Humility

There has been a political "outcry" over President Obama bowing to Japan's emperor.

Last time I checked - observing cultural traditions, built bridges and encouraged relationships! The criticism is that President Obama is showing America as weak and subservient. What a thought - maybe instead of strong-arming everything in our path, we should do a little more bowing, maybe we should do a little more to humble ourselves and respect others. But that's just me...

Braid

I've been playing this game called "Braid." It's incredible. the art, the music, the storyline, the gameplay. It's very enjoyable. Anyway, I just like it so I thought I'd share the video.

Braid trailer from David Hellman on Vimeo.

Oh, and you're trying to save a princess - so its worth it!

Humility

I've been reading Humility: True Greatness by CJ Mahaney for a class that I'm in this semester. We are reading it one chapter per week and have a one page response paper due each Monday. And let me just come right out and say it-This book has been kicking my butt! I am constantly being challenged to get over myself and please Him, giving Him the honor - in every area of my life. First, here is the definition of humility as stated in CJ's book:

"Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness."

As he outlines his ideas on staying humble they all flow from this idea which I think is right on. It is in understanding our brokenness and recognizing His perfection that we are able to keep a right perspective...Here are some excerpts from the response papers I've been writing to give you a glimpse of what my mind has been processing through.

"The truth is so simple: without Him we are nothing. So why would I ever live as though I am significant apart from Him? And yet it frustrates me to even write this because I know how often I don’t live as though that truth is real in my world. I forget His grace, I forget His sacrifice and somehow manage to slink through my day convinced that I am significant and useful of my own accord."

"The antithesis of pride is true servant hood. Serving others for the glory of God as the chapter says. That is what true greatness looks like."

“If I’m ungrateful, I’m arrogant.” I’ve never thought through this phrase before. An ungrateful heart reveals an arrogant attitude. I can’t forget this!"

"We are all on our own paths, our own journeys towards a greater understanding of our Lord and who He is in our lives, as well as how we may better serve Him. Along the way I pray that He will chisel away my pride, continually humbling me to the point of recognition that it is by His grace I am saved and by His strength I live each day. By His breath my life is literally held together."

Pinnacle Rock

This past Saturday I went hiking with a group of my friends. With the threat of rain and a light breeze pressing on us, we loaded into a seven-seat vehicle and headed for the trail. One of us in the group had been there before. After turning around a few times and multiple back-seat drivers we parked the car and took a group picture before heading up the trail. The first few minutes were rough; slow pace, heightened heart rates, and more than a few complaints. Running through my mind were questions like, “will we make it to the top?” and “how long could this trail be?” and finally, “is this even going to be worth it?” Through the barely designated path, up the steep incline and over the rock quarry. Up through the fourteen inch crevice and…

R.C. Sproul writes in The Holiness of God, “Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God.”

…there it was, the majesty of God as clear as I have seen it in quite some time. The crisp, brisk air cut across our faces as we stood on the large slabs of rock protruding from the earth. We overlooked the countryside of rolling hills and farmlands. Cars passed on roads far below and the Pemberley size home jumped out at us from the middle of its green estate. We turned our eyes slightly downward to watch a plane cut through the overcast sky. In between the camera phones clicking pictures were sounds of wow and awe. With each breath, we drew in the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction for completing the climb and experiencing the beauty that was before us. His beauty, His grace, His power, His love, and on and on clearly displayed. And there I stood, as small as I have ever felt.

There's just something powerful and profound about feeling insignificant...

A Few Thoughts

Here are a few thoughts that i've heard this first week since classes started.

-"is your experience in the world real?"
-"people tend avoid questions that bring tension."
-"i long for a family, a wife and kids i can love and share life with - or if God would desire me to be single forever, i long for a change of heart and contentment."
-"there is meaning in the physical world, now."
-"God created us to be human. Becoming a Christian doesn't destroy our humanity, it fully restores it."
-"its easy for us to feel like we have it all together when everyone around us thinks that we do."
-"After i'm dead and gone, i want to be remembered as someone who resembled Christ, not as myself"
-"for a lot of people, what looks like pride is just overwhelming fear."
-"I don't know what to do right now! I wish someone could just tell me what to think sometimes."
-"I challenge you, no, i dare you to learn as much from people and the life going on around you as you do in the classroom. its really not that difficult."
-"the world, the flesh, and the devil are not held back by higher walls and stronger structures."
-"God is so awesome. He totally rocked my world this summer."

That's enough for now. My prayer for whoever reads this is that you would keep your hears open as life goes on around you - actually hear what people say to you and around you. let it sink in.