Coming Home

Friends and Loved Ones,

Jenny and I, with sadness, are coming home. Her beloved Aunt Carole passed away from injuries she sustained while sailing on a boat with friends in the Adriatic Sea. Many of you may remember her from the wedding. She was quite a woman, and will be sorely missed.

The trip has been amazing, and we have learned much that we are excited to share with all of you. In the mean time, please be in prayer for us and for Jenny's family. Jenny is very sad, as is the rest of her family. We are leaving for India this afternoon, and then catching the first thing smoking for LA. We should hopefully be in LA by Sunday, and then you can reach us on our cells if you need to. Pray for our travel safety and for all those grieving the loss of this tremendous woman.

Love,
Jason for the Ballard's

River of Life

We are finally in Nepal and Jason and I could not be happier. We were giddy with excitement, not only because we have really been looking forward to this part of our trip, but also because of the craziness that it took to get here. Our driver dropped us off at the train station at 11:00pm in Agra India and we took the overnight train to a border town in India, but then we had to hire a jeep to take us the alleged 2-3 hour drive to the actual border. We were the first ones in the Jeep and then came 3 more, and then 2 more, and we had to wait a long time and it was then that we realized the goal was to fill the jeep to the maximum capacity, which was 2 people for every legal 1 seat. Needless to say, we were cramped and after 4 hours with dust and sweat and wind wreaking havoc on our bodies we decided we definitely needed to get a flight to Kathmandu. Exhausted, starving (we hadn't eaten all day) and feeling like India had beat us up, we were offered mercy and just randomly picked an excellent hotel to stay in Kathmandu!! You know you have had quite a journey when the Nepali Manager looked at me and said..."you look tired!!"

We are very very content now, Nepal is not nearly as demanding and more relaxed than India. We are really excited to get about more and see Shanta and just enjoy the country with which I fell in love. Even though we left India behind...India did not leave us behind.....both Jason and I are struggling through intense diarreaha!!

Jenny for the Ballards

Midnight Train from Agra

Namaste from Nepal,

That's right, we made it safe and sound to Kathmandu after a very epic overland border crossing into Nepal from India. We took the midnight train out of Agra on (what day was it?..) Friday for Gorakpur, India which is 30km south of the India/Nepal border. Let me just say this: second class sleeper cabins on a train in India are every bit as amazing as you would expect them to be. I didn't know whether to ask for Jenny's forgiveness, or giggle with joy. I don't think I can explain it with words. When the two India men next to us weren't snoring, we were actually able to sleep pretty well. It was everything that I'd hoped it would be.

After ariving in Gorakpur in late morning, we hired a jeep to take us as close to the border as possible. The jeep was the same size as all the jeeps in America, and there were 12 people inside, Jenny and I being the only crackers. It was a hillarious and difficult journey all at once. After four hours in the jeep, we finally made it to within 1km of the border, and hired a rickshaw to take us the rest of the way. At long last, we crossed the border at Sunuali. Our original plan was to overnight there at the border and take the bus to Kathmandu the next morning, but after scoping things out hotel wise and realizing how cheap domestic flights are in Nepal, we went ahead and caught a plane from Bhairawa to Kathmandu that very afternoon and were sitting comfortably in the Fuji Guest House in Kathmandu that very (Saturday) evening. After a shower, some Tiger Balm, and you know what, we were as happy as two puppies with two tails.

We are calling our overland journeys across India a success and a learning experience. We are very glad we did it that way. We feel we have a sense of India and its culture and customs because of our chosen means of travel. It was a once in a lifetime (and quite epic) trip. It is hard to believe we actually did it. That said, we would not recommend India to the faint of heart or those looking to relax for a while. We are very happy to be in Nepal where we can breath and enjoy ourselves. Our room is up on the top of the building by the rooftop garden with a view of the whole city of Kathmandu. It is a real blessing.

The next few days we are going to meet up with Shanta, explore Kathmandu, get an idea about what life is like here, and hopefully hook up with a Nepali church planter for whom we were just given the contact info. Our next stop in Nepal (probably next week) will be Pokhara. I've got a nice case of the runs from our last two days in India, but a big smile on my face. Hope all is well with you guys. Be sure to keep in touch.

Namaste,
Jason for the Ballards

BeautifulCrazyFascinatingIntimidatingIndia

India...where the roads are rivers of seething masses of chaotic humanity making use of every form of locomotion known to man for the last thousand years: camels, elephants, horses, donkeys, and carts pulled by all of these, rickshaws, autorickshaws, bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, strange cars, and trucks. It is a paradoxically wild and beautiful place, but it is not for the faint of heart. There are a more smells than my nose knows what to do with: perfume, trash, food cooking, fires burning, insense, exhaust, livestock, and the strange Indian body aroma. All mixed together in different ways, it makes for amost inumerable olfactory permutations. I will probably be seeing children begging for food or money for many nights to come in my dreams. Once you get over the initial culture shock, it really is a beautiful and fascinating place. The people are kind, and those that are not have usually become that way because of crushing poverty and desperation. The history is rich, and the weather has been kind. All in all, we are very fortunate to be here.

Jenny and I arrived in Delhi on Monday, and because of a lack of trains, were unable to proceed directly to Nepal. We hired an India man to drive us to Agra, with a two night stop in Jaipur on the way. We arrived in Agra today and will catch the train to the India/Nepal border tonight. From there we will take a bus to the border crossing, walk across (hopefully without event) and then either take a bus to Kathmandu or take a bus to Butwal and fly to Kathmandu. Which one will depend on cost.

The highlights in India have been the Red Fort, the Jaipur City Palace, Taj Mahal, a national park we visited, and Agra Fort. Surely there can be few things built by men that are as beautiful as Taj Mahal...all for the love of a woman! Yet, perhaps our favorite thing in India so far was the Ayurvedic treatments we recieved for two nights in a row in Jaipur. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing art involving massaging oils and herbs into your skin very vigorously. It ranks in my top five most physically pleasurable experiences of all time.

Please keep us in prayer. Nepal seems to be in reach, and we have much to consider there regarding our future.

Lux

What city offers the second highest quality of living to its residents, preceded only by Zurich, Switzerland? That's right, Geneva, Switzerland, which also happens to be where Jenny and I arrived today. So far, I can't dispute the number two rating, though, as a small aside I must say that it will probably be close to bizzare to go from here to New Delhi, India which I don't think they even bother to give a quality of life rating. It was sad to leave Montreux, but the train ride went smoothly, and we have a new city to explore.

We are staying at the City Hostel, which is good because I have never stayed at a hostel before and it seems like a small adventure, but very bad because for one night Jenny and I have to sleep apart. They are all booked up except in the dorm rooms. We would get a hotel somewhere else, but besides being on the top ten list of places to live, Geneva is also on another top ten list...top ten most expensive cities in the world. I think the average price of a hotel room here is something like three million dollars. Something like that.

After getting settled into our accomodations, we hoofed it over to the International Museum of the Refomation in old town. For a history and theology nerd like myself, a museum that helps one discover the reasons for the Reformation, follow the course of its development, evaluate its impact on civilization and imagine its future was something not to be missed. It was quite fascinating, and if you are in Geneva, you should certainly not miss it. After buying some John Calvin beer in the gift shop, we walked across the street to Saint-Pierre Cathedral where John Calvin pastored his church while in exile here during the reformation. They still have his chair of all things! It was moving, in a strage way, for me to be here where all these men that I have looked up to lived and worked (John Calvin, John Knox, Theodore Beza, and others), and where all these world changing events went down. Having first visited many of the Christian sights in Rome just a week ago such as the catacombs, St. John Lateran Cathedral, St. Peter's Basillica, etc., this has been not only a romantic honeymoon, but also a bit of a spiritual pilgrimage and learning experience for Jenny and I.

After leaving the church, we found some grub, and then feeling a bit like relaxing, we went and saw an English movie in a movie theater (Booyah!), for no less than $35. Unbelievable. It might have been a sin.

Now, we are back at the peaceful hostel (which almost sounds like an oxymoron), and getting ready to head to our seperate (sniff-sniff) beds and get some rest. We send our love to all who are keeping up with us here, and hope to hear from you soon.

Keller on Risks for Evangelicals

Tim Keller spoke on "What are the risks for evangelicals?" at the EMA Conference in London, England recently. Here are the highlights:

--Evangelicalism used to occupy the middle ground between fundamentalism and liberalism. It was orthodox, pro-scholarship, and facing the world. Recently, evangelicalism has become more hostile and condemning of culture. A younger generation has given up on evangelicalism as a middle ground and are looking for a new consensus. This group goes by a number of names, such as post-evangelicals or the emerging church.

--A new gospel is being preached about the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ overcoming the evil powers forces of injustice in the world. The pendulum has swung the other way.

--To respond, evangelicals must understand and practice biblical repentance as a result of believing the gospel. This will allow evangelicals to admit their sins, even if they disagree with 80% of the criticisms from the post-evangelicals, and even if the remaining 20% is expressed poorly. To the degree that we understand the gospel, we will be able to freely admit our shortcomings as an evangelical movement.

--Don't ever think that we can respond to legitimate criticisms of our practice by defending our doctrine. In defending our doctrines, we have not responded to the criticisms of our practices. Orthopraxy is part of orthodoxy.

--It is necessary to draw boundaries. What really matters is how we treat the people on the other side of those boundaries. People are watching. We're going to win the younger leaders if we are the most gracious, kind, and the least self-righteous in controversy. The truth will ultimately lose if we hold the right doctrines, but do so with nasty attitudes and a lack of love.

--We need to approach the controversies with a repentant heart corporately and say, "Despite all the bad things that are being said here, there's a core of truth here and we need to deal with it."

Source

Almost Heaven

It has been said, "If you want to find peace, go to Montreux." Well, here we are, and it is peaceful indeed. Montreux is a clean, slow-paced town on the shore of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, and it has been a great place for us to "find peace" for our bodies as we have both been feeling just a bit under the weather lately. Nothing major, just runny noses and a bit of lethargy.

Imagine a very large lake with blue water, teeming with fish, surrounded by vineyards, rolling green hills, and soaring, snow-capped mountains, and you have an idea of Lake Geneva. Then imagine sitting out on a deck, drinking red wine with your lover, and soaking all of that in, and you have an idea about our time here in Montreux. Add in long walks around that lake, exploring the castles built on its shores, and praying in the medieval churches, and that pretty much sums up our time here. Almost indescribeable.

We leave for the city of Geneva on Friday, and then fly out for India on Sunday. Pray for the return of our complete health, and also pray for Jenny`s aunt Carole who broke her neck in a fall in Croatia a few days ago. She is having spinal fusion surgery today, and could use all the prayers she can get.

In the Shadow of the Matterhorn

Guten Tag,

Jenny and I have made it to Switzerland safe and sound, but not without a few adventures along the way. We left Rome on Tuesday morning by train headed for St. Moritz, Switzerland, but because of a missed train in Milan and getting off one stop too early in the boondocks of northern Italy, we ended up staying in Tirano, Italy for the night...which ended up being more of a blessing than a curse. It was a beautiful little mountain village, as well as the best dinner, breakfast, and hotel that we had during our time in Italy.

The next morning we headed for Zermat, Switzerland by train again, and after another eight hour day on the rails, we made it here to Zermat yesterdaz evening around 7:30 in the evening. We are going to stay here in the shadow of the Matterhorn for a few days in a very quaint little eco-friendly hospitality house and do some hiking and exploring of the Matterhorn region.

Traveling by train in the most amazing form of locomotion that I have experiened in my short, but very good, life. It is especially nice when that train spends all of its time in the Swiss Alps. I think, for the rest of my life, I will take the train if I am able.

Jenny and I are very much enjoying the trip, and one another, and I feel as in love and alive as I ever have. She is a delight to me, and is an absolutely wonderful companion.

I am reading a wonderful book on the Reformation right now and it has brought a whole new diminsion to my time in Rome and here in Switzerland, which was the headquarters of much of the mainstream Reformation in Western Europe. Devotional and prayer time has been sweet for each of us. Pray that it would continue to be so. Pray also for continued safety, and that God would be our treasure above all things...even each other.

Auf Wiedersehen,
The Ballards

When in Rome...

It is hard to expain Rome really. It is such a a paradox. I suppose it could be sumarized by picturing the several thousand year old ruins of the Roman Forum or the Pantheon with brand new 2007 Smart Cars zooming around it. It is such a romantic city though. I can hardly help feeling like I am in a movie as I walk around the cobblestone alleyways with my lover.

Some of the highlights so far have been the Trevi Fountain, the basilica of St. John Lateran with its sculptures of the twelve apostles, and the ancient capital hill, and a small, out of the way church dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. St Peters Basilica was amazing as well, and far superior artistically and architecturaly, yet I enjoyed St John Lateran much more. St Peters seemed to celebrate the glory of Popes more than the glory of Christ, though it was still very moving. I must admit, being surrounded by the most awesome Christian art and architecture in the world has made this feel a bit like a pilgrimage for J and I. No matter what we do, somewhere in my head the thoughts that St. Paul and St Peter were here, the early church had its beginnings here, and hundreds of Christians were martyred here always are in the back of my mind. It has been a very prayerful and deeply spirtual time for me, as well as being romantic and fun. Words cannot describe the feeling of walking arm and arm with my new bride for hours and hours around the ancient streets of Rome.

On the Cusp

Jenny and I are currently in Ventura, California for the wedding of our dear friends Scott and Natalie. We stopped to see the Grand Canyon on the way here, and all I can say is "breath taking." Things are going great, and we fly out for Rome on Monday morning. We are on the cusp of the greatest adventure of our lives...

Thought of the Day: It is a wonderful thing to be in Christ Jesus. There is no wrath remaining for those who are. Even if the worst should happen, it is for your good. All of the omnipotence in the universe is working for you good if you are in Christ Jesus.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. -- Romans 8:1

We know that for those who love God all things work together for good... -- Romans 8:23

The Myanmar Example

There is a wonderful example of active non-violent resistance and protest going on in Myanmar right now. Of course, our western media is too busy telling us about OJ Simpson and Brittany Spears to say much about it, but don't you miss it. It is one of the most amazing and hopeful things going on in the world currently.

Check it out here.

Books to Look Forward To

Some books that will be coming out soon that I am looking forward to:

The Supremacy of Christ in a Post-Modern World by Piper, Voddie Baucham, D. A. Carson, Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, and David Wells

Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll

Pierced for Our Transgressions by Jeffery, Ovey, and Sach

The Future of Justification by John Piper...this is Piper's response to N.T. Wright, a man I also look up to tremendously. Wright and Piper are both tremendously Godly and wise men, and this book should be worth your time. I might suggest you read some of N.T. Wright first before reading this book.

Also, rumor has that Tim Keller just finished writing his first book since the '80s! His new book, which is still without title, focuses on "defeaters" that float around in many people's minds that keep them from seriously considering Christianity. I can't wait to see it in print form within a year.

Poverty and Terrorism

African Anglican Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu weighs in on terrorism and peacemaking:

"The global "war on terror" can't be won if people are living in "desperate" conditions. You can never win a war against terror as long as there are conditions in the world that make people desperate -- poverty, disease, ignorance, et cetera...I think people are beginning to realize that you can't have pockets of prosperity in one part of the world and huge deserts of poverty and deprivation and think that you can have a stable and secure world."

Sam Adams

A dear friend of mine (Sam Adams) is doing an internship in Rwanda with Food for the Hungry and will be sharing stories and thoughts on his blog Be Prepared to Lose a Hero. It should make for interesting reading.

Flesh of my Flesh

As of September 2, 2007, I am now a married man. At long last, I entered into blessed union with the beautiful Jenny Uhre (now Jenny Ballard!) and we began our pilgrimage together. It is the highest honor of my life to be married to such a beautiful, charming, talented, compassionate, and godly woman. I do not know of a man more fortunate than myself at this moment.

On September 24 Jenny and I will leave for our honeymoon and vision trip from Las Angeles. The first two stops (Rome and Switzerland) are for a more traditional honeymoon, and the last two stops (Nepal and Indonesia) are to pray and think through the possibility of doing mission work in one or both of those countries in the future. We will be using this blog to post pictures, updates, and thoughts about our travels and sojournings. That's right, I said we. As of this moment this blog is no longer mine alone, but also belongs to Jenny. You should get pretty excited about seeing some posts from my foxy little lady in the near future. Also, please offer up prayers for us as we travel and and make decisions about our future.

Peace and Love,
Jason

Roots

The church plant that I am a part of here in Boulder just launched their website. Check it out:

Roots Church ... a redemptive community living in the Way of Jesus in Boulder, Colorado.

War No More

In light of the New Testament's radical teachings about enemy love, the global communion of believers, Jesus's command to love our neighbor, and my belief that our journeys should, as much as possible, resemble the destination - which is a place where swords are beaten into plowshears and where they shall learn war no more - I am opposed to war in all forms, and for all reasons. I believe that Jesus' example of willingly suffering evil in order to overcome that evil is the only way out of the vicious cycle of wars and more wars, and I believe that the so called "just war" theory has gone over like a lead balloon. I insist that to resort to warfare, even for a moral end, is to adopt a means inconsistent with the Christian’s calling. The Christian Gospel is primarily a message of love and peace, and militarism & imperialism stand in stark contrast to the way of Jesus. For others who have similar feelings or leanings, and to all those who have died in this most dispicable of human conventions, I dedicate this post. While it is not my aim here to make a exhaustive argument for Christian active nonviolence, I still think there are some things to say about it in regards to recent events.

President Bush's war advisor said on Friday that current conditions in the world mean that we should consider reinstating the draft. It is my belief that the appropriate response of a Christian is "conscientiously object." Here is how to make sure that you are registered as a conscientious objector with Social Services:

1. Write a statement of beliefs that explain why, how, when, where, etc. that you became a CO. List anything that could have influenced your beliefs against war and killing, such as religion, films, books, events you attended, etc.

2. Find 3 people who know you very well who can write a letter on your behalf supporting your beliefs as a CO.

3. Write a letter to CCCO explaining that you are a CO, keep a copy for yourself, with the receipt of it being mailed. Keep that letter from us as part of your CO file. You can send your CO file to the Center on Conscience & War to be archived.

4. Compile all of these documents and get them notarized

You need to build a paper trail and document everything possible that could help define you as a person who could not go to war. If you go to any anti-war events, document them somehow as proof that you went, keep the flyers, have your photo taken at the event, etc. They basically want to see that you are genuinely opposed to war, and not just somebody who doesn't want to fight. You must be opposed to all wars, and this doesn't mean you can't use violence in personal self defense.

A few quotes to ponder about Christian opposition to war:

"I wish that Christian men would insist more and more on the unrighteousness of war, believing that Christianity means no sword, no cannon, no bloodshed, and that if a nation is driven to fight in its own defense, Christianity stands by to weep and to intervense as soon as possible, and not to join in the cruel shouts which celebrate an enemy’s slaughter." -- Charles Spurgeon

"Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love." -- Martin Luther King Jr.

A few resources:
Christian Pacifism and Social Justice
Every Church a Peace Church
A Force More Powerful
A Practical Christian Pacifism
Christiam Pacifism
CCCO
The New Testament

Peace Rehabilitation Center

Peace Rehabilitation Center is a community of sisters and brothers in Kathmandu, Nepal...and around the world committed together to the rescue and rehabilitation of Nepali young people who have been stolen or sold - "trafficked" - in South Asia's burgeoning sex industry.

The poverty and poor educational system of rural Nepal contribute greatly to high levels of sex trafficking. Seeking a better life, women and girls of an increasingly young age are easily lured into domestic prostitution or international trafficking by false promises of marriage or employment, sometimes offered by friends or relatives. Many migrate of their own accord in hopes of improving their economic circumstances, but once abroad find few opportunities and turn to prostitution. The majority of trafficked Nepali women will never see their families or homes again and have little chance of escape or rescue. Most will perish due to abuse, illness, abandonment, harsh brothel conditions, and/or the effects of STDs and HIV/AIDS. At present, sources estimate that 200,000 Nepali women work in Indian brothels, and that 70% of them are HIV+.

Founded on Director Shanta Sapkota's conviction that "love is big medicine," PRC assists in brothel rescue through its involvement in a Nepali and Indian NGO network. Women who are connected with PRC by this and other NGOs, government officials, or families receive counseling and care as they heal from the trauma of trafficking, prostitution and repatriation. In the family-centered atmosphere of PRC’s rehabilitation home, women and girls are given an opportunity to complete their education and trained in literacy, health, hygiene, nutrition and micro-credit. As possible, they are prepared for reintegration into their home communities.

PRC also sponsors a separate home for young girls who have suffered abuse or abandonment and are at greater risk of exposure to traffickers. Here, they complete their education and receive the love, care and discipline that will give them confidence to succeed once they are ready to live on their own. As many of the repatriated Nepali women suffer from AIDS, PRC staff trains women’s families in long-term terminal care of AIDS patients. If a family cannot or will not provide care for a woman, PRC cares for her until her death. PRC also provides counseling, medical assistance and education about HIV/AIDS to other community groups and HIV+ individuals.

I commend this organization to you heartily. My fiance Jenny and I will be going there on our honeymoon, and may very possibly be moving to Nepal in the spring to help Shanta with this tremendous work. The PRC is pushing back the darkness, and if you want to use your money to push back the darkness this would be an organization to consider supporting.

Trading Pleasures

"Marcus Aurelius believed that the course of wisdom consisted of learning to trade easy pleasures for more complex and challenging ones. I worry about a culture that bit by bit trades off the challenging pleasures of art for the easy comforts of entertainment. And that is exactly what is happening..." -- Dana Gioia, American poet and Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts

1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

Worth taking a look at:
http://www.ccel.org/creeds/bcf/bcf.htm

The Gospel Coalition

I hereby proclaim this to be the best new website in the past three years. If you are a follower of Christ, it is worth your time. It represents the life work and thought for many of the leading Christians of this and the previous generation...men such as Tim Keller, John Piper, Mark Driscoll and many others.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/

War against War

"We earnestly war against war. I wish that Christian men would insist more and more on the unrighteousness of war, believing that Christianity means no sword, no cannon, no bloodshed, and that if a nation is driven to fight in its own defense, Christianity stands by to weep and to intervense as soon as possible, and not to join in the cruel shouts which celebrate an enemy’s slaughter. Let us always be on the side of right. Today, then, my brethren, I beg you to join with me in seeking renewal. Now is the time for a man to buckle on his harness, and bestir himself." -- Charles H. Spurgeon, 19th century reformed Baptist pastor and theologian

Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Halleluyah, or Alleluia, is a transliteration of the Hebrew word הַלְלוּיָהּ . Halleluyah is a composite of Hallelu and Yah (Jah). It literally translates from Hebrew as "Praise Yah, [third-person plural]!" or simply "Praise Yah!" Yah is the shortened form of the name Yahweh(Jehova). For most Christians, "Hallelujah" is considered the most joyful word of praise to God, rather than an injunction to praise Him. The term is used 24 times in the Hebrew Bible(mainly in the book of Psalms (e.g. 113-118), where it starts and concludes a number of Psalms) and four times in Greek transliteration in Revelation.

Our Third World Brethren

I've been reading the book The Next Christendom by Philip Jenkins which reflects on the rising numbers of Christians in third world countries and in the global south matched simultaneously by the decline of Christians in the western world. It is a fascinating book, and it has caused me to praise God for things like Westminster Theological College in Uganda as it seems like very soon our brothers and sisters in Africa, Asia, and Latin America will be leading the charge for the cause of Christ in the world of this age. Christianity started as an Eastern religion, moved to the West, and is quickly moving back to the East again. Already, when you think of an average Christian, you should not think of a modern and "enlightened" American or European , but rather an African shepherd, an Asian businessman, or a Latin American farmer.

Religion V. Gospel

By Pastor Mark Driscoll

Religion says, if I obey, God will love me. Gospel says, because God loves me, I can obey.

Religion has good people & bad people. Gospel has only repentant and unrepentant people.

Religion values a birth family. Gospel values a new birth.

Religion depends on what I do. Gospel depends on what Jesus has done.

Religion claims that sanctification justifies me. Gospel claims that justification enables sanctification.

Religion has the goal to get from God. Gospel has the goal to get God.

Religion sees hardships as punishment for sin. Gospel sees hardship as sanctified affliction.

Religion is about me. Gospel is about Jesus.

Religion believes appearing as a good person is the key. Gospel believes that being honest is the key.

Religion has an uncertainty of standing before God. Gospel has certainty based upon Jesus' work.

Religion sees Jesus as the means. Gospel sees Jesus as the end.

Religion ends in pride or despair. Gospel ends in humble joy.

Be Thankful

In my first week at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless I have learned and noticed many things. It would take more time than I have to write and more time than you have to read to document all my thoughts and musings here on this blog, but I thought one thing in particular was worth pointing out.

Homeless people, perhaps understandably, complain a lot. They complain about their health problems. They complain about their relationship problems. They complain about their financial problems. On and on it goes. All of this might seem like a bit of what you would expect at a homeless shelter, but when I went to my second (or is it third) job at Starbucks, I found that people there, surprisingly enough, complain as well. People complain about the way their coffee drink was made. Coworkers complain if we are too busy. Coworkers complain if we are too slow. I hear people complaining about their kids. I hear people complaining about their jobs. Even away from the homeless shelter, on and on it goes.

Then it dawned on me: it seems to be human nature to complain regardless how well life is actually going. From the lowest of the low, to people who can regularly pay $5 for a cup of coffee, people are, by and large, whiners. Why? Do we like drama that much? Do we want attention? Does pitty make us feel that good? Are we that egocentric? Are we unaware that there are people who are actually suffering and aren't having to invent problems to complain about? Silliness I call it. The whole business is silliness.

This is your friendly reminder to be thankful and grateful this week. Life is rarely as bad as we think it is, and almost never as bad as it could be. We have much to be grateful for. I could probably go on some poetical spill about the splendor of the sunrise and the simple pleasure of taste buds, but you know that I am right without another diatribe from me. Just be thankful.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. " -St. Paul

New Job

I started a new job this week at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. As of right now, I am working as part of the programs staff. After one week, I feel very blessed to have been given this job and opportunity. Soli Deo Gloria.