New Blog Location!

I've moved my blog here:

http://lovedinexplicably.blogspot.com/

Hopefully it will be an easier address to remember.

The Lord: my strength

I love You, Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock,
my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my mountain
where I seek refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
I called to the Lord,
who is worthy of praise,
and I was saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18

Who can live with God?

Lord, who can dwell in Your tent?
Who can live on Your holy mountain?
The one who lives honestly,
practices righteousness,
and acknowledges the truth in hi heart -
who does not slender with is tongue,
who does not harm his friend
or discredit his neighbor,
who despises the one rejected by the Lord,
but honors those who fear the Lord,
who keeps his word whatever the cost,
who does not lend his money at interest
or take a bribe against the innocent -
the one who does these things
will never be moved.

Psalm 15

The Progression of Faith

[They] kept trying to find charges
against Daniel regarding the kingdom.
But they could find no charge or corruption,
for he was trustworthy,
and no negligence or corruption was found in him...

and three times a day he got down on his knees,
prayed, and gave thanks to his God,
just as he had done before...

King Darius wrote:
For He is the living God,
and He endures forever;
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
and His dominion has no end.
He rescues and delivers;
He performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth,
for He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.

Daniel 6

Magnificent

Lord, our Lord,
how magnificent is Your name
throughout the earth!

You have covered the heavens
with Your majesty...

When I observe Your heavens,
the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which You set in place,
what is man that You remember him,
the son of man that You look after him?
You made him little less than God
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You mad e him lord over the words of Your hands;
You put everything under his feet:
all the sheep and oxen,
as well as animals in the wild,
birds of the sky,
and fish of the sea
passing through the currents of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,
how magnificent is Your name
throughout the earth!

Psalm 8

Greece: a graveyard?

I've heard Greece referred to as a missionary's graveyard. Reading this from Michael Lewis, I wonder how much this plays a part into it:

The Greek state was not just corrupt but also corrupting. Once you saw how it worked you could understand a phenomenon which otherwise made no sense at all: the difficulty Greek people have saying a kind word about one another. Individual Greeks are delightful: funny, warm, smart, and good company. I left two dozen interviews saying to myself, “What great people!” They do not share the sentiment about one another: the hardest thing to do in Greece is to get one Greek to compliment another behind his back. No success of any kind is regarded without suspicion. Everyone is pretty sure everyone is cheating on his taxes, or bribing politicians, or taking bribes, or lying about the value of his real estate. And this total absence of faith in one another is self-reinforcing. The epidemic of lying and cheating and stealing makes any sort of civic life impossible; the collapse of civic life only encourages more lying, cheating, and stealing. Lacking faith in one another, they fall back on themselves and their families.

Elvis Intro

Josh and Nikki

Josh and Nikki, two of my teammates from Tokyo came by Decatur (and Big Bob Gibsons) on their "way" from Montana to Philly for law school!

Wow

Listen, Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Protect my life, for I am faithful.
You are my God; save Your servant
who trusts in You.
be gracious to me, Lord,
for I call to You all day long.
Bring joy to Your servant's life,
since I set my hope on You, Lord.

For You, Lord,
are kind and ready to forgive,
abundant in faithful love
to all who call on You.
Lord, hear my prayer;
listen to my call for mercy.
I call on You in the day of my distress,
for You will answer me.

Psalm 86

Leaving because of the gospel

Jesus said:
I assure you there is no one
who has left house, brothers or sisters,
mother or father, children, or fields
because of Me and the gospel,
who will not receive 100 times more,
now at this time -
houses, brothers and sisters,
mothers and children, and fields,
with persecutions -
and eternal life in the age to come.
But many who are first will be last,
and the last first.

Mark 10:29-31

Following Jesus

Jesus said:
If anyone wants to be My follower,
he must deny himself,
take up his cross,
and follow Me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life
because of Me and the gospel will save it.
For what does it benefit a main
to gain the whole world
yet lose his life?
What can a man give
in exchange for his life?
For whoever is ashamed of Me
and My words in this adulterous
and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him
when He comes in the glory of His Father
with the holy angels.

Mark 8:34-38

How long?

Lord - how long?
Turn and have compassion on Your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning
with Your faithful love
so that we may shout with joy
and be glad all our days.
Make us rejoice for as many days
as You have humbled us,
for as many years as
we have been adversity.
Let Your work be seen
by Your servants,
and Your splendor
by their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God
be on us;
establish for us the work
of our hands.

Psalm 90:13-17

Heal the brokenhearted.

The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me,
because the Lord has anointed Me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and freedom to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
and the day of our God's vengeance;
to comfort all who mourn...

For as the earth brings forth its growth,
and as a garden enables
what is sown to spring up,
so the Lord God
will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.

Isaiah 61

The Lord's Covenant

"As for Me, this is My covenant with them,"
says the Lord:
"My Spirit who is on you,
and My words that I have put in your mouth,
will not depart from your mouth,
or from the mouth of your children,
or from the mouth of your children's children,
from now on and forever,"
says the Lord.

Isaiah 59

Higher

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not My ways,"
this is the Lord's declaration.

"For as heaven is higher than earth,
so My ways are higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven,
and do not return there
without saturating the earth,
and making it germinate and sprout,
and providing seed to sow
and food to eat,
so My word that comes from My mouth
will not return to Me empty,
bugt will accomplish what I please,
and will prosper in what I send it to do.

Isaiah 55

Refuge, Strength

God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
Therfore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake
with its turmoil.

Psalm 40

God has us

Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down
and when I stand up;
You understand my thoughts
from far away.
You observe my travels and my rest;
You are aware of all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord.
You have encircled me;
You have placed Your hand on me.
This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty;
I am unable to reach it.

Psalm 139

Remember this and be brave;
take it to heart, you transgressors!
Remember what happened long ago,
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and no one is like Me.
I declare the end from the beginning,
and from long go what is not yet done,
saying: My plan will take place,
and I will do all My will.

Isaiah 46

Wait for the Lord

The Lord is my light and my salvation,
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life,
of whom should I be afraid...

I have asked one thing from the Lord;
it is what I desire:
to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
gazing on the beauty of the Lord
and seeking Him in His temple...

I am certain that I will see the Lord's
goodness in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be courageous and let your heart be strong.
Wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27

Make Your ways known to me, Lord;
teach me Your paths.
Guide me in Your truth and teach me,
for Your are the God of my salvation;
I wait for You all day long.
Remember, Lord, Your compassion
and Your faithful love,
for they have existed from antiquity.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
or my acts of rebellion;
in keeping with Your faithful love,
remember me
because of Your goodness, Lord.

Psalm 25

Coming before the Lord

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in His holy place?
The one who has clean hands
and a pure heart,
who has not set his mind on what is false,
and who has not sworn deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord,
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek Him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Psalm 24

Everlasting God

Who will you compare Me too,
who is My equal?"
asks the Holy One.
Look up and see:
who created these?
He brings out the starry host by number;
He calls all of them by name.
Because of His great power and strength,
not one of them is missing...

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Yahweh is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never grows faint or weary;
there is no limit to His understanding.
He gives strength to the weary
and strengthens the powerless.
Youths may faint
and grow weary,
and young men stumble and fall,
but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary;
they will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40

From someone much wiser than me

For the Lord will be your everlasting light
and your God will be your glory.

Isaiah 60

This is the way

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

O people of Zion,
who live in Jerusalem,
you will weep no more.
How gracious he will be
when you cry for help!
As soon as he hears,
he will answer you...

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,
"This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:18,19,21

The earth is the Lord's
and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the water.

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has cleans hands
and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul
to an idol
or swear by what is false.

Psalm 24:1-4

My Poor Attempt to Imitate a Spaniard

Praise to the Lord

O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago...

You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in his distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall
and like the heat of the desert.
You silence the uproar of foreigners;
as heat is reduced
by the shadow of a cloud,
so the song of the ruthless is stilled.

Isaiah 25

In that day you will say:

"I will praise you, O LORD.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD,
is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."

With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say:

"Give thanks to the LORD,
call on his name;
make known among the nations
what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the LORD,
for he has done glorious things;"
let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy,
people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One
of Israel among you.

Isaiah 12

A Child is Born

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

My Portion Forever

Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will
take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire
besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:23-26

The Power of God

But you, O God, are my king from of old;
you bring salvation upon the earth.
It was you who split open the sea by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.
It was you who opened up springs and streams;
you dried up the ever flowing rivers.
The day is yours, and your also the night;
you established the sun and moon.
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.

Psalm 74:12-17

Musings from this Morning

I love you Lord,
Yet you first loved me.
Created me.

Even though I am filled with sin,
And disobey you at every turn,
And you knew that would be the case,
You sent your Son Jesus.
You sent Him to take punishment
And death on the Cross
In order to give us the opportunity for life.

Thank you Lord.

People you sit next to on a plane across the Atlantic

So yesterday I arrived back in Decatur from my year in Spain. It didn't really hit me I was coming home until I arrived in the Huntsville airport. Here is the story of the plane ride. When I got on the plane in Madrid, I was one of the last ones on, I sat down (aisle!) next to my seat buddy. We introduced ourselves, said where we were from, etc. We talked off and on throughout the flight, watched movies, got up to relieve our tiny bladders, you know the basics. Then about a half hour before we landed, we started talking about camp. She asked which camp I worked at in Colorado (as that is where she is from). I said Eagle Lake. And she said she went to Eagle Lake. As soon as she said that, I was pretty sure I recognized her. Not only was she there one of my three summers. She was my sister camper. (One guy cabin/one girl cabin where on a brother/sister team.) And I taught her how to play chess. And her and a couple of others sent me a package for my birthday that year, including a chess set and the always useful Barbie Band-Aids. I don't know if you think it is a cool story, but to me it's the coolest of my many "it's a small world after all" moments (of which I had already had 2 that week).

Thanks for the package Adria!

Last post from Caceres

Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

Is. 2:3-4

Ants

Last night, Paul, Timon, and I were walking. We saw an ant pulling a pumpkin seed. Now not only was this seed several times bigger than the ant, but the work was being done on a brick like walking path, with big cracks every way the ant could turn. The ant's body was contorting and straining to pull the seed. There were also other ants walking around but no one was helping out. This reminds me of how sharing God's love in a life changing way can be sometimes. It is a much bigger job than us. There are cracks and pit falls everywhere. Sometimes we seemingly have no help. It's a job that we can't do. However through God's power, and with hard work (no grasshoppers need apply), it can be done.

Big Words

So this morning I was reading in Proverbs 21. Verse 24 says, "The proud and arrogant man - 'Mocker' is his name; he behaves with overweening pride." I'm not too sure what overween means (it isn't even recognized by the spell check on this blog), so being the curious guy I am, I headed over to the normally reliable Merriam-Webster site and looked it up. This is what it said:

Overween, it turns out, isn't in the free Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, where you just searched. However, it is available in our premium Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Way to use those easy words NIV. I thought it was King James' job to use the unabridged dictionary...

Paul's Charge

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Acts 20:22-24

Plans

Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

You will seek me and find me,
when you search for me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, says the Lord.

Watching at a Bar

Tonight I watched Spain beat Honduras at a student bar near the University of Seville. It was my first time watching Spain with a bunch (and I mean packed house) of Spaniards there. It was intense. We got there about an hour before the game, and it was 2/3rds full already. About 10 minutes before people started singing. Then everyone put their arms around each other for the national anthem. The crowd was not happy with Torres (who got the start tonight) on his repeated misses, nor with the none call on a handball by Honduras in the Spanish box. But when an impressive shot just missed, hitting the cross bar, the people were excited. And when David Villa struck home a goal in the 1st half, bedlam ensued. Bartenders threw water, people jumped on toes, the cigarette machine shook, and fists pumped. After the first goal, the guy beside me, laid his beer in a protected place each time he thought there might be a goal, so it wouldn't get spilled. When we left, clothes smelled of smoke, sunflower seeds were stuck to my flip flops, but it was a feeling of satisfaction, to have experience a futbol game, the Spanish way.

Stat of the Day

Pryor to 2004, Willie McCovey held the record for most intentional walks in a Major League Baseball season, with 45. That year Barry Bonds was intentionally walked 120 times...Bonds has almost 400 more intentional passes in his career than Hank Aaron, who is second all time
...with 293

Some wisdom from Proverbs 15

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

A fool spurns his father's discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel.

The LORD is far from the wicked
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.

Counted Worthy

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing,
because they had been counted worthy
of suffering disgrace for the Name.
Day after day, in the temple courts
and from house to house,
they never stopped teaching
and proclaiming the good news
that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 5:41-42

Being with Jesus

"Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name
under heaven given to men
by which we must be saved."

When they saw the courage of Peter and John
and realized that they were
unschooled, ordinary men,
they were astonished
and they took note
that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:12-13

Have an answer to give...

Always be prepared
to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have...

Apostle Peter

Turn to God

Repent, then, and turn to God,
so that your sins may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing may come
from the Lord.

Apostle Peter

My thoughts on the World Cup so far...

I've definitely enjoyed it so far. I've been looking forward to this since the Confederation Cup last summer. (Also I went to see an FC Tokyo match last spring in Japan, and liked it very much. The funniest part about that, was the team song was not only an English Premier League team's song, it was in English.) But I'm even more into it than I thought I would be.

Mexico had excellent passing, but South Africa should have won on that break away chance at the end. I'm a little tense right now. It's halftime of the England-US match, 1-1. The US defense has played pretty putridity. I feel like both teams' offenses are outplaying the opposing defenses. Gerrard is everywhere, and looks to be the best play on the pitch. Donovan is playing very well. Howard too, despite the cleats to the chest. I think Altidore, Findley, or a sub needs to make a play in the second half.

Jesus, whom you crucified

God has made this Jesus,
whom you crucified,
both Lord and Christ.

When the people heard this
they were cut to the heart
and said to Peter and the other apostles,
"Brothers, what shall we do?"

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The promise is for you and your children
and for all who are far off-
for all whom the Lord our God will call.

Acts 2:36-39

He is risen

Jesus said to them,
"How foolish you are,
and how slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things
and then enter his glory?"
And beginning with Moses
and all the Prophets,
he explained to them what was said
in all the Scriptures concerning himself...

Then their eyes were opened
and they recognized him,
and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other,
"Were not our hearts burning within us
while he talked with us on the road
and opened the Scriptures to us?"...

"It is true! The Lord has risen."

Luke 24

Our Team

Here is a picture of our team right before the hands-on students went back to the States.

Wisdom

The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,
before his deeds of old;
I was appointed from eternity,
from the beginning, before the world began...

Then I was the craftsman at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

Prov 8:22-23,30-31

Proverbs 3

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths...

Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down,
your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep you foot from being snared.

Eagle Lake Introduction

During my time at Eagle Lake (3 summers) it was tradition to write introductory emails to the other counselors. I came across this, my 3rd summer introduction just this past evening. I snickered a bit when I read it...


hello everyone,

this is dan pirkle. and as a service to eagle lake
camp i just wanted to clear the air about something. i
will refer to a stocking cap as a toboggan. this is
correct. let me refer you to the dictionary.

toboggan (to bog'en)n.
1. a long, narrow, flat sled with its front curved
upward and without runners.
(i am fully aware of this definition. but this next
one is were it gets serious.)
2. U.S. Dialect(um pretty sure thats what we will be
using at camp, i know i shall.) =a stocking cap.

thank you, thank you very much. for those of you that
are confused you obviously dont know me. for you
returners: in your face. this is for you katie. war
eagle.

dan pirkle

Proverbs are...

for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the saying and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

(Pr. 1:2-7)

The Angel That Troubled the Waters

Without your wounds where would your power be?
It is your melancholy that makes your low voice tremble into the hearts of men and women. The very angels themselves cannot persuade the wretched and blundering children on earth as can one human being broken on the wheels of living.
In love's service, only wounded soldiers can serve.
Physician, draw back.

-Thornton Wilder

The Lost Son Returns

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, thew his arms around him and kissed him. The said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15

Hacky Sack on Timon's Birthday

The Last Psalm (150)

Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.

Throwing Muffins Against the Wall

A story from my Mom

Our topic in Preschool Worship that day was praying.

I had an old rotary phone in the room

and told them that talking to God was just like talking to someone on the phone...

except His line is never busy, He's always there, and He can hear us...even if everyone else is talking..

which I could not.

I passed out cell phones

(actually small, thin blocks the size of a cell phone/I had put numbers on them like a phone).

I had given them God's phone number....G (4) 0 (6) D (3).

They are dialing.

I took the Lord's prayer and made statements in childlike terms telling them to tell God something related to that part like.

Now remember I have told them that everyone can talk to God at the same time.

Tell God how much you love Him and how special He is. (Talk, talk, talk, talk)

Think of something that you ate this week that was really good. Tell God what it was and how much you liked it and thank Him for it. (Talk, talk, talk, talk)

Think of something that you did this week that you shouldn't have done. Tell God what it was and ask Him to forgive you and help you not to do it again. (DEAD SILENCE)

Think of something that someone did to you this week that wasn't very nice. Tell God what it was and who did it and ask God to help you to forgive them and to love them anyway. (D said in a loud voice ...Bro. B - that's what he calls his brother for real.)

I tried doing the same thing the following week.....some of the kids were different, but we were still talking about prayer.

Same thing happened.

Luke 12:11-12

When you are brought before synagogues,
rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how
you will defend yourselves
or what you will say,
for the Holy Spirit
will teach you at that time
what you should say.

Luke 9:26

[Jesus said]
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of him
when he comes in his glory
and in the glory of the Father
and of the holy angels.

Ratcheting Up Some Ultimate

The Sower

A farmer went out to sow his seed.
As he was scattering the seed,
some fell along the path;
it was trampled on,
and the birds of the air ate it up.

Some fell on the rock,
and when it came up,
the plants withered
because they had no moisture.

Other seed fell among the thorns,
which grew up with it and chocked the plants.

Still other seed fell on good soil.
It came up and yielded a crop,
a hundred times more than was sown.

His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said,

The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables...This is the meaning of the parable.

The seed is the word of God.
Those along the path are the ones who hear,
and then the devil comes
and takes away the word from their hearts,
so that they may not believe and be saved.

Those on the rock are the ones
who received the word with joy when they hear it,
but they have no root.
They believe for a while,
but in the time of testing they fall away.

The seed that fell among thorns
stands for those who hear,
but as they go on their way
they are choked by life's worries,
riches, and pleasures,
and they do not mature.

But the seed on good soil
stands for those with a noble and good heart,
who hear the word,
retain it, and by persevering
produce a crop.

Luke 8

How is the Lord?

The LORD is gracious and compassionate
slow to anger and rich in love.
The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.
They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom...

The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145

Psalm 143

Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word
of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 142

I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk
men have hidden a snare for me.
Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.

I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living."
Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
Set m free from my prison,
that I may praise you name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.

A little bit of La Liga

(Top Spanish League Soccer or Futbol)
My favorite team, Sevilla, won this one!

The End of the Book

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life...He who testifies to these things says, "Yes I am coming soon."

Psalm 139 (My personal favorite)

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD...

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast...

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully
and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together
in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be...

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 138

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted...

Though the LORD is on high,
he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand
against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever -
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Womad Music Festival

Womad is a big music festival that tours around the world and surprisingly comes to Caceres. You can probably blame Peter Gabriel for that. There were groups from all over here for it. Here are some snapshots.

My favorite group I heard, and the only one that really kept my attention.
Speed Caravan.

The Plaza of San Jorge packed out.

I saw this guy in Sevilla 3 weeks before. He apparently makes the rounds.

The main stage in Plaza Mayor

Some English students from the University I went with to the first day of the festival

Chico, who I play basketball with, and 2 of his friends.

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, O LORD, kept a record of sings, O LORD, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the
morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing
love and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Song of Moses

Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.

Revelation 15

This brought a couple of tears to my eyes...tears of happiness

How many is a few?

"A couple is two (possibly 2 and a half, if we're talking about cookies.) A few is three, unless you're talking about people, in which case, it could be as many as six. Once you invite seven or more people over, it's a bunch. 11 is the outer limit of few for items (especially cookies.)

These are highly scientific measurements. Please don't ask for cite. I have to go get a handful of cookies (approximately 47) now, I'm famished. Seriously, though- I essentially agree with you. Few is relative. A few cookies is way more than a few people."

A nice 20 minutes of music

To continue with links to other people's good stuff.

Moby with Kelli Scarr on NPR

I have a personal soft spot for Moby. And I had no idea he could cover songs on guitar like this. Just good music.

And an excellent Bo Jackson piece

Bo - The Director's Cut

An excellent baseball post

A little something about Robin Roberts, a hall of fame baseball player....

http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010/05/06/robin-roberts-1926-2010/

Last Day of Class

Today was our last day of Spanish class for the semester. We got our diplomas and then went and had breakfast out an outdoor bar/restaurant. These are our professors. Estela with the green nose and Anchi (short for Esperanza, which means hope) is in the red. Anchi had the noses in her bag for some reason...

God's Word

My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word...
Your word, O LORD, is eternal,
it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues though
all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures...
Your word is a lamb unto my feet
and a light for my path.

(from Psalm 119)

A youth group doing a dance

Teach Me

Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding,
and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statures
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.

Revelations 5

Read it.

Jesus is the answer.

Psalm 119:9-11

How can a young man keep his ways pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 118

In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and he answered by setting me free.
The LORD is with me;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
The LORD is with me;
he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies....

The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;
the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Christ Calls

Here I am!
I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Psalm 113

From the rising of the sun to the place it sets;
the name of the LORD is to be praises...

He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes;
with the princes of their people.

St Jorge vs the Dragon

*This is pretty intense and kind of scary. Just warning you...

The Verses the Wesley Benediction Comes From

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages , now and forevermore! Amen.

From an email I got today

"Please, take a moment today, right now, to stop and ask God to give you a hunger and thirst for more of Him and a greater awareness of His plan and what He wants for you and your family this day."

2 John 5-6
I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning his command is that you walk in love.

The night of St. Jorge

The patron Saint of Caceres is St. Jorge. Today is his holiday. So last night there was a big play, depicting the story of St. Jorge and the Dragon. It was in the main plaza and was pretty impressive. Here are some pictures:

The Plaza Mayor packed out.

The processional enters the plaza. (It started on the other side of town.)

The tower scene.

The dragon is coming!

St Jorge fights the dragon.

Dragon loses!

Psalm 85:4-7

Restore us again, O God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger thought all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.

A verse from an amazing woman

Psalm 16:7-8
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

The Story of the Lonely Oakleys

One day I rode home with my Dad in his van. He backed into the driveway as always. I got out and went in before he went into the garage because there isn't much room on that side. I walked in and put my stuff on the dresser in my room. At that point I realized I didn't have my sunglasses. The only 2 things that were in my hand we the glasses and a frisbee. I went out and looked in driveway, the yard, my room, and even the living room just in case. Then I got frustrated. I couldn't find them anywhere. That was 3 years ago. Yesterday my Dad called me and he had found them. They were behind the dirty shoes rack next to the door into the house from the garage. He was cleaning out the garage and they were 1under some grass and dirt.

1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God! And that
is what we are!
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.

Sevilla

I went to Sevilla for the second time this past week end for a student ministry work shop.
Here are some pictures.

The Gold Tower

The Sevilla Football Club

Timon, Paul, and I at the Caceres panel in the Plaza de España

After church on Sunday



Psalm 102:1-2

Hear my prayer, O LORD;
let my cry for help come to you.
Do not hide your face from me
when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
when I call, answer me quickly.

Psalm 18:30-36

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

The Word

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard,
which we have looked at and our hands have touched -
this we proclaim concerning the Word of life

1 John 1:1

The Word that created the world, and everything in it. Lived and breathed and walked the earth. John didn't just see the Word, he touched.

The Word of the Prophets

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty...
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ABOVE ALL you must understand you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture come about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried on by the Holy Spirit

2 Peter 1:16,19-21

Jesus' words have extreme power, obviously. But I think it's important to remember that all Scripture is from God, directly of the Holy Spirit.

Some love for España

It's green now in Caceres!

The main Plaza in Merida

Some Roman ruins.

This was on the side of the Cathedral in Salamanca...

1 Peter 4:8
Above all love each other deeply, because love covers
over a multitude of sins.

True Beauty

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment,
such as braided hair and wearing of gold jewelry
and fine clothes.
Instead it should be that of your inner self,
the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is of great worth in God's sight.

-1 Peter 3:3-4

Parents and Children

I believe a big problem in the church today is the role that is expected of the church. Many parents expect the church to be the place where their children learn about spiritual things. Not only that, many parents are leading a life they wouldn't want their kids to lead. The problem is that children copy what they SEE their parents do, much more so than what their parents tell them to do. If the parents wants their child to learn how to be followers of Christ, they need to first model that with their own life, and then personally teach their children what a relationship with God really is.

Reading in the Bible, I don't see where it was the priests, or the leaders of the church, that were to teach the next generation how to be godly. That was the job of the parent.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Love the LORD your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are
to be upon your hearts.
Impress them upon your children. Talk about
them when you sit at home and when you walk
along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

The Christian life, is a relationship with God that permeates our life, all that we do, who we are. It is a natural thing to teach a child to eat, to walk, to play sports, to ride a bike. It is to be the same with the Christian life. They watch us, and look to us for answers.

1 Peter 1

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, and into an inheritance that
can never parish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you,
who through faith are shielded by God's power until the
coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed
in the last time...

Therefore, prepare your minds for actions,
be self-controlled;
set your hope fully on the grace to be given you
when Jesus Christ is revealed.
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires
you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as he who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do; for it is written:
Be holy, because I am holy.


Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Psalm 86:5-7,11-13

You are forgiving and good, O LORD,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for mercy.
In the day of my trouble
I will call to you, for you will answer me...

Teach me your ways, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, O LORD my God,
with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me,
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

James 4:13-17

Now listen, you who say,
"Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city,
spend a year there, carry on business
and make money."
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while
and then vanishes.
Instead you ought to say,
"If it is the LORD's will, we will live and do this or that."
As it is, you boast and brag.
Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do
and doesn't do it, sins.


Psalm 85:4-7

Restore us again, O God our savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger
through all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice?

Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh cry out
for the living God...

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Psalm 81:11-14

But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.
If my people would but listen to me,
if Israel would follow my ways,
how quickly would I subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.

James 1:25-27

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,
and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard,
but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not
keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself
and his religion is worthless.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress
and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

A glorious day

He is risen. He is not dead. He has victory over death.

"Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

Hebrews 12

"Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

A really good verse that so many know. It's referring to all of the people of faith from the previous chapter. Focus on the race of life. But oh it gets much better if we keep going...

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

That focus we are suppose to have is to be on Jesus. He didn't just face the cross, along with the same that accompanied it (after all being hung on a tree is akin to being cursed), but he did so with joy! He endured this to finish God's perfect plan. To conquer death, and make the unattainable righteousness, available to us, sinners undeserving, yet loved by God.

Then the writer of Hebrews goes on to encourage us, that God will discipline us. Not pleasant you say? But as our earthly fathers discipline us, "and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!"

"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but god disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time , but painful. Later on , however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Find Rest in God

Faith. Lord I desire faith. True and perfect faith in you, in all circumstances. I desire faith in you, my Rock, my Fortress, and my Portion forever.

Psalm 62
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken...Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock,, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge...One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.

Procession Wed Night fo Semana Santa

Waiting for the Procession

Draw me close to you

Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I'm your friend

Help me find a way to bring me back to you

Chorus:
You're all I want, You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want,
Help me know you are near

You are my desire
No one else will do
Cause no one else
Can take you place
To feel the warmth of Your embrace

Help me find a way to bring me back to you

Chorus:
You're all I want, You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want,
Help me know you are near

2 Corinthians 12:39
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Psalm 61:2-3
From the ends of the earth I will call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock
that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

Psalm 55 excerpts

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;
hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught...
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me.
Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest -
I would flee far away and stay in the desert;
I would hurry to my place of shelter,
far from the tempest and storm...
But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
He ransoms me unharmed
from the battle waged against me,
even though many oppose me...
Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall...
But as for me, I trust in you.

Hebrews 8:10-12

This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,
declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God
and they will be my people
No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying,
"Know the Lord"
because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.

On the way to Salamanca...

A funny story: This past Wednesday our Spanish class, along with some other foreigners studying here, went to Salamanca. It is famous for the oldest University in Spain. It is about a 3 hour bus ride away. When we were getting close, the lead professor got up and started talking about the city. Behind her was a tv screen with a bouncing screen saver. For those of you that watch The Office, this sets up just like the beginning of one of the episodes. We all start focusing on the bouncing icon on the screen, hoping it would hit at exactly the corner, although of course just when you think it might, it ricochets off just missing. Well right as the professor finished her speaking, the icon hit in the very corner, causing us to erupt in applause and cheering. Perfect timing. She thought we were cheering for her.

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion -to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Psalm 34:4-10

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Psalm 28:6-9

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Save you people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.