Psalm 147 - Ian's Paraphrase

This is a response to Psalm 147 I once journaled that I turned into a song; well, half a song actually.  There really isn't a chorus yet.  But here you go none-the-less:

In my strength have I sought after life’s delights,

“If only these idiots would listen to me.”

Yet I have not the strength to change the one life

I have power over my own.

Oh to echo Paul’s sentiment, 

“Why do I do the things I do not wish to do!”

But in God, will I find my true strength,

to expose every one of my weaknesses.

He will make me strong, he will rebuild me,

with him as my footings, my foundations.

I will hope to put my hope in him,

Then will I be held in honor.

Praise the Lord!  I will praise His name!

Addictions

I admit it.  I'm an addict.  If Merriam-Webster's definition is accurate (: to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively) then I am addicted to many things:

1.  Facebook.  Hours spent pouring over the lives of people I will probably never again have a meaningful conversation with.  Pics.  Posts.  Likes.  Comments.  Nuff said.

2.  Soccer.  There is no greater pull on my time that I am completely obsessed, habitually surrendering myself to every tidbit of info on, even in off-season.  Sounders, MLS, Donovan, Dempsey, Altidore, Howard, Everton, EPL, USMNT, etc, etc.

3.  Gaming.  I love computer games.  And here' the funny thing, I'm a mac guy and most games don't play on macs.  So, instead of playing these wonderful games, I instead, watch endless streams of NS2 (www.unknownworlds.com/ns2) and SC2 (Starcraft!).  At least with World of Warcraft, I ended up playing a bunch!

And after all of my addictions (and I haven't covered food, spending time with the family, and the outdoors) I am left completely empty most of the time.  I spend hours devoted to a game that I will never play, and I realize that in the end, that game will have added very little, if anything, to my life.

So, what would my life look like if I chose to become an addict to something else, if I chose the one thing that does matter, that will give something in return for utter devotion?  What would the world look like if we all became addicted to being a disciple of Jesus the Christ?

It's been said that Gandhi rejected Christ after meeting too many Christians, but what would it have looked like if he had seen Christians, Christ-addicts, people obsessed with building relationship with the Healer, the Saving-grace of my life, the one man who always seem to reach out to the lonely, broken-hearted, and hurting?

The world would be a different place!  Become a person today who can't help but habitually devote your life to Christ!  Let's change the world today - starting with our self first!

Weird Youth Ministry Moment(s)

So there I am, sitting right in the middle of a wonderful, local, frozen yogurt shop, playing spoons after the big game last night.  We were meeting there instead of our normal meeting because of the Superbowl.  Eventually we ended up taking over the entire space, playing some hard-fought spoons.  In fact, there were only 3 other people in the shop:  three high school girls doing homework over in the corner.

Now the norm in youth ministry would be for me to offer an invitation to join us at spoons:

"Hey girls!  Girls!  You wanna play some spoons," I said (this sounded much less creepy there).
"No thanks, I have homework," said one of them.
"What are you working on?  I'll help," I said as I ran over to the corner.
I glanced down at the work and noticed it was Geography, and that she was doing just fine.  We joked about doing homework for a bit, and then saw the other girl pushing her book at me, "Not unless you know how to do geometry," she huffed in frustration.

Ok, so at this point there are a few things you need to know.  First, I've been teaching Algebra and Geometry for 5 years.  Second, I am not a psycho.  Third, God puts us in some wonderful spots to make a difference wherever we find ourselves.

"As it happens, I taught geometry for years," I said.  I saw her eyebrows shoot towards the heavens as I pulled up a chair.  As we started my one-on-one tutoring about lines, slope-intercept formulas, and opposite-inverses, I suddenly hear the other girl on a cellphone.

"She's busy.  She's getting help on her homework."  Pause.  "Some guy."  Longer pause.  "No, he is not a psycho!"

So at this point, I realize that this girl's mom is on the phone, worried that her daughter is in league with a "psycho" who is apparently teaching her daughter geometry.  What should I do?

"Don't worry, I'm not a psycho, I'm just a youth pastor at Bethany.  I am background checked many times, and I've been a teacher and Vice Principal!  And my wife teaches too!"

What a weird meeting in the middle of frozen yogurt delight!  God does move in mysterious ways!  We ended up talking to the girls for a bit after the lesson was done.  And knowing mom's concerns, I gave my full name and phone number to the girls so that mom(s) could check in with me.  I'm not so much expecting a phone call, as a visit from the authorities!  I love the psychotic nature of youth ministry!

THIS JUST IN:

Mom texted me this morning to thank me, and to confirm, once and for all, that I am not a psycho!  Good news, I'm not!

Pruning

 Saturday and some of Sunday (the first quarter of the Superbowl) were spent pruning.  Emily's relative, Bill, came over to show us how it's done.  There are 5 apple trees, 1 pear tree, and 1 cherry tree that needed (and still need) some major work.

The weather was fantastic - sunny and warm.  So far I'm loving the Pacific NW weather-wise.  Anna helped out a ton with Emily picking up the hundreds of branches, and by the end of the day, even by brother-in-law, Devon, helped us finish the biggest tree for the night.  Three trees down, only 4 more to go!

 Emily's also becoming quite the skilled photographer!