My AFCOE outreach partner and I been driving his car, and he thought he smelled oil. I was navigating, and suggested a right turn, which happened more quickly than intended, resulting in a minor exchange of paint with a vehicle on our right. After dealing with that in a nearby parking lot, we finally got to check the oil. I got a quick look at the dipstick and thought it looked a bit strange, but didn't pay too much attention, just helped add the oil and we got back on the road. Unfortunately, in between adding oil and getting on the road, it's usually best to replace the oil cap. Somehow, neither of us did. This of course, caused the oil to splash, and the splashed oil started to scorch, the fumes of which caused us to pull over again to investigate.
Fortunately, the cap was still in the engine compartment. We checked the oil level again. Hearing it was low, I bought more and we added again. Replacing the cap this time, we started to head home, but noticed that there were now copious white fumes coming out of the exhaust, so we stopped again. We were getting low on fuel anyway and I was concerned the dubious jerrycan of free fuel we'd added earlier that afternoon might be a contributor. While I added some more trustworthy gas, my partner again checked the oil, resulting in a key realization - we hadn't been checking the oil at all, but the transmission fluid!
Actually checking the oil, we found that there was plenty there. No surprise, since we'd at this point added three whole quarts (Something about that really should have clued me in to a problem... Even the splashing shouldn't have lost us that much!) That explained the white smoke, but made the solution a bit unclear. My tools were in my car, being borrowed by a team without their own vehicle. And even it I'd had them, I don't carry an oil catch pan!
A couple phone calls later a large convention of AFCOE friends began to converge on the scene - bringing several sets of tools, including mine, and eventually, an oil catch pan in the possession of someone's friend who lived nearby. After draining the oil and replacing (an oil change was due anyway!), we were finally on our way. The white smoke faded away, meaning that all rings and seals should still be intact, praise God!
That is the story of the white smoke. We have much to be thankful for! It also teaches me two things. First, when something seems wrong, it's usually worth voicing: "That dipstick looks weird... There really should be a jack point that doesn't require crawling under the car to reach... Why don't we break down in that other parking spot, the one that doesn't say "5 Minute Parking Only, Fuel Tank Filling Zone" (and yes, the fuel truck came while we were there!) Second, I definitely want to continue my quest to learn more about auto mechanics, so I can be sure I know those things, rather than just having the idea but not enough certainty to cause action!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
To save yourself, work to save others
While looking something up today, I came across this story. It powerfully illustrates a truth that can be very easy to miss.
I have read of a man who, journeying on a winter's day through the deep, drifted snow, became benumbed by the cold which was almost imperceptibly stealing away his vital powers. And as he was nearly chilled to death by the embrace of the frost king, and about to give up the struggle for life, he heard the moans of a brother traveler, who was perishing with cold as he was about to perish. His humility was aroused to rescue him. He chafed the ice-clad limbs of the unfortunate man, and, after considerable effort, raised him to his feet; and as he could not stand, he bore him in sympathizing arms through the very drifts he had thought he could never succeed in getting through alone. And when he had borne his fellow traveler to a place of safety, the truth flashed home to him that in saving his neighbor he had saved himself also. His earnest efforts to save another quickened the blood which was freezing in his own veins, and created a healthful warmth in the extremities of the body. These lessons must be forced upon young believers continually, not only be precept, but by example, that in their Christian experience they may realize similar results.--Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 319, 320
The principle is true spiritually: we can't expect to stay healthy if we're not seeking to bring others to Jesus. That's definitely the most important application. But it's also true socially - if feeling lonely, look for someone to help. It's true physically - on a hike, those that feel their soreness least are the ones encouraging others (Admittedly, those who are less sore may also be more likely to encourage others, but I'm convinced the causal relationship runs the other way as well!). So don't wait - help others!
I have read of a man who, journeying on a winter's day through the deep, drifted snow, became benumbed by the cold which was almost imperceptibly stealing away his vital powers. And as he was nearly chilled to death by the embrace of the frost king, and about to give up the struggle for life, he heard the moans of a brother traveler, who was perishing with cold as he was about to perish. His humility was aroused to rescue him. He chafed the ice-clad limbs of the unfortunate man, and, after considerable effort, raised him to his feet; and as he could not stand, he bore him in sympathizing arms through the very drifts he had thought he could never succeed in getting through alone. And when he had borne his fellow traveler to a place of safety, the truth flashed home to him that in saving his neighbor he had saved himself also. His earnest efforts to save another quickened the blood which was freezing in his own veins, and created a healthful warmth in the extremities of the body. These lessons must be forced upon young believers continually, not only be precept, but by example, that in their Christian experience they may realize similar results.--Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 319, 320
The principle is true spiritually: we can't expect to stay healthy if we're not seeking to bring others to Jesus. That's definitely the most important application. But it's also true socially - if feeling lonely, look for someone to help. It's true physically - on a hike, those that feel their soreness least are the ones encouraging others (Admittedly, those who are less sore may also be more likely to encourage others, but I'm convinced the causal relationship runs the other way as well!). So don't wait - help others!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Go therefore and pick blackberries
I love blackberries. Any berries, really - salmonberries, thimbleberries, huckleberries.... mmm. In general if it grows on a bush and I can pick it, it's good. Even kinds of berries most people don't really care for (salmonberries) are plenty to motivate me to spend time and collect scratches wandering in berry patches. I go so far as to tell people (mostly tongue in cheek) that I think it's my Christian duty to pick any berries I see - being eaten is really a berry's ultimate purpose, so to not eat one I had an opportunity to is to keep it from real fulfillment!
A couple nights ago, I went for a lone night run on the trails around the Weimar campus where AFCOE is held and ended up sitting on a wooden bridge over a small creek. After sitting a while, I moved my headlamp and noticed that just off to my left was a cluster of ripening blackberries. Just out of reach - or so I thought. When I got balanced just right, with my toes right on the edge, I was able to reach a few. And then noticed a few more, and a few more. Each required a little more stretching, and sometimes reaching through other less fruitful branches. I started getting a few scratches on my arms, and started having to grab branches (yes, spiny branches) to pull berries within reach.
As I was picking berries I thought to myself "It's a good thing my mother isn't here." I was alone on a trail at night, stretching out as far as I could from the edge of an aging, unrailed bridge. There was a definite possibility of falling, and if I did, I would certainly meet the blackberry bush on the way down before landing somewhere on the steep bank dropping off toward the creek. And even if I didn't fall, I was knowingly subjecting myself to a fair degree of scratches and pokes.
Weighing everything in the balance, I decided to keep picking blackberries. You see, I love blackberries. A few scratches didn't even stack up at all against the joy of popping those perfectly-ripe flavor grenades in my waiting mouth.
Then the thought came to me, if I'm willing to go through all this for blackberries, how much more is it worth sacrificing to tell people about Jesus? Quite a bit. (Infinitely more?)
(Before you send my mother to come get me, the stream was less than 6 feet below and really only a tranquil trickle.) But the point remains - I'm willing take risks and put up with a fair degree of discomfort for the sake of blackberries. How much risk am I willing to take and how much discomfort will I put up with to pick people?
A couple nights ago, I went for a lone night run on the trails around the Weimar campus where AFCOE is held and ended up sitting on a wooden bridge over a small creek. After sitting a while, I moved my headlamp and noticed that just off to my left was a cluster of ripening blackberries. Just out of reach - or so I thought. When I got balanced just right, with my toes right on the edge, I was able to reach a few. And then noticed a few more, and a few more. Each required a little more stretching, and sometimes reaching through other less fruitful branches. I started getting a few scratches on my arms, and started having to grab branches (yes, spiny branches) to pull berries within reach.
As I was picking berries I thought to myself "It's a good thing my mother isn't here." I was alone on a trail at night, stretching out as far as I could from the edge of an aging, unrailed bridge. There was a definite possibility of falling, and if I did, I would certainly meet the blackberry bush on the way down before landing somewhere on the steep bank dropping off toward the creek. And even if I didn't fall, I was knowingly subjecting myself to a fair degree of scratches and pokes.
Weighing everything in the balance, I decided to keep picking blackberries. You see, I love blackberries. A few scratches didn't even stack up at all against the joy of popping those perfectly-ripe flavor grenades in my waiting mouth.
Then the thought came to me, if I'm willing to go through all this for blackberries, how much more is it worth sacrificing to tell people about Jesus? Quite a bit. (Infinitely more?)
(Before you send my mother to come get me, the stream was less than 6 feet below and really only a tranquil trickle.) But the point remains - I'm willing take risks and put up with a fair degree of discomfort for the sake of blackberries. How much risk am I willing to take and how much discomfort will I put up with to pick people?
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The importance of Purpose
This summer, for the first time in 5 years, I didn't work a summer job. I was planning to go to medical school this fall, and wanted a chance to see my family and dear friends (time with whom has been precious and scarce, living far from home and working all of the last 4 summers!) But in doing so, I lost two things that had been important parts of my last 4 summers. I didn't make a conscious decision to live with a ministry purpose, and I didn't have a group of others who had made that decision to spur me on and keep me accountable. As an insightful friend put it: "It's hard to stay focused without something to focus on."
It fits in very well with a concept I learned today in my first day at Amazing Facts Center for Evangelism. It's not a new concept, per se, but fresh in my mind. There are three (at least) major disciplines in the Christian walk: Bible study, prayer, and witnessing/sharing. Without all three, it's hard to grow spiritually. If Bible study is like eating, and prayer the breath of the soul, sharing about Jesus might be like exercise. You can't live without it. It may come through daily tasks, but if it's not there somewhere, you'll atrophy. Get bedsores. Lose pulmonary function. And worse!
(Now you don't have to be officially working in a job focused on leading people to Jesus to have that purpose. It's even possible to be employed in and still not care about evangelism. But I hope whatever you're doing, you do it looking for ways to share Jesus with others. I know when I don't, life just isn't as much fun!)
"Working to bring people to Jesus will change your life. It's the greatest joy this side of heaven." - Wes Peppers
It fits in very well with a concept I learned today in my first day at Amazing Facts Center for Evangelism. It's not a new concept, per se, but fresh in my mind. There are three (at least) major disciplines in the Christian walk: Bible study, prayer, and witnessing/sharing. Without all three, it's hard to grow spiritually. If Bible study is like eating, and prayer the breath of the soul, sharing about Jesus might be like exercise. You can't live without it. It may come through daily tasks, but if it's not there somewhere, you'll atrophy. Get bedsores. Lose pulmonary function. And worse!
(Now you don't have to be officially working in a job focused on leading people to Jesus to have that purpose. It's even possible to be employed in and still not care about evangelism. But I hope whatever you're doing, you do it looking for ways to share Jesus with others. I know when I don't, life just isn't as much fun!)
"Working to bring people to Jesus will change your life. It's the greatest joy this side of heaven." - Wes Peppers
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Summer + new year.
Wow, I haven't blogged in a long time.
Summer was crazy fun, working with IRR training in Colorado (an amazing place to be with 45 other outdoors nuts. Basically camping all summer while they learned rescue and I cooked, then going on adventures on weekends - camping/backpacking, of course!) Then summer camp, working maintenance in Washington. A lot of fun, something new to do every day, and got to help out Waterfront and Challenge Course on occasion too. With more outdoors adventures on days off.
And now back to Union for my Junior year. Still IRR premed, but starting to wonder if God might have other plans besides med school afterward. We'll see.
School starts today, but I got here about a week ago-early for RA training. It's the first day of classes, but all I have are chapel (optional, and doesn't happen the first week) at 10:30 and then Physics lab at 2:00. And my first class of any morning is 10:30, a good thing considering how late RA's are often up - 11:30 would be the absolute earliest bedtime even possible.
I'm taking Physics and 3 honors classes, only 15 hours. Could be crazy. And checking if I need to add a 3 credit World religion. I hope not... I'd love to have a little free time to take guitar and/or piano lessons again.
Summer was crazy fun, working with IRR training in Colorado (an amazing place to be with 45 other outdoors nuts. Basically camping all summer while they learned rescue and I cooked, then going on adventures on weekends - camping/backpacking, of course!) Then summer camp, working maintenance in Washington. A lot of fun, something new to do every day, and got to help out Waterfront and Challenge Course on occasion too. With more outdoors adventures on days off.
And now back to Union for my Junior year. Still IRR premed, but starting to wonder if God might have other plans besides med school afterward. We'll see.
School starts today, but I got here about a week ago-early for RA training. It's the first day of classes, but all I have are chapel (optional, and doesn't happen the first week) at 10:30 and then Physics lab at 2:00. And my first class of any morning is 10:30, a good thing considering how late RA's are often up - 11:30 would be the absolute earliest bedtime even possible.
I'm taking Physics and 3 honors classes, only 15 hours. Could be crazy. And checking if I need to add a 3 credit World religion. I hope not... I'd love to have a little free time to take guitar and/or piano lessons again.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Three Cups of Tea
This may not make complete sense if you haven't read Three Cups of Tea. I could provide a brief synopsis for your benefit, but I'm not sure it would be. It might be of more benefit for me to leave you wondering, and have you actually read the book. I recommend it highly.
I just finished Three Cups of Tea - late at night, again, proving to me there's a lot more time in my day than I think, at least for things I really care about. It pretty much cuts through any excuses about not knowing how to make a difference, or not having time, or...
It's sweet to see how people with so completely different backgrounds and perspectives can and do agree and pull together on real issues. The point one of the main characters, Haji Ali, kept driving home, that you never go somewhere without getting to know someone respected there is so easy to forget - but I wonder how many mission and NGO messes come from exactly that. And the scene from when the first school, in Korphe, is finally under construction - and Mortenson (protagonist) is trying to hurry everything along and Haji Ali pulls him aside and takes away his clipboard, and tells him to calm down, to stop trying to hurry the construction along, driving everyone crazy in the process - that's a lesson I've been being taught, and I'm sure still need to learn, about how often my ways, or new ways, are actually not better at all. And then when it was all done, getting the ledger book back with every expense recorded, exactly, better than he could have done it himself.
I just looked up the verse that speaks to that same idea "do not think too highly of yourself..." I didn't realize how much of that chapter seems to fit with what 3 Cups has me thinking about. "Offer your bodies as living sacrifices..." "Honor one another above yourselves..." "Never be lacking in zeal..." "Share with God's people who are in need" "if your enemy is hungry, feed him... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12 - (and there's a lot of good stuff in between those snippets, too!)
I just finished Three Cups of Tea - late at night, again, proving to me there's a lot more time in my day than I think, at least for things I really care about. It pretty much cuts through any excuses about not knowing how to make a difference, or not having time, or...
It's sweet to see how people with so completely different backgrounds and perspectives can and do agree and pull together on real issues. The point one of the main characters, Haji Ali, kept driving home, that you never go somewhere without getting to know someone respected there is so easy to forget - but I wonder how many mission and NGO messes come from exactly that. And the scene from when the first school, in Korphe, is finally under construction - and Mortenson (protagonist) is trying to hurry everything along and Haji Ali pulls him aside and takes away his clipboard, and tells him to calm down, to stop trying to hurry the construction along, driving everyone crazy in the process - that's a lesson I've been being taught, and I'm sure still need to learn, about how often my ways, or new ways, are actually not better at all. And then when it was all done, getting the ledger book back with every expense recorded, exactly, better than he could have done it himself.
I just looked up the verse that speaks to that same idea "do not think too highly of yourself..." I didn't realize how much of that chapter seems to fit with what 3 Cups has me thinking about. "Offer your bodies as living sacrifices..." "Honor one another above yourselves..." "Never be lacking in zeal..." "Share with God's people who are in need" "if your enemy is hungry, feed him... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12 - (and there's a lot of good stuff in between those snippets, too!)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
God, Outdoors, and Service
I wrote God a letter this morning. About how in the last few days, I haven't been taking enough time to really notice Him and enjoy what He's done. Which for me, starts a downhill spiral - the less I spend quality time with Him, the less I want to. That's a bad direction to be going, until either God gets my attention, or I notice how much I'm missing Him, just by how much less exciting my life becomes (I'm sure God's involved in me noticing that too). And it started me thinking: how exactly does that happen? I've noticed for a long time that it does. But how? Here's what I thought of:
I started thinking about the outdoors. Why is it that I seem to need to be outside, regularly? More specifically, why do I need to spend time with God outdoors? Not because God can only be found outdoors. Not because I can only concentrate on Him outdoors. Neither of those are true - so why? The reason that makes most sense to me is, because outdoors is where I can see the little (and big) things God does for us, not because He had to or is supposed to, but because He loves us. The absolutely absurd - and totally unnecessary - bands of plum and salmon and glowing coals at sunrise. The delicate, pale pink and white striping on the 1/4 inch flower that I nearly squashed by the side of the gravel path at Holmes Lake. The undulating waves of long grass blown by the chilly Nebraskan October winds. The things that remind me, not just my head, but my heart too, that God loves me.
Then service came up. Why is that so important? Not from a standpoint of belief, but from experience - if I'm not active, serving, my own relationship with God suffers. Why's that? I was already thinking about God and the outdoors in the relationship analogy - Pr. Collette's description of it as "God giving me chocolate" comes to mind. Where would that perspective put service? As doing things together - shared activities? If the outdoors fit into the love language "gifts", could this be "quality time?" Maybe - but isn't worship "quality time?" Perhaps it is - but I can hardly see it as doing something together. If the Bible is a love letter, helping an elderly couple move to a new apartment is kayaking in the Boundary Waters together. Or maybe building a treehouse with your dad.
Worship, as quality time, might be a deep conversation. But actually, to think about it, I see that more as prayer - real, two sided prayer. Worship - (not church - which includes worship, and prayer, and...) I see as "words of affirmation". Recognizing and then expressing the good qualities we find in God. And with Him, when we say good, we'd better think amazing or incredible.
I'd bet we could carry it further - link acts of service to God answering prayer, perhaps, or stepping in to answer prayers we didn't pray. Try to figure something out to put for "physical touch," just to round it out. But I'm not going to - for today, I'm enjoying God's gifts to me - I saw the sunrise again this morning, and it's another blue dome and crispy shadows day outside my window. I'm enjoying memories of "kayaking" with Him and looking forward to doing more together soon. Keeping my eyes open for opportunities to worship and affirm. And simply being glad God got my attention again.
I started thinking about the outdoors. Why is it that I seem to need to be outside, regularly? More specifically, why do I need to spend time with God outdoors? Not because God can only be found outdoors. Not because I can only concentrate on Him outdoors. Neither of those are true - so why? The reason that makes most sense to me is, because outdoors is where I can see the little (and big) things God does for us, not because He had to or is supposed to, but because He loves us. The absolutely absurd - and totally unnecessary - bands of plum and salmon and glowing coals at sunrise. The delicate, pale pink and white striping on the 1/4 inch flower that I nearly squashed by the side of the gravel path at Holmes Lake. The undulating waves of long grass blown by the chilly Nebraskan October winds. The things that remind me, not just my head, but my heart too, that God loves me.
Then service came up. Why is that so important? Not from a standpoint of belief, but from experience - if I'm not active, serving, my own relationship with God suffers. Why's that? I was already thinking about God and the outdoors in the relationship analogy - Pr. Collette's description of it as "God giving me chocolate" comes to mind. Where would that perspective put service? As doing things together - shared activities? If the outdoors fit into the love language "gifts", could this be "quality time?" Maybe - but isn't worship "quality time?" Perhaps it is - but I can hardly see it as doing something together. If the Bible is a love letter, helping an elderly couple move to a new apartment is kayaking in the Boundary Waters together. Or maybe building a treehouse with your dad.
Worship, as quality time, might be a deep conversation. But actually, to think about it, I see that more as prayer - real, two sided prayer. Worship - (not church - which includes worship, and prayer, and...) I see as "words of affirmation". Recognizing and then expressing the good qualities we find in God. And with Him, when we say good, we'd better think amazing or incredible.
I'd bet we could carry it further - link acts of service to God answering prayer, perhaps, or stepping in to answer prayers we didn't pray. Try to figure something out to put for "physical touch," just to round it out. But I'm not going to - for today, I'm enjoying God's gifts to me - I saw the sunrise again this morning, and it's another blue dome and crispy shadows day outside my window. I'm enjoying memories of "kayaking" with Him and looking forward to doing more together soon. Keeping my eyes open for opportunities to worship and affirm. And simply being glad God got my attention again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
