GO12: Grant

Grant Jones has become very special to me in the last three years. I have watched him continuously approach the tough questions that come along in life with a quiet faith that is neither forced, nor flimsy. He measures his words, means his actions, and approaches life with an intentionality not often demonstrated by someone of his years. In short, I have spent the last three years watching him steadily mature in his faith into the incredibly self-aware man he is today. He shared the following with me last night after an afternoon and evening spent playing basketball and sharing the Gospel with inner city kids in Tropical del Este in Santo Domingo.

On the bus ride back to the hotel:

For the past few months I've been wondering where to Go. What places to go to, what people To go to, and what things to go to. For the past few months I've been going through what seems like a spiritual mid life crisis--burdened down by questions of significance and lengthy episodes of apathy. I still embodied the zeal for God I've always guarded close, but I began to examine it objectively and question what it's use and purpose was. What it could do for this realistic experience I called "Now".

I asked God, with seemingly no response, where I was to Go. The seeming absence of his guidance only acted as fuel to the flame for the apathy and objectivity that had recently plagued my thoughts. However, tonight in a moment, reminiscing on the people I have met, the things I have done, and this country with its people we'll leave behind, in a moment of clarity I heard God say, "it's not about 'Going', it's about 'leaving'.".

These words seemed to be the key to unlock my mind and thoughts from the apathy and disinterest which had entered in. I began to think on this statement and believe God has guided me to this conclusion. This life has never been about going, but about leaving. A constant walking away from yourself, from this world, and the bible even says at times your family. A perpetual falling from the familiar to eternally embrace the unknown. A leaving of yourself and your heart in the things, places, people you are with 'Now', not the people you will go to. For now is all we have. And now all we can do is leave. If God permits another day to come I will Go. But for now my concern will be with only that which is assured, and that is what I have left.

To read more about GO12 see one of these stories. Challenges Going Learning Jordan Hearing Doing Grant Dakota Home What's next?

GO12 Videos Waterfight

GO12: Doing

James the brother of Jesus and pastor of the Jerusalem Church wrote in his epistle about the importance of partnering faith with action. He wrote that you cannot actually demonstrate perfect faith without corresponding action. Monday was a great day to see this at work. We started the day by opening a small dental clinic. A local dentist and her assistant were brought in to give fluoride treatments, search for cavities, and provide basic aid to people that could never afford that kind of healthcare on their own. Dakota, Ashlee, and Jordan P. assisted the dentist with the more technical aspects of treating patients, during which the remainder of the team worked on repairing, painting, and decorating parts of the church where the outreach was hosted. Four hours later more than one hundred and thirty seven children, plus numerous adults, had been treated.

That afternoon we moved outside the church to pick up trash. People here do not throw away trash. They generally just throw it down wherever they happen to be. Trash is everywhere. Lots of it. By picking up their garbage we are demonstrating an act of sacrificial love in a way that is difficult for some of them to comprehend, but not all.

We split into three teams made up of American and Dominican workers and went down three different streets collecting, cleaning, and greeting. I split my time between the teams taking pictures and recording video, greeting the nationals, and helping where I could. While walking with a team down a pretty nasty street I spotted a little dog on the porch of a dilapidated home.

Behind a large metal gate/door set an elderly lady. She looked at our group with a curious apprehension which spoke volumes. She thought we might be doing something good, but she wasn't sure. Like, maybe we were trying to trick her or maybe something else was afoot.

To assuage her apparent concerns I began to play with a small chihuahua, that had to have belonged to her. I am not typically fond of chihuahuas, in fact usually I find them to be rather annoying, but I spoke kindly to the dog and snapped some pictures on my iPad as the lady looked on with what was quickly becoming mild interest. Cheerfully I climbed her steps and greeted her as she sat behind her iron wrought door. I began to show her the pics of the dog as she ooh'd and awe'd over the vibrant colors. When I showed her a short video clip she laughed heartily and full. Before long I had an interpreter there to help me communicate with this dear lady beyond my meager grasp of the Spanish language. She came out from behind her door, hugged me, and took a picture. We spoke for a few more minutes, I invited her to the outreach service we were holding near her home that night and she smiled a pure and genuine smile, devoid of the all previous apprehension.

This is only one small personal example of how doing something, in addition to just believing in something, can have an impact on those we reach out and minister to here. With four days of ministry behind us there are now dozens of these same kinds of stories that could be told. Our team is continuing to perfect a faith that says we believe God loves these people and wants to show them, by partnering with demonstrative actions that speak louder than words. With two days left of ministry activity, I'm sure there will be many more opportunities to continue to do the same.

To read more about GO12 see one of these stories. Challenges Going Learning Jordan Hearing Doing Grant Dakota Home What's next?

GO12 Videos Waterfight

GO12: Hearing

Many in our group have little to no exposure to Spanish. We can't speak the language so communication becomes challenging and tricky. You can't always understand what is being said. Listening becomes incredibly important, and not merely listening, but hearing. Two days ago I challenged our team to go above and beyond the already rigorous schedule of outreaches and activities, and to allow God to speak to their hearts concerning this place, these people, and His will. Here are ten things our team has heard. 1. You are capable of doing things you thought you could never do.

2. My life is not about me. My purpose in life is to serve people.

3. Don't be afraid. It's ok to show your emotions, raise your hands, and stand up.

4. Let go of pride.

5. The most amazing thing is that even though we can't understand each other sometimes, we all worship God in the same language.

6. It's ok to be committed. Have no fear in your commitments.

7. You did a good thing today.

8. Everyone is different and you have something to add to the team.

9. We in the U.S. are the true poverty stricken. We depend so much on our material possessions that we are pour in Spirit.

10. Love is unconditional and without boundaries or borders.

To read more about GO12 see one of these stories. Challenges Going Learning Jordan Hearing Doing Grant Dakota Home What's next?

GO12 Videos Waterfight

GO12: Jordan P.

Jordan Patton is an amazing young lady. She would tell you differently because she walks with the Lord endowed with a special kind of unassuming humility that is not typical of American culture. She serves as a medic in the U.S. Army, and is in the ROTC program at Arkansas Tech University where she majors in Health and Wellness. She has been involved with our ministry for nearly a year. The following is an excerpt from her personal journal she wanted to share after her experience with a Dominican church last night.

God I am so thankful for your presence. This experience is life changing. That's what I want. I want to be totally transformed into a woman of God. I am still overwhelmed with your presence, even after the service is long gone. I always want to be accepted so bad and I put the opinions of others before yours. But I am already accepted by you. What else matters?

I have always known your love, but tonight I had a revolution. I was hit so hard with your love that I can't imagine needing anything more out of life. But I know when I start my day tomorrow the weight of the world is going to pull on me. It happens every time. I have an overwhelming connection with you and then I slowly start fading back into the person I don't want to be. I can't even explain how badly I don't want that to happen again.

I'm so thankful for the people you have placed in my life to encourage me and help me grow closer to you. I don't want this life to be a process of me inching closer to you. I want to serve you with every intricate part of my body. I want every second to be consumed with you. I want to be a prime example of a radical Christian.

Edwin told me not to be afraid to be that woman. It's ok to be the first. It's ok to show your emotions. He said It's ok to be over the top. I need your help God. I know I will never be perfect, but please God please don't let me go back. Always moving forward. And help me to be comfortable in my own skin. You made me this way for a reason. Help me to stop molding myself into other people and start molding myself into you. I need you so much. More than I ever have before.

More than ever I realize my life is not about me. Help me to live with that mindset.

To read more about GO12 see one of these stories. Challenges Going Learning Jordan Hearing Doing Grant Dakota Home What's next?

GO12 Videos Waterfight

GO12: Learning

It is exceptionally hot here. The kind of hot that just sticks to you. You can't escape it, and so you must learn to just accept that as a natural part of this incredible place. That's a tremendous part of what today's experience has been about for our team. Some learned something as simple as how to say "hello" in another language. Others learned what it means to humble yourself in an incredible act of loving servanthood and selflessness.

We travelled down cramped and crowded streets, across dusty-dilapidated byways, to an awesome little corner of this rundown community. We were met with the sights, sounds, and smells of a culture far removed from the sensational superficiality so many of us are so accustomed to in the States. There we met electrician-turned-pastor Sanfrido at his small church that doubles as a community center for the neighborhood. The local basketball and volley ball teams were busy practicing on the old neglected courts, and there were children everywhere.

"Nate, can we interact with the kids?" someone asked me. I believe wholeheartedly in leading by example (1 Corinthians 11:1) so I did the only thing I knew how to do. I began to mingle with the gathering crowd; hugging kids, taking their pictures, shaking their hands, or simply asking them their name. There was a collective ripple throughout our group as the team began to realize the importance of simply loving people.

I have preached on numerous occasions to these same students the value of living "an agenda-less faith", or loving people simply for the sake of loving people, because that's what Jesus did, and not just because you desire to add them to some obscure measurement of tallied conversions. Today they get it. Many of them are sleeping now as I write this; but they rest in the gracious goodness of the great God who brought them 1,833 miles away from home to teach them the importance of the simplicity of simply loving people.

Today I saw American college students wash the feet of total strangers. I saw guys, that probably don't even clean their own rooms at home, laboriously pick up trash surrounding a community basketball court. I witnessed shy students turn into fountains of laughter as the contagious reality of a God without borders and boundaries sprang from their soul. Today I learned a lot about these guys and gals, even as I saw them learn so much about themselves.

To read more about GO12 see one of these stories. Challenges Going Learning Jordan Hearing Doing Grant Dakota Home What's next?

GO12 Videos Waterfight

GO12: Going

Excited, prayerful, and sleepy, we left early this morning from Russellville, AR, graciously traveling the three hours or so to Memphis on our church's large bus to catch a flight to Miami. We arrived early. Our jet arrived on time. The flight attendant walked us through all of the mandatory preflight hullabaloo and we gingerly taxied out to the runway for takeoff. And suddenly for so many in our party, it was real. This was really happening. They were leaving the country. They were actively engaging in a bigger part of the Christian context than they had ever known before. Of our group of twenty more than half had never flown commercially before. There was much excitement and anticipation. Nervous laughter, sarcastic humor, and a palpable giddiness permeated the team. Seat belts went on, bags were stowed, and the engines roared to life with the awesome thrust of engineered wonderment as we hurdled down the runway and lifted from the earth. Everyone survived lift off. I don't mean that to sound dramatic, but we had more than a few who were genuinely worried regarding their first experience at air travel.

The moment we broke the cloud line, and the cumulus landscape lay before their eyes like a pristine world of angelic ethereal cotton--all was well. We were doing it. We were going. And it was good.

To read more about GO12 see one of these stories. Challenges Going Learning Jordan Hearing Doing Grant Dakota Home What's next?

GO12 Videos Waterfight

GO12: Challenges

For over a year Chi Alpha at ATU has been preparing to travel beyond the borders of comfort and country to obediently pursue the commission to global evangelism we believe God has charged us with. Tomorrow morning that mission becomes a tangible reality for seventeen students and three staff members. We'll be traveling to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to work for nine days with two rural churches in the area. There have been some awesome challenges in seeing a project of this scope come to fruition. Several years ago we began to move in this direction as a ministry and our first challenge was allowing God to prepare our hearts by cultivating a global mission mindset, which He has done. The next challenge we faced was having a staff member with the experience and capacity to organize and oversee such an undertaking; and WOW! God orchestrated a phenomenal addition to our team by blessing Chi Alpha with Jake and Ellen Tinnell, who have nearly a decade of experience leading missions teams all over the world.

Our next big challenge was finding a team willing and able to go. We needed students with the heart for global outreach, but we also needed students with the wherewithal and tenacity to work hard at consistently raising the large amount of money needed to make this trip happen. I'd be hard pressed to be more proud of our team. They have been faithful in their actions, creative in their thinking, and obedient in all things throughout this process.

This entire endeavor has been such an incredible challenge for all involved. So many hearts and lives have already been deeply impacted by this trip... and we haven't even left yet. We depart tomorrow full of faith in a glorious God that has abundantly and exceedingly provided for us in the face of every challenge leading up to this moment, knowing full well that He has made the way and surely directs our every step.

To read more about GO12 see one of these stories. Challenges Going Learning Jordan Hearing Doing Grant Dakota Home What's next?

GO12 Videos Waterfight

10 Things I Want To Do This Summer

Life usually doesn’t fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn’t keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit the messiness of life into a list of ten. Finals are over. Grades will post in the next twenty four hours. Summer is here.

Summer is always a mixed bag for me. I love it because it means more family time, more time to relax, and more time to indulge in my hobbies. The relaxed schedule just seems to make the days seem as though they have a little more openness to them. Of course, summer break also means separation from my students which is refreshing at the outset because it allows for a chance to relax and recharge, it is also heart wrenching because they are why I love my job.

It will be August before I see most of them again. Here are ten things I plan to do between now and then.

1. Read a lot of good books.

2. Finish Skyrim.

3. Spend a lot of time with my family.

4. Record my first studio album.

5. Travel to the Dominican Republic with an awesome group of student missionaries.

6. Make something with my hands.

7. Finish section two of the book.

8. Swim

9. Watch Avengers, Dark Knight Rises, and The Amazing Spider-Man (not in 3D).

10. Prayerfully brainstorm the 12-13 academic year.

Why God Cannot Lie

Can God lie? This is one of those types of questions which you might find yourself trying to answer were you to ever engage in a lengthy apologetic conversation with a skeptic. I have to admit, it's not a question that I have ever given much thought, but just the same--the Bible provides us with a definitive answer, even if it is not an elaborate one. Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (Titus 1:1-4 NASB, emphasis added)

Paul, in this brief introductory portion of his letter to Titus, states very plainly that God cannot lie, and as I mentioned before its not an elaborate answer. Neither is it a question that needs an elaborate answer, but I do feel like I might have some small understanding of why God cannot lie. Of course, to engage in this line of thought is to at the same time answer the question as to why God would ever need to lie--the answers to both are tied quite neatly together.

God cannot lie, nor does He need to, because any way that He chooses to communicate to His people is true. If He says it, it is. This is why when Moses asks God in the Book of Exodus, "who should I tell them sent me?" God simply refers to Himself as "I AM". Moses, and us as well, are sorely incapable of really grasping what or who exactly God might be, at least in an easily definable way. So God makes it easy for Moses.

He exists. He is. He is the God that changes not. The Immortal I AM. The same yesterday, today, and forever. He is our Alpha and Omega, that is our entire existence is contained within His sovereign infinitude.

God cannot lie because there can be no truth apart from Him.

10 Ways to Be More Awesome

Life usually doesn’t fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn’t keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit the messiness of life into a list of ten. Late again this week, but who's keeping track. We could all stand a little more awesomeness in our life. Here are ten ways to make it happen. Many of these are things I am trying to do, have done, or want to do soon. Thanks for reading and sharing.

1. Do something generous. Ex: buy a $30 Starbucks gift card and have the barista use it on as many consecutive orders as it will pay for. Watch and enjoy the kindness induced confusion from your seat as you enjoy your caramel late.

2. Learn something you don't know how to do.

3. Teach it to someone else.

4. Stop overindulging.

5. Read a non fiction book.

6. Turn off the TV in your house for a week/month/forever.

7. Have regular meaningful conversations with the important people in your life.

8. Stop demonizing people you don't agree with, even if they are idiots.

9. Stop thinking you're awesome and especially stop trying to tell people how awesome you are.

10. Get in shape. Your body deserves it.

GodStuff: Identity

Check out this episode of GodStuff where co-host Daniel Andrews and I talk about discovering your identity as a child of God. http://www.ustream.tv/embed/recorded/21923033

Review: Pictures of Silver Moves Me to Sing

In the interest of full disclosure; Picture of Silver’s Ryan Taylor gave me a copy of their debut album Moves Me to Sing several days ago for review purposes.  In the interest of complete and total honesty, I was planning to buy it anyway.

I’ve been following Pictures of Silver since they arrived on the local music scene a couple of years ago, and every time they take the stage they improve.  This is a talented collection of musicians, who enjoy making music, but not for the chief purpose of entertaining.  Simply put, these guys are anointed.

As a self-styled Indy Rock Worship ensemble, Pictures of Silver’s debut brings a lot to the table.  It is a guitar driven festival of voluminous melodies, building choruses, and thoughtfully worshipful lyrics—sure to fit into any worship playlist.  Nearly every song on the album is an upbeat display of riffing guitar work and happy harmonies, not a small feat considering it tops out at eleven tracks.

Krystal Manning delivers an anointed vocal performance on nine of the eleven tracks, whereas band mates Ryan Taylor and Lance Shingleur take the vocal forefront on tracks Speak and Never Thirst Again.  Never Thirst Again, The Stand, and We Were Made for You all feature beautiful melodies performed by pianist Shingleur.  Rain Down, We Were Made For You, and Holy really stood apart to me for their rich sound and endearingly reverent lyrics.

Pictures of Silver’s Moves Me to Sing is a great album that will undoubtedly move any worship enthusiast to open their heart, turn up their headphones, and join the band.

For more Pictures of Silver info check out these links: facebook, ReverbNation, Noise Trade, Amazon

You can also search Rhapsody and iTunes for Pictures of Silver.

3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 The first time I memorized those words I was the lead in my church's Christmas play, and I was just a little kid. It was a fun play. I was really young, but I enjoyed my role. I never forgot those words, but it was only during my teenage years (when the infamous wrestler Steve Austin coined his trademark Austin 3:16) that I realized how well known this verse was. And then a couple of years ago Tim Tebow put the reference in his face paint during the NCAA National Football Championship game. Google reported 92 million searches for John 3:16 during and immeditely following the game.

My point is that this is an incredibly familiar passage. One that has made its way into our culture in a variety of ways over the years. For me, it's a verse that I have read, quoted, written, and heard probably thousands of time in my thirty-plus years, but it wasn't until recently that I actually understood it at all. I mean, people have been telling me for years what it is supposed to mean. I have even told others what it is supposed to mean. I've blogged about it, preached about it, designed t-shirts utilizing it, and broadcast it--but; even though I've been a Christian for over half of my life, it's never really been much more than some evangelical mantra we like to bandy about as we proselytize those around us. It is so much more than that.

I had a good family life growing up, and consider that actuality an incredible blessing knowing that to be more the exception than the rule these days. Because of my home life, grasping the notion of being a son of God, like the Bible teaches, was never much of a stretch for me. It was an easy part of the faith for me to comprehend, believe, and communicate. It's only within the last month, and to a lesser extent the previous nine, that I began to be able understand the Gospel from a Father's perspective.

And that brings me back to John 3:16. This verse we've probably all heard so much. As familiar as it is, it is incredibly challenging, confusing, and wonderful. God loved you and I so much that He gave away His only son. I can tell you right now, I could never do that. It doesn't matter who we are talking about: my best friend, my wife, my mom, brother, students, anyone...everyone. If given a choice to save them and yet condemn my child there is no real choice. My child gets first priority every time.

But God, being infinitely sovereign and immeasurably wise, contrived a means by which He could give up His own son to excruciating torture, so that He might open the way to redemption and restoration for all of His sons...and not only did the one die to save the rest, but the firstborn of all creation rose again through the power of the Father.

I'm going to do the best I can in this life to be the best father that I can be, but only God the Father can give and save at the same time. Incredible.

I am a Christian because . . .

3,679 people were asked to complete the statement, "I am a Christian because . . . " this is a collection of some of their responses. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DbOf-GDaaw]

10 Things God is Not

Life usually doesn’t fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn’t keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit the messiness of life into a list of ten. Better late than never, here is my incredibly short and almost altogether inscrutable list of things that God is not.

1. A magic trick

2. Santa Claus

3. An angry bully

4. A scorekeeper

5. A political party

6. A man made idol

7. Dumb

8. American

9. A crutch for the weak

10. Inactive, dead, or distant

Slacktivism and Christianity

Have you ever heard the term "slacktivism"? Perhaps not, but it is essentially a mash-up of slacker and activism. It is the common practice of taking a stance on a somewhat controversial issue or throwing your digital weight behind a cause via your social media accounts. In principle it is the notion of investing in a cause with little to no risk to yourself. We see this kind of thing crop up regularly in our fast paced social media driven culture. Already this year we've witnessed Kony 2012, No Shoes Day, and with the 2012 Presidential race under way, we will no doubt be subjected to at least a few dozen more before the ballots are cast in November.

In my opinion slacktivism is mostly harmless, it's silly, but it's pretty harmless. But the principle at work behind it is why I'm writing tonight.

I can't even begin to count how many times in a day my social media feeds are clogged with this same kind of feeble carbon copy content regurgitated into the world wide web by purported Christians. "Jesus Memes" are the worst. They take some kind of important theological truth, simplify it to the point of silliness, and blast it onto the wall of every well-meaning believer that is not quite up to par with their social media etiquette.

Who are we trying so very hard to convince with all that wanton posting of flowers, lambs, and Jewish caricatures? Its cheap, it cost us nothing. What's worse, it's so poorly contrived and pitifully rendered that it reinforces every ugly stereotype that exists involving the inherent inadequacy of "Christian art".

How about instead of just rehashing someone else's goofy pic, or groan inducing creed, we spend a few moments in quiet reflection and actually do something that will draw us closer to the Father. If we really love God so much maybe He deserves a little more out of us than a placeholder pic on our timeline or to be "liked" on Facebook.

The Christian faith is much more than a passing activist cause. It requires, and offers, more than a temporary connection for allegiance. It's price, is a paradox of worth, deserving of our undivided allegiance, and total investment.

10 Keys to Doing Something Well

Life usually doesn’t fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn’t keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit the messiness of life into a list of ten. This is definitely not an all inclusive list, but if you're looking to improve at something, here are ten tips to get you moving in the right direction--and if you're not looking to improve at something then please stop doing it.

1. Want to do it well.

2. Find someone that already does it well, and learn as much as you can from them.

3. Self-evaluate

4. Be honest with yourself.

5. Submit your work to others for critiquing.

6. Know the difference between positive and negative criticism.

7. Acquire tools that will help you succeed.

8. Practice

9. Understand that practice makes permanent. In other words, if you continually practice something a certain way...then you will keep doing it the same way.

10. Accept that there is always room for improvement, perfection is rarely attainable.

The Missing: Sacrifice

What have I done lately for someone that actually put me out in some significant way? Nothing. I like to think of myself as a servant. I mean my chief responsibility is serving college students right? Yes, it is; and I'm fairly sure that there are several that are benefiting from my influence in their life. But when was the last time I really had to sacrifice to make a difference? Those times are rare. My life is pretty much amazing. I face almost no conflict or adversity. Hmmmmmm. (Read that like Yoda says it. Go ahead go back and try it. No, not the whole paragraph, just that last word before this nearly pointless parenthetical derailment.) For a group of people who rally behind the sacrifice of someone (Jesus) as a historical, miraculous, cosmically, and eternally influential event; we do precious little sacrificing of our own. Going to church is not a sacrifice, no matter how boring your pastor is, that's not what I'm talking about. When is the last time following after Christ actually cost you something? Apathy, ignorance, and indifference are the norms today because we are a generation of spoiled and lazy infants who expect people to fight our battles, pay our way, and make us feel good about it; while we moan about how terrible everything is from the safety of our smartphone. I'm convinced that Christianity was meant to be different than this. I feel as though we have sorely missed the mark, and are now so confused about where the mark is that we have traded the pursuit of truth for the calloused whispers of the devil's deceptive mirage.

Writing this has cost me nothing. My prayer tonight is that our hearts would become fertile ground for the seeds of selfless sacrifice to take root--that the Church of Jesus Christ would again become selfless. That I would be both willing and able to love bigger, and try harder to shine the Light of Christ on those who need it most, even if it costs me everything.

He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot

10 Things You Will NEVER Hear Me Say

Life usually doesn’t fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn’t keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit the messiness of life into a list of ten. I'm pretty comfortable with who I am, the things I like, my own general overall awesomeness, and sarcasm. Here are ten things that you're not gonna hear erupt from my vocal chords.

1. Hey, let's watch NASCAR.

2. What do you think of my new sweater vest?

3. Twilight is the best.

4. I hope my son grows up to love baseball and golf.

5. I believe in gun control.

6. I listen to Glen Beck all the time.

7. Who is Captain America?

8. I don't believe the Bible is meant to be interpreted literally.

9. I just bought a new motorcycle.

10. Pass the sweet 'n sour chicken.

Me Lately

Life has been good lately. Incredibly good. And while these first couple of weeks of parenthood have come with unique challenges, there is a level of joy to be found in it all that is profound beyond description. Everything about everything now seems to happen from a new point of view. How I plan my day, what I will do, where I will go, and practically everything I encounter, accomplish, or attempt now has direct bearing on this new little person in my life. Each act carries significance. And here I must venture forth with care. My wants, needs, dreams, passions, and frivolities now assert themselves wholesale upon the life of someone who cannot yet want and dream for themselves.

While I have in married life, these last five years, attempted to allow the needs and wants of my beautiful wife to run parallel and at times supersede mine own, the simplest truth is that I am, and am likely to remain, a fairly flawed individual for the foreseeable future. Where then can I draw strength to face my fears, curtail my iniquities, and plunge ahead into devotion to those deeply deserving of my most strenuous devotion? God alone.

As I lie in bed holding my sweet little son, I marvel at the beauty of this exquisite creation. I wonder, just the same, how that God--who's love and compassion has never been tempered with insecurity, jealousy, or abject stupidity; how much more does he look at you, me, and all of his precious children and just stare like only a father can?

He must love us in ways that we will never imagine, understand, or behold.