Happy Thanksgiving!

The Other White Meat

Hello friends and family! It's that time of year where beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange cover the foliage and little pilgrims become the decorations at my house in Olympia. This year is different though. I'm stuck in San Diego where there are no such colors but rather green palms and blue ocean with a chilly 60 degree temperature. Better yet, 1200 miles away at home it is well below freezing and all is white! What a year I picked to not come home. I hope the winter wonderland stays around for Christmas time! Rather, I will be spending Thanksgiving here with my roommate Brandon at my R.A. Chad's house, for which I am thankful. Along with this, I realize the myriad of blessings in my life and count each of them to the Lord. The foremost ones I see are the relationships in my life that without I would surely fall.

Primarily, I am thankful for my parents. My parents raised me well and I don't thank them enough for it. Furthermore, they have been very supportive of recent as far as me going to college far away and declaring majors in Philosophy/Theology and Biblical Studies. Also to my brother, although he may pester me sometimes and I him, I love him very much and look forward to coming home and seeing him.

Also, I am thankful for my friends. I'm glad that they now span across the west coast too! I miss my Olympians and friends from Hope and look forward to the 17th when I get to come home to visit with them for three weeks. Also, my friends I've met here in San Diego are wonderful (especially Hendricks 1st South!).

Above all, I am thankful for the Lord, my God. His grace and providence in my life is bountiful and I praise Him for it. I pray you see your life the same.

While I will deeply miss spending time with my family on this holiday, I find comfort in all the good God has given me. Loving parents and brother and great friends, they are what I am thankful for. What about you?

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!"

              - 1 Chronicles 16:34

On My Convictions...

"I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night. This is the problem with American Christianity today."
        - Tony Campolo

My roommate, Brandon, posted this on Facebook along with some wise words in a note a bit ago, and although I had heard this before, I was convicted. Convicted that that many children die from preventable diseases and I don't do anything about it. Even more so, I often don't think to do anything about it. It feels now as though I have a had in their death's by ignoring it, even not meaning to do so.

Conviction is a deep and heavy feeling. It is unlike guilt, though, by the understanding that conviction comes from the Holy Spirit and not from myself (John 16:8). This morning at the Resolved Church (my San Diego church), we read through the crucifixion of Christ in the book of Matthew. Although, I have read this multiple times, it burdened me. It is easy to become religious and go through the motions as a Christian, but how do I not constantly think of the most important event of all of history: Christ's death and resurrection. How wretched am I who does not intentionally make this my one focus everyday?

There is joy to be found with conviction though. The Holy Spirit who convicts first regenerates our hearts, my heart (Titus 3:4). Because I am in Christ and Christ in me, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). We may try our hardest, but what has already been done is all that matters. In remembering the crucifixion, I am sorrowful of the pain and literal heartbreak of Jesus, but more so I am filled with joy that Jesus sacrificed Himself in my place with my name on his mind as he uttered his last words and breathed his last breaths. This gives me hope that, although I don't deserve it, I am redeemed by Christ. By Him, I am continually sanctified to be made more like Him. This is, of course, not to say I don't have to try on my part, rather remember Jesus and his Word at all times, trying to live a life resembling His.

Knowing that the atrocities of man occur in the world, let's do something about it. Be a missionary, whether it is far off or to the kid who sits alone in the cafeteria. Better yet, build a relationship with them. Support a child who parents cannot otherwise support them. Be the example that Christ was and is, and show others the love of God by loving man. Go and be like Him.

"May He continue to break our hearts for what breaks His."
        - Brandon Aguillard, my roommate and brother in Christ

Dearest Olympians

It was great to be back in Olympia this weekend to see friends and family. I flew in Thursday afternoon with my roommate Brandon to surprise our friends and family and I ended up receiving a better weekend than I thought I could have. Seeing my parents becomes a blessing after separation from even last weekends "parent weekend" when they flew down to see me. It was enthusing to see friends who hadn't expected me and to view the shock or surprise on their countenance. It was great.

Each surprise was good (although Marilyn's lacked emotion, Amy made up for it by screaming at me in the Starbucks parking lot). I loved visiting with old friends and catching up on current events in their lives. Whether it was catching up and jamming with Aaron right before he left, grabbing lunch with the Roberts clan after planting trees at the church in extremely "ripe" soil, or spending the night at Justin's after swinging over trees at Anna and Kelsey's, every ounce of my short weekend home was packed with fun and good times. Panda was definitely the way to end my vacation at home after a fantastic church service at Hope. I thank God for my friends and home.

Being in the airport on layover waiting to return to San Diego is bitter sweet. I'm glad to return to California, to my school, my new friends and dorm, yet I deeply miss my friends and family at home and am sad to leave them until I return. In the words of Kenzie, "I wish December would hurry up..."

"I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them."

           3 John 1:13-15

Blessed Be His Name

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”  (Job 1:21 ESV)

Recently I watched a sermon online by Pastor Britt Merrick down here in Southern California that moved me to these thoughts. His five year-old daughter Daisy was diagnosed with stage three cancer nearly a year ago, having a tumor the size of a football in her abdomen. The sermon was from the week following the horrific discovery of the tumor, in which he announced to the congregation the news and continued to teach the Bible in light of how we as Christians should react to such events in life.

It's not often that we think about all of tragedies and deaths that occur in our world daily. In all honesty, most of our thoughts are consumed by ourselves: what we're going to eat for lunch, when is my next deadline, what am I going to do this weekend. We are all guilty of this. Watching this sermon made me think about life and others around me though. So i ask not only what do we do as Christians when the doctor says to us, "your five year old has cancer," but what do we do when we discover another person's five year-old has cancer? 

Some may ask, 'Why would God do this if He is so good and just?' Some may begin to doubt their faith. Some even contemplate the existence of God. The largest thing that stood out in this sermon that I viewed was that Merrick did none of those. A man is brought to the lowest of low points in such a circumstance, but he said it was his knowledge of scripture that kept him from asking "why." God gives us in His Word the answers to nearly all of our questions in life, we just need to pray and seek them!

Psalm 119:71 says that it is good that we are afflicted so we may learn the statutes of God. Having God-given faith, we can overcome circumstances in which we have stumbled into the Valley of Death. And through these afflictions we learn; we learn more of ourselves and character but most importantly of God who is good and who helps us in all things. Also, God says in Isaiah 55:8-9 that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Who are we, created beings, to say that God is wrong or unjust, for we can not even begin to fathom His ways or reasoning.

The best characteristic example of this faith in times of distress and sorrow is Job. Job had everything taken from him, all allowed by God, but he proclaims this wonderful thing: "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." We may not understand why God does everything that He does, why innocent are murdered, babies die, and children get cancer, but we know the Lord gives and takes away, so blessed be His name. His thoughts are light years higher than any of ours and I have faith that He is good and just. I have faith that his plans are greater than mine and I trust that His ways are good and his plans better than mine.

Daisy's much better and is now tumor free!

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)

Click here to read and follow more of Daisy's story.
Click here to watch the sermon prior to the discovery of Daisy's illness.

Book Review: The Five Points of Calvinism

 

Among my other recent activities, I just finished reading a book titled The Five Points of Calvinism: A Study Guide by Edwin Palmer. To get to the point in case you don't feel like spending time reading a review, buy it and read it. The book covers the title topic extensively yet in a concise and comprehensive way that any reader on any path in their spiritual walk can understand.

The Forward and Preface of this book are even worth reading. Written by Westminister Theological Seminary professor Michael Horton, the forward explains to the reader the value of the book they are about to read; a book that he recommends in company with those of J.I. Packer and R.C. Sproul. The Preface (written by Palmer) introduces the ideas and points that Palmer will talk about in the upcoming chapter as well as a small background on John Calvin himself and his theology.

Working a chapter at a time, Palmer delves into the acronym of TULIP explaining thoroughly what the definition and applicable verses are, what each idea is and is not, and any concessions an opposing view may have on the idea. Each chapter is riddled with explanation- not only of the idea, but other vocabulary within the text- and application as well as answers to frequently asked questions. The scriptural references are quoted in context and are studied humbly understanding that not even the author knows everything about the subject or, more so, the Bible.

After the five chapters of TULIP, Palmer addresses the "Great Mystery" of the Bible and offers some answers and ideas to ponder. One of my favorite parts of this book aside from the vast amount of information it provides is the humility of Edwin Palmer mostly noted in this chapter. He confesses that he humanly does not have all the answers, that we can't always stick logic with the thought process of God, because His is almighty and much more advanced than a man could ever comprehend. And lastly, he addresses the thing many Christians and calvinists ponder: the opposite side of election that is called reprobation. Palmer gives "Twelve Theses" on the Biblical evidence and thought of the idea and ties all of the points together, as you cannot have one idea without the other four.

This guide also provides numerous resources for the reader to further study in the back of the novel, noting the novels and articles that were read to compile the book. Furthermore, the author includes an article from John Calvin on his attitude toward the doctrine of predestination as well as articles and sections from The Belgic Confession of Faith (1561), The Westminister Confession of Faith (1648), and the Heidelberg Catechism (1563). And for any person who likes to read groups in small groups or ask questions of what they just read, discussion questions are at the end of each chapter to help the reader further grasp the idea that is no simple task to conceive.

All in all, the book was fantastic and helped ground in my beliefs in what the Bible has to say and how to explain it to others who may ask. Do yourself a favor and add this to your library along with the humility and knowledge it will bring.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." (2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV)

Lome Sweet Lome

Moving is a odd thing. Migrating from one place to another is nearly a surrealistic experience because it feels as though you're simply on vacation or visiting a place; not actually replacing your address with another. Moreover, having a moving crew of coffee-crazed college students is a beautiful thing, making you only carry one box to reveal where your room is located and unpacking nine months of living material in about five minutes.

But for me, despite the days activities and move in, it still has yet to set in. Tonight will be my first night living on my own, along with my roommate and new good friend Brandon. Looking back at the overwhelming and long day, I have but two feelings:  happiness and sorrow. I'm excited to live the dorm life, eat food at the "caf", have a room smaller than a studio apartment, and live in a place on the beach that gets 300 days of sun per year instead of 30. On the other side, I've left home, friends and family, and a loving church family that was my own.

Before my family left their son at the end of the days festivities, my mother did what any mother would do: ball. My brother did what any younger sibling would do: ask when their leaving and if he can have my room. My father did something that caught a son off guard though: I received a hug, a kiss on the cheek, and he said, "Buddy, I love you, I'm gunna miss you, I'm very proud of you." These words will ring as the best of all of my orientation process. Words that mean something and leave one with more than just a though or a sentence lacking conjunctions, but a thought of a love shared in a family spoken from one to another.

Pretty soon things will start picking up here; class will start, then comes homework followed by studying along with midterms and finals. But for now, the GAP (Getting Acquainted/Awkward Party) and "speed meeting" at orientation suit me well. I assume I will grow accustomed to my new life but never forget for a second my Olympians. I already miss you so and it's been less than a week! Nevertheless, that's what Facebook and Skype are for.

Matthew 16:24-25
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (ESV)

The Olympia Blues

"It'll be a day like this one, when the world caves in, when the world caves in..." The Blues by Switchfoot

Today I leave the town that is home to me to a foreign land with sunshine and ocean beach. While I can say I am very excited, that excitement also comes with a second hand of sorrow:  leaving home. Olympia, as strange a city as it may be, has fostered me to my current existence, and as they say, "Home is where the heart is."

Everything I know is in Olympia. My foundations, my family, my church, my heart. San Diego is the next chapter in my life, but will never be called "home." New things will be found: new friends, new knowledge, new readings, new sceneries, this I am grateful for, but nothing may cure my Olympia Blues but time itself.

Later in the song, Foreman writes, “It’ll be a day like this one when the sky falls down, and the hungry and the poor and deserted are found.” While my sky isn’t quite falling down, I’m sure it’ll feel like it for a time after my parents drop me off. I, like mankind before me, am the broken one battling through what life throws at me with God's grace as my motivation to persevere. With few friends I shall make more and build new relationships to add to those I await at home; and those at home I already miss. "Is there any other honest song to sing besides these blues?"


But I know soon I will adjust and in a few short months I will return home to be with my friends and family to share stories with each other. Maybe my blues aren't so blue after all, but rather shades of highlight that one day I will be able to look back upon with fond memories. December 17th will come sooner than expected, until then friends, let's keep in touch.

 
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13

Self Service

Matthew 6:2-4 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ³But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

It isn't always easy to do things for others, especially when the use of money is involved. We often strive to please those we love (i.e. our friends and family), yet at the same time, let's be honest, we like a little recognition. You could even say most even like the "thank yous" better than the giving of the gift itself. The fact is, it is sin nature to desire recognition along with everything we think we deserve.

Oppositely, we should always try to give our gratitude and thanks to Jesus. He gave us the greatest gift of all, one we needed but couldn't do ourselves. Leaving His seat in heaven to come to earth, live in a fleshly body and have human experiences (so anyone can relate to Him), and dying for his people. The God and Creator of the Universe did the most selfless and gracious thing possible for the most selfish people ever: us. Pastor Karl Alsin has pointed out in multiple sermons that grace is best defined as an acronym: God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

God's grace covers unconditionally what you or I have done. It doesn't matter what our pasts are like, it doesn't matter what we've said, it doesn't even matter if we rejected Jesus prior in our lives (because everyone who's ever lived has). God chose us, dead in our sins, even though we have fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:9). We don't even have to do anything because thankfully, Jesus already did everything! This is good to know for all because I never would have chosen Him, and truth be told: nobody in the history of the entire earth ever would have either. We are dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1) and dead people don't chose to be alive, they can't do it. Neither could I.

By grace I have been saved, and not by works, so that I cannot boast, because it was a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). The greatest gift of all didn't come on my birthday or Christmas, but over 2000 years ago on a cross when Jesus died. Because He did this, the Bible, as shown in the red letters above, presses Christians to do the same. Applicably, we should all strive to be a little less "hypocritical" and more like Jesus:  selfless and giving glory to God. I encourage any readers of this to follow in His footsteps and give graciously with what you can. Give your time or energy to someone, tithe what you can, talk to the awkward kid who may smell a little, stick up for what is right even if it makes you uncool, or spend time rebuilding a relationship with an old friend. All these things can be done to the glory of God, so take up the challenge with me to be less self serving and more of a servant to people and above all God.

Family

1 John 1:7

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

Family is funny thing. Everyone has one, all of them have their quirks, and mine are great. We had a family reunion dinner at my house today and it's always good to see relatives that live away or don't go out often. More so since I'm moving a thousand miles away in less than a month.

I have more than just one family though; I have a church family too. A church family doesn't quite provide all the necessities of life as parents do - daily meals, school clothes, etc., but they provide instead spiritual help and growth and well as a communion that nobody can get by just church dating (Hopping from church to church in order to "learn more" or change when one is offended among other reasons). Fellowship with the saints of the church is an important part of my faith in the fact that relationships are built to grow up disciples and provide examples of how a man or woman of faith should live.

Matthew 18:20 says "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." The fact that Jesus talks about meeting together in his name - what we call church - on top of the fact that it's in the Bible makes it something we should take note of (also see Hebrews 10:25, Collosians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, and Acts 2:42). It is easy to say that one's commitment to their church family could even show their commitment to other relationships in their life.

My family is fantastic. My church family is inspiring. A combination of both have made me the young man I am today, and I thank them for that. They have created the building blocks of my life that will lead me to the man I hope to be in years to come.