It says in scripture (Isaiah 55) that even the trees of the field will clap their hands in response to His word. Elsewhere it says the rocks will cry out if none else cry out. I agree with Augustine, that I cannot be silent, that silence as a non-action even if I am dumb, in response to all that God has done and is doing, and all He is, is simply not an option: "Yet, O my God, my life, my holy Joy, what is this that I have said? What can any man say when he speaks of thee? But woe to them that keep silence -- since even those who say most are dumb." - Augustine

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might humbly obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men, most richly blessed.

Having not blogged for awhile, it is in effect a case of not having much to blog about, and nothing that exactly can lend itself into the vocabulary that is available to me. Now, seemingly realizing that I have gone against the flicking compass for so long, it is true to form that a compass will always point north. In this case, north is analogous to the direction which the master points in. And, almost as an inbuilt innate thing, the swing of the compass leaves the absence of complete peace and satisfaction until such time that the direction headed is the same as that which is called on by the master, that which is called upon by the plans and directions of the one who knows so well. And so, in coming back and swinging around, I am eager to see where it is next that I am headed. It will be most interesting to see how the consolidation of all that rests on my heart will come about.

For now, it is satisfactory and best to hold onto, with a bit of application to modern-day 2008:

10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

Isaiah 29:10-14

In the words of a good friend:

“…I am going to bring in one more idea, authenticity. We all strive authenticity. The truth is that we live in a superficial society. If authenticity (being real) is the way we all live and breathe everyday and the society we live in is superficial.

Does this mean that superficiality (to a certain extent) is our authenticity?!?!”

It must be shocking to even broach the subject of superficiality as the new authenticity. However, as shocking as it is, I think it’s a valid and marked concern to questions ourselves and what we bring to the table when we commune with the people of God. Although no one likes a sad face or a person who is down, it is precisely for those that need the filling of and the uplifting of the reminders of God’s promises that the Church exists.

This is only, however, scratching the surface. Christ stated that He came here for (Luke 50:30-32), those who need a doctor, and not those who are well. So, why then, do we brush ourselves off and make like everything is okay when we fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters. Why, unless tragedy strikes, do we act okay when it is really not okay? Why, even when sometimes you are having a deep conversation with a brother and sister, do we think twice of asking for prayer, or telling it really how it is?

If Christ claimed that He came to save those who need a doctor, who are we to show up among His body and claim that we do not? When in our innermost places, we are vulnerable, broken and seemingly irreparable, how do we end up going to church on Sunday telling ourselves that we just need a little bit of remedy, nothing big, just a few touchups here and there. And then we gather, we chat, we find out what is going on, and that’s it. “Whew!”, we say, no one heard the truth about our struggles, pain, and sorrow.

I suppose I can go on and on, but it is a scary thing when our authenticity is really superficiality. When (and I’m not talking about discernment of what to share and what not to) we catch ourselves sharing and double-take every little detail that we might talk about, wondering what the person we’re conversing with might think. Or wondering, if they would view us of less of a Christian or role model as a result. A life presented to another falsely is perhaps a life best not presented at all.

James, although in the context of healing, but also general corporate confession advocates some among of transparency among brothers and sisters:

¹⁵And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:15-16

The Church is a beautiful body of believers. But, the Church is made up of humans who struggle to glorify God. We should not shun Godly confidence, but at the same time, we should not make little of our brokenness and show the world that our God can restore the broken.

Broken and Beautiful - Mark Schultz

There’s a businessman There’s a widowed wife
There’s a smiling face with a shattered life
There’s a teenage girl with a choice to make
It’s crowded here in church today

And the preacher says as the sermon ends
Please close your eyes and bow your heads
Is there anyone in need of prayer
Jesus wants to meet you here
‘cause we all fall short
We all have sinned
But when you let
God’s Grace break in…

(Chorus)
It’s beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful

Well he’d never been to church before
But he came today as a last resort
His world was crashing in
And he was suffocating in his sin

But tears ran down
As hope rushed in
He closed his eyes
Raised his hands
Worshiping the God who can
Bring him back to life again

(Chorus)

Cause there’s nothing more beautiful to God
Than when his sons and daughters come
Broken
Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you are

(Chorus)

Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful

Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful

I am up for now reason at 5am, and so I decided to read over my old stuff. Upon reflection, I realize that for whatever reason I write a lot less now. Or at least, I write a lot less on here.

But in general, I feel, ever since I started the working life, I have less time to simply ponder and pen thoughts that come to mind. Like one of my friends said, I sometimes wish I could be back in the greco-roman periods where people just sit there on rocks all day, discuss philosophy and life, and record their thoughts. That would be the life.

Alas, this is not the case, and life demands much more than this to make a worthy showing to society. Though I have learned, that often, before God, it is best for our words to remain few. For even in this environment we live in of non-pondering, we found our mouths running out of control many times, and countless words and idioms escaping, for which we have no recovery to shove back in our mouths if we required.

An email sent is an email never recalled. Words said in haste can never be taken back. A joke in the wrong moment can never be moved. No wonder James said the tongue was hard to tame. I wonder, though, if James ever contemplated the use of the tongue without thinking, which perhaps seems to be the modus operandi of these days.

¹⁹My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

James 1:18-20