Posts from February 2011

Internet Pornography: A Ministry Leader’s Handbook [LINK TO POST]

Feb-22-2011 4:44 PM

When someone involved in ministry secretly struggles with the sins of lust and pornography, where do they turn for help? What if that person is regarded as the spiritual leader—the pastor, the elder, the minister, the shepherd of the flock? Where can that person find help? What would happen if others knew about the struggle?

This is some of the best stuff I’ve read about porn for a long while. It’s a small book that sketches out the pain of porn addiction and a path to recovery through God. (See? The way out is through.) Though it’s about pastors, other people are not so different—maybe a little more fortunate.

I think that those who are interested in reading this will probably agree already, but nonetheless, porn is a lot like Yoda said: “Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.” It’s more like a escalator than a path, really. If you’re in it and willing to get out, run back down the stairs, fast.

I recommend reading it online.

Typewriter Picnic [LINK TO POST]

Feb-16-2011 9:53 PM

I have been out shooting a lot in the past week and it’s been a lot of fun looking for things to photograph. A few rolls of film and memory card dumps later I have a number of things to share here and on flickr. The shots here I took while out with my brother, I decided to bring along this typewriter a friend gave to me as a prop to shoot outside somewhere and we found a couple of great picnic tables in a park lit with the beautiful light of the afternoon sun. I could not have asked for nicer colors, the orange, greens, and browns seem to melt together and I am excited to share something so vibrant with everyone in these cold winter months.

Some lovely wallpapers by John Carey at fiftyfootshadows.net. Indeed quite warm.

    

Not in Love

Feb-14-2011 4:54 PM

I like the idea (and reality, for my friend M. Barley) of being in love, but I’m not, and I like it, too.

As a boy under 10, I was naturally inclined to find girls disgusting and marriage something not to be done. As I grew up, my feelings changed, as is also natural. As Pastor Tollefson is fond of saying, boys watching kisses go from ‘ewwwwwww!’ to ‘eww’ to ‘oooooooh’.

So I became open to getting married. I began to desire it. Even though I’m quiet and introverted and can be alone, loneliness stabs me easily enough. As these changes took place, I also entered into a lonely period of my life, slogging through high school.

I am convinced that marriage is a good thing to desire. All the world screams it. Marriage fulfills God’s command to be fruitful and multiply. It is the beginning of the family, a country’s basic building block. Obviously, it’s a healthy and needed relationship.

Deep down, I don’t want it anymore, though. My life has changed, I’m no longer so lonely. I have two new best friends and that is all I want—a deep and satisfying friendship.

Certainly I should consider carefully. There is only so long a time where it is best to have a family. But there are many other things to do. Many people to love and help. Many lessons to learn. Much money to earn, save, and give. Many things that remain unexplored. Many fears to overcome.

This is how I will keep on for now, hopefully learning satisfaction in God. Serving him and finding happiness in his provision seems to be the deepest core of life, even if it’s not always a thought to be seen on the surface.

        

Leaf by mewithoutYou

Feb-13-2011 8:33 PM

If you fail to see a problem, which I find hard to believe,
Or if you’re hanging on from branches licking honey from the leaves;
You say, “The hopelessness of living…and the childishness of suicide!”
But there’s a call to love my brother that can never be destroyed.

However much you talk…however well you talk,
You make a certain sense, but it’s still only stupid talk.
However much I strut around…however loud I sing,
The shining One inside me won’t say anything.

Oh, to want one thing!
Oh, to want one thing!
(Oh, the purity of heart)
Oh, to want one thing!
Oh, to want one thing!

And you’ll remind me how I said you were a quiet bed in all my noise to rest…
Well, I was charming you at best.
Can you remember, dear, my saying how my coming here was a terrible fall,
As we crept like thieves along your bedroom hall?
I’d come down and touch your eyelids, but if you stay up too late
I’ll throw you back into the cupboard with all the chipped and dirty plates,
Like the carnival game with the bottleneck and rubber ring…
Where even if you win, even then you don’t win.

(All I want is to want one thing….)

I’m feeling this song right now. I hadn’t listened to it for a long time.

The third and fourth lines—there’s where I’m at right now. I never intend suicide, I know it’s useless and probably even sinful. But I feel an emptiness sometimes. What else is there to life? I finished highschool. What now? The value of my life in my own eyes has decreased. I don’t want power, I don’t want fame, I don’t want to be known.1 I will hold on and help those I love as much as I let myself.

I feel now more than ever that “All things are wearisome, more than one can say.”2 Just wanting one thing would be nice. One thing to hold on to.

  1. Umm, what’s this blog for? Good question. ↩

  2. Ecclesiastes 1:8 ↩

Deindividuation [LINK TO POST]

Feb-10-2011 3:07 PM

When a crowd gathers near a suicidal jumper something terrible is unleashed.

In Seattle in 2001, a 26-year-old woman who had recently ended a relationship held up traffic for a little too long as she considered the implications of leaping to her death. As motorists began to back-up on the bridge and become irate, they started yelling “Jump, bitch, jump!” until she did.

Cases like this aren’t unusual.

How you can loose yourself in an anonymous crowd. Do note, this does not actually strip you of responsibility for your own actions.

This is over at the fabulous You Are Not So Smart, published every once in a while.

Overanalyze theme 1.0

Feb-09-2011 7:54 PM

My custom theme is live. It’s pretty simple since I’m not really a coding or design ninja (not yet). Nonetheless, I hope you like it. Feedback is welcome.

Trash your mental clutter

Feb-03-2011 8:41 PM

You know all that stuff you promise yourself you’re going to read? All those movies you tell yourself you should watch? All those ignored sticky notes? All those things you’ll learn? All that… stuff you’re going to do?

You’re better than that. Get rid of that stuff. Focus on what really matters to you. Less is more. N-1. Attention and time are finite; don’t pretend they’re not.

Sure, mental clutter happens. That’s good. That’s how work and play go. You get ideas, try things, have fun, and make a mess. Don’t feel bad about that. Just clean things up as part of your routine. You’ll feel better.