http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/index en Jim@knowntome.net Copyright 2012 2012-02-03T14:18:49+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/judging_a_book_by_its_cover/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/judging_a_book_by_its_cover/#When:13:18:49Z Since the old adage “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” carries some wisdom, I’ll refrain from doing that.  But I have had a good discussion with a friend this week about a statement (the title) on the cover of a book by a well-know Religious leader.  Here it is: “How YOU call it is how it WILL BE.”  (Emphasis in the original, not my embellishment.) So, the content of the book may be great, but the title really disturbed me.  It certainly made me think, and that is good.  I’m not going to criticize the book because I have not read it.  But the statement made by the title is worth discussion.  Isn’t God in control?  Shouldn’t WE serve HIM instead of thinking (or demanding) HE serves US?  Even if we really were omnipotent as this title implies, would any of us really benefit from that power?  I’m personally much more comfortable and happy with a philosophy of “How GOD calls it is how it WILL BE”. I’m not trying to sell us short, it’s just that our human nature tries to rear its head all too often, and I know I often want things that are not God’s will.  Unfortunately, I typically don’t know that until well after the fact.  If I could call down whatever I want for my life, I would have ruined it many times over. Come on, people… let’s get our hearts right.  Is this life about us and our desires, or is it about God and His?  Let’s make a commitment to serve Him.  To steal a great quote; “Ask not what God can do for you, but ask what you can do for God”.  That’s where we’ll find real prosperity and blessing.  Anything less sells everyone, including us, short of God’s plan.   Jim's Existential Ramblings 2012-02-03T13:18:49+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/visit_ludlati_carepoint_in_2012/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/visit_ludlati_carepoint_in_2012/#When:18:37:17Z It’s the time of year when we start planning for our next annual visit to Ludlati Carepoint.  This year’s trip is scheduled for July 24th through August 4th (return home Aug 5).  We are having a trip information meeting this Saturday @ West Side Church in Champaign, IL from 9:00-10:30AM for anyone interested in traveling or supporting the travel team. Here is the video made from pictures and footage from last year’s trip titled “Home Away From Homestead”. We and our Ludlati friends sincerely thank God for everyone who gives time, energy, skills, supplies and finances to make the trips possible to visit our neighbor kids and people in and around Ludlati Carepoint.  KnownToMe started on the journey with Ludlati in November 2009 with a long term development plan to raise support and provide resources for the Swazi ladies (Bomake) who faithfully work at the carepoint, and build infrastructure and relationships.  All these things help to meet true needs, but these relationships we actively build are the only way to deliver encouragement, love, hope and life.  God spreads His love through us to our Ludlati neighbors and back again to us, because He loves us all individually and together as a family community.  Will you join us? Please come to the 2012 Trip Information Session to…   Learn how we partner with Childrens HopeChest to support the people of the Ludlati Carepoint in Swaziland for mentoring, discipleship and caring for the children of their community.   Understand how the Swazi people are partnering with Children’s HopeChest and AdventuresInMissions to break the cycle of loss from dependence and the HIV/Aids epidemic in Swaziland.   Hear from past travelers from area churches and the reciprocal impact of visits. The Summer 2012 visit will be the third visit from our community to the Ludlati community in Swaziland.   Learn all the 2012 visit details and upcoming fundraising opportunities. You can find this link to travel team information always available at the upper right corner of the right column:  2012 Swaziland Travel Team Info   General, Ludlati Visit 2011 2012-01-24T18:37:17+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/is_he_safe1/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/is_he_safe1/#When:13:39:31Z This is a re-post from a couple of years ago… I stumbled across it looking for something else and decided it was worth another go-round. Really good literature and music is a truly remarkable thing.  It makes us stop and reconsider things that we thought we knew, spurs new thoughts and helps us see past the trees to the forest itself.  I enjoy it immensly and appreciate those rare minds that can create at that level.  One of the best:  C.S. Lewis.  For any of you who don’t know, this passage is from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  The beavers are telling the children about Aslan, who represents Jesus. “You’ll understand when you see him.” “But shall we see him?” asked Susan “Why, daughter of Eve, that’s what I brought you here for.  I’m to lead you to where you will meet him,” said Mr. Beaver. “Is—is he a man?” asked Lucy.  “Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly.  “Certainly not.  I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-The-Sea.  Don’t you know who is the King of the Beasts?  Aslan is a lion - THE lion, the great lion.” “Ooh!” said Susan, “I thought he was a man.  Is he—quite safe?  I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.” “That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just plain silly.” “Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver, “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?  Who said anything about safe?  ‘Course he isn’t safe.  But he’s good.  He’s the King, I tell you Jim's Existential Ramblings 2012-01-17T13:39:31+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/if_jesus_had_a_blog/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/if_jesus_had_a_blog/#When:19:28:21Z The satire in this cuts close to home for many of us I am sure, but only because it reflects the current state of the Church so well.  But even if it ticks you off, it is worth reading for the humor - especially in the comments. http://www.air1.com/blog/brant/post/2011/12/27/If-Jesus-Had-a-Blog-I-Told-This-Great-Story-About-a-Samaritan-Guy-and-People-Didnt-Really-Like-It.aspx Jim's Existential Ramblings 2012-01-09T19:28:21+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/this_time_its_not_hypothetical/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/this_time_its_not_hypothetical/#When:15:22:24Z So, I have this friend… ok, last time I started a post like this it was a tongue in cheek reference to myself.  This time it is not (good thing or I would not be typing this as all my fingers – if not other appendages – would be broken), nor is it hypothetical.  And I still choose to have this friend be a friend, that’s what grace is about.  But I do need to vent, and not even so much about this friend. You see, I recognize that my friend bears full responsibility for his decisions.  I wish him all God’s best, but unfortunately the path he has chosen will not bring him that.  We live in a world of consequences for our actions – both temporary and eternal - despite the grace that we enjoy and MUST give to others.  That’s why grace is scandalous.  In order to really be unmerited grace, it must be offered despite any actions of the recipient.  That’s offensive and scandalous, and a big reason Jesus was killed by the powers that were. So, I have this friend who decided to leave his wife and toddler for another woman.  Beyond my agonizing over the seeming conflicts between consequences, responsibility, and scandalous grace, this raises another topic.  I’ve spouted my opinions and I know you’re probably sick of hearing them - on the dangers of the typical prosperity gospel, and the broader message that God will make his way so clear and easy that it will all come naturally.  That nothing should be hard or difficult, and that we should not force ourselves to make hard, life changing, difficult decisions that cause pain and the sacrifice of material comforts.  But this is why I will continue beating that horse until well after it is dead. My friend heard that message and took hold of this teaching and used it to form the foundation of a spiritual justification for his actions.  I cannot help but think that a clear message of responsibility and consequences, paired with grace and blessing, would have provided some level of restraint against his decision.  Maybe enough to make him reconsider.  Probably not.  But I know this.  My kids will know all about scandalous grace, and will KNOW they cannot and need not earn anything from God.  But they will also KNOW that life in this world is not easy.  That Jesus promised that there is a wide and easy road - but that road leads to DESTRUCTION, He called us to pick up our crosses (in the context of His time, read: torture/execution devices – not the convenient religious symbol), promised that the first would become last, and that the way that seems right to man is not His way.  Given the context we were born in and the fallen state of this world, in need of redemption and in a state of conflict on a level we cannot imagine - God has no intent that our lives be easy or comfortable.  His intent is that we have joy and peace.  In HIS INCOMPREHENSIBLE WAY, joy and peace come through sacrifice, service, and submitting our desires and comfort to do hard things that He will empower us to do.  This is not about a life of dreary defeat and self-abuse.  It’s about TRUE VICTORY AND JOY when we submit to Him and put our desires down. Another horse that may be dead, but that I will continue to beat:  scripture is dangerous if taken in snippets, and not considered and understood in the complete context of God’s entire Word, purpose, and nature.  This is just one example.  I am convinced I can find a half dozen scriptures (taken out of context, viewed in a vacuum) that will support ANY action I want to take.  We MUST understand God’s heart, His purpose, and Who He Is.  That’s what His Word is.  A description of Who He Is.  Since we are to reflect him, we must know Who He Is, and not rely on sound bites that we find pleasant. Let’s get it right.  Live for God and for others.  Not ourselves.  All of His promises are good and real, but must be paired with – and are only realized through – true abandoning of our pursuit of our good to SERVE Him and others.  I’m frustrated right now.  His message is clear, we simply choose to concoct other arguments because we want the easy way.  And in doing so, we shortchange God, others, and ourselves.  Everyone loses.  I want everyone to win. Scripture, Giving, Jim's Existential Ramblings 2012-01-05T15:22:24+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/finally/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/finally/#When:13:08:07Z It doesn’t get any more traditional than this.  Yesterday, I said “perhaps my all time favorite”.  I’ll say the same again today.  From Wikipedia: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is the mid-19th Century translation by John Mason Neale and Henry Sloane Coffin of the Latin text “Veni, veni, Emmanuel”. It is a metrical version of a collation of various Advent Antiphons (the acrostic O Antiphons), which now serves as a popular Advent hymn. Its origins are unclear, it is thought that the antiphons are from at least the 8th Century, but “Veni, veni Emmanuel” may well be 12th Century in origin. The text is based on the biblical prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called Immanuel (Lit.: God with us). Matthew 1:23 states fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.  It is believed that the traditional music stems from a 15th Century French processional for Franciscan nuns, but it may also have 8th Century Gregorian origins. It is one of the most solemn Advent hymns. And another version that holds special meaning for me:   I was raised in a German Catholic community of about 400 residents.  For 400 residents and the surrounding countryside, there were two - yes, two Catholic churches which shared one priest.  One of the two was St. Mary’s, located in the middle of open farmland, surrounded by open views that streched for miles.  The church itself was (is) a small turn of the centry stone cathedral that looks like it was plucked out of 17th century France, complete with 20 ft tall stained glass windows, stone arches, pipe organ, and echoing with awe and mystery.  It looked and sounded very much like the second version above… only older and and with lights dim like candlelight. My strongest memories of Christmas are of Christmas Eve mass.  Past my normal bedtime, dark, with stars shiging brightly - a bit tired, which only increased the surrealness of the setting and proceedings.  It did not matter that I was often in that building.  On that night every year, majesty and wonder was thick in the air.  The stars were brighter, the air was crisper, every noise, every action seemed amplified with heightened significance.  As we sat before mass, every rustle echoed loudly off the stone around and above us - but there were very few of those.  All were silent in the power and meaning of that night.  There was a deep, deep reverence for God in that place.  Then, from the back, a strong smell of incense as the priest and altar boys walked slowly down the aisle to the solemn chords of this hymn.  It was somehow easier to believe on that night, in that setting, with this hymn tying me to the yearning for God and Our Emmanuel - God With Us.  He was very much with us on those Christmas Eves. I miss that reverence now.  It was an attitude that is in a different universe from the BFF image of God that is popular now.  Yes, Jesus tore the veil and opened the path to free and joyfully open communion and communication with God.  But God is still God.  The description of the heaven we will see in Revelation is much closer to the awe and majesty of the Christmas Eve mass than to any other service I’ve been to.  I’m not endorsing a return to large, non-particpatory services - in fact, I endorse the opposite - small and particapatory.  But I also endorse an awe, reverance, and yes… a healthy fear of God that is paired with our understanding of His love and grace toward us.  In tandem, that is a powerful understanding.  Knowing fear and awe without knowing grace and love is a bad place to be.  But we’re not anywhere near there in the protestant/evangelical world.  We’re in the place of embracing grace and love without a fear and awe of God.  I think that’s nearly as bad a place to be as the former extreme.  So, I love this hymn.  Love it.  It brings tears to my eyes and floods me with memories.  It also reminds me of who my God is, and that He is worthy of my fear, reverence, and SERVITUDE.  I serve the God of that night - not the other way around.  He is worthy of any sacrifice He calls for, and I submit my freedom, wishes, and desires to be burned up and replaced with His.  Merry Christmas!  He is GOD… and is with us. Jim's Existential Ramblings 2011-12-23T13:08:07+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/ok_ill_get_more_traditional_in_baby_steps/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/ok_ill_get_more_traditional_in_baby_steps/#When:11:56:46Z Perhaps my all time favorite Chritmas song follows.  Sung by the incredibly gifted group Over The Rhine, led by husband-wife duo of Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist.  In many literary and musical references, a white horse is used to represent forgiveness… that is what it sybolizes in this song, and the meaning is not fully understood otherwise. It’s a song about Christmas, the hope that God provides us, life, death, and our ultimate redemption as we ride our white horse through the sky.  If not a traditional carol, it is beautiful and touching nonetheless. Jim's Existential Ramblings 2011-12-22T11:56:46+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/hey_those_herald_angels_are_singing_again._listen/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/hey_those_herald_angels_are_singing_again._listen/#When:12:38:18Z OK, I’m not normal.  Kind of bi-polar in a non-destructive sort of way.  I just don’t have much middle ground.  I love Christmas, the sappy movies make me cry, I have so many sweet memories of the mystery and joy of being a child at Christmas… but I also hold the commercialism of the season in disdain and mourn the loss of the true meaning of Christmas.  So, while I enjoy traditional Christmas music far more than most, I also enjoy music that is as challenging and non-traditional as the Listener “Just In Time For Christmas” album.  But this will be the last one.  Give it some real thought. Those herald angels?  They are singing again.  They’re screaming.  In fact, they never stopped.  Why don’t I listen?  Why don’t I repeat the message myself?  Every day and every moment?  The joy and majesty of His plan fills them with a message they HAVE to tell - because they understand and see the level and extent of the glory, majesty, mercy, and grace of Jesus’ coming.  Listen.  They’re still singing to announce His plan.  I need to be too.  He is worthy of nothing less.  This song gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes because when I picture the angels singing the message in the heavens it is such a grand and glorious picture.  And the thought that they have never stopped… and that I get to participate in their song and message.  Deep stuff…  full of joy.. and challenge. http://listener.bandcamp.com/track/hey-those-herald-angels-are-singing-again-listen well, those angels they’re singing again oh ye of little faith you can’t see it they’re on the clouds, peace on earth good will to men they sing it from the heart and they mean it and I can’t quite prove that it’s real and it’s more than just something that I feel Glory to the newborn king as they sing, oh just let them sing and I’ll go along with it because of who they are so ominous they’ve come from so very far I don’t have the answers but I believe it It sounds kind of crazy but I need it we all do, it was planned before time began for a woman and a man to be dealt this hand and a baby would come to be a man and be born that day in bethlehem and there was no room anywhere for the birth in a stables he was born the king of all the earth so humbly they weep the story for us all to tell of all his glory the angels one and all singing well, those angels they’re singing again oh ye of little faith you can’t see it they’re on the clouds, peace on earth good will to all men they sing it from the heart and they mean it he is the perfect reason why we celebrate we pervert it make it ours try and dominate why do we feel the need to water down what he came to do, bear the cross, wear the crown just calm down, calm down and breathe and let this cold breeze break you down to your knees as the angels tell it he came for anyone he loves everyone, take the cross, choose his son he was born, lived, and died, and reigns for you and I it’s the hardest thing for me sometimes to live by but I try and I fail, I’m a sinner and a fake but trust me when I say this path I gladly take and I can’t really say it like I feel it but when those angels sing it In my heart I believe it Glory to the newborn king, can you hear it. oh just listen well, those angels they’re singing again oh ye of little faith you can’t see it they’re on the clouds, peace on earth good will to all men they sing it from the heart and they mean it and he’s sleeping now he has no pillow for his head wrapped in rags instead, only hay for his bed he was homeless when he came to this earth humbly as a child he was born with much worth and the angels scream it for the crowds they climbed high in the clouds and sung it so loud their king was born & they gathered through the night while the stars shone bright to guide their flight and they sing, they sing it so loud, they sing it so proud can you hear it right now. oh listen Jim's Existential Ramblings 2011-12-21T12:38:18+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/let_it_snow_let_it_snow_let_it_snow/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/let_it_snow_let_it_snow_let_it_snow/#When:12:22:16Z Or… something like that.  OK, I’m not quite into the traditional Christmas fare yet.  Another Listener Christmas classic twist.  I honestly think this guy is one of the very few artistic geniuses of our time.  He has a special gift to impart emotion, express pain, hope, and the human condition.  All using things that are very real to us, yet taking thing familiar and making them foreign and strange to jar us into real contemplation of the message.  Using humor as a veneer over a vast depth of meaning and purpose.  The first time you listen to yesterday’s link and today’s, you’;ll probably think I’m nuts.  I gueses I won’t dispute that, but - be that as it may, it does not necessarily mean I am wrong.  Listen again and consider the truth in the words, and the purpose that truth should impart to us. So… enjoy, or if you can’t… be patient with me.  I just love this music and want to share the (for me) true perspective (and thus joy) that it brings. http://listener.bandcamp.com/track/its-christmas-time-again-so-come-on-home-to-the-fire Oh the weather outside is frightful but the fire, well the fire is right there laughing at you you’ve got no place to go let it rain, let it pour, let it snow. it doesn’t show signs of slowing and that’s just your luck, but that’s just how you are your heart is turned way down low let it rain, let it pour, let it snow. it’s october 25th and I can see the first signs there’s an elf riding a reindeer in the store near the blinds with a wreath around his neck and a froth on his lips he yells at me and pumps his sweaty little fist and declares war, a war that we know all too well but then he smiles and rings his dirty little bell and it’s in the papers it’s on the shelves it’s in your face santa and his holiday have come to this place for sure, OH be sure that you know it I’m worse for the wear and I hope it’s not showing fall is over now time goes by so fast it’s all over now I knew it couldn’t last there’s a reason and I’m sure someone will remind me but I have shopping to do so get behind me (and push) it’s november 25th and oh my we’re moving now just had a second of thanks, but it’s time to run the plow I’ve got an idea turkey let me tie your feet with wires and AMERICA size you and then throw you on the fire and lick our lips and let our eyes roll like marbles and trash another tradition fill our stomachs till we warble it’s my fault too, I get too busy putting things off and waste away my thoughts with ones that I’ve bought and we’ve paid a heavy price gladly let’s top it with oil and grease down the wheels so our brakes won’t spoil the fun at the end of a gun doing what we’re told to do can be so much fun it’s time to celebrate oh ye of little faith so fill your carts with garbage to decorate your cage so happy shopping holiday and please help the economy and say a prayer for your bank account and GOD BLESS the bombing Oh the weather outside is frightful but the fire, well the fire is laughing at you you’ve got no place to go let it rain, let it pour, let it snow. and it doesn’t show signs of stopping but that’s just your luck, and it’s just how you are why is your heart turned down so low let it rain, let it pour, let it snow. It’s December 25th, so go tell it on the mountain that’s it’s finally here and your tree looks like a fountain exploding with gifts and lights and returns for the stores, we all pray it won’t burn your home this year for hot cider and regret and guilt trips hanging low near your heavy head put your shoes on it’s time to run through the motions and mix some anti depressants up in the potion what have we done? remembering the reason looking out for number one is the theme of the season you’ve made your list and you’ve checked it a hundred times but you forgot to mention who came for you to be tried and killed and buried only to rise again that day maybe that’s when you’ll have a happy holidays God bless America? how about America Bless God and love others like ourselves Jim's Existential Ramblings 2011-12-20T12:22:16+00:00 http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/dont_touch_the_drums_boy/ http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/dont_touch_the_drums_boy/#When:12:48:38Z OK, I promise… I’ll do something traditional and sweet in one last post before Christmas.  Because… believe it or not, I’m not always strange.  I actually like the sweet, sentimental Christmas movies and songs.  But this is not one of those.  But it’s good… it’s a well, let’s call it a creative twist on the little drummer boy. http://listener.bandcamp.com/track/dont-touch-the-drums-boy Don’t touch the drums boy that’s the theme of the evening and if I catch you near them you’ll get a real good beating the man said to his face, said it wasn’t his place but he didn’t listen, grabbed the sticks and began ripping he started with the right and then with the left and back again and again till it hurt his chest and he drums out, it’s all he has to bring he has no gifts for a king, no gold or rings and he plays for justice, freedom and for life in his hands he continues all throughout the night and he’s just a boy, he’s a boy with no tomorrow head filled with truths and lies and he borrows he borrows the rhythm the 1 and the 2, and it speaks to you, it speaks to you come and play they told him then, we need what you have to give I have nothing for a king he said, nothing but this riff and he played his drum for him, he played his best for him he gave his gifts to him, he gave his best to him. oh no and we wait for gold, for perfect hearts and homes we wait until we can afford to come to clean to the throne but that boy had it right, he knew what he had to give it wasn’t big or expensive it was his best that he lived and somehow he knew it, I don’t know how but he did he figured it all out in his heart in his head and I’ll tell the stories, it’s all I know how to do while dust plays out the drums out for me and you please give your best don’t think your gifts are small that’s what he wants from us more than all but we have to be brave and push right up to the front even if people tell us that’s what no one wants and in your heart you know what you have to give this Christmas put others first in how you live and give Christ the glory in this very special way after all it’s his birthday have a happy holy day I’ve actually kind of bummed myself out writing this and listening to the song.  I’m not bummed about the song.  It makes me smile, and challenges me to honor Jesus’ birth in a real way - the way I believe we should.  I guess I’m just a bit sad that I have to call this perspective on Christmas unconventional.  We have to be brave and push right up to the front.  Even if people tell us that’s what no one wants. Jim's Existential Ramblings 2011-12-19T12:48:38+00:00