Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me
Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control
Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle
Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control
Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle
-Casting Crowns
What a simple song--Somewhere in the Middle. Can you relate? Do you ever feel caught in the middle between who you are and who you used to be? Between being content and always wanting more? Between your faith and your plans? I know I do. Some days I strive so hard to be all the Lord has called me to be and others I am wallowing in sin up to my chin. I truly feel caught in the middle--constantly deciding whether the Almighty or the withering world is better. My heart longs for the God but my flesh is so loud--caught in the middle.
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
-Revelation 3:15-17
Oh, God, thank You for your great mercy that holds us though we are wretched, poor, blind, and naked. Thank You for loving us in the moments we are caught in the middle.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
PB&J, Freebies, and Healthcare-- Political Thoughts from My Politically Inept Mind
Today I brought my smashed peanut butter and jelly sandwich to school that I didn't eat yesterday. I wasn't particularly excited about its consumption but, hey, I was in a hurry and it was better than nothing. As lunchtime approached I was reminded that lunch was provided at a lecture today for the first 50 students in line. So, with smashed PB&J in tow I jumped on the vulture wagon of hungry med students figuring that anything was better than my fare for the day. As I enjoyed my fresh, un-smashed, free sandwich from Cafe Express, I listened to a discourse about healthcare, insurance, politics, and the like--topics in which I am very uneducated.
Some of the conversation was far over my head, but I think I got the gist--there is a huge healthcare crisis with no simple answer anywhere on the horizon. Well, duh, I already knew that. But as I enjoyed my free meal I had a small (and probably seemingly obvious) revelation. You see, in many ways our nation works in the same way that me and my smashed PB&J sandwich fated today.
Let me explain-- I had what I needed. No, it wasn't want I wanted. But it was plenty. And even without the little that I had I could I have made it through the day. And not only that, I could have easy done better. With little effort I could have walked down the stairs, swiped my credit card, and provided for myself something more palatable and desirable than my current option. But I didn't have too. Another option was supplied for me, and not only that, the option was free. So I did the most rational thing that any hungry medical student would do and received my free gift along with 49 of my peers.
Here is where our nation's crisis arises. We are handing out freebies to people who (1) have plenty to get by on (yes, maybe it is not as much as their neighbor, but it is more than enough) and/or (2) could easily do better with a little effort. I am not talking about people who are unable to make ends meet despite gruelling efforts or those with disabilities that prevent them from such efforts--unless of course you consider bare laziness a disability.
You may say that I am stereotypical, judgmental, or maybe even just plain not altruistic. But look around. You won't have to look far to find a grand example of this in action--it is rampant. Don't mistake me for saying that I do not care about the poor, the orphans, and the widows--those in real need. What I am saying is that our American greediness has overrun every aspect of our culture, and if we are so blind and ignorant as to think that giving more to the "pseudo-poor" as I like to call it is the solution we are sadly, sadly mistaken.
One of the questions proposed today was, "What responsibility does the government have to provide healthcare for the uninsured?" And as one of my peers pointed out the more appropriate questions that we should be asking ourselves are--"What responsibility do individuals have to provide for their own well-being? What responsibility do individuals have to take care of themselves and provide for themselves?" I mean, if we are in the mood to be charitable we could pool the wealth and become Communist. But I think we are mistaking charity with stupidity.
I was watching the news one night as some angry protesters went nuts in New Orleans about the demolition of an area of government housing. The reporter interviewed a woman who said, "I may be poor, but I ain't gonna live poor." What a mentality--I am going to get and get and get as much as I can. That is not called poverty. It is called greediness and laziness.
Like I said, there are no simple solutions to the healthcare issue. But I think we are completely missing the point. I think we can package these ridiculous plans with pretty ribbons and bows all we want but when the big day comes for their unwrapping, some will be quite surprised when all they find is a box full of greedy snakes waiting in line for another dollar.
Please do not think I am saying that everyone on any sort of government program is a greedy snake. Rather, look and see how much the poor and needy are truly robbed by the "pseudo-poor" and un-needy in their abuse of the system.
As long as there is free food in the medical school there will be hungry students eagerly awaiting a good meal, and as long as we continue to rob ourselves with fluffy, pretty, simple plans there we be a line of lazies waiting for another check. Don't kid yourself.
Some of the conversation was far over my head, but I think I got the gist--there is a huge healthcare crisis with no simple answer anywhere on the horizon. Well, duh, I already knew that. But as I enjoyed my free meal I had a small (and probably seemingly obvious) revelation. You see, in many ways our nation works in the same way that me and my smashed PB&J sandwich fated today.
Let me explain-- I had what I needed. No, it wasn't want I wanted. But it was plenty. And even without the little that I had I could I have made it through the day. And not only that, I could have easy done better. With little effort I could have walked down the stairs, swiped my credit card, and provided for myself something more palatable and desirable than my current option. But I didn't have too. Another option was supplied for me, and not only that, the option was free. So I did the most rational thing that any hungry medical student would do and received my free gift along with 49 of my peers.
Here is where our nation's crisis arises. We are handing out freebies to people who (1) have plenty to get by on (yes, maybe it is not as much as their neighbor, but it is more than enough) and/or (2) could easily do better with a little effort. I am not talking about people who are unable to make ends meet despite gruelling efforts or those with disabilities that prevent them from such efforts--unless of course you consider bare laziness a disability.
You may say that I am stereotypical, judgmental, or maybe even just plain not altruistic. But look around. You won't have to look far to find a grand example of this in action--it is rampant. Don't mistake me for saying that I do not care about the poor, the orphans, and the widows--those in real need. What I am saying is that our American greediness has overrun every aspect of our culture, and if we are so blind and ignorant as to think that giving more to the "pseudo-poor" as I like to call it is the solution we are sadly, sadly mistaken.
One of the questions proposed today was, "What responsibility does the government have to provide healthcare for the uninsured?" And as one of my peers pointed out the more appropriate questions that we should be asking ourselves are--"What responsibility do individuals have to provide for their own well-being? What responsibility do individuals have to take care of themselves and provide for themselves?" I mean, if we are in the mood to be charitable we could pool the wealth and become Communist. But I think we are mistaking charity with stupidity.
I was watching the news one night as some angry protesters went nuts in New Orleans about the demolition of an area of government housing. The reporter interviewed a woman who said, "I may be poor, but I ain't gonna live poor." What a mentality--I am going to get and get and get as much as I can. That is not called poverty. It is called greediness and laziness.
Like I said, there are no simple solutions to the healthcare issue. But I think we are completely missing the point. I think we can package these ridiculous plans with pretty ribbons and bows all we want but when the big day comes for their unwrapping, some will be quite surprised when all they find is a box full of greedy snakes waiting in line for another dollar.
Please do not think I am saying that everyone on any sort of government program is a greedy snake. Rather, look and see how much the poor and needy are truly robbed by the "pseudo-poor" and un-needy in their abuse of the system.
As long as there is free food in the medical school there will be hungry students eagerly awaiting a good meal, and as long as we continue to rob ourselves with fluffy, pretty, simple plans there we be a line of lazies waiting for another check. Don't kid yourself.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Newness
Welcome to 2008! Wow, how the time flies and stands still all at the same time. I love the New Year because I love the time of reflection and renewal. Yeah, that seems like a trite or cliche thing to say, but it's true. A lot of people reflect on the year past and feel a sense of renewal--of starting over in a sense. The problem is that the renewal lasts for a day or two or maybe even a week or two--about until work or school or "normal" life kicks back into play. In my mind that is a tragedy--that we wear ourselves out so quickly and lose sight of the greater picture, the hope and joy that we have in Christ, that though life just plain sucks at times, He is faithful and good.
I feel like 2007 was a busy year. I was spare you all of a list of my 2007 accomplishments (because mostly they are boring and unimportant), but I flat out wore myself out. I even feel like I missed Christmas this year. Does anyone know what I mean? I was just so busy that when I was putting away the decorations I thought--did all this just happen already? Is Christmas tomorrow or was it last week? Running here and there and everywhere I missed it. I mean, sometimes I think that is just part of life. You can't slow life down. And that was me this year--there was nothing I could do to slow my life down.
But this week I am resting and doing exciting things that I have wanted to do for awhile now--like iron my curtains and organize my thousands of pages of notes from the semester. Exciting, I know. Today I chilled and as I was riding in the car I heard a great song on the radio. I must admit that, normally, I probably would have changed the station because, yes, it is the typical, overplayed, redundant, bordering on annoying, contemporary Christian song BUT its message hit home today and for me it is my theme song of the new year. It's called Miracle of the Moment by Steven Curtis Chapman--
It’s time for letting go
All of our if only’s
‘Cause we don’t have a time machine
And even if we did
Would we really want to use it?
Would we really want to go change everything?
‘Cause we are who and where and what we are for now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
Chorus:
So breathe it in and breathe it out
Listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss
The miracle of the moment
There’s only one who knows
What’s really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history
And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
And let them soften your heart
And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go, let it go
You gotta let it go
Listen to your heartbeat
I love how it says, "He has given us a treasure called right now, and this is the only moment we can do anything about." What a wonderful thing to treasure day-to-day, maybe even seemingly mundane life. What a wonderful thing to live in the moment. Yeah, yeah, cliche you may say. But true nonetheless. Hold on to that. Enjoy the moment.
And one last thought--
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
1 Corinthians 5:17
Welcome to the new year. May you experience the newness you have in Christ to its fullest this year and may you live in the miracle of the moment. May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon and be gracious and give you peace....
I feel like 2007 was a busy year. I was spare you all of a list of my 2007 accomplishments (because mostly they are boring and unimportant), but I flat out wore myself out. I even feel like I missed Christmas this year. Does anyone know what I mean? I was just so busy that when I was putting away the decorations I thought--did all this just happen already? Is Christmas tomorrow or was it last week? Running here and there and everywhere I missed it. I mean, sometimes I think that is just part of life. You can't slow life down. And that was me this year--there was nothing I could do to slow my life down.
But this week I am resting and doing exciting things that I have wanted to do for awhile now--like iron my curtains and organize my thousands of pages of notes from the semester. Exciting, I know. Today I chilled and as I was riding in the car I heard a great song on the radio. I must admit that, normally, I probably would have changed the station because, yes, it is the typical, overplayed, redundant, bordering on annoying, contemporary Christian song BUT its message hit home today and for me it is my theme song of the new year. It's called Miracle of the Moment by Steven Curtis Chapman--
It’s time for letting go
All of our if only’s
‘Cause we don’t have a time machine
And even if we did
Would we really want to use it?
Would we really want to go change everything?
‘Cause we are who and where and what we are for now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
Chorus:
So breathe it in and breathe it out
Listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss
The miracle of the moment
There’s only one who knows
What’s really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history
And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
And let them soften your heart
And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go, let it go
You gotta let it go
Listen to your heartbeat
I love how it says, "He has given us a treasure called right now, and this is the only moment we can do anything about." What a wonderful thing to treasure day-to-day, maybe even seemingly mundane life. What a wonderful thing to live in the moment. Yeah, yeah, cliche you may say. But true nonetheless. Hold on to that. Enjoy the moment.
And one last thought--
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
1 Corinthians 5:17
Welcome to the new year. May you experience the newness you have in Christ to its fullest this year and may you live in the miracle of the moment. May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon and be gracious and give you peace....
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