Tree of the Week (7.28.09)

Golgotha Was Not a Suburb of Jerusalem

Taken from The Roots of Endurance by John Piper

If we will not freely take our cross and follow Jesus on the Calvary road, it may be thrust on us. It would be better to hear the warnings now and wake up to biblical reality. Existence in this fallen world will not be pain-free and trouble-free. There will be groaning because of our finitude and fallenness, and many afflictions because of our calling. Frustration is normal, disappointment is normal, sickness is normal. Conflict, persecution, danger, stress--they are all normal. The mind-set that moves away from these will move away from reality and away from Christ. Golgotha was not a suburb of Jerusalem.

Tree of the Week (7.21.09)

GRSSK

Although I have never seen it, I am interested to know the premise of a show titled GRSSK. Probably some crime-scene-type, drama, acronym thing.

America's Got Individualists Who are Partially Blinded to Reality by Narcissism

Yesterday I jokingly posted that America's Got Talent should be called America's Got Weirdos; but today I am reforming.

The show should be called America's Got Individualists Who are Partially Blinded to Reality by Narcissism.

I know the title is a little long to totally catch on, but it all serves a purpose. Let's break it down.

It's no surprise that America has individualists. That is entirely apparent. The American dream is very individualistic. It's about me and what I can get and does not take into account casualties. It is probably what makes the remainder of this post relevant.

Now, "Who are Partially Blinded to Reality by Narcissism" is what I want to qualify. Time and time again on the show America's Got Talent someone takes the stage, gets booed off, and attributes their lack of success to jealously or ignorance. I do not liken them entirely to Narcissus, the handsome Greek mythological character who fell in love with his own reflection, because they are not doomed to stare at themselves for eternity. Rather they wish that others would stare at them. But the reality is that they are no good at singing or dancing or impersonation.

These people are not entirely blinded to reality because they realize that we do exalt individuals in our society, but they just can't understand why no one is worshiping them like they worship themselves. They think they deserve it. So they get up in front of some television cameras, an audience, and some semi-annoying judges, have 46 million Americans watch them be an idiot, get booed, and their ego remains intact. They fully believe that there is something wrong with the rest of the world; it just couldn't be their issue.

America's Got Individualists Who are Partially Blinded to Reality by Narcissism. Catch the fever.

Tree of the Week (7.7.09)

America's Got Talent...

...is more like America's Got Weirdos.

Tree of the Week (6.30.09)

γύνη μοί

Tree of the Week (6.23.09)

We Are Here

Don't worry, faithful reader. Rebekah and I made it to Louisville safely and for the first time we have internet.

Blogging will commence shortly. I will finish my "Goodbye, Fargo" series as well as update you on how things are in the Bluegrass State.

Goodbye, US Bank

US Bank Service Center, Fargo, ND

I have had multiple jobs throughout my time on Earth, but, as I have been a student for the majority of my life, none of those jobs lasted for very long, or were just part-time gigs. My time at US Bank was different.

Prior to my employment at US Bank, I never even attempted to get a full time job, let alone one that I hoped would sustain me and a wife. I was fortunate enough to land the job with minimal experience and maximum ignorance, although it did take me two tries.

I was incredibly blessed to be given the opportunity since Rebekah and I had signed a lease for an apartment across the street and the beloved Malibu was warning of its impending doom.

The job itself was tedious at times, but overall quite rewarding. I made some good friends and felt like I did have the opportunity to help people in need from time to time (even though some days it seemed like I was only aiding freeloaders).

Last Friday, on my final day (which happened to be my birthday as well), I was mightily encouraged by all of my co-workers who showered me with food and "good luck" wishes. I will miss them. We all got along quite well.

It was an honor to work at the US Bank Service Center. For the first time I seriously filled the role of "provider" for a family. I also had the opportunity to build some relationships and help some people along the way. It was a good job and a good year.