Living Like We Live Forever

Intellectually we all know that we will die, but we do not really know it in the sense that the knowledge becomes a part of us. We do not really know it in the sense of living as though it were true. On the contrary, we tend to live as though our lives would go on forever."

Frederick Buechner

For some reason, society has a fascination with longevity and staying young. It baffles me at times because on one hand, I don't want to be here. I desire to be in heaven where things will be infinately better - but I know I'm called to be here; however short that may be.

But Buechner is right, we, as the human race, tend to live as though we live forever. I don't think we are blatant about it (i.e. we make statements like, "I live forever"), but we make life choices that assume that all that matters is in this world and that there is no life after that we invest in.

I recently came back from a visit that took me to various urban cities and was amazed at what people spend their money in. I find that I visit these places, need to prepare myself for the extravagance that hits me. Cars that cost more than my house; lavish eating; stores that sell clothes for hundreds of dollars... it makes me think I need these things myself. Whether it is just sinful coveting or thinking that I deserve it, I struggle in my mind with being materialistically content.

Stewardship

While we are traveling to conference with work, we don't always get a chance to check into a local church due to transportation and schedule. However, Deb and I like to listen to sermons online. Mark Driscoll has been one of our favorites of late and this Sunday we got to hear his Stewardship sermon as part of the 13 part Doctrine series at Mars Hill Church in Seattle.

I want to post this link because Stewardship is one of the least preached upon topic and one of the more difficult truths of Christianity Christians in North America don't pay enough attention to. It bothers Christians. I agree with Driscoll that it bothers Christians because we don't fully believe in what Jesus teaches about money. We still buy in that the more money we have, the better off we are.

Check it out...

http://www.marshillchurch.org/sermonseries/doctrine/week_12.aspx

Craig vs. Cooke

Last month, Dr. William Lane Craig participated in a couple of debates in New Zealand against atheist Dr. Bill Cooke.

Check out this informative debate at Craig's website. It is a bit long, but shows great reasons for believing in God and the atheist's response to it.

http://www.rfmedia.org/RF_audio_video/Other_clips/New-Zealand-08/Is-God-a-Delusion-Craig-v-Cooke.php

Profile of the Lukewarm: On Charity

I recently finished a book I picked up on a whim from the local Christian book store, "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God" by Francis Chan. Perhaps the attraction to it was the author's name - Chan. I haven't run into a Chinese author of N.American origin before.

I must say I was skeptical at first, but the book quickly won me over as Chan writes in a very straightforward way. His chapter on Profile of the Lukewarm is worth the price of the book on its own. It is written not to offend, but to spark a soul searching response in relation to Western Christianity (tradition/popular belief) versus what the Bible actually teaches. Here is one:

"LUKEWARM PEOPLE give money to charity and to the church... as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right?" Chan, 67.

This really hit home to me because the concept of giving and giving to God and the poor has been on my heart for some time. I was first convicted on my personal giving when I read C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity where he writes in his chapter, Social Morality,

"I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small... For many of us the great obstacle to charity lies not in our luxurious living or desire for more money, but in our fear - fear of insecurity. This must often be recognised as a temptation. Sometimes our pride also hinders our charity; we are tempted to spend more than we ought on the showy forms of generosity (tipping, hospitality) and less than we ought on those who really need our help."

Am I giving to the point where it pinches and hampers my "daily" wants? No, I don't think so. I need to. In addition, I don't think Lewis is saying that we should give to the point where there is no security, but that the fear of insecurity prevents us from giving more.

After the quote in Crazy Love, Chan lists two appropriate verses 1 Chronicles 21:24 and Luke 21:1-4. I believe giving should cost us something and, more importantly, should be of right reason and intent. It should be part of worship and Christian living which, in turn, includes surrender and sacrifice.

How does this contrast Western Christianity? Simple - an overwhelming majority don't give or only give within their means. I could quote some findings, but I think all you have to do is attend a local church and see.

Abel's apple tree, ants and aphids

Yesterday, when family came over to hang out, we noticed that Abel's tree had had all these ants on it. My first thought was, "Oh, this must be healthy - nature hanging out by the tree". But others thought that the ants were eating the leaves because there were swaths of leaves with holes on the tree.

So, off I went to the trusty Internet to find what is causing this ant "infestation". To my mild surprise, this is a common occurrence where the ants are not eating the leaves, but protecting an insect called aphids that do eat the leaves. The ants, in turn, "drink" out of the butt of these aphids to extract sugar and bring it back the their colony. Gross. I guess that is why, in the movie "ANTZ", the ants order aphid beer. Anyway, I thought that was disgusting, but also at a wonder on how ants work.

The point is, ants and aphids are a problem to apple trees because the ants protect the aphids from their natural predators (like ladybugs) and, as a result, an over infestation of aphids causes harm to the tree. One remedy is to coat the base of the tree with canola/vegetable oil. Apparently, ants do not like oil - can't walk in it, get mired in it - and should stop the ants from going up and down the tree and protecting the aphids.

I just hope the predators are still around to eat the aphids.

Out of Context

I'm currently reading J.P Moreland's "Love Your God With All Your Mind". Here are a couple of quotes thus far that are thought provoking.

"It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism, that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel. It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity."

Frederic D. Huntington, 1890

"Once people stop believing in God, the problem is not that they will believe in nothing: rather, the problem is that they will believe anything."

J.P Moreland quoting G.K. Chesterton

Canals, Narrow Streets, and Marco Polo

Day Eight and Nine: Venice

The initial reason to visit Italy was Venice and we go there on the last leg of our trip. After arriving by train and almost missing our stop and face the probability of getting fined for staying on the train for too long, we got off at Mestre and took the bus to the lagoon city of Venice.

To be honest, Venice, with all its unique canals and buildings, it was the least favourite stop for me. I guess the reason boils down to the local's attitude towards tourists. In retrospect, I suppose there are more tourists and locals at the old historical city in any one given time, and they must be tired of the same old questions from the unending wave of tourists.

Highlights were taking the water buses to ride the canals and visit neighboring islands that make up the Venice region, taking pictures in San Marco square, and drinking cappuccino and other expensive desserts at Cafe Florian.

Canals were everywhere. It seems every bridge you cross there was a picture worthy view
.

Not only were people getting in the way of Deb's shots, but water buses too.

Taking night shots off the Rialto bridge.

Alas, during the last night in Venice and in Italy, my Canon point and shoot decided to call it quits. Although finicky during the whole trip, it would not turn on until I actively started to search for a new camera at home. Maybe I should threaten it more.