Will The Vernal Equinox Bring Peace to the Middle East Tournament Bracket?

On Friday I took a short trip to the Land of the Pines. 8th-seeded State was playing their first game in the NCAA tournament versus a 9-seed Temple. I thought it would be much more fun to watch the game and all 500 of the other games that would be on that day with Dad than it would be to watch them on a computer screen by myself, so I made last-minute plans, which Mom and Dad happily agreed to, and I was off.

If you watched the tournament, or any news afterwards, you know that State played a terrible game. 10 turnovers in the first half, no points from Scott Wood til 34 minutes into the game, and an 18-point deficit to recover in the second half. Well, they did recover those 18 points, but they couldn't hold on in the end. They just didn't have enough to pull out the W.

I was disappointed. I had picked them to win the first game in a couple brackets I'd filled out (no recliner for me!), and of course, I was wishing for some sort of crazy streak like they had back in '83. Dad was really disappointed. He'd watched ESPN's "30 for 30" show on the Wolfpack the other day, and he was convinced that this was the year we'd go all the way again (Never give up!). Everything was aligned just right. "Calvin" (not to be confused with C.J.) was gonna show up, Scott was gonna light up the 3's, Howell was gonna do his normal amazing, but quiet, thing and get a million rebounds and put-back's. But it all crumbled in just 40 minutes.

In the post-game conference, the press peppered seniors Scott Wood and Richard Howell with questions, demanding answers for how a preseason #6 team, picked to win their conference, could not only lose this game, but do so by playing with seemingly no emotion. People had been counting on them. "What happened?!" Wood, Howell, and Coach Mark Gottfried expressed their own disappointment, and then quickly moved onto the hopes they have for next year's team. This one failed, yes, but next year---well next year's team will be left in good hands. Scott was confident in Coach's leadership, and in the crew of young men he and Howell would leave behind. Yeah----next year---that's the year.

Coverage switched back to the other games being played. Who else would be upset that day? Which teams had the gumption to push through to the final game? And, as I watched hours upon hours of basketball, and team after team get knocked out---many players, especially seniors, crying with heads buried under towels, refusing to shake hands with their opponents---and hope after hope dashed, I thought, "This is not so unlike reading through the book of Kings."

In the book of Kings (1 and 2 Kings, really) we read account after account of the kings of Israel and Judah. With each new king, you are filled with a sense of hope, and you think, "Is this the one?? Will this be the one to lead the people in following God wholeheartedly? Will this be the one God said would come and set His people free?" And some of them start out so well. Smashing down false idols. Teaching the Law to the people. Gathering the nation to consecrate themselves to the LORD anew. "Walking in the way of their father David". But, at the end of each account is disappointment. Even those kings who seemed most devoted to following the LORD end up failing. They enter into an unlawful alliance and forget to depend on God. They marry a woman they're forbidden to marry and they start worshiping her false gods. They refuse to humble themselves before God, and they die stubborn and hard-hearted. And, enter the next king, repeat the cycle. How depressing, right!? Unless...

Unless you already know that there's no hope in man. Or basketball teams. Even the best king, or the best run through the NCAA tournament, will satisfy for only a moment. That king will die. That team will graduate, or fail miserably next year. And then what? No, those things fade. But, there is a King who has come, and is coming again. That King will never die. He defeated death!! He is our hope. He is our peace. He is our heart's desire. He is everything we've wanted. He is forever. He is good. He is Jesus, the Christ.

What does a sugary drink ban have to do with the Pope?

For the past few weeks, the world has been all abuzz with the search for a new pope (and, I imaginge, will continue to be for a few more weeks, given the recent selection of Pope Francis). Who will it be? What will be his character qualities? How will he compare and contrast to the church leaders before him? How will he deal with the scandals that have rocked the Catholic church in recent times?

Now, for the many, many people who identify as Catholic in this country, and in the whole world, I totally get the buzz, the excitement, even the nervousness, about who would be selected as the next Pope. For believers who would identify with a Protestant tradition, the buzz makes a little less sense to me. But, for unbelievers, which I would guess is the majority in this country, and the majority in the world, why on earth would you care who the next Pope is?

Well, I have a theory. My theory is, well, it's actually not a theory. It's just Romans 1. Verse 19-20 of Romans 1 says, "since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." All of us know there is a God. It's obvious. All of us want to know Him. The Pope is supposed to know Him, and to speak His Word to the people. People care who the Pope is, even if they don't want to listen to what he says, once he's chosen and starts speaking God's Word (Exhibit A - an atheist explains how God's truth is unchanging despite human opinion - below).

Romans 1 goes on to say that "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and bird and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts...They exchanged the truth of God for a lie...He gave them over to a depraved mind to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness...they invent ways of doing evil...Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:21-23, 24a, 25a, 28b, 29a, 30b[?], 32).

People also care who the mayor of their city is. The mayor is supposed to do the right thing for the city, and take care of the people. People care so much that they go stand in line and mark a piece of paper to help select who the mayor will be, even if they don't want to listen to what he says, once he's chosen and starts making decisions for the people of the city.

I'm sure you've heard all the fuss about the New York City sugary drink ban, that would make it illegal to sell some sugary drinks over 16 oz in certain restaurants, with the goal of helping curb the growing trend of obesity among adults and children in the city. People are pissed. Here's some examples from the CNN Money article on the topic:

"The super-sized drinks ban is just the latest in a series of Bloomberg administration regulations targeted at public health, including banning trans fats and the required posting of calorie counts."

"Critics have decried the rules as a sign of the growing "nanny-state" and an unfair intrusion on personal freedom."

"In a statement, the National Association of Theatre Owners said the ban had been "all about power" and lauded the rejection of an attempt to "unilaterally tell New Yorkers what to drink and where to drink it."

" 'I don't care how much soda people drink, there are bigger issues in this city than people drinking sugar, having more than two sugars in their coffee,' he said. 'I mean, look around us. Isn't there more that our mayor can concentrate on than sugar?' "

"The opponents argued that the city had overstepped its authority. Among other things, they said, the rules would disproportionately hurt small and minority-owned businesses."

So, let me get this straight? The mayor saw a problem with obesity among his people, and he decided he would come up with some solutions to help people struggling with this problem. He told restaurants to start posting calorie counts, and to stop using trans fat. The nerve! Then, he actually decided to try to restrict the amount of sugary drinks people were drinking. Who does he think he is!?! It's like he thinks people chose him as their representative, to make decisions for the common good. Oh, wait...

Here's the thing. I know the mayor of NYC is the not the same as God. But, the rebellious people pissed about being told they should drink and eat fewer things that will end up killing them ARE the same rebellious people who are pissed about being told what they should do with their lives. The people of NYC don't want to be told when and where and how they can eat and drink. They resist this so much that they are willing to take a sugary-drink-ban to court to get it overturned. So much that they will try to deflect the real issue by asking if there's not "more that our mayor can concentrate on than sugar?" So much that they will distract by claiming, true or not, that this ban "would disproportionately hurt small and minority-owned businesses." The people of NYC are on the witness stand, and the prosecutor is asking them whether they are taking care of their bodies - whether or not this overindulgence in sugary drinks is going to hurt them, maybe even kill them, eventually. And all they can do is yell, "Hey look over there! That other guy is a racist. He is an oppressor. He's just a dictator!" The prosecutor, more sternly this time, repeats the question: Are you, or are you not, engaging in behaviors that are destroying your bodies??"

Is this not just one tiny picture of us, in general? Are we not ALWAYS doing this? Always hiding our flaws - our sins- behind the wrongs, perceived or real, of another? Aren't we Really always trying to blame God for our shortcomings? "If God hadn't made me this way, I wouldn't be doing _________....If God would just give me ______________, then I wouldn't keep doing ____________. If God would just ____________, then I would be happy." But the truth about God, and how we should approach Him is in Psalm 119:68 "You are good and do good; teach me your statutes."

God is good.
He knows what we need.
He is able to provide it.
He is willing to provide it.
Trust in Him alone.

A confession, and an admonition.

I was talking with a friend the other day about our mutual struggle with "being down", or depressed, or discouraged - sometimes just for a day, sometimes for a stretch of days. As we discussed what we think leads us into those times, and how exactly we feel during them, and how we cope with them once we find ourselves there, we were noticing how we've both been duped by several lies.

We tend to believe we are the only ones who have ever felt the way we feel. We have believed that if we were to admit our struggles to a friend, they would either not understand us, they would shrug it off as not that big of a deal, or they would feel that we were once again burdening them with our problems. Though we both agreed that we do not feel that way when our friends admit their struggles to us (unless we're just being total jerks, which is perhaps another post), we still believed they would feel that way about us, because we have also believed the lie that we are more messed up or more "needy" than everyone else, as evidenced by our continual struggle with the same problem, and thus, our very presence with our friends is a burden. So, instead of confessing our struggles, and our sins , we remain silent (I am not calling discouragement/depression/"being down" a sin, but I do know that at some point---and I am not speaking for anyone else, just Me---I do not put my faith in God, but listen to the voice of the enemy/the world/my flesh instead. When this point comes, I am indeed guilty of the sin of unbelief. And, I am becoming more convinced that God is using this discouragement to train me for battle. Will I have faith in Him when I do not feel like it, and cannot see Him? Lord, grow me up! I believe Lord, help my unbelief!).

By remaining silent, we are missing out on SO much, which I'm sure is why the enemy/the world/our flesh resists us opening our mouths.

Psalm 32
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
   through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
   my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
                                                                       Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
   and I did not cover my iniquity;
   I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"
   and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
                                                                       Selah

When we keep silent, This is what we're missing out on.

1 John
1:6 If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

When we keep silent, This is what we're missing out on.

James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

When we keep silent, This is what we're missing out on.

2 Corinthians 2
8 We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by your prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

When we keep silent, This is what we're missing out on.

Psalm 32

6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach Him.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with shouts of deliverance.             Selah

Top 13 of My 2013 27th Birthday

1. Casey gave me a present first thing in the morning! Smart boy. Unfortunately for him, I'm not always the kindest person in the morning, and instead of saying, "Thank you, I love scarves!", I said, "Oh, it's not the right color." What a jerk. Then I felt terrible about it all day. He tries so hard (and succeeds!) at buying me sweet and thoughtful gifts - one, because he's awesome, and two, because he knows I love giving and getting gifts, and I think he may feel a teensy bit of pressure to get me just the right thing. By the end of the day, I realized that the color he got me would actually look better on me than the other color I wanted, and this was confirmed when I wore it the next day and everyone told me it went perfect with my skin tone. I think there's a lesson in here somewhere about being grateful for what you're given, even if you don't understand it at first? Thankful for Casey's thoughtfulness, and his patience with my lack of gratefulness. This is God living in Him!

2. Casey bought me breakfast first thing in the morning, even though he had the day off of work and didn't have to get up that early. And, he consented to my strange requests. And went two different places to fulfill the requests. Pecan twist and Bo-rounds from Bojangle's (duh), and a banana from the convenience store (to make me feel like I was eating "healthy").

3. While I would have been EC-STAT-IC to have 2 feet of snow on my birthday, the next best thing is 70 and sunny in January, and that's what I got. I wore short sleeves! I actually went to Walmart and saw their fur-lined coats and thought, "Wow, it's a little late in the year to have those out, isn't it? ...OH yeah, it's still winter!"

4. I got several cards in the mail, or in hand, from friends and family. In fact, they are sitting on top the DVD player right now and I am happily glancing up at them. I am TOTALLY a sentimental hoarder. Look for me in 20 years on Hoarders 2033. Wait, actually, be a friend, and come intervene before it gets there! With sentimental me and sentimental Casey combined, we could be buried within a couple years. It's sad, but true. I digress...so, my favorite card (if I can pick...I loved them all people---thanks especially to my friend Jessie in A-ville! what a sweet treat in the mail!) was from my Grandma W. She signed her card this way: "Love you Bunches! Grandma W....P.S. Hope you have a Happy Birthday! Mine & GrandPA's Anniversary is the day after your birthday - What a wonderful gift you have been." You may commence balling now.

5. Perhaps it is a little too revealing to have so much of this be about food, but nonetheless, here we go. My boss/co-worker/co-laborer in the Gospel/sister in Christ bought me lunch from wherever I wanted! La Cocina was my choice. I heart rice and beans. That is all. (funny side note: if you search for La Cocina in google images, you will actually just find a lot of pictures of kitchens)

6. So, I think I'm a little bit of an anomaly. I am both shy, and, hate to be alone. So, when I get home from work in the afternoons, I am good for about ten minutes, and then I just count down the minutes til Casey gets home from work. But! Tuesday Casey had the day off, so I walked in the house and there he was! Happy birthday to me!

7. This one will be a little bit of a throwback, but we got to visit Moms & Pops the weekend before the weekend before my birthday. I didn't stutter. Twas great fun. We watched bball (Butler v. Gonzaga - arguably the best game of the season to date), ate delicioso food by Mama W., ate birthday cake, and I got a slew of snow-themed gifts (snowflake cookie cutter, snow candy decorations on my cake, snowflake-adorned ramekins). To top it off, my sister and her bf came to visit from the land of Snow-town, NC! Love you sis! And, yes, we did talk about the boy before and after you were there. I believe he is generally approved of to date. Oh the joys of family :)

8. This one was also a few days pre-birthday, but worth mentioning. State beat UNC. Or, in everyone-else-who's-talked-about-the-game-afterwards words, we "dominated." Okay, so stop your gloating, Tar holes. And thanks to my in-laws for letting us watch the game at their house! Casey and his mom are UNC-ers. His dad is a Duke fan, but I think I might have had him cheering with me that night. He did buy me a sweet State watch that you can clip onto your keys as an early bday gift. Let's go pack!

9. Back to the food -- Casey took me to my "old stompin grounds", if you will. We headed to the PW for some "Asian" food. It was DE-licious. I got a discount. And the last chocolate chip cookie they had. And saw a few old friends. And, best part, got to help a 2nd-day-on-the-job-er figure out which dish she was giving us. She thanked me profusely and I was like "No! You got it! The peanuts mean it's Kung Pao." Oh, the old days.

10. Related to #9 is one of the best parts of the day - I got to enjoy my meal in the company of Melissa, Leah, Todd, and Silas!!! I love you friends! What a treat to see you, on my real birthday and everything!

11. Casey & I were gonna watch a movie when we got home around 9. We sat down, watched about ten minutes of a a UNC bball game, and decided to go to bed instead. We are old. I love you C!

12. My number 12 great thing about my birthday was the 12 packs of spearmint chapstick that Casey bought me! It was the last gift he let me open, because he knew I would like it the most. I like it because I'm addicted to chapstick, and spearmint is my favorite flavor, and they don't sell it at Walmart here anymore, and because he bought me like a year's supply of it. But the best part of the gift is that he totally gets me. Only he knows (well, and now, all of you) exactly what flavor of chapstick I use, and how I am always complaining about it not being stocked at Walmart, and how many times a day I put it on, and how I threaten to cut him when he tries to steal it from me, and how I freak out "just a little" when I can't find it, and how delighted I would be to receive a box full of it for my birthday.

13. I was quite reflective on my 27th birthday morning. I was thinking about Roe v. Wade. I was thinking how I was born 13 years and 1 week to the date of the decision that has allowed at least 55 million legal abortions since 1973. I was thinking how I could have been one of those 55 million. If my parents had led just a little bit different of a life, had a few different friends, hadn't feared the Lord, hadn't been raised to cherish life - I could Not be here. By the grace of God, I am here. He has given me life. Wow. Thanks to God! Thanks Mom & Dad, for choosing to give me life.