My Sin Against Google.

I am an avid Google fan. I use Google Maps, not MapQuest. I use Google Images, not Yahoo. I use Google Chrome, not Internet Explorer. I use iGoogle, not MSN. I push Google and support them whole-heartedly. 

However, as I opened a new page in my Google Chrome internet browser, I noticed someting new on the cornor of the tab. Now, usually, websites will create a little thumbnail that displays on the tab in your browser. Google has one. Big deal. I know websites change these often, too. I know Google often creates neat little “Google” images on their search page, so change shouldn’t bother me. But what I noticed did. 

I invite you to go to Google.com now, and see their new icon. When I saw this, I became angry! I was upset that MY Google had changed. I know that there is nothing bad going on here, but I tell you, it bothered me. I felt like I didn’t even know Google anymore. Where was the company that I had grown to love? My icon, my little tabby icon? I had sinned against Google in my heart, harbouring angst and malice. 

I take this post to announce my sin publicly, and ask for forgiveness, both from God and Google. The new icon is rapidly growing on me, and I am beginning to see it as a symbolic reference to my life. God, who in His sovereignty, changes me. Draws me here, or there, and brings me to new places. Sometimes I don’t want to go.  Sometimes I know what is going on, and I react rebelliously. But the sweetness of God is this: That he is irresistible. He never changes. Google remains the greatest search engine, and God remains Faithful and True. Everlasting. I change, he remains. What a work of God!

Crossfit

Read about my new (joint) effort to put on the pounds I mentioned earlier and how Crossfit can help me do it.

Book #1

As you may recall, I have resolved my self to read at least 25 books this year. Well, Today I have completed the first book of ‘09! Chosen by God by RC Sproul is a great book about the reformed view of predestination. Though this can be a heavy subject, Sproul does an outstanding job at communicating each point necessary for proper understanding, and certainly clears up aot of misconceptions and fallacies regarding such a topic. He has changed the acrostic TULIP to RSLEP. You’ll have to read the book to find out why. 

This book comes highly recommended to anyone is venturing into this subject as a beginner and even to those who may already consider themselves of the “reformed” mindset. Spoul honours the Word of God in this book, and I am left with very few questions. I rate this book an 8.2 out of 10. Check it out!

Pt 1: An Introduction

One can not assume, by means of a book, that you may love him. And, as much as I would like to think that I am a good writer, I can neither assume that I may be an exception. So, about as quickly as it came, that notion vanished, leaving me with a small, empty moleskine notebook.

But I am eager, nonetheless, to, at the very least, bless you with a gift most truly from my heart’s  affection. In these pages, my words will be in plain language, probably misspelled, but indeed honest reflections upon that of my gratitude, my sorrow, my love, and my guilt. 

This is by no means a “spiritual” book, nor a romance novel, poetry, or otherwise, but the cry of my heart’s affection for you, and who you are to me. 

What may I accomplish with these writings? I do not know. But I hope that they find you well and abiding in Christ, the Hope of our Salvation, the Joy of our long-suffering. Oh, how I want a way with words, but words will not have me!

Bear with the failings of this weak author as I scribble an ode to one of the few who may ever deserve it.

Yours,

Bobby.

Resolutions

Maybe, if I post some of my new year’s resolutions on my blog, it might spur me to be more consistent, and perhaps you could hold me to them. So here they are:

1. Complete twenty five books
2. Gain fifteen pounds (which would put me at 155)
3. Take naps more consistently
4. Read through the Bible twice
5. Buy a motorcycle (perferably a Honda 750 Shadow) 

So.. I’ll keep you posted.

1020 Update

I’m on my bed at the Holiday Inn on 340 Oyler Ave, in Oak Hill, West Virginia. I’m tired. But I’m anxious.

I’ll be here ’til Friday (the 2nd) for the 2008 Student Impact ski retreat. A week with Pastor Bill is everything you think it would be, and then some.

d00dz who inspire me: Clint Clifton

Clint Clifton has been another figure that managed to elude me for quite a while. I’m sure he heard of me. I had heard of him. I credit Keilan for the kick-off of this communion. Keilan’s immediate involvement with Clint provided the opportunity build a relationship with Clint. For some reason (and I have no idea why), I am inclined to serve Clint. It seems as though, once I had offered my services to him, I can’t shake him (only kidding)!

Clint is my church planting mentor. When trying to decide whether or not to stay in town or head out for college, he was a big counselor. Because of what I saw God doing in Clint’s ministry, I was compelled to stick around and learn from this guy. Since then, Clint has opened doors for me to grow and learn and teach and lead. He truly sees potential in me, and aims to draw that out. He has taught me to love genuinely, passionately, and accurately. 

I love working with Clint. It’s not bad being Pillar’s secretary.

on d00dz: a note – duex

My sincere and humble apologies for my neglect of the d00dz series. Normal posting resumes at present.

 

P.S.: I actually don’t have a completed list of all the d00dz, nor am I sure that all of them are, in fact, dudes. Thus, the series does not have a projected completion date. It may never end!

Christ’s Purpose

What can we understand about the purpose of our lives from reading what Jesus says is the purpose he “came into the world”?

John 18:37

For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.

Here, Jesus, at the end of his life, talks about his (earthly) beginning. Christ came to reveal God. Uncreated, he came to dwell among us and “bear witness to the truth“, that is, God. Correct me if I’m wrong (which I most often am), but aren’t we supposed to do that too? Comments welcome.

Christmas is Terrifying.

Malachi 3:1-5 (emphasis added)

 

“Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings inrighteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

 

It seems as though this prophet is describing something fearful. The reality of Christmas is this: that God became flesh, in the most lowliest of ways. Not in helpless babe, but in Grace, and Truth, and Power. For those who are perishing; those who believe the wisdom of the cross is folly, Christmas; the dawning of the King and Judge, ought to be frightening. 

How do we veiw the coming of Christ? How do we present it?