Broken Earth

First steps...again

2011-05-17T12:27:00.001-07:00

Occasionally in life we learn new things. We begin again. Or we learn to walk again. Sometimes we do it because we must, and sometimes we do it because we want to, and sometimes we do it out of necessity (in my mind that's different from the first).

Recently, I began again into a new career/life path. I became an EMT (emergency medical technician). Not a huge accomplishment by most standards (like say a brain surgeon - I don't care who you are, that's gotta be a pretty big accomplishment). Nevertheless, EMS is a valuable, difficult and rewarding field.

Since receiving my numbers (industry short for national/state level registry numbers for EMT/Paramedics confirming you are qualified to perform emergency medicine), I have relearned to "walk" a few times already. i.e. Two employers = two ambulance driving courses. Seemingly redundant, yet, if it was my company, I'd want to see each person drive prior to letting them take one of my trucks and a patient for a spin.

Finally, it's ironic that I've lived in Atlanta (albeit, with some travel and such ignored) my entire life, and yet I just drove thru parts of my city I've never seen before. Here's to learning to walk again in my hometown.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lupis II

2010-10-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

"Appetite, a universal wolf" ~William Shakespeare

We've all heard some version of the story; but just for overkill...

An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life...

He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One wolf is evil -- he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.

The other is good---he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too."

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied: "The one you feed".

------------------------------------------------------------------

Considering the long hiatus in writing, this may be rough... This should be a brief acknowledgment of appetite, and the terrible damage it can bring.

The more we consume of something, unless it is truly good, it will not satisfy. Typically we will soon be hungry for more of the very thing that didn't satisfy before. It's the nature of addiction. The downward spiral of humanity to depravity... And many of us live with a black hole of depravity buried, somewhere not so deep, beneath the illusion we project to the world around us.

I am not so interested in the reality of our depravity, nor the counter-intuitive truth that appetite begets appetite. I am; however, interested in why we chose to feed the wolf that we know is evil. I suspect, that, unfortunately, it is altogether human to think we know better than we're told, and to give in to curiosity. Any thoughts?

Dr. Strangeloss

2009-02-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

Some days I'm reminded of the absurdity of this world and us in it:

Strange, that we can feel so strongly like we've lost something - something that we've never really had to begin with.

A Day Like Any Other

2009-02-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

Today is like yesterday. And tomorrow will likely be like today.

Not the same, but alike.

In the difference is where I am now.

See, everyday I miss him. And everyday I remember him.

Today,

I hope,

I've honored him.

Because today is like any other day - today, I miss him.

And today is different than any other day - today is his birthday.

Happy Birthday Eddie! I love you and miss you more than I ever imagined I could.

You Won't Relent

2008-07-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

Last month I was asked to perform a skit at Atlanta Vineyard for a message called I Believe in Victory Over Sin. The skit that was suggested didn't feel right to me, so I asked if I could make something new. With an idea in mind, I came in need of help to Krissy. Together, this is what we came up with.

Many thanks to Jimmy, Corwyn, Terry, and Allison for donating their time. And Josh for all his hard work on lighting.

Flames of Hate

2008-05-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

Viewer discretion strongly advised

I hope this slide-show doesn't ignite any more flames of hatred for a country or its people. Instead, i hope you pray for a world of people who are persecuted or oppressed or attacked for any reason.

http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/photos/2008/05/flames-of-hate/

http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/photostory/alex_fire/soundslider.swf

Click here to play

the related article was published today, May 19th 2008.

in case you need some vocabulary assistance:
Xenophobia - an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.

Jesus, please have mercy and forgive all who pursue repentance.

Scales

2008-05-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

To my fellow kings and queens,

We are all blind. Whether it is by choice or by nature or by attack – none or us are seeing clearly. Shards of colored glass lie entombed in our eyes. They are formed in the uncertain fires of past experience, future possibilities, choices, and mostly life. Colored glass from colored sand. Made from sand that enters our lives at different times, the first of which is born into us in our DNA. Life provides the flames that transform the sand into colored glass. They become the lenses through which we view our lives, our world, our neighbors, our everything. Reds, blues, greens, yellows, blacks, browns, and all manner of shades in between and beyond. Our paradigms are as unique as any beautiful creation of God. And they are as flawed as everything in our world since the fall. In the worst of cases, we are more than partially blinded by the glass, we are in the complete darkness of a blindfolded life. In our blindness we pretend to learn. We lay claims of knowledge and wisdom on ourselves and others; however, those claims fall on foundations of ignorance. This concept should not be lamented nor provide a hold for despair to cling to; on the contrary, we should find hope herein. Hope that each of us will have our blindfolds removed. That clues of the beautiful mystery of life will be revealed unto us. Strange and sad how some of us clench to the bars and chains of our own darkness and demise while freedom and light are an open hand away. A hand called truth. Through my lens, a hand named Jesus. Placing both our hands in the open one allows the other free hand of truth to remove the blindfold. Walking into the sunlight from a dark place can hurt your eyes. Light, truth, beauty they're all like that; when we are accustomed to darkness, to lies, to ugliness the opposite hurts and repulses us at first experience. In truth, real knowledge and wisdom lands and grows from a solid foundation: soil, rock, and the wellspring of life. Solomon, the wisest man, says that the heart is the wellspring of life. In a healthy heart truth lives and thrives. There was a man whom had his blindfold removed while traveling a road to destroy a group of religious and political revolutionaries. He then chose to join and ultimately become the most outspoken and influential man of that revolutionary group. His life and words have impacted and transformed billions of people since his blindfold was removed. I cannot imagine the world had he not been given new sight.

To quote a common cliché: 'crystal clear' - to view through a lens without color or cloud. Of this lie we are all guilty. We are all guilty of this blasphemy – to assume, at some point in life, that we can see or know or understand in full any thing, idea, or being supplants God with us. By revelation of truth we exchange large, dark glass for smaller, clearer glass. The smaller and clearer the glass becomes, the more we begin to see the world as God does. But never, in this life, will we remove all the glass. In most cases we need the help of both God and someone with better vision than us to exchange the glass in our eyes. Divine intervention, then human assistance.

Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter.

Acts 9:3-19
As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, andsuddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; andhe fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And the voice said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do." The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake." So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.

Ephesians 1:9-10
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Besides choice and nature, we are under attack – attack by an enemy, who comes to steal, kill, insult, and destroy. The enemy has come in many different forms; one form has been that of a snake. A snake covered in scales. An enemy coming to steal sight and light. A man who has his sight restored and

from his eyes fell

something

scales.

May you put your life into the open hand of truth and find sight, light, love, beauty, wisdom, and purpose revealed unto you.

Here's to 2nd, 3rd...7th........chances

2008-04-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

(as posted 8/1/2007)

in life as in love as in Christ, it seems that 1-thing can, and often does, relate to something else...many somethings elses...(mys spellings errors is intentionals).

so as my story begins - let this be a lesson of standing up...or of moving forward....or of trying again...or of humility....or of don't drink & ski .

Yesterday, i went to lake lanier with Joe and Kelley Lynch and Christiaan. we went with the intention of riding around, having a beer or 2, and xtiaan and i learning how to ski. all good intentions.

riding around - check
beer or 2 - check, cheq, chek, cheque
learning to ski - uh...ch...upchuck (almost)

as it turns out, i learned AGAIN that i am not naturally good at all things (hence the lesson of humility)

something about my posture in the water was not working for my progress. after many failed attempts during my first session (lets call it 15 tries, give or take) i got out of the water, maybe twice...and they really don't count at all. Kel hops in and on try #2 she's up (she's done this before by the way) and up for good as long as she wants to be up...she only stops when she decides she's had enough. now for Xtiaan - with similar success that i experienced he decides that today is not the day for him to get it. so, i'm back in.

back in the blasted water that continues to fight against me standing on it and moving forward on top of it (i'll shy away from the obvious relation to J being able to walk on it at with ease). i blame the water, but really, it's not the water or the boat or the skis or the rope or the wind or the whatever, it is me. it's all on me. my posture. my posture in the water, toward the water, on the water.

after a few more attempts, i was up on my feet - on the water - for an infinity of five glorious seconds. then WHAM! back into the water, or maybe it was face into the water, i don't remember. i was approaching an understanding of my posture in the water and beginning to get a feel for my posture towards the water, but i am only glimpsing the possibility of my posture on the water.

i owe thanks for the encouragement and grace to joe, kel, and xtiaan

and joe is willing and wanting to go again next week - i am so in! i'll give another 'up'date if i get 'up'...if not, i may be dead in the lake.

after the beating the lake gave me, i need another beer, to chase down all the lake i swallowed.

here's to a healthy posture all things water, to standing up, to moving forward, to trying again...and again, to being humble, and to drinking after skiing, not before.

Sum1 2 Live 4

2008-04-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

(as posted 8/15/2007)

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

john 15v13

there is no one nor no many that i would not gladly lay down
my life for theirs. yet, there is only one for whom i continue to live.

is one enough?

BALLOONS

2008-04-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

before i begin...

...a teaching pastor from grand rapids, MI wrote a book called Sex.God. if you are up for a few new thoughts, you should read it. i did about 4-5 mos. ago and enjoyed it. the last entry is a story about letting go...about how messy life and love can be...and about moving forward.

which brings me to BALLOONS.

a couple, at their wedding, takes a bunch of balloons , that represent their past relationships that have failed and other heart wrenching past experiences and sets them free - as a symbol of their moving forward, past their past pain. a few years later the marriage failed...the author, rob bell, says that God will never run out of more balloons.

...months ago, karien and i went to los angeles, CA...(not such a big fan of LA)...while we were there, we walked around beverly hills. near rodeo dr, we found a balloon. a block later we saw a man holding a few balloons in his hands. he looked crazy or homeless...or both. he stopped us when he saw her balloon, he claimed it was his that he had let go earlier. when karien offered it to him, he awkwardly refused. he said he let it go hoping that it would come back to him. karien said that maybe she was the way that it came back. after some convincing, he reluctantly accepted the balloon, with obvious gratitude.

during our encounter with this man, i couldn't help but think, "how foolish is it to let a balloon go and expect or hope for it to return?" ...strangely, it did come back, although not by the way he had planned.

yesterday, a friend of mine reminded me of the story from Sex.God. and invited me and everyone around to take a balloon...or a few balloons and release them in a similar act of moving forward. as i took my balloons thru the woods to a clearing at the top of a hill, i couldn't help but remember the man from beverly hills...and how much i felt like him. how foolish can a man be release a balloon to the sky and hope that it will return to him?...how foolish am i for this hope?

they rose into the sky, yellow and green against the blue sky. then slowly my balloons dropped from their flight into the limbs of nearby trees...as if to mock me, trapped, out of reach, unable to fly away...unable to return.

"in all things give thanks and praise to God"

it feels as if i can only do this out of obediance to Him, for i do not feel very thankful right now. may my Father not hear my cries as complaining, so that He may still see me as His blameless and pure child.

my prayer today: thank you God for this place i am in and this difficult part of the race you have laid before me, please give me the strength and perseverance to continue running with my eyes fixed on you...may my life be a sweet aroma for you in your chamber. in the precious name of Jesus i pray, amen.

(as posted 6/29/2007)

LiVE & diE | 3!p & 3!/\7

2008-04-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

(as posted 5/17/2007)

LiVE & diE | 3!p & 3!/\7

Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17v.33

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life

He made us free, liberated, and able to liberate others.

following Him leads to a full life, possible persecution, and inevitable fleshly death

choose to love

to be truly free - to be without fear - to be alive - to love - to die: these are constant, good, true, revolutionary, original, dangerous things

ask a soldier, how dangerous is a man without fear?

ask Mandela, how good is it to be free?

ask someone in love, how true is love?

ask someone with a broken heart, how dangerous is love?

ask Jesus, how revolutionary is it to be alive?

ask anyone, how constant is it to die?

ask God, how original are all these things?

you are free

you are alive

you are going to die

you have nothing to fear

you are loved.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phillipians 1v.20-21

I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 2 Corinthians 12v.15

Lamb Of God

2008-04-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

(as posted 3/27/2007)

This is the first post in a category called 'Names of Jesus'

I thought it would be interesting for some to get a little more information about the names we already know. However, i can't claim any credit here - i will, for the most part, be reiterating what has already been said by Ann Spangler, author of Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus. When i do introduce my own ideas, you will likely not need to be notified of it, for they will probably be more of a ramble of thoughts than the rest.

i hope you enjoy reading about why our Savior was called some of the names he was/is - and maybe you'll learn something new.

Arnion - (AR-nee-on): Greek for Lamb

Amnos tou Theou - (am-NOS tou the-OU): Greek for Lamb of God

Lambs represent gentleness, purity, and innocence...as well as an animal of sacrifice. Imagine that we still offered burnt sacrifices to God to attone our sins, to bring us back to 'right standing' with God, to allow us to be 'clean and acceptable' to Him. You would have to take the best, the purest, animal of your flock (the best you have to give) and clean and bathe it...them. Them...because these offerings you make are done often; one in the morning and one in the evening (Numbers 28v.1-8). Double that on on the Sabbath. Also to make sacrifices on the first day of the new month and on such feast days as Passover, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles. You would also sacrifice a lamb in a cleansing ceremony after a woman gives birth or the healing of a leper. You would understand that the animal being sacrificed was a symbolic representation of you and your desire to offer your own life to God. You would be all too familiar with sacrificing lambs. What then, would you think if you heard a man referred to as the Lamb of God?

John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God.

' John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"' John 1v.29

The Gospel of John is the only book of the Bible to make this acknowledgement (Lamb of God), but the name/title 'Lamb' is used in other books such as Isaiah and Revelations.

One Man, without sin. Holy. Clean. Pure. Becomes our sacrifice, our lamb, justifying all things to God! Halleluia!

' Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.' Romans 5v.9

To get a better understanding of the place Jesus took for us, read Romans 5.

Know that you are loved always, in all things.

Just In Case

2008-04-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

I will be reposting previous articles from eric.13floor.org here since 13th FLOOR USA is currently closed.

2007-11-19T13:09:00.001-08:00