The Hole in our Holiness - Week 2

So last week, I kind of stayed to the side of uber formal and thoughtful for my blog post on study.  Therefore, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I normally do.  LOL.  This week, the goal is for me to be myself a bit more while also getting across the point of the study and also some of the great moments/tangents/bunny tracks of the study.

The first thing that we really went into for the study was discussing things that God had been teaching us over the past week in our times in the word.  The theme seemed to be showing us how our confidence in God and trust in God tends to get us through all of the rough times that we encounter.  I believe that Patches O’Houlihan (by means of our favorite Tyler) said it best, “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.”  The purpose of that applies back to Paul and all of the struggles that he went through in his ministry.  Paul was able to get around anything as long as he relied on God to get him through the struggles, the good times, and the bad.  If we’re relying on God and doing the same thing, then we should be able to take on all of the ups and downs that life puts in our way.

After diving into The Hole in our Holiness, we focused initially on the reasons for why God saved us instead of letting us fail.  The main reasons that we discussed were that God loves us and wants us to be holy and that this simple act brings glory to God.  Also, I believe that God created us to do good works (i.e. Helping the little old ladies cross the street).  Going deeper into that, we asked why did God save us directly?  For me, I see that God gave me a pretty good outlook on life and allowed me to be an outspoken person.  For someone who was crippling shy in my teenage years, I feel that I’ve popped out of my bubble some and can be myself more and more (I’m sure that my friends appreciate that fact).  I’m very thankful to God for bringing a happiness and a clarity to my life that would have otherwise been missing.  Thanks God!  For others, it was to have an opportunity to live out their faith for those in their lives whether it be co-workers, friends, or family.

Is Holiness intimidating was one of the next questions asked.  It seems to be natural for humans to want to pursue sin over holiness.  **insert dumb voice here**  It’s just easier to not have to worry about being holy.  God can have more grace for me that way.  **end dumb voice here**  That’s really no excuse for us.  Dustin brought up a great point that holiness is absolutely necessary for our redemption.  In order to continue to grow and be sanctified, we need to keep seeking after God.  That sanctification is a process.  While it’d be nice to be able to go to the store and pick up a supply of Sanctification (by Mennen) off the shelf, in truth, Christ finishes sanctifying us upon our deaths.  

We spent a lot of time this week not just accepting everything that Kevin DeYoung said, but instead chose to use the book as a discussion point.  That led us to La Santa Biblia to backup or refute the words in the book.  Some verses to look at in conclusion that were discussed in study this week are as follows:

• ·         Colossians 1:22
• ·         Ephesians 2:8 – 9
• ·         Romans 5:28 – 6:2
• ·         James 1:22
• ·         Acts 17:10 – 11 

And now for your moment of reflection...

The Hole in our Holiness - Week 1

Our study group will be focusing on The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung over the next 10 weeks.  Each Tuesday (or Wednesday), I’ll post a short blog post going over the major talking points of the evening.  I feel like this is good both for me to review and think because I process through writing and also to allow absentee members to see what we discussed. 

The official definition of holiness is to be specially dedicated or devoted to serving God and having spiritually pure qualities.  From there, we can discuss at length what exactly holiness means to each of us.  Holiness can definitely be encouraging in the fact that we see that it can bring us closer to the Lord and also can allow us to live more like Christ did.  Unfortunately, it can be discouraging as well.  Knowing that we sin and ultimately fail to live that perfect life can lead to feelings of apathy.  “I failed so now God can just show me more grace.  It’s ok.”  Overcoming that mindset is a challenge indeed.  We can’t just decide that we’re not going to have that mindset.  We need to draw near to the Lord and ask Him to provide the strength, guidance, and wisdom to be holy.  

When we’re young, holiness is often a concept that is much too advanced for us to necessarily grasp with ease.  We understand that we need to be good and not disobey our parents but the idea of disobeying God can be intimidating or a foreign concept.  However, as we grow closer to God in our walk and begin to desire to be obedient to Him, we see our passion for holiness grow and develop.  We will begin to search the small areas of our life that sin resides in and look for ways to eradicate those sinful areas.  When thinking about God’s holiness, it’s not a far stretch to begin thinking about the holiness of Heaven.  We will normally think about how Heaven is a place of pure, spiritual bliss.  We are in the presence of our Savior.  As Kevin stated in his book, it’s important to realize that if we are not focusing on our holiness in the World, then holiness in Heaven will be awkward to be a part of.  

When we look at what exactly has resulted in the Hole in Our Holiness, many reasons can be at play.  People often see holiness as being unattainable due to the expectation that holiness equals 100% perfection.  This makes people fear the failure that can come with not attaining the perfection that they desire.  Also, even if we succeed and live a holy life, we don’t see that immediate extrinsic reward that we claim.  Our culture is one of instant gratification and we want that pat on the back, good job, I’m proud of you affirmation that we’re all looking.  Other issues that can lead to the hole are a lack of passion for our spiritual lives, pure laziness, or a lack of humility.  These are issues that can stand between us and growing closer to God that we all need to overcome.

In order to overcome the hole, there are simple things to keep in mind.  We must continue to grow our understanding of the Word.  It is the primary way in which God speaks to us and convenes with us in our daily life.  Also, be aware of the sin issues in our lives so as to not fall further into sin.  This is difficult because it forces us to admit our own faults and face them head on.  Focus on being obedient to the Lord.  If we’re living up to the standards laid out for us in the Bible, then we will grow closer to Holiness. Evaluate how you’re spending your time.  If you’re focused primarily on reaching for that brass ring, then that’s where your heart lies.  Be resolute in praying to the Lord to continue to bring about the change in us.  

Examining minds want to know.

I've been doing some writing for Examiner.com over the past month as their Kansas City Extracurricular Activities writer.  Here are the three articles that I've had published so far.  Also, I get some pennies in my bank account every time someone checks out my articles (Hence the tacky lime green font).  If anyone out there has some solid ideas for next things in the Metro that you'd like to see me attempt, drop me a line.  Peace!

http://www.examiner.com/article/from-farm-to-fridge 

http://www.examiner.com/article/fall-fun-at-liberty-corn-maze-and-carolyn-s-country-cousins-pumpkin-patch 

http://www.examiner.com/article/safe-halloween-activities-for-little-ghouls-1 

Navigators Revel at Kansas City Main Event

On the weekend of October 19^th, college students descended upon Crown Center for the Navigators Main Event Conference.  Main Event is an October tradition for students in the Midwest and 2012 marked the fourth straight year that the conference was hosted at what is now the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.  Students were housed for the weekend in both the Sheraton and the Westin Crown Center hotels.

According to Mark Day, the Navigators Heartland Regional Director, “The Navigators is an international organization devoted to helping college students become deeply rooted in their relationship with God so that they might thrive and bear fruit for the rest of their lives.”  The Navigators was founded by Dawson Trotman in 1933 while serving aboard the USS West Virginia.  Through discipling and mentoring his fellow shipmates, 135 sailors on the ship became Christians before it was sunk at Pearl Harbor.  The Navigators proceeded to direct its work on college campus beginning in 1951 at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln through Mr. Trotman and a group of students in the Sigma Ep fraternity house.  Now, the Navigators has spread to over fifty campuses in the United States and many more around the world.  The Navigators is based in Colorado Springs, CO at Glen Eyrie.

2012 marked the 18^th anniversary of Main Event.  The conference was held in Cedar Falls, IA at the University of Northern Iowa through 2007.  In 2008, Main Event was held at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.  In 2009, Main Event moved to its current location in Kansas City, MO.  The theme of this year’s Main Event was #Revel’12.  The theme encouraged students to take advantage of Twitter in order to share their experiences from the weekend.  The 900 plus students were assembled from schools including the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Northwest Missouri State University, Iowa State University, the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and the University of Central Missouri among others.  The students were divided into 119 small group averaging eight to nine students in each based upon their schools.  Each small group is invited to partake in a dinner with a host family from around the Kansas City Metro area.

Peter Trautmann served as the primary speaker for #Revel’12.  Mr. Trautmann currently serves on staff with the Navigators at New York University in New York City, NY.   Worship music was also present at Main Event.  Paul Zach served in a capacity as worship leader for the weekend.  Mr. Zach toured with the Christian band Remedy Drive until 2010.  According to Northwest student William Quinn, “Main Event provided a safe context full of resources designed to help me deepen my trust in God.  I don't know why, but He just shows up at Main Event year after year and moves people in big ways.  Back at campus, I see young people hungry and eager to step out in faith with Christ.  I think Main Event is the cause for this.”

Kansas City! You’re Giving Poor Kansas City A Bad Name!

There’s something about being a sports fan in the state of Missouri that gives you a deep appreciation for the stench of failure.  Maybe I’m being mildly melodramatic, but it is true.  That is, unless you’re a Cardinals fan; more power to you all.  Now, if you had the misfortune of growing up as a Chiefs or Royals fan, then I’m sorry for pointing out the obvious.  The thing about Kansas City sports fans is that there’s always a pure, innocent idea that things will get better.  That’s what enables us as fans to return each and every year.  We’re all awaiting our so-called “Miracle on Ice.”  Unfortunately, like the years preceding it, 2012 has not been a kind year to be a sports fan in fair Cowtown.

2012 started out with the passionate rivalry between the Missouri Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks reaching a fever pitch.  While the rivalry had always been there, circumstances intensified things this year.  Missouri had announced that they would be leaving the Big 12 Conference to move to the SEC for the 2012-2013 academic year and so on.  In addition, both Mizzou and KU were embroiled in a battle for supremacy over the Big 12 and in the national rankings as well.  KU would take the Big 12 Conference Championship and Mizzou would win the Big 12 Tournament Championship which led to bragging rights for both schools.  In addition, both schools were able to win on their home courts against their bitter rivals for the final time.  The fans tended to take the hate a little far this time with Kansas fans expressing bitterness at Missouri for leaving the Big 12 and Missouri fans being angry at Kansas for refusing to continue the traditional rivalry game between the two schools.  Throughout the winter months, Kansas City was very divided between the two camps.

In the summer of 2012, Kansas City and the Royals would play host to the Major League Baseball All*Star Game.  The event would definitely bring national attention to Kansas City throughout the week leading up to the game on July 10.  With the Royals already off to a bad start as far as their record for the season went, the All*Star Game was really the biggest remaining event for the baseball season.  Through the weekend leading up to the Game, Kansas City received nothing but positive responses for the the way that the city hosted the FanFest and other festivities.  Starting with the Celebrity Softball Game on Sunday, KU basketball head coach, Bill Self and Chiefs quarterback, Matt Cassel were booed during the course of the game.  Also leading up to the Home Run Derby, Sports Radio 810 started a public campaign to boo New York Yankees second baseman, Robinson Cano for leaving local favorite Billy Butler off the American League's Home Run Derby team.  Beginning with the Derby, Cano was booed non-stop from start to finish.  The only ceasing was when Butler was shown on CrownVision and when Cano struck out for the final time without hitting a home run.  While Sports Radio 810 encouraged fans to cheer for Cano the following night for being a good sports, fans continued to boo hysterically whenever Cano entered the game.  This reception cast an unnecessary pall over the proceedings and dominated the ESPN and FOX coverage of the game.

Recently, Kansas City has been in the news again for less than positive reasons.  With frustrations building for Chiefs fans after a 1 - 3 start, Kansas City fans were beginning to call for changes.  Most of the upset feelings for fans could be traced to two sources: Matt Cassel and Chiefs General Manager, Scott Pioli.  In fact, fans paid for a banner to fly over Arrowhead Stadium proclaiming “We Deserve Better! Fire Pioli – Bench Cassel."  During the course of the Chiefs' game against the Baltimore Ravens, Matt Cassel was injured with a concussion.  When fans saw backup QB Brady Quinn enter the game, cheers erupted in the stadium.  While the cheers weren't directed at Cassel's injury, the gesture still made national news after comments from offensive tackle, Eric Winston.  Winston publicly called out Chiefs fans for what he saw as a negative response to Cassel's injury.  ESPN and other media outlets picked up the story and ran with it.  

People nationwide are quickly beginning to lose respect for Kansas City fans as a whole after the events of the past year.  While this city has always been regarded as having a great attitude of Midwestern hospitality, fans need to step back and take a look at their actions as of late.  It is important for the future of our fair city to take a look at sportsmanship.  If not for us, then for the next generation.  Without respect, really we are no better than Raider fans.  Who wants that? 

Adventures in Letterboxing

With Indiana Jones making his return to theaters for a limited run this fall, you may find your family seeking to replicate the globetrotting adventures of Indy.  World travel for a family may be slightly out of reach in this day and age but Letterboxing provides the same treasure hunting experience on a local scale.

                
Letterboxes are hidden in weatherproof boxes in public places such as parks.  For example, the Kansas City Metropolitan area is home to over sixty letterboxes.  Clues to the whereabouts of the boxes may be found online on various websites.  The contents of a letterbox include a notebook and a rubber stamp.  The rubber stamp will often be hand carved an opposed to store bought.  Finders will want to bring their own rubber stamp, inkpad, and notebook.  Finders will want to make an imprint of the stamp in their personal notebook to keep for their records.   In addition, finders will want to leave an impression of their own “signature” stamp in the letterbox’s “logbook”.  This allows other letterboxers to see who has found the letterbox.

The heritage of letterboxing may be traced back to Dartmoor, Devon, England.  Interest in the United States is generally traced to an article that appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine in April of 1998.  Also, the growing interest in geocaching has helped interest in letterboxing to grow as well.  The original letterboxes were located in hard-to-reach places that could only be found by the most determined seekers.   Letterboxes are now located in much more accessible places than originally intended.  As a result, the activity has become much more popular among children.  Some boxes are placed in tougher terrain and are better suited for adults and experienced letterboxers.

For any additional information about the activity of letterboxing, please visit www.letterboxing.org or www.atlasquest.com.  These websites will provide clues, tips for carving your own stamps, and frequently asked questions for your family’s very own Indiana Jones adventure.

A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self.

To Sixteen-Year-Old Jesse,

I'm currently writing you from the ripe old age of Twenty-six.  While that probably strikes you as meaning that life’s almost over, the complete opposite is true.  Life's pretty exciting and rarely gets dull (Once I’m done with work for the day).  In fact, based upon the massive wealth of knowledge that I have accumulated by this point in my life, I thought that you might appreciate some tips on how to live your life from a pro.

Let’s go ahead and look at a typical night for you.  Once you’re done with school for the day, it’s normally spent in one of four ways.  Option #1 is always doing homework.  By the way, you know that Algebra that you’re agonizing over that Mrs. Logsdon says you’ll need to know?  I haven’t used that since high school.  Option #2 is a little more fun considering it’s the option of watching TV or playing PlayStation.  You’re not going to believe this as you’re sitting there with a plastic, grey controller in your hands but I have almost the exact same one in my hands today only in black without a cable controlling my PS3.  Option #3 would be hanging out with friends.  Some of the relationships that you build during these years have endured to this day so don’t worry about ever having to say goodbye to your closest friends.  Option #4 is playing tennis.  While you’ll never make it on the ATP and play Andre Agassi for Grand Slams, you’ll still have a great time playing the sport in the future.

You're at a stage of life right now where you're trying to figure out who you are and where you belong.  Knowing you the way I do, you’re trying to decide what’s going to give you that sense of feeling and belonging that you crave as a teenager.  You’ll put all of your stock into grades but that probably won’t fill a void.  You’ll try to be friends with everyone, but somebody’s always going to hate you.  You’re scheming about how to ask out the prettiest girl in class but wait until college when you meet your wife.  You’ll love her to death.  :)  Don’t let yourself get down or stuck in a rut.  Don’t worry about the future because everything’s going to be just fine.  I know that you’re trying to figure out how you feel about the whole God thing right now.  Just go with it because it’ll pay off in the end.  Also, about the glasses.  I know they bug you but contacts don’t seem to work well.  Ask the eye doctor about PureVision 2 HD.  They’re comfy and feel nice.  You’ll love them!

A couple of things to leave you with.  I know that you’re worried that your Dad won’t be around due to his heart attack.  He’s still there and you guys are closer than you’ve ever been.  In fact, he’s probably your best friend (next to the aforementioned wife).  Whenever you go anywhere, make certain to call Mom and check in real quick.  I know that it seems lame and like a massive imposition, but it only takes a minute and it makes things easier in the end.  Also, make certain to meet a guy named Joey Gewin and get to know him better.  He’s a good dude!  I can’t take all of the credit for writing you this letter.  I got the idea from a segment with Dale Jr. on the CBS Morning News.  Yep, that’s right, you’re still rooting for him but I’m not going to tell you if he’s a Cup Champion yet or not.  That’s up for you to wait and see. 

Good luck big guy.  I’ll be seeing you in a few years!

Twenty-Six-Year-Old Jesse