On Memorial Day

It's yet another holiday for us in the States, and many will go about their "holiday" by relaxing, having a cookout with friends, catching a movie or doing another leisure activity. There's certainly nothing wrong with this at all. The tragedy is that in the year 2006, even with the Iraq War going on, many of this country are untouched by the sacrifices made by those in uniform. The war is a world away, and many do not know anyone involved in the war; in fact, only five years after September 11th, I daresay many have forgotten (though not many in New York--the pain for them is likely still very real).

I am actually the first man in four generations that has not been involved in a war. My great-grandfather served in WWI. My grandfather served during WWII. My dad served in Vietnam, in conditions that I cannot even describe. It is because of this and living in the area saturated with the military that I cannot help but be reminded of what these men and women do for our country.

So, take a few minutes day, and thank God for being born in a country that not only allows you to do the things in the first paragraph above, but worship and serve God without fear of persecution. These freedoms are what they fight for--don't take them for granted. And if you see a veteran or even an active service member, thank them. And you're not only thanking them, but those that fought with them and gave the ultimate sacrifice, like Capt. Brian S. Letendre.

Another Great Book

I just finished Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones' book, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cure. It is another must read book. I was a student of psychology in college (minored in it), and I still believe that all truth is God's truth. What do I mean? I think that psychology does have some truth in it, in what it shows us about how we think, etc. But the psychoanalytic and other humanstic therapies (in treatment) can end up being very unscriptural in practice. What this book does is simply go to the heart of the matter--a person's unbelief. That's right! Spiritual depression is caused, to a certain degree, by lack of belief. He stresses over and over that folks in this group are most certainly Christian, but are not growing "in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ." Our sanctification is not only central to our assurance but also in the living out of our faith. Often we let the world inform our way of thinking, rather than the Scriptures. We have a salvation experience and yet expect the joy to remain without asking the Holy Spirit's help to sustain us (and in us working with Him)! Would you plant a garden and then simply not tend to it, expecting it to grow?

Many Christians who seem to be in a "rut" would do well to read this book--comprehending the grace of Jesus Christ and having deep roots in faith are important in enjoying the blessings of Christ, even in the midst of trials or suffering.

Productivity Is Restful For Your Soul

In reading a recent post on the Together for the Gospel blog, I was struck by a comment made by John Piper when eating with Mark Dever. He said: "I find productivity restful for my soul."

This comment sure does resonate with me. I am a guy that likes to do things, have a list, mark them off, etc. But it's not so much having the list or the things to do--it's having them to combat the temptation towards idleness. You see, the Bible speaks numerous times against idleness, and equates it with those who are "busybodies and gossipers." (see 1 Timothy 5:13)

In addition, idleness whether at home, at work, or even in one's spiritual life opens the door to other sins. Just as with Cain, sin crouches at our door.

Having been unemployed for the last 8 months (though that will end soon!), you would think that with all this time, I would have read the Bible cover to cover, or read as many books by great Christian men that I could find. Reality? I have fought with even having a hunger for these things.

In fact, on days where I find I am doing nothing, I feel the most tired because I have wasted the day. There is quite a difference between living and merely existing.

Productivity focuses our mind on other things, puts us to task, helps us to practice discipline. I have recently initiated family worship between my wife and I, in the morning, and we read through a short devotional from Table Talk, a monthly devotional sent out by Ligonier Ministries. There are mornings that I'm sure my wife or I don't really feel like it. But starting our day off with that--a type of "productivity"--focuses our minds on what is important, which is our life in Christ. Productivity, in my mind, can be restful to the soul because if focused on glorifying and honoring Christ, it not only guards our heart against the temptations of the flesh but redirects our thoughts to the One who should receive all the praise, honor and glory. And in this, there is rest and even peace, for the soul.

Those Left Behind....

This is not about the rapture, but about war and its aftermath. U.S. Soldiers are dying everyday over in Iraq and Afghanistan, and regardless of your stance on the war, you must recognize their sacrifice for their country. More importantly, for those who give their lives, we must remember about those that they leave behind.

I bought a newspaper today to use for packing, not really to read it--however, I opened up the front section, and I was struck by the photo I saw. There seated was a wife, a son, and a nephew. The young son of this killed Marine was being presented with a flag from another Marine. It is a very moving picture, and one that I would recommend all who read this blog go and take a look at because it is a stark reminder of not only their sacrifice but the reality for those that are left behind.

The article can be found here. Click on the Slide Show link, and look especially at images 6 and 7. I won't lie--it will rend your heart. It did mine.

Not Quite in Overdrive, but Almost

Well, as you've likely read in the previous post, I've accepted a position that will require us moving. NOW, I have to do some fixing of our townhouse to make it able to be sold quicker (you know, like in a day--not really). The market here is not as fast as it used to be--the summer of 2003, we looked for housing and it was MADNESS. A house would go on the market and have a contract by the end of the day. One time, honestly, someone bid $25,000 over the asking price--and it was just a townhouse! Actual houses have slowed considerably, with some having to mark down their asking price to get it sold--townhouses still seem to be selling fairly quickly, but we'll see.

So, it's fixing drips, putting up shelving, boxing up stuff we don't need, etc. so that we can act like we don't live here--for you neat freaks who seem to find a place for everything, I'd really like to know how you do it (though lack of cabinet space is killing us in the kitchen).

I was doing some whacking of our tree-bush (really the only way to describe it--anyone who knows anything about Crape-myrtles will understand), and then turned to our "shrubbery" in front of our window. I was minding my own business and cutting it down, when this male and female cardinal got really irritated. So I stopped, looked to my left, and found out why: they had a nest with two little ones. I slowly backed away and put down the shearers! They apparently only need a few more days and they'll be out of the nest--being that it's the state bird (and actually Kentucky's , my birth state, too), I'll let 'em be for now.

I imagine we'll go to Roanoke next weekend to look at houses. Should be fun--then I'll go into overdrive.

Head(ed) for the Hills!

The hills of Virginia, at least. It's not completely official yet, but I have verbally accepted the offer made by the firm in Roanoke. They were able to give me some money for relocation/temporary housing in the transition, and while not as much as I'd hoped, it is something. And, for the experience that I'll be gaining, it will be worth it; and it will be an adventure, as we will be moving to another area where we don't know anyone and don't know anything about the area. We did the same thing 5 years ago, and we found a great church (where I've grown more spiritually than EVER--found the doctrines of grace, etc.) and great friends. It will be sad to leave, but who knows? We might be back--I'm not sure this job is a forever kind of thing, unless it turns out to be. We'll see where the road leads.

Okay, so Not That Boring....

Well, I just received an email from the Roanoke folks, and they've made me an offer!!! Your prayers would be very much appreciated as I try to negotiate and hammer down the details with them (the offer is okay and it's enough to live on, but being business folks, I'm sure they're expecting me to counter, etc.--they seemed to low-ball it to start). I would start June 5th, which is a month from today.

At the same time, it seems as if the window to the Attorney General's office has closed. I got two independent pieces of information today which makes me think this is the case. A buddy of mine just interviewed for a job I was put in for (and he said there was one more interview--and guess what, I was never called!), and the main contact lady at the HR office who had been so nice to me and lobbied for me to get a job is no longer working for the office. The ongoing silence from their office about my last interview makes me think I didn't get that one either.

So, it could be by the end of the weekend (or the end of the day) that this is all set in stone.

Again, your prayers are appreciated.

UPDATE: Well, I attempted to have a conversation yesterday about salary negotiations with the actual attorney that I was going to be working with, and it seemed that she didn't have the authority to approve anything and that she was kind of caught off-guard by my concerns. She's going to talk to the other attorney and then get back to me (she was going to call him after she got off the phone with me), but she didn't call back yesterday. To be honest, I didn't sleep real well last night, partly because of that, and partly because I was out later than usual with some friends--we went to see the Russian Cossack State Dance Company at a local music hall. It was quite impressive and very entertaining, though we couldn't understand one word they were saying. I'm trying not to think too much about the conversation I had with the attorney, and the fact I may not speak with her again until Monday. God has been in control and will continue to be, for sure!

Boring Week

Well, I've dressed up to go and substitute teach four days in a row, and no calls have been forthcoming. I've waited for calls from prospective employers (and especially the opportunity I wrote about in my last post), and nothing. The Roanoke folks did email me, saying they would call this week, but "this week" is over tomorrow! PHOOEY!

Anyway, I have to span my "projects" out so that I'll have something to do each day. Yesterday, it was, well, giving my dog a bath. The day before that? I unclogged the bathroom sink. Today, I thought I would mow the lawn, though I'm going to do that this evening. I thought I would have some fun and go whack some golf balls on the driving range, though I waited a little late in the day, and apparently everyone else had the same idea I did (it was more than full when I got there). So, instead, I went to Lowe's, of course (in my unclogging incident, I created a leak).

And during the writing of this post, I heard my dog outside barking incessantly--and turns out that he had cornered a Starling bird that was quite young, and this is the second one in two days. If I had a tall enough ladder, I'd scoop them all out and take them to our local SPCA so that I wouldn't have to go every other day.

And now back to your regularly scheduled lives.