John Piper: Sorrow and Joy

So many times in the Christian life, i find it hard to balance the sorrow of the world, and the joy of a unshakable hope in Christ. For example, i took Julie out to El Capitan theatre in Hollywood to celebrate our year of dating. We had a marvelous time. The evening's entertainment included variations on disney themes by a live world-class organist on a giant Wurlitzer Theatre organ, drinks and popcorn, a pre-show live performance, and an ice cream sunday at the next door at the "Disney Soda Fountain". The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by both of us.
Yet, while we were gleefully homeward bound from West Hollywood, called Westwood, we shared an overwhelming sense of sorrow for the great and rampant sin that characterizes so much of the westwood. We conversed about the state of our culture for almost the entire ride home. It still grieves me to think of the pervasiveness of the immoral Hollywood influence worldwide, and that it grieves the very heart of God. John Piper has this to say about conflicting joy and sorrow,

"Or to put it positively, the seasoned soul in Christ has a steady joy and a steady sorrow. They protect each other. Joy is protected from being flippant by steady sorrow. Sorrow is protected from being fatal by steady joy. And they intensify each other. Joy is made deeper by steady sorrow. Sorrow is made sweeter by steady joy."

Yet, i must admit, i do not have the most mature view of sorrow and joy. My reaction, sometimes flippant or demeaning, reveals my sinful heart. I am greatly encouraged by this article posted on Desiringgod.org by John Piper because i want to be this solid and legit.

There is no more solid faith than the one constantly abiding in Him while turned over by life's unrelenting waves of sorrow and joy. Sorrow and joy are two of God's most effective graces in the lives of his children. so many godly men i admire are caught in the restraint of these dueling passions, and their lives embody the steadfastness of God's loving kindness.

I pray the Lord will bring refining sorrow and joy for you all.

Let your loving kindness, Oh God, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Psalm 33:22

Tuesday Edition: Resume

What's happening? doing good. been really sick lately. (hence the absence of posting)

Tuesday Edition of what's in my pockets
Pants: Blue Jeans

1. Ten ideas from my brainstorming session on fund raising for my Jacksonville Missions trip. Notable Ideas:
a: Open Mic Night
b: Auctioning a Date with Jamison
2. Two quarters
3. A receipt from Starbucks
4. Two ticket stubs from Slumdog Millionaire. I took Julie to see it last night... Good movie. Julie's favorite movie ever. She loved it. :)
5. A receipt from El Pollo Loco. Great chicken. Great chicken. Great chicken.
6. My keys and my wallet.

While I wrote this post, I have been sipping African Red Bush Tazo Tea. It's real good. i've started drinking tea since i started this cold about two weeks ago.

Poem

I have been writing poetry and lyrics for about as long as i could write, but only recently has this hobby found proper articulation. Here is one of my first poems. It was a breakthrough in writing with clarity. enjoy.

I Am a City Mouse
I am a city mouse
A delightful gentleman
Aware and self-conscious
Behind Plastic frames

Miniver Cheevy died
I drank wine with his ghost
In life he’d have traded his soul
for a Camelot host

The future in my hands—
Past in his dead grasp
For the chain of moments
I pulled him in laps

“Quit this” he spoke
The present revealed
The path became teeth
As he dug in his heels

The teeth drew blood
The apparition concedes
A bargain of providence
And gives me what I need

The future, my bracelet
The past, my collar
I found the chains locked
Stiff from an unseen controller

“Quit this” I called
My expectations deceived
I followed the chain
To see who I see

A thunderous voice
Pealed back my nerve
I gasped as he said
“My son, you’re absurd”

I bent down quickly
He tugged at my leash,
Pulled me eye level
My fangs to His teeth.

“I AM THE LORD
The present is mine
You will exist
In my framework of time”

Tuesday Edition: What's in my Pocket?

Howdy, howdy, howdy!

Its time for your favorite periodical update! Tuesday Edition of what's in my pockets?

My Shorts
- $.46 (left over change from 2 dbl cheese burgers from McDees... do the math, that's not an item on the dollar menu anymore... rough times for Ronald)
- A blow pop wrapper from Ester Dennis. I watched House @ RED's tonight. it rocked.
- Lip-Pro Balm. cause it's winter, and my lips will crack if i don't have this stuff. Lip-Pro is a life saver around here.
- My Wallet
- My Keys

My Jacket
- Nothing...lame. i wanted something to get really riled up about or better yet trash talk the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I'm watching ESPN Sportscenter Superbowl coverage and wondering to myself, "when did Amad Rashad's left eye get crazy? i don't remember when, but i feel like it must have happened overnight and he walked into work one day, and his boss was like what's up with your eye? And all Amad had to do was whisper the word, "disability" and his boss never asked another question. lol.

I'm going to build a bunkbed tomorrow. I'm 23. Bunkbed. 23. Bunk. i'll pretend it's like building a secret clubhouse. sweetness huh?

Music Video Monday: Fiction Family

Jon Foreman is one of my favorite Theologians.


ok... well, maybe not. but he is one of my favorite song writers, and he has a new crew. He has collaborated with Nickel Creek's Sean Watkins for two and a half years to deliver their musical love-child.

Many musicians infuse collaborations with their different tastes. It might not be as crazy as the time when Headbanger Dimebag Darell and Country rebel David Allen Coe formed "Rebel meets Rebel" or as lame as Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson embarrassed themselves on National TV, but it is a refreshing Cup O' Muzak.

Check out Fiction Family.


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Here's a little interview for those of you who'd like some deeper content... it's like finding Atlantis in a bagel.

Calvanistic Controversial

"Rick Warren is a brother in Christ."

Stop. Think.

How does that make you feel?

Jesus loves him.

What do you think about that?










An unfortunate page in modern Christianity is our criticism of our own.

A prime example is Rick Warren's prayer during the inauguration of President Obama. Driscoll was the only positive religious source i have heard. http://theresurgence.com/rick_warrens_prayer Thank you for posting this, Mark. I appreciate this encouragement.

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Now playing: The Myriad - Forget What You Came For