Alive

Libraries

2012-02-04T07:24:00.003-05:00

I spend a great deal of time here surrounded by thousands of books. Oxford has about 80 different libraries of varying subjects and sizes, and in those libraries (as well as some vast underground storage stacks) there are over 12 million books. Unfortunately, the books I need right now are in the Gladstone Link, which is the basement of the main Bodleian Library and is just about the most modern, boring building I've been in here. Fortunately, I get to spend more time in buildings like the Radcliffe Camera and the Sackler, which are much cozier and old-looking than this place. Also fortunately, I'm down here reading about St. Basil the Great and St. Augustine the Blessed, so this essay is kind of an Orthodox History/Philosophy major's dream come true. Perhaps not entirely, but it's still a great essay to get to work on. And I will definitely miss having so many books available to me when I go back to Malone's quaint little library. Anyways, I really ought to get back to work. Cheers, friends.

The Radcliffe Camera (I'd take a picture inside, but it's strictly prohibited.)

Free Time

2012-01-29T17:06:00.002-05:00

Free time is somewhat hard to come by here at Oxford. The 3rd week of term is about to start and so far I've already written and turned in over 20 pages of work. It's definitely a lot more intensive than the typical semester back home. Fortunately, the material has all been really interesting to me so far, especially my current essay which is about Julian failing to revive Roman paganism in the 4th century basically because Christianity had taken too strong of a hold after Constantine. However, even when something is interesting reading 8 different books on it and writing an essay all in one week is a bit exhausting. But in the free time that I have had, I've discovered that Oxford is a fantastic place to be. Most of the buildings actually look like castles, and there is a real castle within walking distance, and really everything is within walking distance. It will be weird to go back home and start driving again; after a few weeks here I'm already used to walking everywhere all the time. Also, it's fairly cold here, but no snow at all and surprisingly hardly any rain, the second of which is quite strange from what I hear. Strange or not, it's been really nice.

I feel like I should have more exciting things to post about, but I really don't. It's hard to explain England, because it seems to mostly be different in a lot of little ways more so than any huge differences. Turf Tavern's Winter Ale is delicious, so is the chicken at Nando's. Almost everybody here dresses really well. The night life is radically different on the weekend than it is on week days. My fears of the other American students here being nerds were completely unfounded, and in fact just about everybody here is really cool. Especially the people here at Wycliffe. I'll try to make more exciting things happen to post about, but it might be difficult when most of my days are spent in libraries or the study room.

In case you didn't know

2012-01-13T17:36:00.002-05:00

I am currently in Oxford, England studying at the University for this semester. And while I intend to spend a great deal of time writing essays, attending lectures, meeting with professors, exploring the city, making friends, and generally soaking up the Oxford experience, I also intend to keep those I've left behind at least somewhat up to date on my goings on and whatnot. So if you're interested in the things I'll be doing here across the pond, this blog is the place to come for pictures, posts, and any other bits about my time abroad. I promise a bi-weekly update at the minimum and I hope to give you all more than that. However, I do have about 12 pages to write weekly, so I may get just a little bogged down every now and again. With that being said, I promise to have a more substantial post before too long, but I'm off to London in the morning so I must be getting to bed now. Cheers.

My Top 11 Albums of 2011

2012-01-03T12:50:00.017-05:00

11. Mirrors by U.S. Royalty

With their blues and classic-rock tinged sound, U.S. Royalty actually got me to start feeling proud to be an American, which is a pretty big deal if you know me. "Hollywood Hollows," the album's first real song, is one of the first blues-rock songs I've ever enjoyed, and between the insanely catchy "Equestrian" and "Vacation Vacation," the middle of Mirrors is about as good as it gets. Thanks to my RD Rhett for hooking me onto this relatively new band from D.C.

10. The Long Surrender by Over the Rhine

After experiencing Over the Rhine live for the first time in April, I realized just how good of musicians they really are. The emotion in Karin Bergquist's is rarely matched in the musical world, and the story-telling/bantering of her and Linford Detweiler on stage is captured through the band's folk ballads and long-practiced harmonies. The Long Surrender is just another gem in OTR's continually growing catalogue of folk masterpieces.

9. Kiss Each other Clean by Iron & Wine

This album surprised me in a couple of ways. For one, I never expected Beam to use so much electric guitar and bass on an album, given his typical acoustic songs and nearly whispering vocals. And secondly, I never expected a complete album of his to be so good. Even though a few tracks really stand out ("Walking Far From Home" and "Monkeys Uptown" in particular), there really isn't a sub-par song on this album. Even though I loved the more hushed sounds of his earlier work, there's nothing to be sad about with this new direction of KEOC.

8. Torches by Foster the People

Despite getting over-played on radio stations and television commercials, it's still pretty easy to say that "Pumped Up Kicks" was the feel-good song of the year, or the summer at the very least. And in my humble opinion, Torches was the feel-good album of the year. Nearly every track hooks you within the first 30 seconds and keeps your head bobbing until the end. I did more in-car dancing than I'd like to admit thanks to this album, and if you ask my girlfriend I did more than enough dancing to this album in general, but this album made it pretty difficult not to.

7. Codes and Keys by Death Cab for Cutie

In all honesty, Codes and Keys wasn't quite as good as I was expecting from Death Cab after their last few albums. But then again, not many bands have ever topped Plans or Transatlanticism in my book, so expectations were rather high for this release. Despite being only an average album for the band though, Codes and Keys still showed that Death Cab are one of the best bands around, and "You Are A Tourist" included what may be the catchiest guitar riff I've ever heard. Ben Gibbard and his fellow bandmates continue to tighten their sound and make high-quality music that's hard not to love.

6. The King is Dead by The Decemberists

After the extremely concept-driven Hazards of Love, I really didn't know what to expect next from Colin Meloy and the rest of The Decemberists; The King is Dead answered that question with brilliant folk songs and simple, catchy melodies. Not quite as epic as other Decemberists ventures, The King is Dead is a simpler album, and lets listeners feel connected through its everyday life imagery, rather than over-arching, universal themes, and even the intense "This Is Why We Fight," conjures images of Civil War soldiers, rather than foreign men from long ago times fighting for a king.

5. The People's Key by Bright Eyes

Somehow Conor Oberst managed to change a whole lot without changing at all. Musically, the single "Shell Games" sounds nothing like most past Bright Eyes tracks (think "First Day of My Life" or "Bowl of Oranges"), yet The People's Key still remains true to what Bright Eyes has always been. The album is weird, skeptical, musing, basically Oberst-esque, even if it sounds more like pop-rock than just about anything else he's done before. For those who already loved Bright Eyes, this was an interesting new stylistic direction, and for newcomers to the band, I think The People's Key is an accessible beginning point to start enjoying one of this generation's most interesting musicians.

4. They Reappear by Jeremy Larson

In many ways, this album is what a complete album should be. Not only does Larson capture the classical sound through layers of strings, but he understands the concept of movement in music and uses transitional tracks to create one continuous motion throughout the 48 minutes that are They Reappear. If it's possible to pick out one track that does stick out, it would have to be "Empire," which is right in the middle of this classically-inspired musical journey. Definitely a set of songs that are very much meant to be listened to from start to finish, and when you do just that, They Reappear is a real treat.

3. Circuital by My Morning Jacket

If it weren't for Jim James' involvement with Monsters of Folk and the intriguing green eye on Circuital's cover, I probably never would have stumbled across what has now become one of my favorite bands. Simply put, My Morning Jacket just make good music. The guitar work is good, the songwriting is good, the vocals are good, and the general atmosphere of the songs is good. Really good. These songs take me places, whether it's the mountain-range sunset of "Victory Dance," the packed arena of "Holdin' on to Black Metal," or the emptying bar of "Slow Slow Tune," they take me places in a uniquely enjoyable way. Not to mention, Circuital opened my eye(s) to the rest of My Morning Jacket's fantastic collection of music.

2. Bon Iver by Bon Iver

Unbelievable atmosphere for a band that is basically just one man. Justin Vernon creates beautiful songs that are designed to represent places, as the titles indicate, and really do move you as a listener. More ambient than Bon Iver's first release, this self-titled effort is some of the year's best music from start to finish. There are no weak links here.

1. Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes' self-titled debut brought high expectations for their next release, and Helplessness Blues absolutely delivered on those expectations. This album is pure heart meets perfect harmony meets brilliant song-crafting. Plenty of beautiful layers of acoustic guitar, simple yet effective drums, and all kinds of heart in the singing. I'm more than a little jealous that my girlfriend got to see them live this year, and only hope I get to in the future. If this album and the one before are any indication, Fleet Foxes are on track to keep making what might possibly be the best folk-rock ever.

Special Mention - The Color Spectrum by The Dear Hunter

If these 36 songs could be considered an "album" and not something altogether beyond that, they would have definitely made the top 5 of the list. Basically, these are nine 4-song collections which each capture a different color (ROYGBIV plus B/W) through music. Given the magnitude of this project, the quality of these songs are mind-blowing, to say the least. This concept collection is one of the most interesting musical experiences I've had in a long time, and was probably the most ambitious musical endeavor of 2011.

Simple Math

2011-11-24T22:18:00.002-05:00

11 Months + A Hair Straightener =

2011-10-10T12:50:00.003-04:00

I always find myself repelled by efforts to reduce doctrine to simplified formulas. Doctrine – the teaching of the faith should not reduce our understanding but enlarge it – to the very point of silence – and beyond. It is why it is so frustrating to try and explain icons. No one has an argument with the presence of words in the Church – the icons do the same things words do – only with color and in the language of silence. I can enter the Church, remain in silence and yet see (and hear!) something other than the incessant chatter of my own mind. The icons speak with the texture of the Kingdom – opening windows and doors that transcend every height and depth, things present and things to come.

- Fr. Stephen Freeman, Glory to God for All Things

2011-09-10T10:48:00.001-04:00

They gave their lives and glorified Christ;They gave their lives, and remained alive.

- from a hymn of praise about the Holy Martyrs Menodora, Metrodora and Nymphodora

2011-08-16T01:36:00.005-04:00

"O gentle Lord, a man of great sin am I, and because of my many sins I am greatly downcast. According to Thy mercy, forgive me my sins, all my sins, O God, from my early youth. And grant me strength for future times, that with new sins I will not burden my yoke, that to the end of my life I may do Thy will, and burn for Thee with greater love. Amen."

- St Paisius the Great of Egypt

2011-07-08T00:30:00.001-04:00

2011-06-29T23:41:00.001-04:00

I can't wait for this.

(almost) 6 months

2011-06-27T18:54:00.003-04:00

2011-03-31T15:38:00.002-04:00

I'm discovering that it is far more profitable to take others' words in than to let my own out.

Feelings

2011-03-01T20:50:00.002-05:00

Today is one of those days that just doesn't feel at all like any particular day. I'm fairly certain that it is Tuesday, but if my computer wasn't telling me that right now, I don't think I'd really bet on it. Some days just seem to exist like this, nothing really makes them special, but they also don't fit the mold of the weekly routine. I went to all my classes and everything, but today just didn't have that typical Tuesday feeling. I think it's really interesting, that feeling that things have. Thinking about how today lacks any sense of that Tuesday feeling has got me thinking about all kinds of feelings and how sometimes they can be really fascinating. Like that new semester feeling that you can never get back after the first few days of classes. Or the last day of school feeling that isn't even there on the second to last day. Or the feeling of summer that sometimes makes guest appearances on exceptionally fair spring afternoons. Or the driving to church feeling that tends to be more anxious than it ought to be, whether you're too early or too late. Or the feeling of holding someone's hand for the first time that makes you nervous in a way that refuses to come back. Or the feeling of reading an old book, especially if you're sitting in an old chair and reading by incandescent, non-fluorescent light. Thinking about it now, it seems like almost everything has a special sort of feeling to it. Even sitting here at my desk under my bed, typing away on my laptop in the terrible lighting with headphones in. It's a fairly familiar feeling, but it's a definite feeling nonetheless. For the most part, I don't know if any of this matters at all. But, part of me thinks that these feelings are worth embracing and enjoying and experiencing fully, regardless of how frequent or infrequent they are. I may have been reminded tonight that all is vanity, but I was also reminded that all things, whether eating or drinking or toil or anything, are gifts from God.

talking to adults

2011-02-10T18:06:00.002-05:00

I was listening to a podcast from public radio's "This American Life" (thanks to John King for the recommendation) and there was a segment about talking to adults. It caught my attention right away, since I'm super shy around adults. For some reason I've just always felt intimidated when trying to talk to anyone more than 10 years older than me, even when they're someone who I know fairly well. The woman telling her story about talking to adults was entirely different from me in this respect, because she loved talking to adults. One of the adults she loved talking to was her psycho-analyst, and that's where I felt like we were exactly the same. I don't have a psycho-analyst or anything like that, but her reasons for enjoying talking to hers were sentiments i share exactly. She said she liked feeling like she was on a talk show, feeling like people (or at least a person) were hanging on her every word and truly caring about her thoughts and feelings. I don't think her and I are unique in that feeling. In fact, I think almost everyone, at least in the culture I know, shares in the desire to be listened to and cared about. It's what leads to blogs and songs and facebook and twitter and relationships and even prayer, and I really think it's beautiful. It can be kind of ugly when it's self-centered and prideful and one-sided, sure. But when it turns into relationships and people knowing each other closely and people opening their hearts to be known by God, it's beautiful. Wanting to be known indicates a desire for community, and community is one of the things that I find life to be most worth living for.

What's up?

2011-01-31T12:08:00.002-05:00

I think it's kind of funny that the two most common replies to "What's up?" seem to be "Nothing" and "What's up?"

Priceless

2011-01-27T20:48:00.002-05:00

I figured if I'm growing my hair out this year, I should post a picture while it's still January. Plus, I was enjoying this moment so much, kicking back in our new recliner, enjoying thursday night with the roommates, I thought it deserved a picture to capture the moment. And since I just mentioned the recliner, which was purchased last weekend at the ReStore for $14, I would also like to add that I am infatuated with the record player we got the same day for $15. And the bass guitar I got for $100. It was definitely a good weekend of buys. And this kind of sounds like a MasterCard commercial, so I'm done now.

wasting time complaining

2011-01-15T14:45:00.002-05:00

i do not understand how people live actual busy lives.
i have classes, a job where i can do my homework, a job once a week where i can't, and i find it hard to do anywhere near as much as i'd like to.
i've heard before that people tend to find more time for more things when they're busier, and i think that might be true. i feel like i was more productive last semester when i had more classes.
there are just so many things that can be done. spending time with friends, spending time with a girlfriend, exercising, reading, writing, homework, listening to music, trying to play music, eating, drinking, sleeping. and those are just the things i'd like to do every day, not to mention things to do on special occasions or every so often or weekly or whatnot.
i suppose it's better to make the best of time all the time instead of complaining though.

less mixed than i though

2011-01-08T12:01:00.003-05:00

i am not excited to start waking up early for classes
i am excited to start learning and working again
i just realized that the concept i was planning for this post has already failed, because i can't really think of anything else about school that i'm not excited about.
i am excited to live a short walk away from two libraries
i am excited to see my roommates
i am excited to see my friends
i am excited to live close to my girl
i am excited to see her every day
oh, i suppose i'm not super excited about writing papers
i am excited to actually use the wellness center this semester
i am excited to eat meals with friends
i am really excited to be going back to school.

kind of a shame

2011-01-04T20:54:00.002-05:00

I really enjoy listening to music.
Sometimes to an almost unhealthy extent.
And I really enjoy music metaphors.
In fact, 3 of the last 4 poems I've written involve them.
My "Recently Added" section of iTunes is currently 1.2 days long.
I'm capable of directing nearly any conversation to the subject of music.
My one tattoo is based off of a song title.
When asked about my interests, music is essentially an automatic response for me.
I really, really like music.
I think it's probably safe to say I love music.

And I have virtually no musical talent.
Ugh.

A sort of beginning, I suppose.

2011-01-03T18:36:00.002-05:00

Well, I've decided to join the blogging world. With sentences and punctuation and stuff. Instead of just my poems that don't make actual sense to other people, or even myself at time. Of course I'll keep doing that on my other blog, but I want to try actually blogging on this one. If that makes any sense. I don't know why really, to be honest.

Partly because I know other people who do.

Partly because poems are hard to write all the time.

Partly because it seems like it might be nice to just write about my life sometimes.

I guess it's kind of weird that I say I'm "joining" the realm of blogging when I've had two blogs for quite some time now. But I always used this one for my "theology" and the other one for my "poetry," so I guess I'm joining in a more abstract sense, maybe?

I don't really know if I've ever really understood blog form for sure. Who is the audience?
Is it the blog, like a diary?
Is it myself, like a sort of reflection?
Is it whoever might read this, like an open letter?
I'm not trying to ask a deep question here, I can honestly just never tell how a blog is supposed to be written. I don't think there are any rigid rules, but there always seems to be some set of unwritten rules for everything. I guess right now I'm kind of writing with a blog expert as my potential audience, since I'm asking all these questions and whatnot.

so this is the new year

2010-12-31T01:21:00.002-05:00

and i have some resolutions.

i will read the entire bible.

i will write in this blog, not just my other one where i hide things in poems.

i will continue to write in my other blog, the one where i hide things in poems.

i will get back in and stay in shape.

i will [finally] go through the necessary process to join a church.

The Key

2010-01-01T14:45:00.001-05:00

After reading 1st John, it appears to me that the key to life is love. Love for God and love for one another. From what I understand, there is nothing greater.

Brotherhood

2009-12-05T10:48:00.002-05:00

After reading Hebrews 2, I couldn't leave these things unsaid.

I don't know if this is deep at all, or just exciting to me.

But in Hebrews it talks about Christ.

It talks about how He is the one over everything.

How God crowned Him with glory and honor

and put everything under His feet.

That's exciting, Jesus is Lord.

But I find the next part even more exciting.

Jesus Christ is a brother to us humans.

God made Him a little lower than the angels

so He could taste death for His brothers.

The one who makes us holy

is from our very own family.

Jesus

not

ashamed

call

brothers.

He joined us so He could save us.

He joined us so He could lead us.

He joined us because He loves us.

Open Letter

2009-10-20T20:50:00.002-04:00

An open letter to the world around me,

I am sorry for being so judgmental. I am sorry for assuming things about you based on how you dress or look or where you're from or what music you listen to or what grades you get or anything else. I really shouldn't do that, and I am really honestly trying to work on it right now. Please understand that I want to love you. I just don't always do that as well as I would like to. Please understand that I will continue to struggle with this, I'm sure, but that I want so badly to just love you unconditionally. Whoever you are. I love you.

-Andrew Carl Archer

Inspiration

2009-06-30T14:31:00.002-04:00

Jude 1:24-25
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.

The entire book of Jude (although only one chapter) is a great reminder to stay firmly rooted in our faith. It's a reminder to not follow fleshly desires, but rather to follow through faith alone. To gather all of our strength from the Holy Spirit and prayer and to trust in God's sovereign power above all else. There are people who love dissension, strife, drama. People who live for their own desires. People who don't follow God. But when we truly follow Him in faith, then we have true joy. He is the one who carries us to glory, the one who forgives our sins, and the one who supplies all of our hearts' joy. There is no one like our God. There never was and there never will be one who is like Him. May our hearts echo Jude's closing words now and forevermore. Praise be to our great God.

Distance

2009-06-08T12:10:00.002-04:00

I feel like I've been totally separated from the youth group lately. And I know that I just moved up to the college group, so that's inevitable. But I just feel like I haven't even seen a lot of people in weeks. I'll take the blame. I definitely haven't been trying to get more involved or anything. But it's partially because of how dead the group has felt lately. I feel like the year ended in a total routine way. And I feel like church has been like that in general for a while now. People go, they sit and listen, they talk a little, and they leave. That's all I've seen forever now. It's really starting to get discouraging. There are bright spots here and there, but on the overall, everything is boring and the same week in and week out. I'm tired of "building a foundation" so we can eventually go deeper. I'm tired of "before you get the rest, you have to get this." I'm pretty sure those of us who have heard the basis for a while understand it about as well as we're ever going to and it's not helping to hear it over and over again. It's truth, and it's amazing truth, but it's the same truth that I heard last week and the week before that, and you get the idea. I want to know more about love, I want to know more about peace, I want to know more about promises, I want to know more about God. I get grace, I get TULIP, I get calvinism as much as I'm going to I'm pretty sure. And hearing the same old isn't adding anything. I want to grow.

This is venting, but it's not exaggeration.

Pros and Cons

2009-04-14T12:48:00.002-04:00

Proverbs 14:4 - Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

I almost skipped right over this verse, thinking it had to be some cultural thing, or just something that was for people with farms or animals or something. And yes, owning and using oxen is definitely cultural, seeing as nobody I know uses oxen to plow their fields or carry their loads, but it's still a clear example. With oxen come good things and bad things.

It made me think of the Christian life. With being a Christian comes good and bad. But like the oxen, much more good comes than bad. I'll start with the bad though, to clarify just what kind of bad I'm talking about with Christianity.

More responsibility can be a negative of the Christian life. It is worth it to be disciplined and focused, but that also takes more work. Christians have to be constantly on the watch for sin in their lives, constantly considering whether what they're doing is pleasing God or not. Instead of waking up and thinking about what they're going to eat and what they need to accomplish, christians wake up and think an entirely different set of thoughts. What sins have they left unconfessed, what brethren could use comfort and encouragement, what ways can they best use their time for God, what can they do to become more like Christ every day. The Christian has a much more driven and meaningful set of responsibilities than that of any unsaved person. That is easily considered a con by many at times.

Another downside, realizing sin for what it is. Christian eyes have been opened to the filthiness and wickedness that is sin. They know just how much sin hurts and disgusts the infinite God. They are hurt doubly and feel their guilt multiplied with every transgression they commit. And on top of that, their hearts are grieved deeply by the abundant sins of the world. The weight of sin, although lightened by God's grace, weighs heavy on the flesh hearts of those who believe.

But, the goodness and benefits of Christian life certainly outweigh any downside or burdens it brings. That responsibility that can at times be cumbersome is certainly offset by the power of Spirit that dwells in the hearts of believers. And the deep sorrow of sin is certainly overshadowed by the amazing grace of the cross of Christ. And not only do the negatives have corresponding and offsetting positives, but much more exists in the goodness of Christianity. Christ gives new, restored life to all who believe, there is the promise and hope of life in heaven, the love and support of the Church, the joy of knowing God and praising His name, experiencing the Love of a Savior and Lord who is God.

So the believer must look beyond the little mess that has been made in his manger, and look to the wonderful benefits provided by the God who is stronger and more profitable than any number of oxen. Though the Christian standard of living requires some labor, Christ's yoke is light and His love is wonderful. The work that it takes to please God and to get closer to Him is so worth it. We can rejoice as we do the work of the Lord, knowing that the pros certainly outweigh the cons. God is good, and overwhelmingly so.

The Mud, The Ropes

2009-03-30T22:15:00.005-04:00

I was reading in Jeremiah 38 tonight, and I really feel like what I read was some sort of divine intervention.

6: Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah the king's son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. Now in the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.

This past weekend has seemed to be full of "mud" for me. That is, it hasn't been entirely full of dirt and filth, but it also hasn't been full of pure water. It's been more of a mixture. And even though pure water, on its own, is clear and cool and satisfying and life-giving, mixed with dirt it becomes mud. And even though mud contains that cool, refreshing water, it is still a mess. And almost always, mud is even more of a mess than plain, old dirt. And that has been my weekend. Not totally good, not totally bad, just a messy mixture of the two. I've been stuck between good and bad, purity and corruption, light and dark. And even though I've had recent times of worship and love, they've been tainted by the times of sin and despair. the pure water of fellowship has been mixed with the filthiness of sin and has created a mudpit in me. And just like the cistern that the prophet Jeremiah had fallen into, the cistern I've been in contains no water, but only mud. Because even though water is part of the mixture of mud, it is not part of the result. And even though, like I said, there's been a mixture of things going on in my life, there's only been one result. In the end, there is only mud. Even the purest, clearest, best streams of water become nothing less than a pit of mud when you throw in a pile of dirt. And another thing about the mud is that you sink. Like quick sand, any attempt to escape the mud just causes you to sink down deeper. And all of my vain attempts to escape the mud have proven to be just as useless. Just like Jeremiah sank hopelessly into the cistern, alone I sink hopelessly into my own mess. But thanks, infinite thanks, be to God our Father who loves us and cares for us. Because even in our helpless state, all hope is not lost.

13: So they pulled Jeremiah up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern, and Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guardhouse.

Jeremiah was lifted from the pit. Saved by the efforts of good men, he was lifted and restored to the solid ground. And that same hope exists for me today. I am surrounded by cords of hope. Whether it be the word of a friend, the prayers of fellow believers, the Word of Truth, or any other sort of divine intervention, there is hope! Just like the men that pulled Jeremiah from the cistern, there are people in my life who are willing to pull me from my mud. Thank the Lord for the believers at my church, for the people who pray for me, for christian friends at school, for my amazing girlfriend, for my access to God's perfect word, for the ropes I have to hold on to. So instead of wallowing in the mud that I've been stuck in, I'm going to embrace the ropes around me and trust in God to pull me through and lift me higher. I have a wonderful hope and a wonderful God to cling to and to trust in. And He is able to turn my desperation to joy, my tears to laughter, and my mud into pure water. He has been faithful, so faithful, and He will ever be.

Comments

2009-03-24T08:09:00.002-04:00

I think I made it easier to comment, I know some of you told me you were having trouble. I made it so if you click on the title of the post you want to comment on, it should open up just that post with a comment box beneath it. Hopefully that works for everyone. So feel free to comment away.

And if that does work, could you leave a comment on this post to let me know.

Returning

2009-03-17T21:15:00.003-04:00

It's always amazing to me that I could ever leave the fold of God. I am loved and accepted by the most holy and perfect God. And I love that, and I love Him back so much. And I find sincere and overwhelming joy when I'm lost in Him. He totally covers all of my imperfections with His grace, and at times He removes all my doubting. There are moments, and sometimes even whole days, where I let myself let go of pretty much everything else and just embrace His love, grace, mercy, everything He offers. And I can say that days like that, or even near that, are the best days of my life. There is no question. There is no joy, no peace, no hope, nothing better than what Our Lord provides. And still, despite all that He is and all that He does, I somehow choose to seek other things. But instead of dwelling on my own stupidity and wandering, I want to share something more exciting: returning to Him. It is so amazing to return to the arms of God after wandering alone in the cold world. So comforting to become reacquainted with the wondrous love that He shares. There really is no rest outside of Him, no peace, no joy, no hope outside of Him. And being able to return to a God who loves unconditionally is so amazing. To be able to return and experience His love as if I'd never left in the first place. What amazing grace this is, the love of God. And there is no power on earth or in heaven or under the earth that can fully separate me from it. Whether it be temptation or trials or the world or myself, there is nothing that can keep His Love from me. Even though I leave Him for no reason, He still loves me for no reason. At least no reason that I can think of, except for the fact that He is Love.

Jeremiah 2:5
This is what the LORD says:
"What fault did your fathers find in me,
that they strayed so far from me?"

Some [radical-but-not-really-radical] Ideas

2009-03-03T15:14:00.003-05:00

Things to START doing:
- Praying with others much more often
- Talking about God with people much more often, whether they're Christians or not
- Spending more time acticvely serving God and others
- Truly believing that God is all-mighty and powerful
- Surrendering in all ways to God

Things to STOP doing:
- Spending so much time and money on looks, clothes, hair, etc.
- Spending so much money on self-entertainment
- Serving self way more often than serving God or others
- Ignoring the opportunities God lays out
- Holding back from living new life

All reasonable-and-not-that-radical things when you think about it as a true child of God. Hopefully there are more people out there who are ready and willing to start living out faith more fully and wholly. I'm definitely still staying at the edge and dipping my feet in right now, but I'm ready to go in all the way. And all of these things can be done here, now, in the lives we have. We don't have to get up and move to another country, we don't have to sell everything we have, we don't have to change everything we do, just the way we do it. We can give up our own selfish goals, habits, fears and gain a new life full of new pursuits, actions, and hope. Let's get these weights that we've grown so accustomed to off of our chests and let our hearts beat at full strength for our Savior and Lord.

Thoughts Heavily Derived from Romans 6:1-10

2009-02-23T14:07:00.003-05:00

It's still a difficult task to daily walk in newness of life. Despite the fact that we have been buried with Christ through baptism into death, despite the fact that we share in the likeness of not only his death but also His resurrection, and despite the fact that we're to consider ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus, it remains a constant struggle to live new lives. We find ourselves dwelling, and even delighting in the things that we've supposedly died to, and more than that, the things that were part of our old self we supposedly crucified. It is amazing how powerful sin is and how tenacious the old self is that even after tasting, feeling, and drinking deep from this new and eternal life we still return to our former state. Do we not know that if we have been baptized into Christ Jesus we have been baptized into His death? Do we not know that being baptized into His death means we also share in His resurrection? Do we not know that resurrection leads to a new life? And do we not know that a new life is inevitably followed by a new self? How lightly we take the call, the privilege, of living as new creations in Christ Jesus. How loosely we hold onto the precious life we've been granted by His blood, death, and resurrection. And how tightly the old man keeps his hold on us, strangling our attempts to breathe in the hope we have in Christ, covering our eyes to the Glory of our King, stopping our ears from hearing His promises and Love. What a struggle we have with ourselves, with our sin. And yet what Hope, what Help we have in Christ Jesus. Our Rock, our Deliverer, our Salvation, and our Life.

Our First Love

2009-02-12T21:16:00.002-05:00

Once we've been resurrected into new life in Christ, we are born into love. And that love exists entirely in God, in the Father, in the Son, in the Spirit; He is our first love of this new life. And He is deserving of every ounce of faith, every piece of our hearts, every bit of our desire, and every breath of our lives. And like faithless Israel, we turn away and forget our first love. We forget the love that came down to save us out of death and into life and out of darkness into light. And while the love that He showed us the moment He resuscitated our stone hearts burns as bright now as it did that day, our love flickers like the sign of a cheap motel in a hurricane. But thank the Lord our God our Savior our Hope that the only fitness he requires of us is to feel our need for Him. I had a moment of prayer today where I looked at my life and my accomplishments and my possessions and my relationships and my all, and it was telling me "you're nothing without Him." And at least for that moment, I felt void of all pride, I felt indifferent toward all vanity, I felt needy of all things, I felt God in my heart in a way that I can't recall ever experiencing. I felt like a true child of God, dependent on Him for all things. I felt like I'll never need anything else in the world. This love knows no bounds, this love is beyond compare, this is true Love.

Psalm 113:5-6

2009-02-03T19:29:00.001-05:00

Who is like the LORD our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?

Our God is so awesome that He has to humble Himself even to look into the things that are in heaven. He is above even the most perfect and holy of all tabernacles, and He has to lower Himself to even look into the paradise we can't comprehend. That is the God I want to worship.

Broken Cisterns

2009-01-28T13:09:00.002-05:00

The words of the Lord from Jeremiah 2:13:

For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me,
The fountain of living waters,
To hew for themselves cisterns,
Broken cisterns
That can hold no water.

Some of you might recognize the imagery from summer camp a few years ago. Sean talked about the broken cisterns that we make for ourselves. And we do make so many of them. But, and to go along with Caleb's latest blog, I want to focus on leaving those cisterns behind. Not looking at all of the cracks and all of the dust that fills up the empty places where we've searched for life and freedom and satisfaction, but looking instead to the one true fountain of living waters, Jesus Christ. It is only clear just how broken our pursuits are when we view them in comparison to the one true satisfaction. How much more infinitely satisfying and fulfilling and life-giving He is. To drink form His living water of love and truth and grace and freedom and so much more. So instead of focusing on the cisterns we've been hewing for years and scraping the dust out of for our whole lives, let's drink deep from the fountain. And to be honest, I have no idea what that entails in its entirety. I think rejoicing and singing and praying and loving are included, but I know that there's more. But for now, I'm going to take the biggest drink my parched throat will allow, and what I've tasted already only makes me want more. Satisfaction that is never-ending and a fulfillment that always offers more. This is what Christ supplies. This is being truly alive.

Cling to Christ

2009-01-19T14:30:00.003-05:00

"Take care, then, when you find your Master, to cling close to Him. But how is it you have lost Him? One would have thought you would never have parted with such a precious friend, whose presence is so sweet, whose words are so comforting, and whose company is so dear to you! How is it that you did not watch Him every moment for fear of losing sight of Him? Yet, since you have let Him go, what a mercy that you are seeking Him, even though you mournfully groan, "O that I knew where I might find Him!" Go on seeking, for it is dangerous to be without thy Lord. Without Christ you are like a sheep without its shepherd; like a tree without water at its roots; like a sere leaf in the tempest—not bound to the tree of life. With thine whole heart seek Him, and He will be found of thee: only give thyself thoroughly up to the search, and verily, thou shalt yet discover Him to thy joy and gladness."

-Charles Spurgeon

And how true are those words to our lives. He is the sweetest friend we have ever known. He comforts us in a way that no other can. He brings us greater joy than we have ever known. And somehow we still turn to other friends (good yes, but nothing without Christ), other comforts, other sources of joy. Sometimes we even turn to the very things that He hates and by His grace we hate as well. We turn to sinful friendships, ungodly comforts, and shameful pleasures for our joy. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Cling to Christ as the rich man does his wallet, cling to Christ as the glutton does his bread, cling to Him as a newborn does his mother. He will never let us down, He will never let us go.

"Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus
Just from sin and self to cease,
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace."

The Light

2009-01-15T15:14:00.003-05:00

1 John 1:5 - "...God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all."

Genesis 1:4 - "God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness."

Job 33:28 - "He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, and my life shall see the light"

Psalm 18:28 - "For You light my lamp; The Lord my God illumines my darkness."

Proverbs 13:9 - "The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked goes out."

Ephesians 5:8 - "for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light"

God is Light, and through Him our darkness is illumined and we are light too. God isn't just bright or kind of light or more light than us, He is Light. There is no darkness in Him at all. We were darkness, not dark or a little dim or dark just in comparison, we were darkness. But He lights our lamps. He shines in our darkness. He makes us His children of Light. His children. We haven't just been altered, we have been made entirely new. We were once the opposite of light, darkness, and now we are the opposite of darkness, light. We were nothing like light. We were full of sin and error and darkness. And now we are full of light and goodness and Him.

When Job was afflicted, he looked to the light. He saw that God was light and that one day he would see that light, even if it was after a world of darkness. The psalmist too saw that God was light, and had the power to light. And not just to light anything, but to give light to the darkness that is us. Solomon tells us about the light of the righteous rejoicing and the light of the wicked going out. Thanks to God's grace we share His righteousness and therefore His light too. And Paul encourages us to walk as children of Light, children of God.

Unfortunately, sin blocks His light from shining through us. Pride blocks His light with our own conceited darkness. Lust blocks His light with our own dark desires. Gossip blocks His light with the harm of others. Hate blocks His light with our human hearts. Sin blocks God's light with our darkness. But by grace we are free from sin, we are conquerors of sin, we are children of Light! So through song, through service, through gathering, through speech, through teaching, through encouraging, through giving, through whatever means available let Him shine through us. Pray that His light would be ever stronger through our vessels and that our darkness would continually grow weaker and dissolve more.

Thankfulness

2009-01-07T15:26:00.002-05:00

I've been considering thankfulness lately. And some new ideas on it have come up. Thanks to input from a few others (mostly one other), I'm starting to develop a more complete view of thankfulness, and a more joyful approach to being thankful. Which is confusing because being thankful can't be totally contrived or controlled, especially when it's overwhelming and powerful. But what we are thankful for, and the source to which we are thankful for it can be perceived differently.

Thankfulness should be dependant primarily on what we are thankful for, not what we are lacking. We should thank God for what He has given us not because of what He didn't hold back, but for what He gave. Be thankful for salvation not because He held back wrath, but because He poured out love. Be thankful for blessing not because He kept us from poverty, but because He has shown generosity. Be thankful for life not because He has kept us from death, but because He has given us life. Be thankful for the good not because it isn't bad, but because it is good!

It is so great to rejoice in the Lord. To rejoice in His love and power and goodness and splendor and light! Not because He isn't hateful or weak or bad or dull or dark. Just because of what He is. Regardless of the bad, God is good. And in the fullest measure! So instead of looking at the negative side and feeling relieved you aren't there, look on the bright side and rejoice that He is there!

Seeking God

2008-12-28T23:19:00.002-05:00

It seems like a lot of the time we get really wrapped in Christianity. We get wrapped up in church and friends and songs and praying and kind of forget about God along the way. We focus on not sinning and we focus on making it to church and we focus on reading our bibles every day and we forget to just focus on God. And it's hard. We can read our bibles and talk to our friends and sit in church and sing songs, but we can't really do something tangible to God. God is big and mysterious and universal and majestic. And even though He is Love and intimate and compassionate, He can't hug us and we can't hold His hand. He is living but invisible, He is in us but also uncontainable. He really is Indescribable. We don't have good enough or even enough words to begin to describe Him. And that makes it hard to seek His face.

Psalm 27:8 - When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek."

How did David do that? How did he seek God's face? And how did his heart truly say that to God? I sometimes feel like there's this secret to seeking God. That there's something missing on the pages of my bible, or something I don't hear at church, or something that's being kept a secret from me. I hear people talk about "seeking God", but I don't know how to do that myself. I pray and I read and I talk to people about it, but it doesn't feel like I have some special way or something to really seek God or His will or His face. It just feels like I'm reading about Him and praying to Him and talking about Him. Is that all there is?

I started talking with Joy about it, well she started talking to me about it really, and I still think it's confusing, but a little more clear. There is a difference between serving God and seeking His face. Both are necessary, but different. We should be serving and encouraging and going to church and praying about things and etc. But we should also be seeking God's face and waiting on the Lord. We should be taking time to read His word just to know Him better, and pray just to become better acquainted with His character, and talk about Him just because He's awesome.

Psalm 27:14 - Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

It's still confusing and I don't quite get it all. But just seeking God and His face and His attributes and everything He is, it's amazing. And it just keeps getting better as I see Him a little better. He is truly Awesome.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T16:17:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone! And I hope all of you really do have a merry Christmas.

For those of you from FBC, we already learned about the amazing faith of Mary and Joseph about a week ago at youth group, as well as the story of Simeon and Anna last night if you went to the Christmas Eve Service (which was really really good). But, there is always more to be learned about the Christmas story, or at least more to really think about and focus on a little more deeply.

This afternoon I got a chance to read some scripture from the books of Isaiah and Matthew. I took a more focused look at the prophecy of Christ from Isaiah and His genealogy in Matthew. Both of those things really made me think about God's absolute sovereignty in the Lord Jesus Christ's birth. The fact that God used prophets generations and generations beforehand to tell Israel about Christ's coming, and then how He used numerous "chance" happenings to fulfill that prophecy. The genealogy of Christ found in Matthew includes the names of 5 women. And although women were rarely included in genealogies and these particular 5 women weren't particularly great or godly women, it's still important that they're listed. It's important because they show God's total sovereignty in all circumstances. To show how he used even prostitutes and adulteresses to keep the line of David intact until the birth of Christ. He was in perfect control before, during, and after the birth of Christ. And still is!

I'd love to hear something you guys learned about Christmas, Jesus, God, or anything else this Christmas season. I think it's awesome to see people focusing on things of true importance this time of year, even though I know all of us (myself included for sure) love presents and cookies and break as well.

So thank the Lord for how He's blessed us so amazingly through His Son and then blessed us even more on top of that! Merry Christmas!

Alexithymia

2008-12-19T15:35:00.003-05:00

Since I'd like to keep Alive focused almost exclusively on theological, abstract, and generally deep discussion; I've decided to create a separate blog for my other things. It's a blog for my thoughts on music, school, work, daily life things. Since I am a Christian and Christ is my Lord, it'll obviously still have biblical and deepm things scattered throughout, but won't have a deliberately theological or discussional purpose. It's called Alexithymia, so check it out if you want to know about my life a little more.

Love

2008-12-12T13:50:00.002-05:00

Countless songs, books, movies, etc. focus on love. A lot of them even have love in their names. P.S. I love you, The Beatle's "Love", Lovedrug, just to name a few titles with "love" in them.

People use the word "love" in a number of different ways. We say we love our family and friends, we say we love the meal we just ate, we say we love the color of the new shirt we just bought. Husbands and wives say they love each other. All the same word, but most would agree that most of those are on different levels and mean different, although similar, things.

So what is love? Since that's a question philosophers, theologians, psychologists, and people in general have been trying to answer for centuries, I don't claim to have na exact answer. But I do think there are things that love is indefinitely characterized by.

From life we see love in relationships. We see selflessness of couples. We see sacrifice of mothers and fathers. We see obsession. People love a lot of things in a lot of ways.

From God we see love. God is love (1 John 4:8+16). He first loved us (1 John 4:19). God is a God of love (2 Corinthians 13:11). He is abounding in love (Exodus 34:6). He chose us in love (Ephesians 1:4-5).

We should live in love. Serve each other in love (Galatians 5:13) Love our enemies (Luke 6:27). Do everything in love (1 Corinthians 16:14).

So how do we love? And why is it so hard for us? How can we love more? What are your thoughts on love?

Spiritual Gifts (Poll)

2008-12-01T11:40:00.004-05:00

This is just about the new poll. Check whichever boxes you really feel apply to you. Think about what you check though, because if it's really your spiritual gift then you should really be exercising it or have a great desire to do so. And, you can check more than one because i think people get amounts of each, just try to limit it to the 2 that you feel you have the most strongly. Hopefully this poll will create some serious thought and maybe even some action!

vvv Don't Miss "Above Reproach" vvv

Above Reproach

2008-11-30T23:13:00.002-05:00

1 Timothy 3:2 - An overseer, then, must be above reproach...

The verse goes on to list a number of qualifications for overseers/elders/church leaders. And no matter what you call them or how many a church has, they are all called to be above reproach.

Philippians 2:15 - so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, amidst whom you appear as lights in the world

Here, all Christians are called to be blameless and innocent, above reproach.

But what does it mean exactly, to be above reproach. That question is partially answered just by looking at the phrase itself. Above reproach, above blame, blameless. Unfortunately, our very nature of imperfection keeps us from being entirely blameless. We can't be perfect, we can try, we can progress, but we can't be perfect. So how do we get to a point of being above reproach? The pursuit of perfection is the only way I see possible. We have to be so focused on perfection (things above!) that things deserving of reproach aren't on our minds at all. At least nowhere near the forefront of our minds. We need to be so set on perfection that we forget it's impossible to reach. It's so much harder than it sounds though. We doubt the perfect power of God to complete us, we doubt the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us, we doubt Jesus' power to fully forgive us.

It's just so hard to stay focused, to stay joyful and content and pure and disciplined and loving and peaceful and Christ-like. Partially because those things are a high calling, but also because of how we perceive that calling. As a burden instead of a joy. I think joy is a key component to being above reproach. We've gotta joyfully love and serve Christ, we have to joyfully submit to others, joyfully obey God and the authority He set up.

I think if we did everything in life with complete joy we'd end up being above reproach without even trying so hard to be above reproach. Just living life to its ultimate fullest. Its spirit-filled, joyful, above reproach, fullest.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T23:43:00.001-05:00

What are you thankful for?

First "Real" Post

2008-11-24T14:13:00.002-05:00

Now that this thing is pretty much set up, there are a few new and interesting features to tell you guys about.

On the right of the blog you'll find:
- A Bible Verse (subject to change weekly/monthly/over time)
- A little something about myself
- Our first weekly poll question (please feel free to answer)
- Recommended reading (books and blogs)

And at the bottom there's an archive so in the future you can always find previous blogs by date and title.

Now that that's out of the way, here it goes for the first thought-provoking and hopefully enjoyable entry on the blog:

Colossians 3:1 - Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Here it is Christians, a call to mental action. a call to set our minds on the "things above". To be focused on Christ and the things where He is. This verse has been a lot more personal than ever before in the past few months. This verse implies not only that we think about heavenly things, but that we continual seek those things, that we set and fix our mind on things above, and above all else. And to be honest, this is one of the most amazing, challenging, and beneficial experiences all at once. It's hard for me to think consciously 100% of the time, let alone be focused on good and excellent things all the time. It's also hard to find things to think on all the time when our knowledge of God is so limited and the time we spend in the word is so small relative to our time doing other things. It's hard to focus on things above when we have to focus on work and school and friends and family and food and the list goes on. It's hard to really focus on God and what He considers worthy to focus on. But it's so worth it when we make time to think about those things. It's so worth it to have peace and joy in our lives and minds. It's so worth it to be growing all the time. It's so worth it to glorify God even in the confines of our own minds. Setting our minds on what is above with Christ is not just something for "mature" or "older" Christians. It is essential for growth, enhancing to all other areas of thought, and amazingly joyful in its result.

Memorizing verses is one way that this has impacted me lately. Also, having an attitude like Christ's at work and school. It is possible to enjoy your job, and to enjoy it consistently.

As fellow believers, I would love to share and hear about all the ways, all the benefits, all the joy that comes from focusing on the things above. Comment away, tell me your thoughts, tell me how this is in your life, tell me ways to do this better, ways it's helped you, anything. This isn't a place for me to give a sermon or advertise my opinions. This is a place for all of us to engage in real, deep thought and conversation. To encourage one another. To be open. And hopefully to fuel our face-to-face interaction and fellowship with one another.

The Start

2008-11-23T16:21:00.000-05:00

Hopefully the start of something new, something good, something big. I'd love for people to read the things I put on here. Not just for the sake of reading what I have to say, but because we need each other. We need each other for guidance, we need each other for interaction, we need each other to live life to its fullest. This blog isn't the answer to all those things, or even the best way to interact. This blog is only a way to share ideas, thoughts, insights. Hopefully this blog will be a place to discuss scripture, struggles, humanity, and life in general. Hopefully people read this.

Update: I added 2 boxes at the bottom so you can check whether or not you think the blog's a sweet idea.