Different Take on Pettitte
February 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
1) Where are you brother? I am looking forward to your return next week. I have been sick the past few days and consequently, a little slow with the posts.
2) My good friend Tony Felich has another take on Andy Pettitte. He posted the link in the comments section, but I wanted to make it available here, because he has good stuff to say on the matter. Now, he is a Yankee fan. I suppose we have to keep that in mind don’t we Tony! But seriously, his points are well studied and communicated. Check them out. Discussion is always good for discernment. Actually, it is necessary.
3) Have you thanked God today for the little things Lar? Little things like traffic tickets and operational traffic lights and crosswalks and sidewalks and reliable electricity and landscaping and anything else you can imagine. This might sound ridiculous to our ears, but most of the world doesn’t count on these realities the way we do. Indeed, most of the world doesn’t depend upon them for their happiness the way we do. Now that isn’t a bad thing of course, but as is usually the case, we don’t appreciate what we have until we are without it. Take notice today. Look around and thank God for the little things that most of the world is not able to enjoy.
Might have more to say on that topic later, but I need to go to bed early tonight. Have a game coming on Sunday I need to get well for.
Thankful,
Joe
p.s. I added Tony’s blog to our blogroll. It’s called Reepicheep. Great title.
Good Links
February 27, 2008 | 4 Comments
Lar,
Justin Taylor highly recommended three of these links. The fourth is one that was sent to me via email.
First, here is a post from Al Mohler on America’s Changing Religious Landscape.
Second, here is a post from C.J. Mahaney on Andy Pettitte and confession of sin.
Third, here is a book review by Os Guinness. I received this via email and was going to read it, but then I saw that Justin Taylor called it the best book review he has ever read, so I figured I should post it here as well.
And fourth, this is a 10-minute video from You Tube. It’s an older story, but it is still worth checking out. For it details America’s fiscal irresponsibility. And that’s something every American should know and be concerned about in my opinion. So check it out.
Enough links for now. Catch you later brother,
Joe
A Few Things at a Time
February 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
I was reminded yesterday of the importance of embracing change a little at a time. Erin was the catalyst really. Actually, I suppose, my own foolishness and frustration was the catalyst. Erin just had the wisdom to make things plain.
You see, before every basketball game, I take a look at a list of things on my phone that I want to focus on during the game. It’s something I want to meditate upon, because I realize that meditation is a means to transformation. Right thinking leads to right acting (or in my case, playing).
But here is the problem…as time has gone by, the list has become longer and longer. In essence, it has become overwhelming, so overwhelming that it can actually hinder me sometimes. Sunday was one of those days.
So I have shortened my list to three things. Just three things to think about and meditate on–probably for the rest of the year (or maybe the rest of my career!). Sure, there are more things I want to work on and improve, but I can’t take on 10. For if I take on 10, my gains will be small or I might end up going backwards. And if I have chosen the right three things, many of the other things might well take care of themselves.
And so it is in the Christian life. Oftentimes we are overwhelmed with all we have to change. That isn’t all bad. What is bad is when we try to tackle it all in our own strength all at once. We are better and wiser to ‘boil things down’ to the most necessary and foundational. To focus on the most important things that will help take care of everything else. Simplification isn’t a bad thing if done in the right way. Indeed, it can be a very freeing thing.
So I encourage you and everyone else to take a look at your own lives. What two or three things must you focus on right now? What habits? What relationships? What theological topic maybe? Whatever. Take come time to think it over. Then discuss with some brothers and sisters to gain their wisdom. Also, be sure to write it down and review it regularly.
Don’t get swamped with a big list! Just focus on a few good things until they become habit. Pray about these things. Read about these things. Ask others for their help and wisdom through these things. I trust the Lord will grant a lot of grace.
Doing my best to keep my list short,
Joe
Digital Piracy
February 25, 2008 | 4 Comments
Lar,
This is certainly not a popular topic to address because of our incredible ability as human beings to justify ourselves (and oftentimes our cheapness), but this is an area in which we ought to strive for obedience. Though I wasn’t the best student in the Communications department, I did learn a few things about copyright law. In particular, I remember asking a few pointed questions about the copying and downloading of CDs and DVDs (something which was fairly new at the time believe it or not). This post does a good job giving an answer to the questions I raised. And it does so in an entertaining way.
In essence, if we enjoy a song or a sermon or a CD or a movie that someone has the rights to without paying for it, we better start asking ourselves some questions. For a movie (or whatever) is, in a sense, someone else’s property. They own it. And they have graciously put their product together for our benefit. But the key is we have to pay them for their labor. And if we don’t pay them, we are essentially, stealing from them. We are benefiting from their labor without due compensation. And this is just plain wrong.
Now there is a thing called ‘fair use’ within copyright law. In my understanding, this would explain how we can share DVDs or CDs that we have ownership rights over (that is, we have paid for the product) with other people. For example, if you own a movie that I want to watch, there is no problem with my borrowing it from you. But the key is that by your giving it to me to borrow, you are losing access to it. That is, you are losing the ability to enjoy it by giving it to me.
However, if you made a copy of it for me and I took that copy and put it into my own personal library to watch when I please, that is not ‘fair use.’ That is theft, because now, both you and I are able to benefit from it at the same time. You have made an unauthorized, illegal copy and I now enjoy it (illegally of course). And, of course, if you make a copy and sell it to someone else, that is obviously not fair use. That is copyright infringement and theft. If you do that, you are definitely a digital pirate. The same, of course, rings true for CDs or any other downloadable material that has been paid for.
Of course, some ministries encourage the reproduction of their materials. I love that. In that case, copy away. They are giving up their copyright rights for the good of others and the glory of God. But there are others who have chosen not to head that direction. And that is fine. In that case, we ought to respect their decision and be very careful to purchase their material and share their material in a legal fashion. Though it might seem like a hindrance sometimes, as I say to Abigail often, “The happy way is to obey.” Though it might cost a few extra bucks, I am sure the Lord will be pleased. After all, spending more money is a lot better than disobedience.
Seeking to walk in obedience with you,
Joe
Looking Up and Out
February 21, 2008 | 4 Comments
Lar,
Booker T. Washington once said, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” That’s biblical and (of course) true. If we find ourselves in something of a rut, one of the best things we can do is to stop thinking about ourselves. Eyes inward oftentimes mean despair. Eyes out and up usually means joy and strength and encouragement and power.
I noticed this yesterday after practice. Of course, I wish I had noticed it before practice, but, though I remind myself of this truth before every game, I didn’t review it before practice. For I had missed practice the other day (after two days off) and felt a certain degree of pressure (self-imposed of course) to get my basketball rhythm back immediately. I have been in a good rhythm with practice and games over the past few weeks, so I wanted that to continue. Not a bad desire at all.
The problem, however, was that I was too worried about getting my rhythm back. I was thinking about my jumpshot and my legs and whatever else, rather than how I could make my teammates better. And you know what happened? I stunk.
I see this more and more as I grow as a player. The best way to find my rhythm is to help my teammates find their rhythm. If I want to get myself going, I need to find a way to get them going. As I said, I have been reminding myself about this consistently, and it has been a great help. “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”
What is true in basketball is true in life brother. If we find ourselves down, the best thing we can do is to stop focusing on ourselves. After all, if we are down and keep thinking about how we are down, we are bound to get worse. It’s as if we find ourselves in a hole and foolishly keep on digging. So I exhort you and myself and everyone else, let us labor to keep our eyes up towards God and out towards others. It is the only pathway to true joy.
Naturally, Lar, all this points to the wonderful truth that the Lord has set up the universe so that our joy, His glory, and the joy of other people do not conflict. O may He renew our minds so that we would begin to think clearly!
Laboring to look up and out with you,
Joe
Keep it Going
February 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
You have kept things rolling here admirably bro! Sorry I have been non-existent. Unfortunately that is going to have to continue through the end of this week too. I am currently working on three messages for a retreat this weekend on the theme A Man and His Church. I’m halfway through the first message and it’s Wed. afternoon, so this will be my last trip to the blog this week!
Thanks again for giving us all some great stuff to think about. If you can keep things going through the week, I promise to get back on track beginning next Tuesday.
Larry
Dever on Bondage
February 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
It is true that this is a lazy blogger’s post, because the link to this post is currently at the top of Justin Taylor’s blog, but it has been a long day and it must now end. Not to mention, this short post is well worth the 2 minutes it takes to read it.
Catch you soon brother,
Joe
p.s. I will be sure to have a solid post up tomorrow.
What’s So Great About America?
February 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
I’m not asking the question, but simply conveying my recommendations on a book by that title. The author is a man named Dinesh D’Souza. I had heard about him before and was interested to read something by him. This book happened to be the first one that came my way. I had a hard time putting it down.
Now I don’t claim to have an expertise in anything, but I am certainly most comfortable speaking about works of theology or theology itself. This book isn’t that. On the back, it places its subject matter in “Current Affairs.” And considering it was written in 2002, it is not hard to see why. But the book itself covers much more than current affairs. Though it is true that D’Souza addresses how the United States should respond to Islamic Fundamentalism, he does much more than that in this work.
What he does exactly is very difficult for me to explain, but I like it. I like it a lot. (Profound, I realize). He deals with topics such a racial reparation and the various sins of the West (or America in particular) that are consistently pointed out by our enemies and liberal Americans themselves. And he does a wonderful job arguing against them. He really understands America. And though I have lived here all my life, I cannot say that I have. Of course, maybe I don’t fully understand America precisely because I have lived here all my life. How much can a fish tell you about the ocean?
D’Souza is different in that he is first, an immigrant, and second, someone who has studied a whole lot more than I ever will. His perspective is one that I have determined to not only understand, but be able to articulate himself. For some actual information about him and the book, check out his website. After all, I realize that I have not been much help here.
But seriously, check it out. I am sure it will take me a while, but somewhere down the line, I will get you to read one of his books. He is a sharp thinker and deserving of some attention. That’s why I am going to order a few more of his works sometime soon.
Until later,
Joe
Two Powerful Posts
February 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
These are worth checking out. The first is a powerful word by Tullian Tchividjian. I was stirred.
The second is a scene from ER posted by Justin Taylor. The episode apparently focused on atonement. This scene focuses on a dying man who wants to know whether or not he can be forgiven by God for his sins. I know you will be stirred by that as well. While watching, let us remember that we are all surrounded by dying men who need to ask the right questions and be given the right answers. The way in which the wishy-washy answers of the chaplain in this scene are confronted give a powerful motivation to be faithful with the one and only truth of the gospel. There is simply no way of getting around it. As uncomfortable as it may be, someone must be right and someone wrong. Men who truly look death in the face know this instinctively. Most people in America today, however, do not. So scenes such as this are a welcome breath of fresh air.
Thankful for the truth of the gospel,
Joe
Heaven
February 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
Check this interview out. (Thanks for sending it along Kevin.)
Longing for the New Heavens and the New Earth,
Joe
God of the Appendix
February 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
This short article definitely awakened awe and wonder in me for the God who made our appendixes. It’s worth the few minutes it takes to look it over. While doing so, however, make sure you think God!
Until later,
Joe
Flowers are Good
February 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
I realize that is an incredibly profound title, so I will take the time to explain. Naturally, you realize that it is Valentine’s Day (at least I hope you do!). And flowers are a hot item on a day like this. Well, the reason this is news is because there was day when I did not really appreciate flowers much at all.
The reason? Well, they just aren’t very practical or useful. I used to think about purchasing flowers for Erin and fret over the fact that they would die in a few days. I mean, come on, at least if I get you an outfit or a sweet electronics item, you can use the thing over and over. But not flowers. They are here today and gone tomorrow. Even the Word of God points to the transient nature of man using the short life of a flower.
But what about the fact that God created flowers? And He called them good. Certainly the Fall shortened their lifespan (as it did for us), but even still, how useful are they? Why should I shell out a few extra bucks on a day like this for some flowers?
If you can’t think of an answer to that question, let me know and I’ll pray for you. For as I look back at my arguments against flowers, I realize that they flowed from an incredibly limited perspective of life as a human being on God’s good earth. For as I look around, I see numerous impractical, even, I dare say, unnecessary things. But I ask myself, unnecessary to what?
For if I think flowers unnecessary, I have to face the fact that my vision for life does not line up with God’s. After all, flowers are here. God created them. And He is out to fill the universe with the riches of His glory through the likes of us and all His creation. So if flowers were not necessary to the common good, they would not be here. Beauty itself cannot be limited to some category or explained away. But my goodness, beauty is powerful.
I have gotten flowers for Erin before. And I have always enjoyed her response and also, the way in which those flowers brightened my own heart when I walked into the dining room to see them there. The room was different. But why? A little more happiness arose from seeing Erin’s face and from simply walking into the same room I walk in day in and day out. But why? The presence of greater beauty, impractical beauty. But useless beauty? I think not.
I don’t the answers Lar, and I certainly can’t think them through in this scattered post, but I simply want to say that flowers are good. And of course, I mean to speak to more than flowers in that simple statement. Let us ask ourselves: What are some of the impractical things that we might be inclined to overlook or speak against because they don’t seem to serve a purpose in spiritual growth? What are some things that we can (or have) argue(d) against in a pseudo-spiritual way? I say to my shame that I have argued against many a thing that God has declared good. Pray that I might do so no longer.
One final note: Erin’s response to flowers today was favorable as usual. But I also bought a flower for Abigail. I can’t overstate her delight. Surely, she is much closer to the Garden than I. May the Lord grant us the grace to delight in God’s good, impractical gifts to His great glory. I just know He yearns for more of His children to be like children and to delight in all that He delights in, including, of course, flowers.
Growing in grace,
Joe
Take Care
February 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
I wanted to make explicit something I mentioned in a post the other day. As you might recall, I mentioned that at some point last month, I knew my body needed some rest, but just kept pushing through rather than saying something about it. There were warning signs before injury, but I didn’t give them the proper respect they deserved. I didn’t take care. I wasn’t on guard. I didn’t properly listen. I failed to stay awake.
Those last four terms are found quite often in the Bible. “Take care.” “Be on your guard.” “Listen.” “Stay awake.” At least one reason for the consistency of such commands is surely the fact that it is our inclination to fall asleep, our inclination to relax, the hit the cruise-control, until, that is, we find ourselves in some sort of accident.
The lesson we must learn or, to be more accurate, must be learning, then, is to take notice of various spiritual warning signs. Of course, we don’t want to become overly introspective, however, introspection still has its place. And maybe the first business of introspection is to take note of whether or not we are looking in too much, that is, whether or not we are being too introspective. For oftentimes our ‘falling asleep’ involves a failure to look up towards God and out towards others. Because of our sinful inclination towards self, being on guard means vehemently opposing the inclination to care only about ourselves.
That being said, however, it is still worth pointing out that we should take note of various personal warning signs. Are we growing impatient with particular people? Do we lack diligence? Do we find ourselves saying more negative things than positive? Well then, let us stop things right now before we get injured! Let us guard ourselves from further injury through repentance and faith or, at least, the fueling of our faith.
More could be said, and it could probably be said better, but I trust everyone gets the point. It’s nothing new, but I definitely need to hear (and write) what I already know. And I trust I am not alone.
Taking care with you,
Joe
Read and Apply
February 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
That is what everyone (yes, everyone) needs to do with this article on accountability.
In particular, I would encourage everyone (yes, that means you, the one reading this post, and everyone else!) to think about 1 or 2 specific Next Action steps after reading this article. Then to write them down where you will see them again. (Incidentally, have you read Getting Things Done yet Lar? Get on that will you?! Maybe that should be your first topic for accountability!)
Let us all ask ourselves: Who do you think you should be held accountable to? And what are you going to do about it?
Naturally, my first step was posting it here. My next one is emailing you!
In need of greater accountability and willing to badger you until I receive it,
Joe
Preparing to Live
February 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
In my post yesterday, I mentioned a few injuries I suffered over the past 6 weeks. I mentioned them yesterday to point out the fact that we can never prepare for ‘too much.’ Overload is just that, overload. And though we can certainly built up our tolerance for a certain pace and/or activity, there comes a time when the body and/or mind say, “Enough!”
Well, today I wanted to point out another lesson I learned while battling through these two injuries, namely, I can’t expect to perform well in games if I cannot perform well in practice. And though that might not seem terribly profound, there is a connection to life that I plan to make within the next few paragraphs. After all, most of you reading this blog don’t give a rip about preparing for a basketball game.
Now, Lar, I know you know that I don’t particularly like practice. But I have grown since our days together at PSU. I really enjoy it a whole lot more than I used to. Part of the reason for that increased enjoyment, however, flows from increased understanding. Of course, though I didn’t necessary enjoy practice itself, I trust you would agree that I at least embraced it as a necessary evil to performing well when the lights came on. As always, a clear vision of the goal (quality game performance), if it is worth enough to us, enables us to endure just about anything.
Lately, however, I have come to realize what I have always known. If I don’t practice at a high level (at least most of the time), I can’t expect to play at a high level. For a few weeks ago, I felt like I was moving in mud during a few of our games (big ones I might add). But it wasn’t really a surprise though, because I could not really practice. Rehabilitation is just that, rehabilitation, not practice. And high-quality practice is necessary for high-quality performance in the game. As I have been able to practice day in and day out, I have performed much better.
Now for some application: We cannot expect to live with power unless and until we consistently practice the spiritual disciplines. Bible reading, prayer, fasting, fellowship, reading. In many respects, these practices are just that, practices. They aren’t the game. God didn’t design to immerse ourselves in spiritual disciplines. There is much more to life than these things. That’s why becoming a monk isn’t such a good idea. For though you practice a great deal, you limit your ability to perform. In the end, I just can’t figure out those monks. I mean, don’t they ever want to play in a big game? Don’t they ever want to see what they are really made of?
Well, most of us can’t help but recognize that there is more to life than spiritual disciplines. After all, we go to work. We are surrounded by others. It’s a battle just to practice the practices as we ought. But my point here is that if we want to live well when it counts, we had better get to work when no one is looking. Jesus was the life of the party because Jesus knew what it meant to get alone. He didn’t wear down when the crowds almost crushed Him day after day because He was diligent in practice. When the fourth quarter came, He had more than enough strength, because He had prepared Himself well.
Let us ask ourselves: how are we practicing? Are there areas of our ‘game’ that need to be improved? How can we improve upon them when no one else is looking? (Maybe by reading a book on a certain topic, for example.) What spiritual disciplines are conveniently being left on the shelf? I am sure our ‘game time’ weaknesses’ reflect our neglect of certain spiritual disciplines. We need to be more diligent in preparing to live.
Discipline is good Lar. I know you will agree. Pray for me, brother, that I might more diligently practice for all of life.
Seeking Him with you,
Joe
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