I am learning to deal with less internet access

So for the five of you out there who read my blog posts, you may have noticed it has been awhile since I put something up. Which is mostly a bummer for me because I have about three or four ideas in my mind that I have really been wanting to share, but current circumstances haven't been favorable to blogging. Mostly because I have completely thrown myself into my roles here in Germany with Amazing Facts Europe which has been a great blessing and privilege indeed. I am learning so much and thoroughly enjoying my job. I feel greatly under qualified and at times like I am not able to help as much as I would like, but nevertheless, I am giving it my all in every way I can.

The other part of the reason is that when I have found some free time where I would normally blog if I were back in the States, I have been without internet access. Now, this is not a complain by any regards. More of an observation really. I mean, in the States, the internet is never more than a few blocks away at the nearest coffee joint. I have not found this to be the case here in Germany. Which for someone who at one point went through about three gigabytes of mobile data in less than a month all on their own, would be difficult.

Let me sound cliche here though.

It has been quite nice to be unplugged for some hours.

Between work, a more temperate internet access, and being six or eight hours away from my loved ones and interests in the States, I have been enjoying a newfound liberty in not being attached to my iPhone's Twitter Feed and what's current on Grantland. Sure, I miss not being able to stay up to date with the Yorker, Atlantic, and Vice and I am not always able to be up to date with the latest viral video or the articles on Relevant but I am surviving. My Instagram feed is not quite as active anymore, but I have not suffered a nervous break down.

My mother always told me I am excessive. And I confess I am so I am, to be honest, enjoying the more disciplined life Germany is teaching me. Whether I wanted it or not, I am learning to deal with less internet access and in turn, I am learning to use the internet, not be used by the internet.

So it's been awhile since I blogged, but I can't complain. Life has been very full of experiences. Wordpress will be here later, but the potential extra minutes at work or with friends, won't be which makes me satisfied with my choices.

The faith of my girlfriend

My girlfriend makes me happy often. She does this through various means communicated at various times. One of the ways is the admiration created in me as I have gotten to know, to understand, and to explore another mind.

A mind similar to mine, yet so different, shaped by different circumstances and from different genetics. It's exhilarating to think I have the privilege to specially commune with another person with a mind of their own. When they think, their voice sounds in their head. How strange.

As I have gotten to know her, one of the ways she's made me happy is by observing the way she lives out her faith. Now, forgive me for being so cliche and so religious and so sentimental, but there is a beauty I see and an appreciation I have developed as I begin to understand why she worships this way, why that moment in her life is an altar, where her Ebenezers lie, how she traces the hand of God in her present life, how she studies the Scriptures, and the manner in which she wrestles with the Spirit. Hearing her pray.

The truth is that it is impossible for me to know about the faith of everyone in this manner, but to have one person where such an opportunity is present is much more than enough.

So she makes me happy. And as the type of Seventh-day Adventist who loves to take a spiritual beating or as my good friend Matt Minikus would call it, get slain, I have a deep appreciation for Jacqueline Burciaga as I hear her testify of what she believes about God and how He acts in her life.

It challenges me to plead for discernment, for eyes to see the spiritual dimension surrounding the armies of the Assyrians, for I know I am blind. See, I am the kind of person, the kind of Christian who would like to be thought of as having an 'Intellectual Faith.' (Whatever that means) Yet, as I fellowship with Jacqueline and with other loved ones, I begin to wonder if this supposed intelligent faith label gives me too much license to doubt the plain teachings of Scripture. Let's be honest, the Bible doesn't demand stupidity from its followers, but it does communicate that a more appropriate posture in life is one of a child with wide eyes and open hands willing to be taught by the Everlasting Father.

So I observe her and I watch her and I respect her and she shares so much to me that challenges which causes me to consider whether I am allowing a blindness to set in; because at some point, may be I am not being intellectual at all, once again whatever that means, but simply being a hardhearted unbeliever who needs Jesus to heal the blindness, and so I am delighted in the courage of Jacqueline to stand beside her Seventh-day Adventism while working her 8-3pm job in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip malls and hotels.

As I enter this Sabbath, I thank God for the faith of my girlfriend for it blesses me, I confess I am blind and my eyes don't see everything, and I cry out, "Son of David, don't pass me by."

So He makes me happy for He has communicated to me in various ways at various points in my life and the faith of my girlfriend is one of them. And that I can see quite well.

Happy International Women's Day

Author's Note: I hope nobody thinks I am trying to imply a woman only finds value in being in a marital relationship because of the two quotes I've selected. I believe the principals I am trying to emphasize are useful regardless of whether or not you're married.

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Today is International Women's Day. While this has different and various meanings across the globe, it is generally thought of as a day to celebrate and appreciate the woman.

Depending on your school of thought, this is done in different ways. My appreciation will focus around two simple ideas, two quotes from writings that I have personally found to be meaningful. I hope that whether female or male, you appreciate this short piece.

"My vineyard, which is mine, is before me." (Song of Solomon 8:12 KJV) "My vineyard belongs to me and is at my disposal." (Song of Solomon 8:12 ISV)

The first quote is from the Song of Solomon found in the Scriptures. The Song of Solomon is one of my favorite books in the Scriptures that I refuse to study in depth because it is too intense for me. May be when I'm engaged, I will start to sink my teeth into it, but for now, a cursory reading is good enough. However, this is one of those texts which in my readings has become very meaningful to me. The Shulamite woman here is responding to her lover who earlier claimed her as his vineyard. Now, in case you did not, vineyard is a poetic Hebraism alluding to the woman's sexuality, her sexual vigor and fruit. This quote though, I don't think is necessarily limited to sex though, because I believe human sexuality goes beyond what a man and a woman can do on a bed. I believe our sexuality includes all the relational desires, the affections, the desires for understanding and communication which makes people feel and know they are loved and held and in community. So, yes this poetic line is about a woman saying her body's sexual pleasures are hers and hers to give, but I believe the principle can also refer more generally, to the woman's female identity, to what makes her woman. The Shulamite knows she is her own and she can choose how to give her womanhood and to whom to give it to.

The women in my life who have inspired and blessed me have been those whom I saw were in command of themselves. They, like this Shulamite woman, assert themselves in the midst of less than favorable societal values and expectations and proclaim that they are their own. These women choose who and what to give themselves to and not even Solomon with his 10,000 shekels could shake them.

"Do not sell yourself at a cheap market." (Letters to Young Lovers 76.2)

I love this quote and it ties in perfectly to the previous one. In a letter to a young woman who had been too loose with her affections and interests, Sister White said that she grieved for her soul and admonished her with this remark. Do not sell yourself at a cheap market.

You are your own and you are free to give yourself as you wish. To give your womanhood to whichever career, person, dream, goal, philosophy, religion, etc. that you so desire.

However, before you give yourself, ask if this isn't giving yourself over cheaply. What will that career return to you? What about a certain individual? Or job? What will you reap from that religion or the pursuit of this dream? Will it be worth you? Because you can be certain that life is demanding and once we give ourselves over to something it will begin to consume us.

The women who have inspired me and blessed me not only knew they were their own to give, but gave themselves over to things worthy of them. They wouldn't put up with abusive partners. Their goals and dreams they pursue are honorable and dignified. Moreover, the ones who are Christian doubly realize they have been bought by the precious blood of Christ and would never think to conduct themselves in a way that doesn't bear witness of that fact.

These women not only choose who and what to give themselves to, but they have a filter and a strong sense of worth ingrained in them. They're worth is tied to the blood of Jesus which does not rust nor corrupt nor age, therefore they can have certainty they are of value and be strengthened to make choices which are not below market.

Today, I celebrate these women.

Sabbath

On this day of the week, I hear so many say 'Happy Sabbath.'

I myself say it a lot. At Friday sundown, on Sabbath morning, at potluck time. I say it with a smile and a handshake. Perhaps I tweet or Facebook something about it. Or upload an Instagram photo and hashtag happy sabbath.

But I had a thought last week, just a very simple thought. Am I living these days as if it were truly a happy sabbath? Is my behavior in harmony with what I wish and speak to my church community?

Happy is simple. It reminds me of Matthew 5. It reminds me of the beatitudes and the joy that is found in abiding in the Lord according to John 15. Happy is the man who abides, obeys, and trusts the Lord.

So my question for the happy in 'happy Sabbath' is did my week fall in harmony with the Lord? Did I abide, obey, trust? Did my week agree with the beatitudes? Did my week agree with what the Scriptures say brings happiness to man? If so, then I can be sure that my Sabbath will have the happy element.

The Sabbath part is not complicated either. Let me just share this break down of the old Hebrew word.

We could go in all sorts of different direction with the Sabbath portion, but let's keep it simple and allow the Spirit to guide.

On the day of ceasing and desisting and resting and stopping, I have to ask myself if I really am stopping. When I say 'Happy Sabbath,' am I behaving in a way that says: whatever my secular pursuits are, whatever my normal train of thinking is, whatever stress and anxiety about the future, whatever things that might impede my ability to fully rest, fully cease, and allow the time to be spent in worshipping God, I will desist from such thoughts and activities and feelings.

Is that the sabbath I am experiencing when I say 'Happy Sabbath?'

So that was my thought. A simple thought. Rather than just say happy Sabbath, do happy Sabbath.

These are the summarized portions: Was my week spent abiding in the Lord so that happiness is reaped as a fruit to be tasted on this seventh-day? Am I allowing myself to taste the fruit of worship by ceasing and desisting and resting and stopping whatever might cripple my ability to reach out and grab the fruit?

If yes to both, then happy Sabbath indeed, my brother and sister.