The Bread of Life

On Sunday after the morning service, I wrote a poem based on Pastor's sermon from John 6:35: "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." I was honored that he read it during the evening service to transition from his sermon on covenants to the Lord's Supper. Decadent Desserts or Heart-Healthy Bread? By Natalie Cary Are you hungry? Soul famished? Longing for Something more? This world offers Dunkin Donuts— Tasty treats of power and pleasure, Pastries of pleasing platitudes, Sugary sweet philosophies— Hedonistically masking the hurt, Spartanly reveling in the pain. Some churches promote sugar substitutes— Slick sermons, emotional songs, plastic smiles. Are you hungry? Soul famished? Longing for Something more? Jesus Christ offers wholesome bread— Heavenly Manna that saves and satisfies, Supply of sustaining grace, Exquisite, eternal Word— Freely forgiving the sin, Lovingly restoring the soul. The Bread of Life nourishes the heart— Supernatural sustenance, timeless Truth, daily delight. Are you hungry? Soul famished? Longing for Something more? “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.” “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you.”

New Poem

This poem has been brewing in my head for a long time and I finally wrote it down last night. I hope it is an encouragement to you. At the least, I spent a profitable 3 hours or so pondering the nature of God. My poetic inspiration came from the Old English techniques of kenning (metaphoric compounds) and alliteration (rather than rhyme and meter) and Gerard Manley Hopkins' beautifully compact poems expressing deep truths about God. I wanted the poem to be tightly constructed and for the pace to be slow, because it's intended to make the reader stop and think about the character of the Trinity. Since God has so many astounding characteristics, I didn't want to repeat any words, which made process a little more difficult, but more rewarding. The scriptural inspiration is obvious, but I specifically drew on sermons Pastor Herron has preached in the last two years and on concepts about God that I've been thinking and reading about. I'm a little bit nervous about exposing my poor poem to the world, because I don't do this very often, but I hope it is a help to you. Almighty Maker, Holy Creator Creative Designer, Universe Shaper Galaxy Spreader, Star Hanger Planet Placer, Earth Former Atom Holder, Soul Sustainer Sovereign Lord rules over all. Merciful Savior, Grace Giver Law Completer, Prophecy Fulfiller Cross Bearer, Sin Taker Satan Defeater, Death Destroyer God Reconciler, Heavenly Mediator Incarnate Jesus sent for men. Life Instiller, Gift Bestower Guilt Deliverer, Sorrow Comforter Peace Bringer, Joy Supplier Heart Healer, Hope Provider Patient Teacher, Word Illuminator Blessed Spirit, live in me.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn

One of my favorite Russian authors, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, passed away on August 4, 2008. I was first introduced to his short stories in Modern Literature, and the simple, beautiful story with haunting images sent me on a hunt for his novels. I was not disappointed. Cancer Ward and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch left a profound impression on me and encouraged me to read other Russian authors. I currently have several other novels by Solzhenitsyn on my bookshelf that I look forward to reading: August 1914, The First Circle, and The Gulag Archipelago. To read a nice tribute and biography of Solzhenitsyn, click here.

Paradox

This morning, while enjoying the beautiful scenery described below, I meditated on the seeming contradictions of God's nature. Our God is indescribable, but here's a feeble attempt.

He is powerful, but gentle.
He is a warrior, but kind.
He is jealous, but loving.
He is just, but merciful.
He is all wise, but communicates to the simple.
He is always at work, but brings peace.
He is strong, but cares for the weak.
He is deep, but knowable.
He is invisible, but I see Him everyday day.

He has no flaws, but understands my weaknesses.
He is a solid rock, but knows my insecurities.
He is a strong tower, but understands my fears.
He is perfect, but he dwells in corrupt temples.
He lives in heaven, but lives in me.

He rules over all, but is personal and intimate.
He commands nations, but welcomes His own.
He directs thousands of angels, but answers my prayers.
He is all-knowing, but wants me to pray to Him.
He is sovereign, but lets us choose.
He will destroy, but He creates new life every day.
He exposes the wicked, but shelters the helpless.
He breaks down the high places, but builds up His church.
He casts down the proud, but lifts up the humble.
He chips at the hard heart, but molds the soft.
He allows pain, but heals.
He convicts, but comforts.
He pours out His wrath on the heathen, but pours out His grace on His children.

He is God, but became man.
He is eternal, but created and lived in the temporal.
He was a carpenter, but is now King.
He was homeless, but now builds a home in heaven for me.
He made me, but redeemed me.
He is without sin, but took on the sins of the whole world.
He hates sin, but loves me.
He died, but lives.

Impressions of the beach

I'm no poet, but someday, I'd like to write about the beautiful morning I spent at the beach. A couple of friends and I ran for a while and then found a favorite spot on the beach to read our Bibles and spend time with the Lord. What a refreshing way to spend the morning! When I came home, my soul was still and I didn't want that special time with God to stop, so I read my Bible for another hour. The papers could wait!

Leaning against a smooth, hard palm tree in the shade of another
Constantly adjusting my position for the coral rocks and ants
Bothersome flies
Palm trees as far as the eye can see on either side of me
The sun filtering through the brittle brown leaves and the wind rippling through the husky, stiff fronds
Dry wind whips sand into my eyes
Patches of rocks and rough sand
Wild, green growth forging its way to the sea
Aqua-green splashes on the shore
Rust-brown coral barrier
Peaceful lagoon
Waves crashing on the reef
Deep blue stretching out to the horizon, where it meets the pale blue sky with pinky-purple tones
Purple-grey clouds etched with dark blue-grey
Wispy white clouds casting faint shadows on the sea
Distant land in dusky grey hidden by splashes of salt sea mist
Far off city feels like another world
High-rise hotels and gourmet restaurants don't belong here
Just me, my God, a Bible and pen, and a tree to lean on
All is peace and rest, quiet in my soul
The gentle lulling roar of the ocean, the soft breeze, filtered sunlight, and lazy clouds--all remind me God loves me.
He is here.

February Book Review

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Clear, concise, hope-infused. Ramsey's 7-step plan is simple to understand, difficult to follow (not because of an error on his part, but because of my own sin nature), but brings great results. Even as I tackle step two (get out debt), I have been encouraged to see God provide and help me save money for future expenses (like the $1300 plane ticket I just purchased) rather than spend each pay check as it comes in. I'm already reaping the benefits of budgeting and saving. I'm sure I'll refer to this book many times over the next few years as I read the testimonies of God's provision in other people's lives and as I progress through the steps. I highly recommend this book.
Grade: A+

Culture Warrior by Bill O'Reilly
Very interesting read. I learned a lot about the key members and philosophies of the secular-progressive movement. If you want to be more well-informed about the liberal leanings of society, or want to better understand O'Reilly's show (he refers to ideas in this book all the time), read this book.
Grade: A


Wobegon Boy by Garrison Keillor
A huge disappointment. I grew up listening to Keillor's radio broadcast A Prairie Home Companion, so I expected I would enjoy this book. However, the plot meanders to nowhere in particular and even though that's typical of "Stories from Lake Wobegon," this one wasn't even interesting. Perhaps, Keillor should stick to the short story genre. In addition, Keillor's cynical descriptions of Dark Lutherans and the loose lifestyle of his central character got annoying. I almost stopped reading several times, but kept hoping it would get better, which it did not. I wish I hadn't wasted my one fiction book for the month on this one. Can I express my disappointment in any more ways?
Grade: C-/D+

Flyboysby James Bradley Powerful and moving. I cried several times while reading this book and even while just thinking about the Flyboys. Bradley gives a brief explanation of Japanese history and describes the Japanese warrior's mindset before and during the war. He explains the American justification for the atomic bomb and napalm bombings; however, he does not excuse American war atrocities during the expansion west, in the Philippines, and during the war. (And I agree. The US military did some pretty horrible things to the American Indians and other nations we were trying to establish colonies in.) He recounts the true, heroic stories of American pilots, including former president George W. Bush, during the Pacific theater in World War II. He focuses on telling the recently de-classified stories of the torture, execution, and mutilation of US pilots on Chichi Jima. The pilots' families were never told the details of their sons' horrific deaths, and some parents died without ever knowing what happened. This book is well-researched and powerfully written. I think every American should read this book. I have a much deeper appreciation for the veterans of World War II and the difficult decisions our government and military leaders had to make. I also better understand the Japanese history and worldview that led to such a grusome war. This is one of those books that will haunt your memory and affect your thinking for a long time.
Grade: A+

Obama and Plagiarism

Because I'm in the middle of teaching the research paper to 30 juniors--and because I'm interested in politics, I was intrigued by the latest uproar over Obama's allegedly lifting phrases from other candidates without attributing the statements to the original speaker. My initial reaction was that it's okay, but I decided to do a little research on the matter, before making up my mind. After searching all over the web and reading numerous articles and watching several videos, I came back to where I first heard about the issue--Bill O'Reilly. He sums up the issue nicely in his "Talking Points" memo from February 19. Video. Transcript. Basically, O'Reilly compares Deval's speech (though his video is different from ones I found on YouTube) to Obama's. And he concludes that "people often borrow thoughts when speaking. It happens all the time. If Barack Obama had written an article and not credited Governor Patrick, that would have been plagiarism. Just talking off the cuff like that, I think you've got to cut him some slack." Here are some more articles and videos I found on the matter, if you're interested. Clinton aide accuses Obama of plagiarism This article includes links to video of Deval's speech and then Obama's speech as well as several retalitory examples of Clinton plagiarizing. Here is a longer video of Obama's speech "Don't Tell Me Words Don't Matter" Obama by the Numbers: Twice-Told Tales, and Nine in a Row After doing some research, I still think it was not wrong for Obama to use some of the same quotes and phraseology as Deval Patrick. No one was upset that Obama quoted Martin Luther King, Jr. or President Kennedy or the Declaration of Independence without attributing the statements to them, but it was a problem (to some) that he quoted Patrick's quotation of those statements without recognizing the original speaker. Furthermore, Patrick is an Obama supporter and friend and apparently they have spoken several times about this matter (see the Politico article above). In addition, Barack Obama, John Edwards, and Deval Patrick have all had David Axelrod as a campaign adviser, which may explain similarities in their rhetoric.