Sylvia Plath

Caveat lector:

I have heard it said that to blog only of personal experiences is childish, or at the very least bad blog-etiquette. I believe I understand the source of this sentiment, as a moment-to-moment synopsis of one's day often becomes too personal and is almost always a worthless read. It almost seems selfish, this assumption that readers actually care about the mundane details involved in conducting daily activities.

Having conceded this point, I think I'll go on to say that my subjective daily experiences are the only things I feel consistently confident to submit to cyberspace-at-large. Although I just suggested it presumptuous to assume that readers care about details of the day, it seems decidedly more presumptuous to think that I might somehow contribute to the existing body of knowledge through some e-revelation, whether it be theological, political, philosophical or otherwise.

Indeed, men much more intelligent and learned than I have been observing and pondering the intricacies of the world for thousands of years in an attempt to figure it all out. What conclusions could I possibly draw that haven't been drawn at least a dozen times in as many languages? This is not to suggest that the world's collective knowledge cannot be augmented; my suggestion is that it won't be done through this blog at any foreseeable point in the future.

And yet, that does not relegate my words to the nearest e-trashcan. On the contrary, it is precisely the subjective experiences for which so many hold disdain that affords me any readership at all. My sensory experience is really all I have to contribute, as any knowledge of universal consequence seems to already exist elsewhere.

I say this simply to alert you to the fact that reading anything I write will rarely teach you anything about life. Instead, you must be content to simply learn about me.

At any rate...

A Soundtrack for Life

I can scarcely imagine a more telling post -



Opening credits: Speak to Me/Breathe - Pink Floyd

Waking-up scene: The Day Begins - The Moody Blues

Average-day scene: Subterranean Homesick Blues - Radiohead

Best-friend scene: Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel

First-date scene: I've Just Seen a Face - The Beatles

Falling-in-love scene: When Love Comes to Town - U2

Love scene: Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers

Get-back-together scene: Everything I Own - Bread

Break-up scene: Say Hello, Wave Goodbye - David Gray

Fight with Friend: Jealous Guy - John Lennon

Fight-at-home scene: Life is for Living - Coldplay

Heartbreak scene: A Long December - Counting Crows

Mental-breakdown scene: The End - The Doors

Driving scene: On the Road to Find Out - Cat Stevens

Lesson-learning scene: Carefree Highway - Gordon Lightfoot

Deep-thought scene: Anyone for Tennis? - Cream

Flashback scene: Sing Me Back Home - Merle Haggard

Party scene: Chameleon - Herbie Hancock

Happy dance scene: 1999 - Prince

Regret scene: Comfortable - John Mayer

Long-night-alone scene: I Still Miss Someone - Johnny Cash

Death scene: Gallows Pole - Led Zeppelin

Closing credits: Exit Music (For a Film) - Radiohead

Man qua God's Canvas

(Note: I typed this as a response to the opening 9 chapters of Genesis. Don't bother to tell me it's underdeveloped, because I am quite aware of that fact.)


As I read over this portion of Scripture, I can't help but be astounded by the worth God ascribes to a people who, without such divine action, would have none. Even in the face of our refusal to be obedient and submit to his law, he still makes it abundantly clear that his affection for man is indeed great. It is, of course, of the utmost importance to remember that our worth is entirely derived from God and contain no value independent from the glory we are given as creatures made in his own image and for his pleasure. The progression of events detailed in this reading, including God's creation of humans for a personal relationship, patience with us through the fall, decision to spare Noah and his family and then the establishment of the covenant with Noah provide a wonderful illustration of how much God really loves and values his special creation in humans.

The implications for this knowledge are really endless, both within the Christian life and in the general culture that seems to thrive on despair and hopelessness. Such an understanding should motivate our personal convictions on a host of personal issues within our walk as believers, including the love we hold towards our fellow man, artistic integrity, exercise and nutrition, the budgeting of our time, leisure activities and the importance of being about the business of prayerful sanctification, among others. It also establishes strong precedent within the current ethical dilemmas of abortion, euthanasia, environmentalism, pornography and animal rights, again, to name only a few.

Any thoughts?

More Holiness, Please

A battle rages. The battle, as a matter of fact. Few are willing to even acknowledge it; even fewer will respond to the call-to-arms. I have seen it termed "the drama of the ages," an appropriate name for a conflict which has persisted for almost as long as time itself has. Its eventual conclusion is abundantly clear to most anyone willing to examine Scripture for the answer. God triumphs. The details leading up to that glorious day, however, have always been the subject of much disagreement and struggle. Perhaps the greatest struggle occurs not within the Church, but rather in the heart of every conscientious believer who has taken the time to count the cost, as Christ repeatedly commanded.

Preparation for this battle consumes my life. Of my own admission (and most regrettably), fits of laziness do come upon me from time to time, and I sometimes am so overwhelmed by the task before me that I think of giving up altogether. These times aside, I really believe the pattern of my life reflects a sincere desire to most adequately prepare for what is my purpose. This having been said...

My method of preparation seems grossly insufficient, and I'll use Paul's soldier analogy to illustrate.

As I meticulously sharpen my sword with knowledge of the Word and fortify my shield with an unwavering faith rooted there, I yet still have the same breastplate given me on my first day as a new recruit. I won't sanctify myself. I steadily know more and more about the One I fight for and never look any more like Him. Sometimes I think you would have to look very closely to even distinguish me from those in the service of the enemy.

The battle for the Truth lies everywhere, as it is attacked on all fronts. But it's never going to matter how prepared I am to battle there, be it in the halls of academia or the courtroom. If I cannot attain some level of victory within my own heart, I will never be of any use to anyone but the very one I labor to defeat.

My quest to further the Kingdom must begin with a heart bent towards holiness. Unfortunately, it seems at this juncture to be concerned only with rebellion and wickedness.