more than a book, a lifestyle

Resolved, never to fall to the false glory of the American dream, but rather to embrace the life of a disciple who is called to risk everything for the glory of the Father and my own inheritance in heaven.

on the cusp of my graduation, today i received a book that reaffirmed the fact that i will not live for the same values as my parents' generation.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad. what the rich dad tell their kids about money - that the poor and middle class do not.

this on the inside cover: "hope this book guides you to a head start on a lifetime of financial security and success."
i will probably never make as much money as my Father. i am fine with that.

the boomer generation shaped the world into the capitalist, global culture it is today. i could talk about the boomer's obsessions and frailities, but i'll move on to how their choices in the areas of health and wealth and the American dream affect our generation.

in the new era of mega-markets and corprate conglomerations, the church (on the whole) has been confused and tainted by the corprate model of success. however, the stage has been set for amazing global opportunities. the desire for a grass-roots, underground movement has been set and is already moving. those of gen-y and later have tasted the American dream and chosen to foreit it in favor of community and realism. so much is status and subrbinization, but people still long for what is real. relationships are real, pain is real, the necessity for satisfaction is real.

the chuch (body of believers throughout the world) can meet these needs because we're getting these needs met outside of the American dream. we find them in Christ alone. we just need a new, organic (see oakpollination.blogs.com) model to reach the world. that model begins with individuals. it begins with small groups. it begins in your neighborhood. it begins to grow and change and shape others to the image of Christ. but it depends on us. are we reflecting that image everywhere? do we embody the Christ-centeredness necessary for God to do amazing things within us?

i'm rambling. more to come...

oh the regalia

i felt like a horse. it was as if my vision could only be focused on what was right in front of me. everything else was turned down. the cheer of my family muted. the deans congrats hushed. until i left the stage and flash of the official university camera brought me out of the reins of my diploma-drawn carriage.

graduation was surreal. watching families attempt to wave down their child was really funny. nothing had changed from the kindergarten music program - smiles, video cameras, wild waving and trying to find your child in the sea of black gowns. it just reminded me that no matter what you think you're relationship to your family - it's a huge bond. kids want to look up and see their parents cheering for them as they cross the stage. they want the approval of their 'rents. it's a good feeling - look what i've accomplished. you've helped prepare me to do this. graduation is a good thing - even though it's long and boring... it's a fitting good-bye and closure to the last stage of life. a chance to enjoy where hard work has gotten you and ushering you into the next stage of hard work.

now it's done. feels interesting.

Graduation '04

the road less traveled...

22 years and miles an hour
varied speed travel, same road
desert plains, city strain,
mountain range, beach grain -
scenery of the norm…

yet the road paved before
the cement worn down
met now by open dirt
no end, no beginning
just the thoughts
regarding the life
about to start somewhere
anew in timbuktu

no one to tell
where to go
no one to say
this way home
no one to harness
the open
but me.

The Promise Ring

hebrews 11 (and 6 taken into account). to look at only a small section of it is so difficult, however - flow with me as i try.

faith - God's very character

faith - starts first with God, then is authors (founded) in me by Jesus, he then sees it on to completion (perfection).

faith - promises me that God will be faithful to complete his work within me - my reason to have hope on the day of Christ

faith - can be completed thru my actions as i follow in the footsteps of Christ thru to my "completion"

faith - my reason for living in a manner worthy of the calling i have received

faith - rewarded in heaven

i greet church from afar when even though i can't see it on Sunday morning - i rise and go to it. it's there regardless of whether or not i show up, but as a Christian i have no choice to disrepect its call on my life and the blessings found there.

the promise ring is God's faithfulness to us and our response to him. there's no break in the chain - because God is faithful, we are to respond in acts of faith (ie - joy in suffering v.32-40) that bring us closer to an intimate knowledge of Jesus. the ancients were commended for their faith, yet they "did not recieve what was promised." we recieve the promise - the way - the Son of Man - the Messiah - the Savior - we haven't "seen" him - but we greet him as he greeted us. blind faith is false - we have faith in what we have seen from afar... God revealed in his creation, his Word, and our lives - all powerful in their "scope."

faith - God's work in me

faith - my trust in his promises expressed by my life's actions

faith - God and me, working together for my good and his glory

Jesus gift to me the bride - the perfection of a circle - the promise ring of faith.

Resolved.

after reading some of Jonathan Edward's lifetime resolves (he had 57 that he vowed to read once a week) and with my impending jaunt into a new stage of life, i came up with a couple of my own. i'm sure more will come...

Resolved, to make known the riches of his glory to the vessels of his mercy by paving the way to Christ with my very life. In thought and deed, may every action point others to the loving God who saves his creation.

Resolved, to think often of the pettiness of my life and sufferings in comparison to the greatness the passion of Jesus.

Resolved, to rejoice in my breath while reminding myself of the simple circumstances that could lead to my death.

Resolved, to be satisfied daily by the Holy Spirit’s illumination of the Scriptures as their words are the daily bread of my soul.

why suffer from open wounds? it's easier to burn and go on. the pain so short, the scar so deep; but ahead lies more youth-ful game, playing with trains. a season for everyone, a season for none. this winter a cold, deserted place. long ago a friendly face, now iced over. come back to livin' old friend from heav'n. don't let this scar rest upon a heart so heavy - or i must scar... and continue on.