Never Drink and Derive

My wife is awesome, she bought me this t-shirt for my birthday.

I wore it to work at the mission on Sunday. I got a lot of comments. Most misread "derive" as "drive."

But a few, a very notable few of the men thought it was humorous.

Of course, not everyone was taught Calculus. Especially those who are 35-55, since it wasn't apart of high school curriculum's for them as much as it is now.


Ben

Legal Troubles?

I am not going to defend legalism. In fact, I don't like it.

But what I don't like, is when people attack it on false pretenses. Most don't like it because it is "mean."

I think we should not like it because it lacks substance. Yes it demands hard things, but not out of any change in heart. Ultimately it lacks the cross.

So often to react against this, we get rid of the meanness. Unfortunately that doesn't that doesn't make it any different. Whether seeker sensitive, or liberal mainline, the result is still the same. A lot of nice, a lot of fluff, but very little of what matters. Of course grace is important. Ask me on my best day, and I will tell you that I still need grace.

Both need a good ol' shot of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Balancing grace, and hard things. "Carry your cross" sort of things. But also real authentic love sort of things. We should preach the fullness of Christ always and intentionally.

April fools day!

It was one year (and one day, on April 1st 2008) that I found out that I was going be a father. It was one of those days that I will remember forever. I realized that in 8 months, my life would completely change. The odd thing is that even though I knew things were going to be different, I still acknowledge that I didn't and couldn't fully understand what that would mean.

Now with a daughter who is nearly 4 months old (April 5th), I have a taste of how different my life is. But the overwhelming weight of my role as a parent is still there. But the difference is Good. Even though there are more restrictions on my life, the beauty and color that life now has makes all those restrictions worth it. Often when I reach a restriction, and I think about my daughter. Those restrictions (going to a movie, education, sleep), bring me joy because of my response.

Do I often feel overwhelmed as a parent? Yes, and that is healthy. Just as a 15 year old feels overwhelmed when going on that first drive. Its a big responsibility, and I am doing my best to take it seriously. (yes there are some things that I do take seriously).

Changes like these are well worth the weight (and the wait), and the sacrifices.


Ben