I took a break from writing on here... moved home, got readjusted, renewed the friendships I have missed so much.

Then came the holidays.

So as I sit here typing on the day after Christmas, I am amazingly broken. "Dang," your all saying to yourselves, "I was totally blindsided by that negativity factor in this post." The truth is that I have spent the holidays thus far with many friends and family, and the majority of the time spent has been a delight. I have been so amazingly blessed by God with great close friends who are an amazingly Godly influence in my life. I have friends who I really do consider family, people I care about so dearly. God be praised for His glory seen in His people.

But there is a great anomaly that exists. I do not understand what the root of this is, but it becomes more evident this year than any prior. I am heartbroken and devestated that there are Christians in my life who steal away the hope and joy that Christ plants in me.

I want to be a joyful person, and have some much to hope for. Christ is always eternally faithful to us, and He shows himself evident in so many ways and through so many relationships. But why is it that when I go into secular family settings I leave encouraged by the festivities and goodwill among famly, and when I leave Christian family events I am exhausted and wishing I could see the purpose in it all?

The nature of this situation brings about a disturbing point, in that Christ's greatest commandments were to love God and then to love men. The New Testament also teaches that we should love Christians more greatly than others, and that Christ is seen in this action. So ultimately, the two greatest commandments are to love God and love Christians. But this doesn't happen.

I also realize that I am equally to blame in this situation. My heart is broken to know that I see this coming every time and yet fall into that sin of self-declaration and self-promotion. Oh Lord, please humble me so that I may truly serve you when my plan of attack is doomed from the start.

On a more positive note, its nice to have a healthy dose of reality when it comes to my personal fallen nature.

Oh God, renew my hope in Yourself alone, apart from humanity, and give me the strength to interact humbly and with Your glory in mind and heart!

These days ...
I feel like everyone I know is either...
Getting married ...
Or Dying.

I really hope that doesn't offend anyone.

I don't even really think I have any way to expound on these. It just seems like every week, someone announces an engagement. This is fine with me, I am overjoyed by this news almost every single time. Half of the time all I can think is "finally, its about time!" So this is a good thing, it just seems like it is everyone, all the time. Everything is shifting, a million little changes that don't effect me, but change the world around me, the one I interact in. Lives I invest in, changing without me.

And people die.

They always have. I even knew some of them. But now it seems like I know all of them. At least once every six months. That is way too often. And they're getting closer too. I have had 4 friends, even family from my high school graduating class lose their fathers from during high school to now. Yesterday my high school art teacher passed away. He was so healthy and full of life when I had him just a handful of years ago. I heard he had cancer awhile back but then I just fell out of the loop. Suddenly I find out that he is cancer free, but his body is so broken that its simply failing. And that is a morose picture of life in general. Fighting our hardest and even triumph leave a man broken practically beyond repair. It reminds me of Tolkien's writings. He built a world where even when good triumphs, there is an almost destroying cost. Frodo can't stay any longer.

I guess that's where I am. When someone dies, it changes everything. We're not naive enough to say that things were ever perfect before this, but at least there was an order. Now things we don't even realize and things we never thought would change because of this, change. Every relationship that interacted with or brushed closely to one of theirs is altered. How do I interact with so-and-so now? Some begin to move in an entirely different direction with their life, old friends completely irrelevant to the situation are slowly discarded for new directions. The family deck is shuffled, and no one comes out with anything that seems worthy of playing.

Will things ever just settle into place? It seems no matter the amount of time or the changing to accommodate the circumstances by surviving parties, everything remains unsettled. Like a snow globe that never goes still. Something is still not at rest long long after any novelty has worn away.

It was strange this most recent time. I really loved that professor. I haven't remained close to him or anything, we didn't have a closer bond than he did with other students, but he was just an authentic guy.

Authentic artist. One memory that surprised me because of how sad it was for me was thinking of a time when I watched him simply sketch. I was amazed by his skill, just thinking about how incredibly all those years had paid off. And to see the joy of a man who I knew most as a teacher, enjoying what he fought so hard to instill in me.

Authentic teacher. He wasn't anything other than what a teacher should be. A mature leader who was personally experienced in what he was teaching and invested in each student's success.

Authentic Christian. He wasn't some theologian or pastor. But he lived it. Sometimes I am so greatly more impressed by those who have their priorities first on Christ when He has nothing to do with their paycheck and would not naturally find His way into their daily interactions.

Its interesting, to feel this way. See, they never fade really. The deaths just pile up. I guess I've reached that point of adulthood where my memories will last, unlike thinking back to the fuzzy freshman or sophomore years of high school. Every time someone dies, its just added to the others. And they all feel fresh again.

So I have been very busy lately, and thus the lack of posting. But the story is that I am moving cross-country at the end of the week, back home. So I have a lot of things to do that don't necessarily include opening my heart up to you on here. Sorry.

Check out my wish list though...

Manly Stuff

My Plans for Christmas '08

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

A Fashion Update.


Ok, I really creeped myself out writing that. I'll try to stop that kind of stuff.

Here's a quick update on those razors. If your an avid straight razoree, please forgive the bluntness of my naivete.

So I got my razors, and 3 of the 6 were in pretty decent condition. One has a broken hinge, another is almost rusted through on the blade edge, and another has a very loose hinge. The one with the loose hinge is actually the one which seems to be in the best of condition as far as how new and clean it looks, so I'm thinking I will still try to use it since I don't foresee any disasters taking place on account of a loose hinge pin.

A few days after the blades arrived, I received another package holding shaving soaps, a strop, and a hone. At this point I was able to start bringing the razor blades up to speed sharpness-wise. I don't know what I was expecting, but I definitely didn't have to do as much work as I thought I would, but at the same time the blades didn't seem as sharp as I would have thought. The only way I knew how to do anything is thanks to youtube videos, which told me my blades were ready even when I wouldn't have assumed such. But they have worked, and they have worked well.

So this brings up an obvious discrepancy. Its November. No-Shave November. So I cheated. But common, it was my birthday, and I started No-Shave a little early anyway, so it had been a month. Please forgive me. I have used two of the blades, and I have had no Sweeney Todd type accidents befall me. I know it sounds dangerous, but I'm actually surprised at how careless I can be with these blades. I have barely even nicked myself enough to see any red. So things are going great there, but I am faced with a harsh reality. I love growing facial hair. But now I love straight razor shaving. This can only mean more stress for myself in the future.


On another note, I did something that most would be ashamed to admit. I clicked a facebook ad. What can I say, it was about tailored suits! But seriously, this is no regular "check out our wares" type of company! They have a treasure chest of amazing men's clothing information, and a library even! So please, if you have any interest in dressing nicely and being a man, check this out!

A Tailored Suit

Their Blog

A note on this finest of holiday, when it is interesting to think about the spiritual nature of such an event.

Now Thanksgiving is not what I would call a religious holiday. It may be connected historically with the story of some new neighbors with sweet brass buckle shoes and some American Indian chefs offering their most succulent of local recipes, but this story simply tacks on the idea of God being involved to add a reasonable conclusion for the name. I'll come back to the name.

But I am truly convinced that society since the establishment of this as a national holiday has not taken any queue from the religious frame of the original tale. I would hold that only the most devote of atheists would even think to object to this holiday in any way. I wouldn't be surprise to see an entire extended family of atheists using Thanksgiving as a time for family reunion. I assume such families exist.

Regardless, Thanksgiving isn't a very well conceived name for most. The name is so simple, just two words unnaturally combined together. In any other situation any grammarian would object greatly. The first word is given a few minutes of fame at most thoughtful or traditional Thanksgiving events. Given, this isn't much, but its a start.

But giving.

The word "giving" is simple to analyze, a first year English student could tackle it. Its a form of "give" which in any form implies two parties involved. So the avoided or ignored question becomes simply, "Who are you giving to?" Most are not really giving to anyone on Thanksgiving. Some are giving to friends and family, or trying to convince themselves and/or others to the same effect. But such a very few are giving to the One whom they can truly thank for being at the end of any train of actions. The giving is the key. Is anyone really giving at all? And to whom?

This holiday is such a great opportunity. In my opinion(which shouldn't sway you too much) it is one of the greatest opportunities for the Christian to honor God in a holiday for in modern American culture, and the greatest natural opportunity for the Gospel. I mean, common, Christmas is not a holiday to be simply dismisses. Almost without fail, all recognized holiday have a grand opportunity to glorify God within them. However, take a look at the modern state of things. Christmas is a day with a history of confusion. Halloween literally has a greater Christian history than Christmas. But today, Christmas in society is mostly either commercialized, or people complaining about commercialization and begging off for a more traditional outlook. But Linus isn't wrong in this.

Christmas is a great time to reflect and be thankful. In this respect it is the same as Thanksgiving. Easter is perhaps the greatest of Christian holiday opportunities. It is a day widely remembered to be more about Christ's death than eggs and sweet new clothes. But my contention lies the mostly greatly in the missional opportunity within Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to thank God in a greater spectrum than Christmas or Easter, although I would hold that Easter is a needed opportunity to focus more greatly on the greatest of issue in life. Thanksgiving gives us the chance to be purposeful for an entire day, or even an entire holiday break, to think about how infinitely blessed are we. It also creates a great situation for ministry opportunity. A small amount of focus on a Christian's part can provide thought-provoking and life altering insight and perspective for those surrounding him.

At this point I am reminded of one of my favorite classic movie characters, one Elwood P. Dowd. Jimmy Stewart portrayed this slightly delusional character, bent on seeing the good in every situation and person. Throughout the movie Harvey, he asks everyone he meets over for dinner. From the cab driver to the parolee bum to the psychiatric physicians meant to "cure" him. The movie ends before this dinner, but I would find the greatest of joys in seeing this mish-mash of acquaintances who are shown such affection by an almost-stranger. This would make a beautiful scene of Christian service on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving provides a truly magnificent opportunity to glorify God not simply in remembrance or honoring thoughts, but in pro-active accomplishment of thankful service and true conversion to more appropriate mental frameworks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I read today a message for a great friend who is a missionary to Ireland. In his Thanksgiving greetings he discussed how they miss their family but also feel so truly blessed in their current circumstances.

Being away this year myself, I won't get to see family whom I've missed out on for at least 6 months or so. It is interesting to me to think about the fact that those who are willing to take big leaps of faith for God are always put in this position. God does not take the faithful out of a place of discomfort to use them. He takes them from their homes, their families, and their comfortable surroundings, and He takes them somewhere that seems by far a downgrade in physical or emotional standards. But this is no discouragement for the Children of the Burning Heart. The true discouragement for these ones would be in resounding discord created in the deepest relationship of their existence. So within this truth lies the fact, that the greatest of blessings in all of human existence is to commune with God and live within the confines of His glory.

Those of us who live away from home for the right reasons must come to the conclusion that the ones we miss on Thanksgiving are far away simply because God's blessing can't all exist collinear in our lives. While we give thanks for the people God has blessed us with, we thank Him all the more for putting us in a place away from them, and all the closer to Him.

For those missing holidays with close ones because of larger purposes lived for, I love and miss my family as you all do and I thank God for them and all the more greatly for putting me in His will, which is the greatest of blessings! Thank you for your commitment to God!

This year, on my birthday today, I am personally inspired. On a day set aside to reflect, I find a desire to me a greater man. And it is in the stories of these modern men that I find a reflection of the man I want to be. Please, check out the Art Of Manliness Man Of The Year 2008 candidates, read their nominations, and vote for a manly man. Be encouraged, true manhood still shines brightly in the few places it remains!

So I have finally fulfilled a desire long awoken in myself.

Yesterday, via ebay, I was able to become the proud owner of a set of six various antique straight razors. As my appreciation for classic culture and tradition has increased, the straight razor method of shaving has become more and more apparent as a beautiful part of traditional male grooming.

While many modern straight razors are cheaply hewn together, a true quality blade will last almost indefinitely. I did my research, and found most of these blades were actually made by companies that only produced until the 1930's to 1960's, so these things are legit when it comes to age. While they look in poor condition, those trusted in the online classic shaving forums (which most definitely exist) seem to be trusted all around in stating that an quality blade of any antique age is still more reliable that many newer cheap blades, if it is in good condition and honed and stroped.

So as you view these blades, please understand that, while they look quite unuseful, at least a couple of them should be up to speed quite soon, and even if only one proves useful, I'll be proud to own the other 5 as well!


I'll keep you updated on how this venture proceeds!

A summary of the superior nature of the new James Bond character.

I think the reason that this new Bond is so different and foreign to people is because series creators finally caught on to the whole, "we can start over and remake a series with planned progressive sequels" craze that has swept Hollywood, specifically concerning comic book style action heroes.

I think that the old Bonds were tall and dark haired without any sense of humanity in their being. This new Bond really does seem like the character he is summed up as by Vesper in Casino Royale, an orphan type who has been raise in a high class setting with a huge chip on his shoulder, and one who sees right and wrong very clearly.

The entire plot thus far of both of these series start-over movies is wrapped up in a simple and very emotional plot. Bond is originally a man who believes that good is good, bad is bad, and they are always black and white. He has no remorse when bad men die, and he really expresses a sense of justice being accomplished in the few glimpse we see into him. The reason he seems so cold-hearted seems obvious to me. Assuming that Vesper's assessment is somewhat correct, Bond has truly been raised as a product of the system. He has never had any family life, and everything he knows as truth is taught him by the system. This is the new starting point that this series has taken on.

From there it only makes sense that when someone dies, Bond is quick to put on a face that says he didn't care anyway, trying to convince himself to believe the same. But we see certain cases when this is just proven false. From the scene of sitting in the shower in Casino Royale and the scene in the burning room in Quantum (interestingly parallel experiences of comforting someone he loves in water and fire...), we know that Bond truly wants to protect those he values. The entire second movie, which is admittedly sparse in plot development in comparison to the first, is about Bond trying not to let his intense emotions of revenge and justice take hold of the situation. All in all, this new Bond is truly summed up by emotion. While the old Bonds had gadgets, girls, and wildly disfigured villains, this is a man in the real world, who actually carries a past with him into each movie. He's learning to care, and that right and wrong and good and evil are not as clear as he thought before becoming a double O.

This Bond is human.

So now your wondering what exactly this job is huh?

Your thinking, gee, that was great and spiritual and all, but what is this job, you didn't explain it at all!

Your probably yelling at your computer screen, at least in your mind.

Well just relax okay? I'm working on it...

The company I now work for....









I love messing with ya now that your hopes are up...


Okay, I work for a company that deals in ticket pre-sales, fan club maintenance, online merchandising, and marketing of USB live performance software among other things, working closely with major recording artists and some companies. Basically, I maintain online merch, work with customers, and help run work with the live performance USBs.

But on occasion, I get to travel!

This occasion has only happened once so far, but with future opportunity awaiting.

This one occasion took place last Thursday through Monday, with a backdrop of bright lights and dark shadows.

That is, Las Vegas.

It was a great trip, I got to fly, see the city, work hard, and see my awesome friend Lindsey Peonie. But let me sum it all up with the first days events.

I woke up in Austin at about 5:45 am, to get to the airport at a decent time. Although that is not a decent time. I got to the airport and took off at about 7:40, arrived in Phoenix, sat on the plane, then flew on to Las Vegas, arriving at something like 11 am there.

I was picked up by my co-worker Aaron, who I had never previously met, and we proceeded to the hotel. I threw my bags in his room, since I hadn't recieved one yet, and we proceeded to the hotel's casino floor to eat at one of 6 restaurants. After having a late breakfast, we went to his room, discussing work and waiting on my room reservations to come through.

I started to doze on his couch.

Therefore, I decided to check on my room. Via text and calls, Norman told me it should be ready. The intimidating line at the front desk had obviously been observed and calculated for, and it moved along with great ease. When I quickly reached the front, I was directed to one of the desks, at which the young lady informed me that the room was reserved but that the necessary credit card verification had not come through. I didn't want that hanging over my personal credit card, so I bowed out of the line and called Norman. He said he would notify me when it came through.

I sat.

For 45 minutes.

I finally just got in the line again. As it moved I figured I had like a 1 in 8 chance of getting the same girl again, which I actually hoped for because she somehow managed to come across sympathetically in a chaotic lobby of guests. Plus I think she was a manager or something. But my odds were with those of most of the casino gamblers surrounding the front desk area, and I drew another girl at the opposite end of the counter. I had the smart idea of calling Norman as I approached the desk, so I could talk to them at the same time. Possibly rude, remarkably efficient.

She said it still hadn't gone through, and he said they were working on it at the office. So I sat back down again. Half an hour later I decided to get back in the line. My odds of getting a repeat clerk had spiked up to 2 out of 8, which is easily rounded to 1 out of 4 with only the slightest math. But, as you better know if your going to Vegas, those are still bad odds. I got a young guy. I think this hotel is one of those places where they pay you extra to be really really nice, because they all seemed well composed. Maybe they were just used to it. Maybe the weak ones were just weeded out long ago. He went back to see if the fax had come through. I gave him about 5 minutes. He gave me a room key.

From there, I lugged my stuff back through the smoky casino to the elevators. I was still shocked they allow smoking inside such a fancy place. Sign of my age maybe. The first time I saw a guy smoking I thought, he's gonna get busted! Then I realized they were all doing it.

In my room I managed to pull a 45 minute nap that was so deep I forgot were I was and why. I almost forgot who I was. From there, we went to the Thomas Mack Center, the college stadium where the Bull Riding Championship we were recording was taking place. I would learn well the tricks of the trade for navagating hallways crowded with 1,000 cowboys.

After working from about 2:30 to 10:30, we were starved. We went to the Hard Rock Hotel and ate at a place that would have appeared as a high quality greasy spoon with low level class anywhere else. But in Vegas, it was simply clique'. Mr. Lucky made me a couple eggs benedict with Hollandaise sauce, and we chatted about Rick Ruben and the club next door that sounded like it was about to spill through the wall at any moment.

We finally went back to the car, at which point we decided to drive down the strip. It was a good compromise, since we were tired and full but I hadn't seen anything yet. We were stopped at a red light, going south just before reaching the Bellagio, of Ocean's 11 fame. I could practically see the movie starting before my eyes.

So we're stopped, chatting about something much less interesting that the rest of this story, when a Blazer wedges itself between the car to our left and us, plowing through and taking half of each car's front fender, all while aiming at the taxi in front of us. After hitting the three of us, the driver slowly meanders out into the perpendicular moving traffic, slowly waiting, then took a quick left when the traffic dissipated. He was soon followed by 4-5 cruisers and a few motorcycles too.

We sat in traffic for about 15 minutes. Then we pulled off on a side road. I saw the top of the Bellagio fountains going off in the distance over some buildings. For some reason, the cops take your license to run even where your a passanger in a vehicle that was not at fault in a hit and run. We sat out in the cold for an hour and a half. One of the cops was nice enough to tell us "Welcome to Vegas!" It was 1:30 am. That's 3:30 am in Austin, where I had gotten up that morning at 5:30.

Finally, the cops came back and told us the story. I guess there was a silver lining. The guy and some others had broken into homes, stolen guns, stolen vehicles (aka- the Blazer) and then caught the attention of a cop looking for him. He caused like 4 of 5 similar accidents to ours, then got himself cornered in a parking garage. Being a natural born genius, he jumped from the second floor, broke both legs, and was in the hospital. Lucky guy was in bed, but I'm sitting on the street by a bus stop. One of his friends was pulled over on the highway and arrested, and another was sleeping in one of the hotels, about to get a wake up call courtesy the Las Vegas PD.

I guess that made a 22 hour day kinda worth it.

Oh yeah, and the taxi driver found a strip from the side of the blazer wedged up under his car. Apparently their vehicles had become so intimate that his rear wheel well had peeled the side panel off the offending vehicle.

And they let him keep it.

Oh well, I had to buy my souviner.

So I haven't written in at least a week.

I feel like a rotten scoundrel.
My apologies.

Perhaps this will explain somewhat....

About two and a half weeks ago I received a phone call which I missed, as often happens in my case. Later that day, I missed another almost identical attempt at cellular communication.

The attempts were made by one Norman Furley, a man I have come to greatly admire in recent months. He has been speaking on a weekly basis to the youth at Grace where I orchestrate Sunday morning worship. I had come to greatly admire his speaking and the truth he brought to the student populace. I had interacted with Norman via phone before for youth group coordinating purposes, and assumed this was a similar call. But his short message sounded urgent. I called back, left a message, and started a game of phone tag.

When Norman called me back, some 8-12 hours after his original call to me, he asked me if I would consider staying in Texas longer than the remaining planned two month. He went on to say he has just started a new job and would love to hire me on to work with them there, and wanted me to come in and check it out. I agreed to at least look the place over.

Two days later I showed up early on a Friday, decked out to make a good impression. He showed me the whole place, running from here to there and filling me in on what each person or room was dedicated to, and what was cool or screwed up about each part of the job. He told me what he thought were good things and what he thought were back things. Then I responded.

I really loved the idea of the job, but I wasn't able to say I could commit to a longer stay. He said he was willing to hire me on temporarily for a month and a half, and to spend my weekend praying about it. Can't argue with that.

As I prayed over it, I saw a lot of opportunity there, a lot of fun things I would enjoy, and a good connection as well both Spiritually and for my resume. I couldn't find any reason to reject, but I prayed for a sign. On that Sunday, Norman spoke for the last time. The topic was on how what you do with your life affects who you are. He took this directly to speaking about the student's college and career plans for the future. He explained how he was designed by God to be a person who did all kinds of different things in his life. How he had never had a "real job." How 18 months ago he was working with wielders and this past week he was backstage of the Ellen show with Cher. He explained how God used him in so many different places, but he was never defined by what he was doing, but always by God and his glory and purpose in that place. He said that because he was God's he could take great risks and make huge leaps because he knew God was in control.

This was a sign. I have always said I was designed to do different things, only staying with things for a time. I thought I made it up though. I never heard anyone sympathize with this view, let alone proclaim it as God's design to use him personally for His glory!

Now I have a crazy awesome job, it keeps me really busy and I'm waiting to see what comes of it, hoping to utilize it in the way Norman explained it.

I want to find
A grand slab of concrete
That all of man long left behind

And I would take to it
A bright, brilliant palette
Of colors your money can't buy

And you'd see a beauty
Reflecting reality
Minus the fall by the tree

You'd soon see a face there
Reflecting such grace that
It'd rapture your heartstrings and mind

How can this be true?
How can this be true?

How can this be true
And we never even knew
And we spent our lives running away?

How can this goodness
How can this be righteous
Our broken hearts have turned us away

A Classic Instruction Continued

Now that you have allowed the previous information to sink in, consider this...


Are You Popular?

Thank God for kindred souls, fedoras, and barber shops!

Thanks to another burning heart who is generally known to myself as a provider of genius insights and delicious information, I am now familiar with and captivated by The Art Of Manliness, an epic blog proudly promoting manly living along with all of which that entails. From classic attire to developing deep manly relational bonds, this genius blog reignites a historic manhood which recent generations have tossed aside and buried. For many I find this could be just the God-send your looking for guidance on true masculinity and how to live like a man in an age of hoary-headed little boys!

Please enjoy and let me know if you enjoy this as greatly as I do!

Let me lend a few textual observations as a precursor to the paragraph I wish to observe. This piece, quoted from the chapter entitled, "The Speaking Voice" in Tozer's Pursuit of God is a very strange piece for Tozer indeed. In general, Tozer speaks with great authority, only covering topics in which he would claim a certain assurance. This text, obviously, is a statement interjected as one with a liberty of being passed over by the reader. This is the only time I have ever personally stumbled upon this type of statement from Tozer, and it is interesting that the subject matter should be concerning the world of art and aesthetics, in which I hold much personal vested interest. He speaks here more specifically on the subject of human artistic revelation and the divine aspect he sees apparent.

It is my own belief (and here I shall not feel bad if no one follows me) that every good and beautiful thing which man has produced in the world has been the result of his faulty and sin-blocked response to the creative Voice sounding over the earth. The moral philosophers who dreamed their high dreams of virtue, the religious thinkers who speculated about God and immortality, the poets and artists who created out of common stuff pure and lasting beauty: how can we explain them? It is not enough to say simply, `It was genius.' What then is genius? Could it be that a genius is a man haunted by the speaking Voice, laboring and striving like one possessed to achieve ends which he only vaguely understands? That the great man may have missed God in his labors, that he may even have spoken or written against God does not destroy the idea I am advancing. God's redemptive revelation in the Holy Scriptures is necessary to saving faith and peace with God. Faith in a risen Saviour is necessary if the vague stirrings toward immortality are to bring us to restful and satisfying communion with God. To me this is a plausible explanation of all that is best outside of Christ. But you can be a good Christian and not accept my thesis.

- A. W. Tozer

I must admit I heartily agree with this proposition. Tozer's statement stands that artistic and philosophic endeavors are always in response to or questioning further the truth of current state of being or desired alternatives. Man is always expressing his opinion about what is, but all that he interacts with flows forth from the Voice which is constantly sustaining creation and whispering at all men's collars.

THE VIEWPOINT

"Now thanks be to God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:14

The viewpoint of a worker for God must not be as near the highest as he can get, it must be the highest. Be careful to maintain strenuously God's point of view, it has to be done every day, bit by bit; don't think on the finite. No outside power can touch the viewpoint.

The viewpoint to maintain is that we are here for one purpose only, viz., to be captives in the train of Christ's triumphs. We are not in God's showroom, we are here to exhibit one thing - the absolute captivity of our lives to Jesus Christ. How small the other points of view are - I am standing alone battling for Jesus; I have to maintain the cause of Christ and hold this fort for Him. Paul says - I am in the train of a conqueror, and it does not matter what the difficulties are, I am always led in triumph. Is this idea being worked out practically in us? Paul's secret joy was that God took him, a red-handed rebel against Jesus Christ, and made him a captive, and now that is all he is here for. Paul's joy was to be a captive of the Lord, he had no other interest in heaven or in earth. It is a shameful thing for a Christian to talk about getting the victory. The Victor ought to have got us so completely that it is His victory all the time, and we are more than conquerors through Him.

"For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ." We are enwheeled with the odour of Jesus, and wherever we go we are a wonderful refreshment to God.

- Oswald Chambers

There's nothing I can add to this.

Remember how it felt?

So its finally becoming somewhat cool out in Texas on some days and all evenings... This is something long awaited for by myself. I really love changing seasons in general, but especially cooler weather. I'm missing the beauty of the trees changing in my Midwestern home, I hear the leaves here pretty much just go from green to brown.... but at least the cooler weather is a welcome excuse to dress the way I prefer to and get outdoors just for the heck of it.

So the other night, after it had gotten dark here, my little cousin Emi and I went out for a nice evening bubble blowing on the back patio. It was awesome to say the least. I have the over-anticipatory habit of wearing too many layers because I really want to do so now that its finally cool. So I was practically bundled up, and we made up games and pretended about King Kong and rollercosters. I don't know how to define all the factors that came to play, and don't honestly care to, but something between the weather, the outdoors, the random romping around and the bubble blowing and catching, I felt a weird freedom I haven't felt in like 2 years.

It was so strange.

It was a carefree fun feeling, but a really particular one. Like recognizing an old belonging you haven't seen in years and had forgotten existed. A feeling that really didn't look forward to later events or back on good times, or think anymore deeply than to simply say,

This is really simple fun, and this person I'm with feels the same way. Neither of us are thinking of anything other than dancing on the shadowy patio and blowing, swatting, and stomping bubbles.

It was really liberating to simply remember that this happens. Its not something one can plan on doing, it just takes the right person to be with. I hope to find more occasion for it one day.

Today I was lucky enough to hear John Piper in person as he came to Austin this week. And, as always, his preaching was completely dumbfounding to my spiritual status. Its funny to think that as I was going in, my excitement was clouded with doubt, thinking "How many times can one person who is so focused on very specific themes keep things completely fresh? I hope this doesn't just seem like reiterations of things I've already heard... " This is not to say that Piper is amazing, but that God is faithful to renew himself and reveal His truth, not to mention the fact that His truth is inexhaustible.

The sermon changed my entire view of the Apostle Paul.

The sermon covered one verse.

Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

This passage sounds heretical if anything! But the truth is that Paul does not mean he is in any way supplementing Christ's atonement. He is looking at the only thing which Christ did not do himself to complete the gospel plan. Christ did not stay afterward to spread the truth of His resurrection to the world. This is the "filling up"which Paul speaks of. So lets break this down further.

• Paul is speaking on his personal suffering. He speaks of his flesh. These are literal physical conditions he is dealing with here.
• He is doing something through this suffering, a goal is being accomplished. This goal is filling up what is lacking in Christ's suffering.
  
• Paul's suffering finishes what Christ's suffering cannot. He lives as a fresh and real example of Christ's historic suffering.
• This is for the good of the church. He suffers specifically to be a servant to God and give the gospel to those around him and the church.

Paul says in other places that if the gospel is not true, he is to be pitied as a fool above all of humanity! He lived a life completely destroyed. He lists over and again the intense treatment he received, constant near death punishments and plenty of torture, all so he could tell people of a gospel they probably would just hurt him for. He was slandered and looked down on by the Jews, who were his own people, and the Gentiles. He lived in constant knowledge that a lot of people wanted to kill him and he really had very few advocates.

That's a really dumb way to live if there's nothing to look forward to after your always eminent death.

As Christians, we should not only be okay with suffering. We should be looking forward to it as the greatest asset given us with which to honor and worship God and spread His truth! As Americans we stand in complete opposition to this mentality. May our entire physical lives be handed over in great joy to be destroyed completely as a testimony of God's worth and the lacking sufficiency of all of this world's distractions!

Paul lived his entire life in constant suffering and constant joy. He realized that the greatest blessings of this world were completely worthless in comparison to Christ himself and lived a life worthless to himself but completely devoted to God's glory.

I want to suffer so that Christ may be the only thing alive in me!

A. W. Tozer

Why do some persons `find' God in a way that others do not? Why does God manifest His Presence to some and let multitudes of others struggle along in the half-light of imperfect Christian experience? Of course the will of God is the same for all. He has no favorites within His household. All He has ever done for any of His children He will do for all of His children. The difference lies not with God but with us.

Pick at random a score of great saints whose lives and testimonies are widely known. Let them be Bible characters or well known Christians of post-Biblical times. You will be struck instantly with the fact that the saints were not alike. Sometimes the unlikenesses were so great as to be positively glaring. How different for example was Moses from Isaiah; how different was Elijah from David; how unlike each other were John and Paul, St. Francis and Luther, Finney and Thomas à Kempis. The differences are as wide as human life itself: differences of race, nationality, education, temperament, habit and personal qualities. Yet they all walked, each in his day, upon a high road of spiritual living far above the common way. Their differences must have been incidental and in the eyes of God of no significance. In some vital quality they must have been alike. What was it?

I venture to suggest that the one vital quality which they had in common was spirital receptivity. Something in them was open to heaven, something which urged them Godward. Without attempting anything like a profound analysis I shall say simply that they had spiritual awareness and that they went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives. They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing they did something about it. They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response. They were not disobedient to the heavenly vision. As David put it neatly, `When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.' (Ps 27:8)

(Pursuit of God, p. 66-67)

Assuming we can still trust government documents

So I read this and it pretty much defined my stance on the presidential race I've been so unsure of... its been a confusing and propaganda filled campaign trail as usual.

I think that its funny that people complain about single issue voters, like if they feel most strongly about one point they should dilute it with a host of other issues before their opinion becomes valid. So I can't be silent about my other opinions, I have to be equally vocal about the economy to have my views on the war validated? 

But oh well...

So I beg you to just follow this link and check out the craziness...
(be sure to check out the actual documents too!)

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=2630

So how could I justify voting this man into office if he is willing to kill babies after they are accidently born in abortion slip-ups? How could I vote for a man who would have voted against my getting to live?

Its pretty crazy to think that I myself, a bastard son of the mid-80's, probably had a better chance of being cut short of the air-breathing stage of life than of making it to a strapping 22 years old.

I guess I'm just more in favor of babies than I am of privacy.

Technology is no enemy. Let me get that straight first.

I myself am currently typing this using relatively advanced technology. I don't want to speak too soon, obsolesce is a constant factor scaring even the most intrepid technologists, those fearfully waiting just one more month before buying the latest hardware in terror over the fact that by the time they reach the exit of the Best Buy with their purchase there are going to be two newer versions on the shelves they just scoured.

So I'm actually a huge fan of technology and its communicative enhancement gifts upon the world. I know little about it myself honestly, compared to those ardent enthusiasts I know, such as "Updates in the Life Of..."

But I have this complaint. Not toward anyone, but about modernity in general.

Communication is good. The greater it becomes, the better off are all parties. One can communicate great truth or great poison, but communication itself remains always unbiased. With nearly unprecedented mass communication, the Nazi party converted a nation to aggressive world consuming atrocity and chaotic destruction of its own humanity. Contrastingly, impressive relentless verbal and public communication by early Christians spread a message from a few thousand people to be widely accepted at every corner of the known world.

But there are great flaws in technology. More so in the speed of things I suppose.

I love nature. This love is one I share with many more people than technology appreciation, for sheer sake of a few thousand years head start. But nature is beautiful and simply amazing, an inspiration to all human artistic endeavor in some way. And exploring nature is a chance to reflect, an adventure that entails grand reflection almost intrinsically. Every excursion provides the ability to be quiet and listen to some murmuring tranquility which almost demands for itself silent attention. I constantly think forward with happy anticipation of the next opportunity for such blessings.

But I see a great discord struck between the areas of technology and nature. This is not necessarily an interpersonal dispute, but one that is made clear in personal contrast for myself. I do see characteristics which create this tension however. The truth is that as cultures have advanced in the sciences, communication, and travel throughout history, life has become faster and faster paced. While this has always been true, the truth of this has been exponentially displayed in the 20th and 21st centuries.

J.R.R. Tolkien was one man who saw globalization approaching long before the advent of the internet, and stood in strong opposition to it. He saw an imminent destruction of cultures in blending them too closely. While he had personal affinities toward his rural English shire, he also had a great respect for all local cultures and wanted to see these cultures remain intact. It is truly easy to see that his sentiments were sadly confirmed in a world where no culture is left to its local customs anymore. The truth is that globalization is really only good for big businesses and to make life generally easier.

Now easier sounds better to everyone. Its strange that in a day when life is by far easier than it ever has been before, people continue to value greater ease more and more, like some kind of drug. But the truth is that easier doesn't mean simpler. And the wise have always valued getting away from the aptly named "rat race" for awhile. Many people realize that its far more rewarding to do even the simplest chore in a way that is rewarding versus checking off a to-do list. I think having an easy mentality is actually really damaging and a great way to let life get away from us. If your hoping to look back and try to figure out how all those hours, days, months, and years flew by, this is your mentality of choice.

So I notice that people are distracted from having higher purpose in their lives when they are focused on this globalized, technological, easy world. I also see that nature and living simply bring a greater ability to reflect on true life goals and overarching ideals. This all works out extremely practically in my own life.

All of this is more apparent to me in my own personality. I find myself distracted from living the way I want to through technologies. And I find that taking time out is most eye-opening and rewarding when incorporating a nature get-away. I see an inverse relationship here in my desires too. While I want to live fully and with the purpose I desire, I often fall short of this in technological wallowing. Technological distraction is constantly rearing its ugly head and keeping me from committing to my planned times away from it. I truly feel more and more that I need to keep my technology usage reigned in to specific controlled design, and that this will give me the ability to focus my life all the more greatly. Nature just comes into the picture as something I would be more than happy to replace it with, something which would never have such negative effects.

But of course, technology itself is not to blame. The bigger picture reveals my own lack of self control the culprit. This both lets technology off the hook as to say it is not the true source but also replaces it there as the most formidable of temptations. I have an "Into the Wild" mentality these days, but for completely opposite reasons from those of Alex Supertramp.

Ohio finally killed a murderous maniac who has been on death row since before I was born!

I cannot believe that all of this is actually taken seriously by our judicial system!

How can someone not be healthy enough for execution?

Today, I was at a starbuck's having a weekly meeting discussing the music ministry of the youth group I'm working with here in Austin.
As I was listening and contemplating the discussion, I looked out the window at a bird under a table, and noticed something really strange. I don't know how I noticed it so quickly, but for a split second I saw very clearly that this crow-like bird was missing a foot.
Now a birds leg is already just like a stick with two sticks pointing off of the front and one stick pointing off of the back.

See Example.






Who knows how this happened, but I enjoyed it. The bird seemed to function fine this way, and it rocks to see a peg-leg bird. Hoping to see a squirrel with a hook or eye-patch soon.

So the other day in the middle of my occasional classical music binge I had a reoccurring thought that has become more and more clear in my mind every time it has brought up. We all know that classical composers and orchestral directors are generally greatly admired for their talents and great skill in their work. But the truth is that, in general, modern society doesn't understand what the ins and outs of classical music are, or what truly makes these artist so significant in their work. Most people would be far more enthralled by any old guitar strummer than they would a significant classical genius. This came to me as I was listening to this music and realizing that this one song had flowed almost effortlessly from emotion to emotion, telling a story without using any words or really indicating it would do such. I came to a point where I suddenly felt like somebody had been telling me the story of their past. I realized this when the song took a morose turn, I literally felt like someone just started into a turn in their life story where things just fell apart. I was seriously amazed to think this song without words could evoke so much varied emotion, telling a much larger story than the sum of its notation.

The more I see complexity in various things, the more I realize why people devote themselves to things which seem obscure or a little goofy. This has taken on many different forms in my life, but the underlying similarity is the ever-epiphanatic realization that there may be some good reason people enjoy what they do. Many of these are either lost arts or geographically localized interests. Tap-dancing is something that has always fascinated me. I really don't understand how you can do that with your feet, how you can keep your balance at the same time, or how you could figure out and design a technique for it. Another thing I saw recently was a man who is a vodka taste-testing judge. Now, I would say that the majority of people in this world are split between either those who wouldn't like vodka or those who want the vodka for its alcohol content. But here is a man who obviously does not drink vodka to get wasted, but purely for the taste. And above all of this, I watched amazed as he taste tested 8 shots of vodka and placed them correctly in order of their quality. Obviously he truly has a taste for and intimate understanding of the complex intricacies of vodka's flavor.

The list goes on and on, but the over all theme runs true througout. The things which people are purposeful in often have some interesting complexity and true sense of worth in them. This stands a stark contrast while those activities which are often more socially popular lack any intrinsic value.

A. W. Tozer said we have a veil.
Faber was crazy in love.
I was once.

Tozer's first name is Aiden. The other night Aiden said something that really hit in a new way. In the Old Testament we see that God revealed Himself to be present in Israel in the Tabernacle. This place is divided into three parts, for those of you less up on your Tabernacle architecture. You have the outer area where sacrifices and more constant interaction with God is done. Then you have the holy place were only the priests can enter. In this area there are various symbolic items, the bronze candlestick symbolizing Christ's light in the world, the shewbread stood for Christ as the Bread of Life, and the alter of incense's constant fragrance reminiscent of prayer being constantly lifted up on our behalf. Going on further, beyond the veil, we have a place which is no longer symbolizing. The Holy of Holies is the place where God's presence itself dwelled. This was God's way of literally manifesting Himself as being in the midst of the Israelites while shielding His holiness from their sin. This is no metaphor, no, this is quite serious. Only one person was allowed there, only once a year, and any wrong move meant certain death.
All this being said, Tozer made a simple point. In the New Testament, immediately upon Christ's death, the veil separating the presence of God from men was miraculously ripped down. God saw what Christ did and it was enough to make Him accessible to man again.
Amazing.
But I have yet to tell you anything new. Tozer takes all of this truth and points out that not only is God available, He is eager that we should come within the veil's boundary now. Aiden bounds on and on about how worthy God actually is and how fulfilling He would be. But the fact is that we as Christians do not live within the veil. Why? Because there is another veil still standing. And what veil is that? There lies within our hearts a veil shrouding us from clear perception of who Christ is. And this veil "is woven of the fine thread of the self-life, the hyphenated sin of the human spirit. They are not something we do, but something we are, and therein lies both their subtlety and their power." All of these sins of self, self-righteousness, self-confidence, self-pity, self-love and others are so ingrained in us we don't even realize them right out, and they are often employed in successful ministry.
Many ministries purposefully promote their ministry, not simply Christ.
To be honest, we put a much better emphasis on who God is than we do on who we should be.
As I read about the serious pain caused by having this living self-matter torn out without anesthetic, I prayed for its destruction in me, knowing I had no clue how this would pain me in the end.
The strange things is that after reading and praying all of this, I didn't want to do anything. It was the strangest thing I have ever felt. I couldn't think of anything in the world I wanted to do at that moment.
Nothing entertaining.
Not sleep.
Not eat.
Not study further.
I felt out of place. I literally felt without desire. It was eery. It was confusing. It was a first. I sat outside and looked at the stars, simply for lack of anything to do. I thought about TV, facebook, eating, taking a shower, going to bed early. They all sounded like horrible ideas.
It was so strange that this truth I was joyous to read and ask for in my life made me feel out of place being alive. I was all alone, but had a feeling like I was at a party full of strangers, I just needed to be somewhere else. It wasn't something bad or scary, just completely foreign. I hope to go back there often. It seems a good jumping point. Maybe I can be more like Faber.
Tozer used one Frederick Faber as an example of a man so in love with God that he almost seemed mad. I imagine this point of having no desire for anything in this world is a point from which to move in this direction.
I mean, this guy was like mind-bogglingly passionate, like a really clingy love interest, or more likely in the situation coming to mind, past love interest. I think this is the only situation in the entire would where that can be a good, even the best thing. He had individual and undying love for each member of the trinity personally, he had fallen for each of their personalities. He wrote poetry about how he love the Father so much he didn't know how to control his physical functioning, and literally pressed his forehead into the ground in worship of the Holy Spirit. He said of the Son,

We can exaggerate about many things; but we can never exaggerate our obligation to Jesus, or the compassionate abundance of the love of Jesus to us. All our lives long we might talk of Jesus, and yet we should never come to an end of the sweet things that might be said of Him. Eternity will not be long enough to learn all He is, or to praise Him for all he has done, but then, that matters not; for we shall be always with Him, and we desire nothing more.

I can think back to a time in my life I scarcely remember. Although I do not know to what extent I understood all that has been spoken in this tremendously long-winded post, I do remember something that will last with me all my life. I remember years ago, working in factory making 50 gallon steel drums. I remember standing by myself at the end of a line, catching drum lids and bottoms as they came off of a press. But mostly, I remember singing quietly to myself of the glory and magnitude of our God. And I remember catching 5 lids every 10 seconds, crying softly simply because I was so blessed because of who God is, because I have Him, and because He wants me.
This is how life was meant to be.

New James Bond Music Video

I love this, mainly because of the odd coupling of Alicia Keys and Jack White. Very well designed song, completely wedding 25% Keys, 25% White, and 50% classic Bond!

Enjoy

SMASH BROS. VICTORY!!!!!

This is just a small display of the intense glory and reward recieved around here when you successfully dominate at Super Smash Bros. for a 1/2 hour!

Not to mention the 4 packs of 3 Sweet Tarts as additional prize.

Ultimate victory is very rewarding!

"I Have a Friend in Jesus" is about all they got right.

So this video has been passed around by a couple of my friends.

I put this out for your viewing to say to you :

If you are this poorly endowed in the art of lyrical craftsmanship, never ever write a song.

Especially about Jesus.

Enjoy.

Once upon a time, I was living in Austin Texas. Recently I enrolled myself, at greatly discounted rates, into the membership of one Paste Magazine. "Signs of life in music, film, and culture" is there mantra. In an addition to the immense blessing of partaking in their paper production, I shortly thereafter received an e-mail inviting me to a free concert showcasing the many talents of the great Mates of State. Although it was received only one day in advance, I was able to make space in my empty schedule to go.
Driving in downtown Austin was foreign to me, although the atmosphere had the appearance of a country-less version of Nashville, which encouraged me. I found parking open on a Thursday night beside a sing reading "Fri-Sat. $5:00." This is not the stroke of luck or providence it appears to be, so you have been warned. Did I mention I was alone? Yeah, for those of you who don't know but were wondering, concerts, like other social outings, are way more exciting when experienced solo. I mean, sure your friends are fun, but in reality they are sucking the enjoyment out of sitting through three bands you've never heard of.
And a guy kept picking up this Asian chick who did not want him to do so. A few less beers would have made this obvious to him I assume. I will give him the benefit of the doubt, that it was the beer, and not social awkwardness and general creeper status that made him so in this event.
When the last band ended, everyone left. I stood around awhile, then finally asked the door guy, "When is the last band going on?"
"They're setup on the outside stage, probably already getting started."
"Oh. Ok, thanks."
Apparently I am supposed to realize that there is basically another venue out back, and the show decided to move there spontaneously. They were good. I wish I was closer. I wish it wasn't so crowded. I wish that every couple-based band Emily Shinkle introduced me to didn't talk about their liberal political endorsements from stage. What a joy kill.
I was satisfied, I had salvaged the almost lost concert. I was happy to get back to my car though.

Wait.

Were is my car?

So yeah, apparently in layman's terms "Fri-Sat" means "whenever we find it lucrative." The guy in the gas station didn't understand me. I had already paid him for parking before he caught on to the fact that my car had already been parked for some time and was now lost into the Bermuda Triangle of a parking lot he owned. He gave me a number to call.
The guy on the other end seemed sympathetic, surprising for somebody in his line of business. But here I am, relatives from in town are out of town. I don't even have enough money to my name to pay the couple hundred dollars keeping my ride caged in somewhere in the state. I don't even have cab fair to get there.
I did have one thing. I had the number of a friend who was nice enough to help me get to my car and get it out. What a saint. Oh, how I love having Christian friends! Their moral values and intense personal care for one another is quite reassuring in such circumstances. Without this one, I would probably be living homeless in downtown Austin, begging concert patrons for change and searching the gutters for half-smoked cigarettes.
So I got a ride, the gate was opened, and I drove home.
At 3am.
Moral- pay the $5 to park in the lot.

Concert- $0
Ticket- $195.00
Having a friend to get you out of insurmountable circumstances- Priceless

Chambers v. Tozer

Although its not all really that clear to me yet, I have seen obvious differences in the outlooks of some of my favorite Christian authors. I have found a great example of these contrasts almost daily lately, and it have given me a starting point from which to make some observations. Although I like both types, I see one as something I can completely latch onto while the other feels more burdensome. I honestly don't know if that's personal preference or some inherent truth I just happen to feel more comfortable in. I assume a cooperation of the two to some degree.

The two authors I have contrasted in my mind are Oswald Chambers and Aiden Wilson Tozer. I want desperately to put a disclaimer down stating that I greatly respect both of these men beyond most comparisons, but I do see a difference in their overall approaches.

Now I think most people, Christian and non, would have a hard time stomaching either author. And as either author would tell you, (actually, that's probably what the text that you couldn't stomach would be discussing) that's to be the expected nature of things. Both spend much time dissecting the human condition, both pre- and post-redemption. Both spend a great deal of time in very lofty thoughts that bring conclusions that none of us are comfortable with on the majority. However, I see major differences in their direction and therefore the effect they're messages have on myself.

I don't mean to make any strict lines for either, or put words in these authors mouths, there is nothing that would more greatly upset me than to have misinterpreted one of these men whom I so highly regard. I have found, however, that Chamber's generally seeks to provide truth for specific circumstance types, while Tozer seeks a more hearty fulfillment in Christ in all situations.

Now to read either of these authors is almost a sure promise of great spiritual revelation, and neither is wrong in general, but it becomes obvious that this is a question of focal points. Unlike in the world of visual aesthetics, a life can only have one prominently. I would say that between the two, my alliance is with Tozer.

Now Chambers is a great man, a man who dissects verses piece by piece, using personal experience and vast scriptural knowledge to point to God's ways for working in the Christian's life. He is most frequently found pointing out situational truths in the lives of Christians. There is little or no reference to emotion in his work, and if searching for it one generally comes up cold, with a tone that places no importance on this topic. In a way, we can summarize his work as circumstantially focused and giving specific perceptions of general situations, with little or now emotional emphasis. It appears that Chambers is always trying to show his reader what the Bible says is a proper attitude and reaction in any variety of circumstances.

Tozer appears a stark contrast when views upon these lines. He is a man continually utilizing truth and knowledge, both Biblical and intellectual, to show how emotional and epic the truth is when viewed in proper perspective. It seems Tozer has almost no concept of circumstance, instead looking for blanket truths that in turn create proper circumstantial reactions. Tozer looks to Scripture and history to continually find reason to praise! I would summarize Tozer as being universally focused on truth that applies constantly in any circumstance, without even finding the need to discuss or address individual circumstances. It seems always that Tozer's main goal is to make God bigger and create a bigger reaction in his reader to this truth.

I think that perhaps the entirety of John Piper's ministry started as an attempt to cliff notes Tozer's work.

Of course, these are generalizations. It is not as if Chambers never sees God's glory and rejoices therein. It is not as if Tozer never comments on how different circumstances should be handled. Both prove to be proper at a time. My bias towards Tozer is made most apparent in the excitement I find in reading him.

I don't nod off as easily.

Given that my brain is just as weak as my biceps are it has become obvious to myself that no matter how much I understand a deep author or even can use his work to think deeper on tough subject matter, reading heavy material drains me almost before I have cracked a cover.

That's why I have switched over to soft back books.

But seriously, I am easily worn out intellectually if I am only inputing knowledge. I think some of the reasons for my personal bias are obvious. Tozer's point is to explain in detail everything that makes the truth logical, but it all comes back to simplicity in the end. Its like showing you all the work to prove the math is right, then going back and simply dwelling on the answer itself. I like that, being a person who loves simplicity. I also find myself feeling more and more that a proper response is often circumstancial. While there are foundations and boundaries which shouldn't be flexed, it seems a better working and easily conducted policy to think correctly and use that to evaluate a particular circumstance.

While I have my bias, and perhaps there may be some real tangible truth in the mix, I believe there is Biblical reasoning that Tozer is better. Chambers' basic idea is here's how you should handle these situations, this is what the Bible points to. Tozer's message is here is God and this is what that means, enjoy this and let it form you. Chambers tries to understand the Bible and let it transform him, while Tozer tries to know the God and let Him transform him.

Chamber's model teaches us to deal with the fall. Giving "My Utmost for His Highest."

Tozer's model shows us how to try to live like there was no fall. A life consumed in "The Pursuit of God."

I would suggest both.