilúvatar said to them: 'Of the theme that I have declared to you, I will now that ye make in harmony together a Great Music. And since I have kindled you with the Flame Imperishable, ye shall show forth your powers in adorning this theme, each with his own thoughts and devices, if he will. But I will sit and hearken, and be glad that through you great beauty has been wakened into song." J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion

30 Days of Thanks - Day 8 - Election

No, I am not referring to the selection of blithering idiots by other blithering idiots that is going on today; I refer instead to the election of us blithering idiots by a King who deserves much better - the election to salvation.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:29-39 (NRSV)

I am thankful that this is not an election of exclusion, but one of inclusion - we become family. It is an election motivated by compassion - He recognized our plight. It is an election to salvage and restore. It is an election that will end with things being set right. Thank You.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 7 - The Spoken Word

Last night, as I listened to my church's worship leader explain the concept of worship to our kids [1], I contemplated the beauty of the spoken word. The simple fact that we can communicate is reason enough to be impressed, but the further concept of linguistic evolution - the change and development of language over time to meet the needs of those who use it - makes the spoken word a jewel of human experience. So much good can be done, yet so much evil as well.

I am thankful for the spoken word. Thankful enough to respect it and make the effort to use it wisely. Our tongues can do so much - building up and tearing down empires. The question remains: what will you do with yours?

[1] He used John 3:30 - "He must increase, but I must decrease" - as the thesis for the discussion. Brilliant!

30 Days of Thanks - Day 6 - Childhood Trauma

I know that I have blogged before about my childhood but I wanted to give a special salute to childhood trauma in general. I believe that those horrid experiences can be used to help us develop into uniquely gifted adults. They allow us to develop the endurance, knowledge, skills, and compassion to help others along the path. A weakness or fear due to past experiences can even be transformed into a strength later in life. I am reminded of when Rabbit tried to rid Tigger of his bounce, which he saw as a nuisance, only to be rescued by that same thing when it was adjusted and used for a noble purpose [1]. I am not suggesting that the trauma is good, but that good can come from it. Such traumas can also give you an idea about the present mental and psychological state of the child such as in the example that follows.

Recently, Jimmy Kimmel asked parents to film their kids as they were told that mom and/or dad ate all of their Halloween candy. He thought this would be funny, it turned out to be both traumatic and comical. The results also tell a lot about the kids. You can actually predict, to some degree, how these kids will end up. Here is the clip followed by brief synopses [2] and commentary.

Kids #1 and 2 (aka Woody and Buzz): Kid #1 drops to the floor in shocked exasperation as Kid #2 is already whining before being told his candy is gone as well, at which point he hides his face behind the couch. These kids share in each other's pain. Kid #1 is a dramatic type and will end up being the expressive sort. Kid #2 will be the quieter, more reserved type, but ultimately the one who will offer you a shoulder on which to cry. I am predicting that he may play wing-man to his brother in the future.

Kid #3 (aka Your Whiny Neighborhood Spider-Fan): He collapses with his Spiderman pail and a shocked expression on his face, then sits on the floor and cries with his head down. Kid #3 reminds me of some kids I played soccer with when I was little. When life is unkind, sit down and cry. You will still get a trophy and you get to check out for a bit while other people take care of the work. A little dramatic but ultimately he will grow up to join the ranks of the 'normal' folk.

Kid #4 (aka Delayed Reaction Boy): This boy takes a bit to long to process what has been said before flinging himself back into a high pitched squeal and stressed expression. I am fairly certain that this kid was already in on it all and was just doing something so mom could put it on YouTube. This kid will be a fine actor once he learns proper timing.

Kids #5 and 6 (aka Wrapper-Toss Girl and Mild Disappointment Boy): The girl asks where the candy is, sees the pile of wrappers in front of her dad and starts weeping before she even makes it to the table. The boy does not really seem to care but has a slight frown. The girl then throws the wrappers at her dad. Kid #5 will end up in some fights as she grows up. She expresses herself physically and does not seem to understand appropriate reactions. She has a high level of vengeance. Kid #6 will be okay. He seems to have already worked out in his mind that the situation does not make sense. His bigger concern is: "Why are our parents doing this to us?" He will grow up with some gap of trust with his parents but able to sort things out fairly well. He has developed a healthy dose of skepticism.

Kid #7 (aka Seriously, How Old Is This Kid? Will The Other Middle School Boys Tease Him About This?): This boy looks shocked, goes over to check his candy bag on the bed, and then slams his face into the sheets in bitter tears. He turns around, leans his head back, and wails in agony. My main concern here is that the boy does not appear to be THAT young. I would guess at least the sixth grade. Granted, the early hormones of oncoming puberty do lead to some interesting waterworks at times, but this kid is deeply hurt that his candy has been eaten. He never even questions the logic of the situation and he does not even try to twist it to his advantage. This kid is going to be pushed around quite a lot as he grows up. I am slightly worried that this will just further a victim mentality in this kid.

Kid #8 (aka That Was A Funny Trick Girl): This girl has a mildly unhappy face but then laughs when told it was all a trick. Kid #8 will be able to handle whatever life throws at her. She has a genuinely happy outlook and does not mind a few tricks. She likes to be able to laugh along and will do well.

Kid #9 (aka I Hate My Mom Girl): Girl runs away from her camera-happy mom who tries to justify it saying, "You know I like candy." When asked if she still loves her mom, she replies in the negative. This girl is going to have some serious trust issues with her mom, which may not be a bad thing considering how much her mom seems to enjoy this. I have a feeling this instance may induce the skepticism she needs to deal with the rest of life.

Kid #10 (aka I Have A Secret Stash Boy): The kid replies with a not-so-much-shocked-as-confused "What?" then rolls his eyes as his mom tries to explain that she gets really hungry since she is pregnant (kind of a "I've heard this before"). He then smiles, laughs, and goes off to his secret stash of Nerds. This kid I am not so sure about. On the one hand it seems that he can roll with the punches and be prepared in any situation - a cool kid who will do well. On the other hand he displays some remarkable similarities to a drug addict.

Kid # 11 (aka That Will Teach That Wall And Piece of Paper Boy): Kid slaps the wall and throws a piece of paper on the ground as he storms off angry. This kid is on the same road to anger-management as Kid #5.

Kids #12 and 13 (aka Sleepy Boy and Critic Girl): The boy just 'sleeps' through all of this but the girl shouts, cries, and tells her dad that he is ugly. The boy will continue in life as a disaffected teenager, then a disaffected college student, then a disaffected grad, etc. The girl will continue to deal with her anger (and situations that do not make her happy) by insulting them, thus trying to self-justify. Good luck with that one, parents.

Kids #14 and 15 (aka Math Prodigy and Are We Sure He Is Not A Teenager?): This one deserves a full transcript:

Mom - I ate all your candy. You have no-no more Halloween candy left.

14 - (Slightly whiny as he continues to scratch his belly.) What?

15 - (Lounging with his arms behind his head.) She ate it! The heck!? (Exasperated sigh.)

14 - Ahhhh . . .

Mom - Don't you guys think you ate enough candy last night?

15 - No! I only had like one bite of candy. Are you serious!? And then you ate the rest.

15 - (After an angry pause. Now with sarcasm!) Oh, good for you! Now you're gonna have-probably get a belly ache. (Pause.) That's why you shouldn't eat so much candy. Mom, that's two!

Mom - Two what?

15 - Two bags of candy.

14 - (Started while 15 was still talking.) Two plus two is-(pause to look at brother who just finished speaking, as 14 holds four fingers up)-Two plus two is (brother leans over to whisper to him) equals five!

15 - It's really four. You did - you were so close. (film break)

15 - Did you see how much I had? I went to a lot of houses.

Mom - I know. I ate it all, it tasted so good, especially the peanut butter cups.

14 - (Gasp of realization as 15 lifts his eyebrows.) YOU SNEAKY MOM!

These boys are going to be fine. #15 is definitely a little man as is. He makes sure to take care of and encourage his little brother. He has also mastered the art of sarcasm. I am mildly surprised that he did not make a comment about his mom's weight after the belly ache remark. The little brother is sweet and able to brush off things as they come. He also just enjoys being a part of the situation. These boys really deserve their own sitcom.

Although I am thankful for crazy things in my childhood that have brought me to where I am today, I really just wanted to share and comment on that video. I am thankful to Savannah for introducing me to the video, it gave me some good laughs and some things to analyze. I am also thankful that I have time to write this tonight (Saturday) and set it up to post tomorrow (Sunday) as I will be extremely busy then (teaching middle school Sunday School, church, Go Orange, eat/reorganize time, middle school youth, high school youth, talk to other youth leaders, get home late). At least I get an extra hour of sleep before that. Have a joyful Sunday!

PS - Yes, I know this is not a letter, but I came across something before I actually posted this. I do not want to call it an edit so much as an addendum. I found the original video of the last two boys. It serves to show that these kids figured their mom was a trickster but the kid in red is kind of sweet and concerned about his mom. He is actually pretty chill and logical. His mom may be dealing with another me - poor woman. At least they got some laughs out of it.

[1] Current reading: The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff.

[2] I'm afraid that this will disappear from YouTube after awhile.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 5 - Grandma

The woman above is my last surviving grandparent. She has had three kids who gave her eight grandchildren in addition to other great- and even great-great-grandchildren. She has spent her life taking care of people - always remembering birthdays, playing Yahtzee with us when we were little, and helping us to keep up with the rest of the family. She has also lived without her beloved husband since before I was born. No one has ever heard her say a profane word - though she spelled one once (and she smelled it before that) - despite having to put up with the rest of us. She even refrained from killing my dad when he did stupid things as a kid. I am thankful for my grandma. She is an example of patience, endurance, and loving-kindness.

Oh, and she does not seem to mind us calling her "G."

30 Days of Thanks - Day 4 - NoiseTrade

I enjoy music. LOTS of music of many diverse genres. I especially enjoy music that defies a singular genre specification (such as much of David Crowder*Band's discography).

I am also cheap. I do not like to spend a lot of money on music (or anything other than books for that matter) especially when I am attempting to discover something new that I like.

This is where that beautiful website NoiseTrade enters into my life.

NoiseTrade is a lovely little slice of the Net that offers music for 'free' - legally. Various artists post their work there for 'free' download either in an attempt to drum up a new fan base, reward current fans, or just stick it to 'the man' and 'his' ways of holding artists down. I say 'free' because you do actually have to give them some information. Specifically you give them your e-mail (where they will send the download link) and your zip code. This has another benefit of getting you signed up for the band's mailing list and letting you know when they will be near you for a concert. I know that idea does not thrill most people but you can also easily opt out of the list when they send something to you.

The neat thing about this is that you can preview all of the tracks first so that you know you want them, you can share your find through various social media to help promote artists you like, and - if you really appreciate the music - you can leave the artist a tip from $1-100. So you get great music, a way to connect to the artists you like, and a way to share your passions while only offering up information that is readily available online anyway.

I am thankful for NoiseTrade because it helps to fulfill the nifty things mentioned above and it has helped me to find great artists like The Vespers and Josh Garrels.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 3 - The Vespers

Quite a few months ago I downloaded an album from Noisetrade titled Tell Your Mama and promptly forgot about it for a few weeks. I came across this gem in my music folder again in August when I was looking for some music to put on my mp3 player for when I walked. I was enamored by the beauty, quirk, and charm provided by the extremely talented set of two sibling pairs. Their lyrics had both depth and simplicity. Their music captured a sweet piece of American folk. They had spirit and they had steam, thus they were a band with which I identified. They were The Vespers and I was greatly blessed to run across their album.

I was additionally blessed to be able to attend a show they had at Natasha's Bistro & Bar in Lexington, KY back in September. Flat out amazing stage presence. They were worth going to see just to gain a true appreciation for the skill and soul that Phoebe, Callie, Bruno, and Taylor were putting into each piece. It was also a great experience as, being a small venue, they were able to come out and talk with us after the show. I found them to be genuine people - not big headed - wanting to socialize with the crowd and even express appreciation for our being a part of that concert experience.

I got to speak with Bruno and Phoebe the most, both of whom I found to be good-hearted, friendly, and joyful people. They were real, they had depth, and if I had not have had to leave as quickly, I would have loved to have spent more time chatting. Phoebe was a genuinely interesting person to talk to and one of those people who really made the effort to let God shine through her -beautiful inside and out. But I digress. There was life there that night that I usually do not find at concerts.

Another thing that I appreciate about The Vespers is related to what Bruno posted on Noisetrade when people were discussing if they should be referred to as a 'Christian band':

Thanks for the love yall! We don't label ourselves as a Christian band strictly... then we would only be playing for 'Christians'. We follow Christ, and play for all. It's music... Wires, wood, and words... Doesn't need a brand name. We did coin the term Indiecana 2 years ago in an interview however. before Mumford and Sons were famous. ;) ... Much love, please keep spreading the word! -Bruno from The Vespers.

They are Christians but they are not rushing headlong for the pitfalls of being a 'Christian band'. Their music conveys a spiritual depth and truth but they do not limit it to one audience. They can actually reach with it because of that. They can play in bars to people who would never show up to a 'Christian' concert. I admire this mission model of being inclusively Christian, not exclusively 'Christian'.

In addition to all of this, I like their website. It is laid out well, informative, and full of fun extras like videos, a movie mail-in program, and a store that features Phoebe's handmade flower hair clips (seriously, she is multi-talented). They also have a new free single up for grabs.

I say all of this and then want to ask that you support this great band by helping with their Kickstarter campaign: We need help paying our dues. If they meet their goal, we get to see another great album from this band titled "The Fourth Wall" and help them to maintain artistic control (read as: freedom from a label telling them what to sing). There are some great rewards for backers too so at least check it out. Thank you!

30 Days of Thanks - Day 2 - Sushi

I recognize that this next one may make some readers cringe. The idea of eating anything raw is bothersome to a portion of society. Another, smaller subset hates seafood anyway. Put these together and you have people running to Cracker Barrel for 'safer' options. Raw seafood just does not match the taste codes and comforting thought qualifications for certain individuals.

I am not one of those individuals. I cannot go as far as claiming to be an addict, but if sushi is an option on the menu, my inclination is to order it and to try as many varieties as I can.

My affection for sushi started back in college. I had eaten sushi before but the opportunities were few and far between. Two years or so before I graduated, a Jasmine restaurant opened in town. Before long I discovered their sushi selections (not as well known at first, overshadowed by the popularity of their Thai lunch specials) and the place became a favorite. As time went on, even one of the school cafeterias started carrying boxes of their rolls. For my last year of college I had sushi for breakfast nearly every morning.

Now you may be wondering: sushi . . . for breakfast? But I assure you, it was a great source of protein and a tasty way to start the day. I'm not much for typical breakfast foods anyway. Rolls stuffed with crab, salmon, and tuna provided me with the energy to think, work, and tackle the engineering physics and secondary education curriculum to which I was subjecting myself. As such, I was thankful for the nutrients and the delicious flavor.

I have another reason to be thankful for sushi. I eventually got one of my friends hooked. We added sushi to our Sunday between church routine as we had already done with swinging by Book and Bean for coffee. It was a great way to spend time with a friend and to connect over a common gustatory interest. One time I showed up early for lunch and snagged us a table. As he came in and looked around for me, one of the waitresses came up to him and said, "Are you looking for someone? Is it a boy?" This quickly became our little joke for the restaurant and we made sure to invite other people with us in the future to avoid confusion of that sort.

Sushi is not only a nutrient-provider and delight to my taste buds, but it also holds a key to many fond memories such as the one above. As such, I am thankful for sushi. I am thankful for the rolls, the nigiri, the maki, the inari, the oshi, and the sashimi.

I'm just not thankful for the ikura (salmon roe). That stuff is like saltwater with skin. Seriously, kids, stay away from it.

A roll and nigirisushi combo from Jasmine.

A chirashisushi, nigirisushi, and sashimi combo from Jasmine.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 1 - Being A Knit-Wit

I know, I know. I am being overly ambitious about my ability to post every day, but I would like to take November - the month containing the lovely holiday known as Thanksgiving - to write some mini-reflections on things for which I am thankful. It is a fun way to remind yourself of the blessings you have and connect it all to a commonly shared [1] event, thus demonstrating the net's powers of mind control by 'inspiring' others to do the same.

With that said, one of the first things I am thankful for is the gift of knitting [2].

I first learned to knit about two-and-a-half years ago when I was searching for my first job after college. I had spent five years in a constant state of activity and I did not have a lot to keep me busy while I waited for call-backs on job applications. While walking through Wal-Mart's craft section with a friend (I think he was looking for tie-dye) I saw the Knifty Knitter Round Loom Set and mentioned to him that I was thinking about picking the hobby up to have something to do and feel productive. I thought he would laugh it off but then he told me that he would teach me how to really knit. Turns out my friend was some sort of award winning knitter back home. We picked up some needles and yarn before heading back to the house I was living in at the time. That night he showed me the basics.

I went back out to get the looms the next day [3] as I preferred both the ease and the fact that you can pop out a nice hat in the time it takes to watch a movie. It has been over two years since I first picked up the craft and I have actually come to the point of forgetting how many hats (and scarves) that I have made. I took or have obtained a few photos of my creations which I will post below.

This skill has been a major blessing, especially since I have been on the job search again. It gives me something that I can do that is productive, can be done along with other things, and that can be used to bless people with some heart-made gifts. It is something simple that I can do to make people feel special while providing for a basic need. As time has gone by it has also sparked more creativity on my part. Involving more colors (or color swapping for stripes), the use of more threads for each row, attachments, decorative stitching, reversible layers, pom-poms, and other add-ons to create some nifty utilitarian art.

I have found that another blessing has come from those to whom I give these creations. Unlike some adult friends (none pictured) who seem to immediately ask for a price [4], my kids seem to immediately understand that these are gifts. Because of this they teach me an important spiritual lesson. They know they cannot compensate me so they do not try, they just enjoy the gift - they use it, they appreciate it. This is something that I need to remember to do with the gifts God gives to me. I can never repay Him. That would be beyond my ability. I must receive with thanks and put these gifts to good use.

Marshall rockin' the first hat I ever made (with Josh making lunch or something).

Kyle rockin' the second hat I ever made.

H.L. rockin' the third hat I ever made. I actually experimented with using two strands of yarn instead of just one for a thicker hat. This soon became my basic hat method.

Some of my friends' kids used a scarf I made for them on a snowman while wearing the matching hat. This scarf was a tube scarf made with a hat loom before I actually bought the long loom for making scarves.

Made a very small hat for my friends' very small daughter. I do not know why it looks like the sides are sticking out like cat ears though.

One of a set of matching green and blue striped pom-pom hats for some friends' daughters. My first time making pom-poms.

Several other projects had been made during and after the time shown above, I just never got pictures.

One of my recent projects that was inspired by a comment by a friend was to make some reversible hats of the four ghosts from Pac-Man (clockwise from left: Pinky, Inky, Blinks, and Clyde):

Which flip inside out to become the ghosts after Pac-Man eats a power pellet.

And, again, other hats came after these. At some point I began to experiment more with decorative stitching (embroidery) on the hats. This was my most recent project. It features a red fig tree with green figs and has Proverbs 27:18 as the trunk with John 1:47-51 under the branches. It took a long time (triple-threaded and then the time it took to weave all of that on), but you can tell from the verses that I think highly of the kid who received it - something tells me that boy is going to change the world (something else tells me he has already started).

[1] At least it is in the U.S.

[2] At this point I would like to remind readers that I am, in fact, a man and am, in fact, only interested in women - REAL women.

[3] He was actually a great teacher, I just never could seem to get it going right or fast enough for my tastes.

[4] Note: I have no qualms against doing a paid commission piece. However, I will not take on more than I can handle, I will not promise that any piece will be done by some specific time (I have to say this as I don't want to receive an order in the middle of December for five hats that need to be to someone by Christmas), and I will not make the Pac-Man ghost hats for sale as that would be a copyright nightmare. I also will not recreate the fig tree hat as that was something that was made for a certain person. Furthermore, I have no intention of starting a business from this so please understand that I may not respond like a business to everyone who submits a request to the 'Contact Me' section on the sidebar and it may take me some time to figure out how to set up some method of payment.

Before I forget: I do not own Pac-Man or the ghosts, I just made some fun hats that I did not sell. Namco owns those entities as far as I know.

One (Crazy) Month

I apologize for not updating for over a month. Though I do not know if I have any regular readers to whom I should apologize, I am extending that apology to myself. I have a bank of half-finished posts that I can't remember why I started writing in the first place, I have ideas for posts that I've been wanting to do with several more that I've forgotten by now, and I quite enjoy writing as it helps me to process life. As a matter of fact, it's that life which has gotten in the way for the past month. I don't wish to bore anyone with the details but to give you an idea I'll borrow the list format that my friend Savannah uses on her blog.

1. I had various appointments and classes that second full week of September, not to mention my parents returned from their trip (and brought me a lovely soccer jersey for the Scottish national team).

2. The third full week contained a day of intense picking that would have floored Mike and Frank in which I obtained several books, a few old N64 games, and a snowboard I intend to use as a bookshelf in the future. I also attended the highland games in Eminence, KY with my dad (both of us sporting our kilts).

3. Sadly, after returning from the games, we learned that my grandma on my mom's side had been rushed to the hospital with several issues. We were told that there were two options: operate so she 'lives' in a vegetative state for less than a year at most and needs continual fixes, or pump her full of antibiotics and pain killers so she can go out with as little pain as possible sooner.

4. The option taken was the latter. The family took rotating shifts to sit with her and look after her needs more than the hospice workers (for whom we are still very grateful) could. I took a few of these and was glad to spend the time with her even if she was out for most of it. I would sit and knit while I waited (a few hats and most of a thick scarf were finished in this time).

5. On Tuesday, October 4th, the last time anyone had any real chance to talk with her while she was conscious, I was sitting with her. She woke up at one point and asked me where her baby was, saying, "Didn't I have a baby?" When I told her that there wasn't a baby with us, she looked very sad and went back to sleep. The last time I know of that she spoke to anyone was to me as I was putting some gel on her lips to keep them from chapping. She woke up and asked what I was doing. I told her I was putting her makeup on so she would look "right pretty" when she saw grandpa. "And Jesus too," she said. Yes, grandma, and Jesus too.

6. I went out the next day and bought her a soft baby doll so that she would have a baby if she woke up again. It felt silly at the time, but I also felt I should do it.

7. Grandma passed on through the morning of the 10th. The visitation was the next day and my male cousins and I were pallbearers the day after that. It was more like a family reunion. There wasn't much crying or sorrow as we knew it was coming far enough ahead and we knew she was ready.

8. I lay the doll in the coffin beside her. One of her sisters then mentioned that it was interesting that grandma had asked about the baby. Grandpa had as well when he was dying. We then found out that my mom, thought to be one of eight, was actually supposed to have been one of nine. A baby was lost before she (and her sisters as mom was a triplet) was born. Grandma had never talked about it and the few who knew never brought it up for her sake. I'm glad I gave her that doll.

9. On the 13th I woke up to a text message from my best friend down in our college town. He had an extra ticket to go see David Crowder*Band's final tour in Lawrence, Kansas and he and his mom (who I'd gladly claim as well) wanted me to go with them. I missed them both dearly and needed the trip so I set out for Murray the next day to head out to the land of Dorothy and Toto.

10. I got down to Murray early and just managed to catch the dearest boy I know to give him something, chat him up, and get in a good hug.

11. We finally managed to leave Murray around 8:30-ish at night (don't ask). The trip went fairly well except we learned that many of the gas stations (and their bathrooms) close up late at night around St. Louis. I think I may have hurt myself slightly by holding it so long because I had some pain/bloating/urgency/other issues the next day too.

12. We learned another good lesson that night: call ahead to make room reservations because the town you decide to stop at will just so happen to be having homecoming that weekend and all of the rooms will be booked when you come rolling in at 2:30am. All blessing be to God that we found a room and - even though it was a smoking room at a flea-bag motel - it wasn't that bad for a few winks and several nighttime trips to the loo.

13. We got to repeat that lesson the next day when we ended up being forced to take the last room available in Lawrence thanks to a KU/OU game we didn't know about. Thankfully we got this room. Unfortunately it had a malfunctioning A/C (seemed to make the room hotter honestly), a non-functioning drain (until I showed off why I have a degree in engineering), and various other problems like exposed wiring (it was a HoJo and the room wasn't supposed to be let as they're remodeling right now). We survived.

14. The concert was amazing and it was much better with my best friend and my adopt-a-mom. We're not sure how we feel about John Mark McMillan (odd sound issues for his set where we were sitting 0n the third row left) and Chris August has talent - just not in songwriting (having worked youth ministry I can safely say he writes like a teenage boy). Gungor impressed all of us but even more impressive was his bass-playing, jaw-drop-inducing vocal percussionist named Kevin (who is currently on The Sing Off and you should vote for his group - note that I do not actually watch this show). Then the DC*B took the stage and what was up to that point a concert became a family worship session. I hadn't seen them live since before Illuminate was out and it was hard to believe they could have improved on back then but it was a much blessed time. Again, it wasn't just the music, it was the atmosphere - the focus on God Most High. Yes it was great to hear that they'd come up with nine more bluegrass songs (that I think may be another EP before or after their final album by how they mentioned it), but it's the lyrical content of those songs that mattered, such as remaking the old hymn "Because He Lives."

15. After the concert we had meet and greet passes so we got to walk by, talk a little to the band, shake hands, and get our vinyls of Church Music signed (for those kids out there who think that vinyls are the protective covers that keep their mattresses dry, ask your parents what I'm actually talking about). The best part of this for me was that there was a hold up in the line behind me so I got to talk to David (possibly one of the friendliest men on the face of the earth, especially considering he had just played an amazing set and was probably tired) Crowder for an extended period of time and thank him for all of the years of encouraging tunes.

16. The next day we hit up the Kansas City Renn Faire on the way back. Pretty nifty and good times with my friends.

17. We finally rolled into Murray around 3am Monday. I got to have a great talk with my friend's mom - informative and encouraging. I had forgotten to mention above that I had broken up with my girlfriend during the past month as well - it hurt a bit but it needed to be done. This was some of what we talked about on that long ride home. I needed that and I am so thankful for her sage wisdom and strong Christian stance.

18. Yesterday, I took some lunch up to my friend's office and we ate together before I had to head home. It was great to get to see and talk to him in person one last time before leaving. It was also great to stuff our faces with sushi from our favorite place. Thanks again, man, for an awesome weekend!

19. I drove the long trek home bringing my TORT - time on road total - for those four days to approximately 28 hours while listening to Connie Willis' Doomsday Book (the first in her amazing time travel series).

There are surely several things I've left out of the above but they're all quite fuzzy now. Anyway, I'll leave you with the following that I wrote one night while grandma was still in the hospital. I was talking to a friend and it was relating to the subject of intimacy with God being intertwined with our knowledge of God and His Word. I felt a fire burning in my chest and this came out of the passion I had as I reflected on my King of kings and Lord of lords. This came in the midst of what seemed to be chaos - a reminder of to Whom I belong, the One to see me through it all.

We are so incredibly blessed to bear witness to a God who actually wants to have something to do with us! We have a Father, He sets a standard - an image of glory and righteousness and power for us to grow into - and doesn't expect anything less of us. We have a Brother, He both sets an example of that image and provides the means for us to go in that way by taking the eternal suffering that we've caused (in sins of commission but also in sins of omission), and thus deserve, upon Himself. He appeases that rightful wrath and makes things right between us and the Father once more so that the Spirit can come to us - so that what was sinful can live in the presence of a righteous God. We have a Spirit, He (not just 'it') prepares and leads our hearts and minds to grow in the image of the Father that was exemplified by the Son. He constantly points us to and allows us to learn about the Son who Himself points us to and allows us to learn about the Father (and He has given us to learn from the Spirit and the Son - to know Them and thus know Him). We have a God who wants to be known, not just by us but also in us - bringing out that image from what we've hidden it behind. They, which is He, has made all creation with a (glorious/beautiful/genius/these words are all falling short) ability to reflect aspects of, and thus point us back to, Him. And He has sought to make us chief of these reflectors - the full-length mirror - His image! He has done the impossible - taking what is broken and making it whole, taking what is warring and making it peace, taking what could never work, could never be useful, could never be and making it live! And as I think about this I realize that the God of the great paradoxes has made me one as well. As I am both empowered yet humbled, enlightened yet realizing my foolishness, encouraged yet aware of where I fall short. And all I can think is holy, holy, holy is YHWH, our God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! Glory be unto the Father! Glory be unto the Son! Glory be unto the Spirit! Glory be unto the Three-in-One! He has revealed Himself that we might know Him and, in knowing Him, share with Him in His glory! He does not need us, existing in and of Himself in that glorious community of the Godhead. Yet He still chooses to create us, to struggle with us, to make a way for us, and to dwell with us forever. Truly He is great, and truly He is God!

I want to thank Him so much that, in these tough times, that's who He still is - His self-existence ensuring that He is not changed by our circumstance (what more He can be recognized in these times for that very reason). He is so good to us and it's His choice, not His obligation. Praise, praise, praise to the Thrice Holy King!