Dragon attacks

There's a romantic image of the knight in shining armor riding off to fight a ferocious dragon for the sake of helpless, for the sake of the kingdom. In my own experience though, it's usually the other way around. The Dragon finds me. Last night, my son asked what it meant "to be under [spiritual] attack". I tried to explain a bit about the interaction between the world we see, the physical, and the one we cannot see, the spiritual. Then, how there are powers in that unseen world that surpass any we can view here, but that our God is so far above it all, that there is absolutely no comparison. Finally, but for God's own reasons, he has allowed them to exist and have sway to an extent in our own universe.

Such attacks range in duration and intensity. Their affects may even be felt across time. What do these assaults typically look like in your life right now? Has the dragon changed tactics on you over the course of your life?

Also, God has given us both armor and a weapon. Even Christ availed himself of the sword in his own desert defense. (Ephesians 6:10-20, Matt. 4:1ff, Luke 4:1ff) We must remember these truths when undergoing our own temptations. For only with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, our hope of salvation, His Word, and constant prayer for ourselves and others can we stand against such devastating schemes.

In need of prayer

Howdy to all who read!

I just got caught up on reading all entries of this blog!! This is a major accomplishment as I haven't read since probably two weeks before finals week last semester. Since then, I've graduated, spent 5 weeks working in Brazil, spent the rest of the summer in a temp job, and now have started grad school in the UK at Lancaster University.

It is quite a blessing to find words of needed encouragement from blogs that were written earlier in the year. I am glad I saved it for now ;)

I have recently come to the conclusion that I am truly not a very good individual. My heart and my mind war against God - and I have no idea how to give them over to Christ. I believe I have only come to realize this because I am now in a new setting. I guess I am going through many new emotions as part of being in this new setting. As I have started attempting to analyze why I feel the way I do, I've come to find some ugliness in my heart. I am quiet bothered by all this and even more so because I don't know how to change. It is a mindset... almost as though it were some sort of prejudice one grew up with (although not quite). How does one get rid of years of thinking in a specific manner? Could yall be praying for me?

Evelyn

A Study Prayer

This was meaningful for me. For full write-up and credit, see http://www.markaelrod.net/a-study-prayer/. (Mark Elrod is a teacher at Harding University, my alma mater.)

Creator of all things, the source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being,

Graciously let a ray of your brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding and take me from the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of both sin and ignorance.

Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.

Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.

Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion; through Christ our Lord. Amen

- Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Epiphany, Chaos, and Hopeful Redemption

Important Note: My wife has warned me over-and-over that this topic is volatile and may cause you to dislike me. I accept that risk even though I don't want anyone to hate me. But as I discuss "school choices" you may believe that I'm condemning your own experiences. That is *not* the intention. The choices I make are based on my own struggles and failures. Please bear this in mind.

Epiphany
On July 28th, I "discovered" that I was not going to be able to allow my children to continue at the Christian school that have been in. There was no money for the first payment. However, I had to be shaken from doldrum. That day, Tamara and I and our children went to the store to buy school supplies. We couldn't complete the check-out process. The checking account was empty and the 1 credit card we do use was maxed. Sometimes I wonder at my own stupidity. I knew the month would be tight, but didn't watch closely enough I guess. Then I checked when our first payment for their school was due! I was already 8 days over the due date. The late fee to be applied on the 31st. Again, I was astonished at my own lack of management. Of course, over the next few days conversation swung between chaos and sanity. Finally, on the 31st I went to the school's business office and pulled the children out.

Chaos
This left us with the next choice: public or home school? Now, my wife is the best teacher I've ever known, and I took classes for many years! I know that I'm biased, but honestly she ranks with the top 3 teachers I've ever sat under. Also, I must admit that I've never been particularly proud of our neighborhood with the exception of it's fairly unique diversity (even for Austin). But every day, you would find close to a majority of children return home to an empty house. And the impact that this has was confirmed by a student and friend who we faithfully see every Sunday; "Oh, don't get Ms. So-And-So! She gives homework every day. She's way too hard." My 4th grade daughter looked puzzled as she gently replied, "That sounds like every teacher I've ever had." And of course, to this point, I'd had the privilege of controlling which teacher my child had, though 2 or 3 (12 total teachers between the 3 kids) were far from a rosy experience. But, I knew that students were stringently punished for foul language and even expelled for repeated explicit references. And heads would spin and roll if such passed the lips of a teacher. We knew in public school, this could not be the case. The type of infraction that must take place would be much higher. But home school would mean that mommy would sacrifice her own job, one that provided bountiful affirmation (I said she was awesome) and plenty of adult interaction. There is was no financial benefit, but knew the impact on these young minds was significant.

Hope
On August 7th, we sat down as a family to hash things out. Tamara, a product of public school, explained the struggles she encountered. (I remained in silent ignorance.) Then my children one by one expressed their heretofore quiet desperation. Tamara also later recounted to me her silent cries, and saw into their fear. It was not unfounded. The children went to bed without having to cry themselves to sleep, knowing mommy was to be their next teacher.
(Hiatus: sister in town from Aug. 8-13.)

Redemption
But for Tamara and I, the inner struggles didn't stop. How to finance curriculum and the year in general? Last night, we found curriculum that seems fun for everyone. And in a few days, financing should be available. And this should push Tamara and I into a tighter relationship in many ways. We've gotta depend on each other more. But beyond all this, it seems that God is stripping everything away from us that we've been depending on. We're not sure exactly where it's going yet, but we think it may point us to our ministry with college students. In any respect, we know that full surrender is necessary. And that is exactly where we want to be. And perhaps, He will even redeem my pathetic stewardship skills...perhaps.

The Veil of Familiarity

C.S. Lewis on Tolkien's epic masterpiece

The value of myth is that it takes all the things we know and restores to them the rich significance which had been hidden by the veil of familiarity.

For more, see Who Were The Inklings?
---
myth (American Heritage Dictionary)

A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society

And as wikipedia explains, "The use of the term ['myth'] by scholars does not imply that the narrative is either true or false."

Christian Service

Sometimes we call it charity. This word connotes a fairly negative image to many in American culture and even considered taboo. But why? Being rugged, individualistic, and independent is a status symbol. And even reading II Thessalonians 3:10 tells you "If a man does not work, he shall not eat." But we seem to forget to ask, what if he is working, but not earning enough to feed, house, and clothe his family? The answer is clear! And yet too often we hear the cry of the activist spurning God in our ears saying "Where are all of you Christians?" Why do our buildings grow alongside the slums of our towns? Why shouldn't we not rob our sanctuaries in order to paint and repair our "Projects"?

Many are asking these questions. Christianity Today suggests there have been many projects where unbelievers examine us. Take a look at one such story. If you know of other such stories, please, let me know.

However, the question I ask myself is "Who is receiving more?" My outlook on serving others has change dramatically over the last several years. I use to dread it. A feeling of panic would explode in my stomach. But that's because my heart wasn't there. I had no relationship and wanted none with those I "served". It's different now. I'm the one who benefits from the time I spend with those in the projects. Granted, I don't know many and it's still tough starting those friendships, but at least I know what's on the other side now. I know that I need them. Maybe that's why Christ promised "you will always have the poor with you." (Mark 14:1-11) Remember, sacrifice is key, and yet once done, it no longer is a sacrifice because you are the one to receive charity's reward.

Links:
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2007/07/an_excursion_in.html
http://drewmarshall.ca/blog.html

Vacation

"How I spent my vacation" by Craig Copeland.

Just got back from vacation. It was wonderful this year. We took a long trip to camp at Fall Creek Falls in East Tennessee, an old stompin' ground for me and some old friends. We did lots of biking, hiking, baseball (well, wiffleball), and tons of swimming and creek walking. There's nothing quite as satisfying as cooking and eating outdoors, esp. when mom's doing the cooking. THANKS mom! Oh yeah, and my whole side of the family was there (Mom and Dad, my sister and her family, and my brother and his) along with a couple of our dearest friends. We spent a day at the Georgia Aquarium. Then on top of it all, Tamara and I started and finished "The Golden Compass" together on the drive out and back reading to each other much of the way. (I set the TV up and split the sound to 4 headphones for the kids.)

So, what's up out there? Or maybe no ones reading cause you got better things to do! (I see Kenaz started to Blog about Phuket, but quickly gave up the ghost or changed to another site. And Kirsten hasn't checked-in for a while.)