On Disapline, And Hardship

A friend of mine bought a puppy. It ran around with the kind of wet nosed, furry coated, and playful disposition that is really quite endearing. So of course (like a sucker) I said yes when he approached me with the opportunity of selling the little guy. He couldn't rightly keep him locked up alone in his house while he was gone all day. And frankly I was looking for a friend who was good at listening, and not so good at talking. Some of the training him not to poop in my house was a bit of pain, but we've long since left those things in the past (well at least I hope so).

However my furry friend has developed a bit of a desire to explore. Lately he's been heading over to the neighbors which, where I live, is a bit of a distance. He has all the room in the world out here. I don't mind if he's out exploring several miles away (he knows where home is). But I'm just not that crazy about him bothering the neighbors. Although their little daughter loves him to death and begins chanting his name when he's around.

Today I decided to give the "ok" for my friend to tie a couple of tin cans to his tail. And of course as soon as the deed was done he took off running. He ran around their yard some (spooked their cattle a little) and then hid somewhere. By the time I decided to come and call for him he was yelping as if someone had hit him, and he dove into my truck ready to get home. Panting and all excited he just sat there and looked at me with eyes that spoke of a hard day.

I knew the look because I've felt the same at times. I've been in the places I shouldn't have been, and God has allowed some correction to come into my life. I have also encountered the hard days, that come up when going through the issues that simply come up in life. The other day one of the youth asked why God doesn't just make everything work out. Why, if we are Christians, doesn't it all just come together?

There have been times when parents have asked me this same thing. Why, if I'm following the Lord and I care about my children, do they sometimes just go their own way? I mean if we do things right won't they be spared that kind of situation? But the answer is no. Even the best of parents sometimes get children that don't follow the Lord. And sometimes the worst of parents are blessed with a child that is deeply surrendered.

God has a desire to form us. I'm sure my dog didn't quite get why I would let him have tin cans tied to his tail. But I hope he will be formed by it. That it will come to his mind when he begins his trek over to that other farm. And I hope that I can be formed by the things that have come my way.

Like I said to the kids in my youth group, I don't understand even now why some of the things had to happen. But I do know that in looking back on it all that he is good and was with me through it. Come may we show our "proven" faith. A faith that has been tried and tested. A faith that has endured through all of the hard and difficult things. And may we remember with clarity that he only disciplines the ones he loves.

And I pray that my dog and I get the lessons the first time through.

Well I share just in case you cared, and if you don't that's ok too.

Ah The Olympics

This morning I was watching the Olympic coverage. I liked the pictures of Bilodeau with his brother. It's a story that comes from the heart and will go down as deeply inspirational. But there was this song. It's a song that CTV has been playing quite often as an inspirational tool in the televising of the 2010 winter games. And of course it was playing softly in the background as the pictures of this win were splashed in a dynamic and descriptive way across the screen. It's truly an inspirational song, and the music is beautifully written. And yet like all things I think that it's important to ask "what is this teaching?"

Media is always trying to teach us something, good or bad. And I find value in trying to determine it's message and asking myself if it's a message I'm willing to accept or if it's something that needs to be challenged. So I want to show you something here in the chorus, which I believe is a classic example of dangerous humanism. The song goes like this as far as I understand it, you can go here if you would like to view it for yourself.

I believe in the power that comes,
from a world brought together as one,
I believe together we'll fly,
I believe in the power of you and I

You see my issue with the song is that I don't believe in the power of "you and I". That doesn't mean I don't think that the Olympic games don't serve a valuable purpose. However the issue comes out of how we view humanity. And maybe the best way to illustrate this is for me to look at myself.

I'm a sinner you see. And yes I realize that sinner is not a word often used in today's society beyond the sin of eating chocolate, or rich deserts. So let me define my intention in the use of this word. You see I'm a sinner in that I have broken the guidelines for morality. And yes I mean "The Guidelines for Morality", not just my guidelines for morality. There is a set line of moral conduct which we all know (in a very basic essence) within ourselves. And I've broken that in numerous ways, and at numerous times.

Now before you go off and say "this guy is one messed up dude!" look at your own life. Have you not broken this guideline yourself? Maybe you've lied, even just a small one. Or possibly you stole something, even if it was arguably insignificant. Or if your human you've looked at someone else and had lustful thoughts about them. Maybe you've been dishonoring to your parents, or used harsh unkind words with your spouse. Well I think you get the idea. I think it's safe to say that your just about as sinful as me.

But you ask "Well that's just part of being human isn't it?". Well yes, and that's my point. We are all messed up broken people. Our natural direction is to do that which is sinful. And so to bring it back to the song. What kind of power worth believing in is there to be found in "you and I"?

Let me tell you I know of someone so much more valuable then myself. Someone in whom it is worth believing. The advertisements building up to the Olympics were riddled with the question "Do you Believe". And I do believe, but I don't believe in the Olympics, or in a world united, or even in the power of "you and I". I believe in the power of God almighty, who sent his Son (God incarnate) to this earth.

It is because of this very reason of our messed up condition that Jesus came. He arrived so that we could be cleaned, so that we could be forgiven our sins. I've broken the moral code, and I was in desperate need of forgiveness. You've broken the code too, and you need to be forgiven. I'm not sure who will stumble upon this blog, but I urge you to hear him call. You know your broken, come and find forgiveness.

I think that this world has tried so hard to find this level of value in a worship of humanity. I don't think it's entirely understood, and I realize that this was a campaign designed to build enthusiasm for the games. And yet I think it betrays by it's words the ideology of a world that wants to try and save itself. And frankly "I believe" it just isn't possible. No matter how hard you try you'll never save yourself. Believe me.

Well I share just in case you cared, and if you don't that's ok too.