New Books

I just joined the History Book Club and here are the introductory 4 books that I received today:

1. Scotland
2. The Freemasons: A History of the World's Most Powerful Secret Society
3. Mark Twain: A Life
4. Whose Bible Is It?

I definitely threw away the cover to Whose Bible Is It? Normally I wouldn't even think to read a book like that, but this time a little more thought went into it. I need to read things (from time to time) that I am pretty sure are heresy or will contain heretical statements. If I can read novels that take the Lord's name in vain, can't I see what unbelievers are writing about the Book that I subscribe to as my infallible guide? I think that this is a healthy approach, as along as it is tempered by good Christian books written by trusted or recommended authors. But, of course, none of these books ever take precedence over the Word of God which "is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

And I've Never Been To Boston In The Fall

But I will be going this winter! That's right. The tickets are bought and plans are being feverishly (read: slowly and thoughtfully) coming together for my trip to New England. I leave on December 29 on a red-eye flight, and come back on January 12. In that time, I hope to visit the following places:

1. Boston
2. New York City
3. Springfield, MA (Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame)
4. Cooperstown, NY (Baseball Hall of Fame)
5. Maine
6. Rhode Island (Providence)
7. Vermont
8. Amy's houses in MA and NH
9. Jonathan Edwards' missionary church (I think that's what it is).
10. Lots and lots more!

As you can see, it's quite an ambitious trip that I want to have. Also, we'll be celebrating New Years with Amy's family and hopefully watching the BCS National Championship Game on January 4! Hopefully the Trojans will kick the snot (pardon my French) out of the Longhorns.

Until next time . . . bye.

Time for Change

I need a new title. Yup, I'm becoming bored with "Life After Israel." It's time for a changing of the guard, if you will. Maybe it will also reinvigorate my zeal for posting, which has been woefully lagging in recent days. Okay, in recent weeks. So, the point is that I need help. Someone come up with title suggestions. Please!

Star Wars quote

Tonight my professor told us that he was wearing the shirt that he wore when he asked his then-fiancee to marry him. When asked if it made him feel confident, he said, "Yeah, I feel more like a man. I feel like I could take on the whole Empire by myself!"

I thought that was funny. And no one else will except for perhaps Mike. But that's OK.

Next blog . . . HARRY POTTER!!

Sports vs. Art?

Check out my roommate's new blog!

This is a guy named Jordan Walter on my wing. Yeah, he's got a wicked fro. 

Muddy and battered after our intramural victory on Saturday. Now we're 10-0 with one more regular season game coming up on Sunday. 

That's me intercepting a pass in yesterday's 20-6 win over Oak Manor JV. 

Left to right: Brad Fuller, Kyle Morawski, Dan Otero, me. The four of us went cliff jumping yesterday. It was a lot of fun and REALLLLLL dangerous! 

This is Brad jumping off a 50-foot cliff into a pool of water. 

This majestic king of the sky let me get real close to take a picture yesterday! 

Do I Care?

Today, I glanced over Romans 9:1-3:

I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me
witness in the Holy Spirit-- that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in
my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. (ESV)

What does it take to get me to that place? Today in RA class, I was challenged by Dr. Mark Tatlock (Vice President for Student Life at TMC) and Siona to care for people's souls. I was challenged not to assume that guys are genuine, born-again, redeemed Christians. The Holy Spirit, in a way that hasn't happened in a long time, nudged me to consider how earnestly I am seeking to follow his radical call to care for others, to be burdened for their eternal state. What is more important? Why do I pray so little for my unsaved family members, for my enemies (Matthew 5:44), and even for my friends? I think it is because I succumb to my fleshly desires to look out for myself first. But I'm not called to that. I'm called to love others "fervently with a pure heart." (I Peter 1:22b).

Paul said:

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others. (ESV)

Jesus said:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is
like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (ESV)
(emphasis mine)

In Romans 9:3, the word "accursed" is the English translation of the Greek word anathema. It means "to devote to destruction in eternal hell." Paul is essentially saying that, if he could, he would trade his salvation for the salvation of his Jewish brothers. This amazing passage parallels Exodus 32:32, where Moses says the same thing. The context is the wilderness and the children of Israel have turned from Yahweh - the one true God - to worship a golden calf with an idolatrous and exceedingly wicked orgy. Moses begs God to forgive the Hebrews, even offering his life: "but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written" (ESV).

My point is simply this: I should feel this way, and most often I don't.

God, grant me the grace to love like you love. Teach me to weep and groan over the souls of those who don't know you. Abba, Father, Daddy, soften my heart to follow your Son's words: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13) (ESV)

Amen.

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