Even a Fool

"Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."

For years I've applied this saying to my life. In my last blog post I said something about me not being much of a talker. One big reason is because I say a lot of stupid things and I'm embarrassed afterwards. So by keeping silent I fool people into thinking that I'm not a fool. Ha!

Here's one more big reason: honestly, I just don't think fast enough to contribute much wit, humor, or meaningfulness to most of the conversations I find myself in. I used to label myself "conversationally inept." I don't anymore because... I don't know. I used to be a very awkward nerdy person but Janna disagrees about the "used to" part, so maybe I still am.

About a year and half ago I decided to collect tips from people more socially skilled than I. I was thinking the other day, and I randomly remembered the tips and decided to post some of them, so here you go.

• Look people in the eye when you talk to them, and look interested when they're talking.

• Try to listen more and talk less.

• Let the other person talk about himself. People love that the most, I think. For extra points actually ask questions about them. People always have something to say about themselves, so when you can't think of anything to talk about ask what they like, or where they've been, etc. This is a lot better than talking about the weather.

• Don't interrupt. That's negative points.

• If you daydream, pray they don't ask you about something they just said.

• If you talk about yourself don't brag. Terrible negative points. People don't like it and quickly become disinterested when you start bragging. Bad, bad, bad.

• Try to find something you have in common to talk about. It's usually easy to have a good conversation with someone if you are both passionate about the topic.

• Try to remember their name if you just met them. When you run into them again it's easier to start up a conversation if you know their name.

Finally, be yourself. If you're awkward like me don't try to act like you're not. Just get over it. If you're real and embrace the fact that you're unique you won't be as awkward or uncomfortable. And don't worry what people think about you. They're also probably worrying too much about what others think to notice a lot from you.

Okay, that's it for now. Get off the internet you antisocial bum and go talk to someone.

Hummus

I ate hummus today... and carrots.  It was scrumptious.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

I wonder what talk radio, television news, and dinner table conversations would sound like if those involved stood firm to the above quote.

Words are very powerful.  Could I have written a more dull and obvious fact?  However, we don't treat them like they're powerful.  We throw them about without a care whose heart they may stab into.  We utter ridiculous things which we would never utter if we knew how silly or stupid they made us sound.  We vomit both distasteful and lovely terms alike so many times we become desensitized to their harshness or beauty.

I often keep my mouth shut.  Recently someone asked me "do you ever talk".  I wish I had just nodded, it would have been funny.  Anyhow, if I let my words flow as quickly as my thoughts I suspect I would frequently be in trouble, make new enemies, and be in a constant state of embarrassment.  I realize I should talk more, but I want to speak meaningful and wholesome words.  I don't want all that trash to come out.  Its getting harder and I emit garbage anyway, so why do I even bother?

Maybe it would be easier if I truly understood how my words effect those around me.  I am learning, though, and being reminded of how important my words really are.  A simple encouraging praise can brighten someone's dismal day.  Its amazing how little I compliment people.  I really should do it (more).

Biting your tongue when a passionate disagreement occurs can save you.  A rampant, and hurtful, activity that should desperately be avoided and is curiously easy to find yourself partaking in is gossip.  I could go on but I want to end on a funny note.  I found this quote by Will Rogers (I think its by him):

"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut."

P.S. If you're wondering about the photo, I was going to write a bit about living long, prospering, and consumerism, but I changed my mind.  I'll try to write about that someday.

Keeping the Law

Disciples asked the maggid (teacher) of Zlotchov: "In the Talmud we read that our Father Abraham kept all the laws. How could this be, since they had not yet been given to him?"

"All that is needful," he said, "is to love God. If you are about to do something and you think it might lessen your love, then you will know it is sin. If you are about to do something and think it will increase your love, you will know that your will is in keeping the will of God. That is what Abraham did."


Thoughts?

Confession

I have a confession: I am not perfect. I make mistakes, I fail, I hurt people, I say things when I shouldn't, I have sinful thoughts. . . you know, I could probably write several books as to why I'm not perfect.

I thought about this a lot last semester, due to God revealing some things to me. It's really caused me to stop and think about who I am, who I'm representing, and how I'm portraying this to the people in my life.

Who am I? I am a sinner, saved by grace, through faith given to me by God. I am to represent Christ, to set an example for others, through my life, my love, my faith, and my purity. My actions and attitude should mirror those of Christ. Far too often I fail at this, and it's usually when I'm trying to do things on my own instead of allowing Christ's love to flow from me.

Anyway. Last semester I had the opportunity of watching friends in various situations that arose in me a variety of different thoughts and emotions. It really began to discourage and disgust me that people could so willingly, so easily discuss their beliefs and faith, yet refuse to practice and live out what they said. I got a bit resentful, thinking, "Yes, you've said 8 times now that you believe in God, you're a Christian, but so what? The demons do too. What difference does believing make in your life?" I began to judge them, desiring to be the one to deliver to them a revelation: "The way you're living and acting is giving just as much honor and reverence to God as the demons actions are. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Yet, you expect to come before the throne of God and be accept by him, he whom you have rejected over and over again through your actions, your attitudes, your words, your lifestyle, etc. How can you claim to love God, yet live a life in rebellion to him? There's no such thing as partial obedience."
- "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of the demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons." 1 Corinthians 10:21 NIV

I suppose it was fake lifestyles that exasperated me. I got tired of the complaining that surrounded me. "We are to do everything without complaining or arguing, in order to be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation. . . in which we shine like the stars of the universe as we hold the word of life." How are we to respond to the things in life that we don't like? "We are to rejoice in the LORD always." "Our gentleness is to be evident to all." "The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Why are we, humans, so afraid to live out our faith? Why do we fear earthly consequences? Our citizenship is in heaven. If God is for us, who can be against us? Whom shall we fear? Why, why are we so afraid to live out the life given to us so abundantly? Like Maggie Harden said, if God asks/tells us to do something for him, he is not going to turn around and ditch us, leaving us alone to fend for ourselves. No, he'll be there with us, he will provide for us and will sustain us even when it gets hard; nothing is too great or difficult for God. Why are we afraid of people and persecution? Do we fear rejection by temporary man more than we fear rejection by the eternal, sovereign God? Do we fear persecution? God will be there with us, he will never leave us nor forsake us. God knows our pain. To be persecuted, mentally or physically, is an honor. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" I like what Paul says, preach out of love. The important thing is that Christ is preaches. Without being frightened by any who oppose you . . granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Phil 1:9.

Again, why do so few of us neglect living out our faith in Christ Jesus? Why do we fearlessly profess but fearfully live? I want people to know me as a disciple through my love, my actions, my faithfulness, my words, my attitude, my gentleness, etc. I don't want to be labeled, I simply want to be. I want to fulfill the desires of God for my life, for me individually as well as that which he's asked of everyone, which is to preach the gospel to all the world - by preaching out of love - to win souls for him and bring glory to him in all that I do. Christ's sacrifice has opened a door, a pathway for me to do great things for God. . . but only through Christ who has strengthened me. But instead, I sit back and do nothing. I knock on a door, waiting for it to be opened, but when God finally opens it, I stand back, not trusting God enough to step beyond the frame of the door and into the abundant promises and plans he has for me. I too am guilty.

photo-a-day

I am currently doing a photo a day for my photography class. Here is the link to the flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesse_daniel/
and one of the photos:

I'll be posting a photo every day for most of the rest of this semester.

apples and oranges

Ever hear someone say "Dude get a mac, PCs are stupid" or "macs are stupid, use a PC"? This topic has caused me frustration, indifference, and laughter.

You can't compare/contrast macs and PCs and say that one is better than the other. The whole argument of one being better than the other is ridiculous. It causes people to shift the blame of their own stupidity to the computer, initiates pointless arguments, and makes people less productive.

IT'S JUST A COMPUTER!
Macintosh computers and Microsoft Windows computers are different from each other... duh. A wrench and a screwdriver are different but neither one is better than the other, they're just different. Macs aren't better than PCs and PCs aren't better than macs. But many mac users swear that macs are better than PCs. However, many PC users swear that PCs are better than macs. Both think the other is delusional. I use both and I like both. They are merely tools that I use, not objects of worship or sources of loyalty.

I sometimes get frustrated with people for shifting the blame to the computer when something isn't working, simply because it isn't the platform that they like. When setting up sound equipment for church Sunday morning I encountered a problem recording the sermon onto my MacBook. When the other sound guy noticed my problem he said, "oh, its a mac. I've never had that problem on my PC" and walked away. He didn't even think that it might be something wrong with the software, the mini jack cable, the converter, or the sound board. He just blamed the mac and walked away. Now that's what I call efficient trouble shooting. If you ever have a problem with a computer that isn't your pet platform try, just try, to be objective and figure out what the problem actually is.

Here's a video I found about mac computers and gaming that I thought was interesting. I hear that mac computers are lousy for gamers. I wouldn't know because I'm not a gamer, but oh my goodness, could this possibly be evidence that the mac is not the holy grail of computers?!


Side Note: Isn't it interesting that the mac commercials compare macs and PCs, when mac computers are also PCs (Personal Computers)?

In the mac lab at my college I hear many comments like "aw man, what happened? These macs are stupid" or "you know, the PC software is better than that Mac software". These kind of statements just make me laugh! Have you ever thought that maybe it isn't the computer that's stupid? Maybe you should read a manual! That's like saying a saw is stupid when you try to cut something using the dull end. I'm ashamed to say that I am guilty of doing the same thing. So easily we want to blame something other than ourselves. Once I realized how silly I was acting I tried to actually figure out what the problem was. Next time you encounter an issue with a mac or PC don't blame the tool. Instead, admit that you don't know how to use it. Then you might actually be able to learn something new. Novel thought.

Here's a video of one of my favorite mac commercials. I think these commercials are arrogant, stereotype casting, and many of them are wrong, but this one is pretty funny.

I actually really don't like iMovie, though I do like iMovie HD. By the way, I think that both macs and PCs are good for video editing. I've used both and they are both efficient video editors, they both also have their problems. Actually, I think its more an issue of the editing software than the operating system.

These kinds of ludicrous biases occur everywhere with all kinds of products. I could say so much more in this post on this subject, and maybe I will in a later post, but that's all for now. Later I'll probably post about materialism and how it has attacked me.

stay tuned!

Ecuador Trip 2008

Dear Family and Friends,



Que Dios le bendiga! God bless you! Thank you for the monetary support and for the prayers while we were in Ecuador. The trip was incredible! I learned so much, did so much, saw so much, grew so much... it was amazing. I’m still excited about it!



Before you read this please pray to God and ask that you will read this letter with an open heart and that you will understand what He did and is doing in Ecuador.



If you want a glimpse of what our trip looked like before you read my letter, follow this link to view a slide show of photos taken by Daniel Colvin:

http://www.danielcolvinphotography.com/slideshows/Ecuador/



There is so much I want to tell you, so much I want to share with you. I wish my words could make you as excited as I am, but they can’t. So you’ll just have to go to Ecuador, too. Seriously, go to Ecuador.



We were told that we would probably have culture shock either while we were in Ecuador or when we got back to the States. However, I don’t think I had culture shock when I was there or when I got back home. Some things surprised me, but not greatly. The biggest challenge for me though was when I was contemplating what we as United States citizens do and are.



Much of Ecuador seemed to be in what we might call poverty. From the pictures, you can get an idea of what it was like. But even though they seemed poor, they were much richer than most people in the United States, in that they care about each other, they aren’t enslaved by schedules, and they take time to be with their families. It made me think of how we idolize our possessions, our jobs, our time, and how all of that is worthless and futile apart from God. So many of us need to learn to be content with what we have now, because if we aren’t, then we will never be content.



Steve (the missionary in charge of Camp Chacauco) kept telling us that you don’t fight darkness to get rid of it, you present the light. There’s no way to destroy darkness except to shine a light, and that light is Jesus. It solidified some things in my mind about how I will deal with the darkness in this world. I hope to love and be a light instead of attacking the religions of other people.



A lot of darkness is in Ecuador, due to the current political situation and the beliefs and practices of the Ecuadorian Catholic church. But our Lord is at work in Ecuador through the pastors and missionaries, praise God. Camp Chacauco is being used by God to shine a light in the darkness, and we were privileged to be part of it and to see and hear miraculous stories of God’s works. We got to help run two Vacation Bible Schools in the town of Sucre, help run a day camp for Ecuadorian teens to twenties, and we got to help out camp Chacauco with some construction work.



Through stories of his ministry, Steve taught us how we should have a “Yes, Lord” mentality. Not to ask questions and arrange everything first, but to drop everything when He calls you to do something and ask questions later. When you live like that, God does amazing things and you can really see the work of His hand. I’m getting all teary-eyed just thinking about it. Our God is an awesome God! I was able to live with a “Yes, Lord” mentality that week, and I pray I will continue to live my life that way.



I’m really going to miss the beauty of Ecuador: the people, the weather, the Christians, and the landscapes. Most of all, I will miss the Christians. I saw Jesus that week in the lives of the missionaries and Christians in Ecuador. I saw Him in the actions and attitudes and smiles and sincerity of the Christians. This trip increased my desire to be a witness to others by my actions, attitude, smiles, and my sincerity. I still tear up when I think of the Christians in Ecuador, God’s amazing love, and the things He revealed to me that week. God is good, and His works and love are amazing.



Thank you so much for your prayers. I know they helped and protected us. Thank you also for supporting us with money. I know that without your help God still would have provided the finances, but He chose you and you followed His will. I want to let you know that your money helped make amazing things happen. May God bless you and may you draw closer to Him!



Jesse Daniel