amosmiguel's Xanga Site

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

On Hell

"...the human soul was built for worshiping and enjoying the true God, and all truly human life flows from that. In this world, all of humanity, even those who have turned away from God, still are supported by 'kindly providences' or 'common grace' (Acts 14:16-17; Psalm 104:10-30; James 1:17) keeping us still capable of wisdom, love, joy, and goodness. But when we lose God's supportive presence all together, the result is hell."

"Jesus suffered infinitely more than any human soul in eternal hell, yet he looks at us and says, "It was worth it." What could make us feel more loved and valued than that? The Savior presented in the gospel waded through hell itself rather than lose us, and no other savior ever depicted has loved us at such a cost."

Excerpts from Tim Keller's article, "The Importance of Hell." Read the rest of the article here.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Music, recently

Here are two songs that I haven't been able to stop listening to this week. Perhaps it is not only because of the musicianship but also the transparency and honesty of the songs. I find it odd that both are about brokenness in the writer's own lives. Sorry I couldn't embed anything into the post.

Machine gun by Portishead

I've recently been enjoying the trip-hop scene, but this song especially. It's percussion driven, but electronic percussion at that. The vocals are incredible. The lyrics here are so peculiar that I would love an interview to see what was happening at the time of writing.

"I saw a saviour
a saviour come my way
I thought I'd see it
at the cold light of day
but now I realise that I’m
Only for me

if only I could see
You turn myself to me
and recognise the poison in my heart
there is no other place
no one else I face
remedy, we’ll agree, is how I feel
[Machine Gun on http://elyricsworld.com ]
here in my reflecting
What more can I say?
for I am guilty
for the voice that I obey
too scared to sacrifice a choice
chosen for me

if only I could see
You turn myself to me
recognise the poison in my heart
there is no other place
no one else I face
The remedy, to agree, is how I feel"

Born Again by Jeremy Casella
Click here to hear the mp3 and in the comments you can read the writer's comment of his own song.

This song almost seems like a journal entry of Jeremy's, just trying to make sense of things in his life. I love the acoustic guitar mixed with the violins near the end. Incredible.

Enjoy!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Who is Jesus Christ? (cont)

Colossians 1:15-20

-He is the image of the invisible God (v. 15)
-He is the firstborn over all creation (v. 15)
-By him, all things were created (v. 16)
-All things were created for him (v. 16)
-Christ is before all things (v. 17)
-In him, all things hold together (v. 17)
-Christ is the head of the church (v. 17)
-Christ is the beginning (v. 18)
-He is the firstborn among the dead (v. 18)
-In everything, he has supremacy (v. 18)
-All of the fullness of God dwells in him (v. 19)
-Through Christ, all things are reconciled to God (v. 20)
-He has made peace through his blood shed on the cross (v. 20)

I'm struck at all of these incredible claims, the many superlatives.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Desire

I guess when you don't really leave the house much, your mind has the time to meditate about life more. This weekend I've been thinking much about desire- specifically my desire for prayer and my desire for Christ.

I heard this song this morning (thanks, Phil!)

******
"Desire" by Phil Wickham

I’m running through the gates of love, as fast as I can
I can’t wait to see You cuz I’m a desperate man
You made the light and sent it down
to show us who You are
Now It’s bursting out my heart

My desire is burning like a million stars
And I’ll keep reaching out, reaching out for You

I’d be nothing without You, yeah I would die
If I didn’t have Your hand if I couldn’t look into Your eyes
Jesus if Your love’s the fuel then I’m the desperate flame
That’s screaming out Your name

My desire is burning like a million stars
And I’ll keep reaching out, reaching out for You
My desire, is burning with the fire You sparked
And I’ll keep reaching out, reaching out for You

This is glory rising, over a new horizon
I See Your love, I feel Your smile
You're in my heart and I will run with all I have to You

My desire is burning like a million stars
And I’ll keep reaching out, reaching out for You
My desire, is burning with the fire You sparked
And I’ll keep reaching out, reaching out for You

I'm reaching out for You
I'm reaching out for You, You, You
****

Shortly thereafter, I read this great article on manhood and desire for God (thanks, Tyler!).

Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Incident

On May 30, 2008 I broke my ankle and my fibula. Here is the story through pictures.

Elba Island! Second day of STINT debrief. We decided to rent scooters (something I've been wanting to do all year).

I rounded a curve too fast for the scooter. It ended up falling. An ambulance was called. Here, Lauren, my teammate tries to console me. At this point, I knew something was broken since I couldn't walk on it.

I was rushed to the Elba Island hospital. There, I received my first cast ever and also the most pain I've ever experienced. (My teammate Kanda was riding on the back of the scooter as well, but, thankfully, she only sustained a few cuts and bruises.) Here I am before the first cast.

After four days in the Elba hospital (thank you Joel for hanging out with me!), it was discovered that I would need surgery. So, it was off to Rome for the surgery. Here's our last team photo at the hospital in Rome, Salvator Mundi.

The surgery was a success (thank you Agape Insurance!). A four-inch metal plate, 7 screws, and 21 staples are currently in my right leg. Here's a pic while I was getting my bandages changed.

It looks like another 20 days in my current cast, then another month in a walking cast. Many thanks to my roommates and friends in Rome for helping me around the house and around the city and eat dinner, and also many thanks to those who are and have been praying for me as I recover.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Who is Jesus Christ?

Colossians 1:1-14

He has apostles (v. 1)
There is a family (brothers) in Christ (v. 2)
God is his father (v. 3)
He is someone to put our faith in (v. 4)
He has faithful ministers (v. 7)
There is a life (style) that is worthy of him, pleasing to him (v. 10)
-bearing fruit in every good work
-growing in the knowledge of God
-being strengthened with all power according to Christ's glorious might (for great endurance and patience)
-giving thanks to the Father

He has a kingdom (v. 13)
God loves Jesus (v. 13)
The Colossian church were saved (redeemed) and had their sins forgiven in Christ (v. 14)

I've started Colossians this month. What an amazing book. I studied it with some friends last February, but such a great time to revisit it again. I'm struck at the simplicity of the book. The first two chapters essentially talk about who Christ is. Then, the last two talk about how Christians should then live in light of this.

Such good things to meditate on...

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Something a little more than pasta

Today, one my friends' good friends passed out unexpectedly, so we had to call an ambulance. It took the ambulance 40 minutes to get to the University- and this is with the hospital less than 2 Km away!

I shake my head at this, not to complain about Italian bureaucracy but as evidence of a culture in need of God. A place where truly the only answer is a heart changed by God and fully committed to him. There is hope for this country, but it doesn't lie in better laws or dependable people, it's Jesus.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Studying the Bible in Italian

I am going through my second wave of amazement regarding the Holy Spirit speaking across languages. The first time was when I saw the power of the gospel at work in another's life when I shared it in another language. Yet, now, this second time I am realizing how the power of the gospel is at work in my life when I hear it in another language.

Last night, I was able to sit in on the Wednesday night Italian Bible Study (usually, I sit out because I lead the Tuesday night one). Of course, it's all in Italian, so I leave my ESV on my desk, grab a Nuova Riveduta and tell myself that I'm only going to speak Italian.

The passage we studied was Luke 8:22-25
Chris asked the question, "In vesetto venticinque, perche' Gesu' li ha chiesto 'Dov'e' la vostra fede?' " [In verse 25, why did Jesus ask them, "Where is your faith?"] I'm telling myself, they had faith. The disciples woke Jesus so he would calm the storm. They were in danger. They were looking to him for salvation. But, then, my friend Emiliano, spoke up and said, they didn't have faith because they didn't think Jesus was going to do anything; they doubted they were going to be saved in the first place. I knew the Holy Spirit was speaking to me, too.

Was Jesus not aware of their plight? Surely, he was. Were they going to be all right even if they didn't wake Jesus? Absolutely.

Do I trust when the waves crash? Or, do I use Jesus as my get-out-of-a-storm-for-free card?

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Inspiration
Creation

It seems there has been a burst of creativity coming from within me these past few months. I would never call myself an artist. Although, I did refer to myself as a musician once, which did feel...just weird.

I've been writing. I've been singing. I've been dreaming of scripts and angles for camera shots and funny dialogues- serious dialogues.

It's the wonder really. The realization that there is so much more happening around me that I know not of. Maybe it's a little bit like faith. I don't see what's there- not with my physical senses, but something deep inside me knows something is there. I experience it. Truth guides me there. It's Jesus.

Currently watching, listening, reading:
Finding Neverland
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Blonde Redhead
Stephen McGee

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Thoughts about Joel

No, not my roommate (even though I do think he's pretty swell).

This month I'm reading through the book of Joel along with the rest of the staff here in Italy (something I'm a huge fan of). I've been meditating on the book throughout today and thought I would blog some thoughts; perhaps in the spirit of Doogie Howser M.D.

Reading the text at first glance, it's easy for me to equate this story to something that would happen in ancient Egypt. First, the land suffers. People don't have any food, they realize they are in turmoil. Then, a prophet rises up and proclaims to the people that this famine is really their fault. They've ticked off the god(s) and so now they need to make things right.
"Quick! Quick! Get on your faces. Appease the god of grain or the god of cattle. Make things right or you won't last this generation."

But, even reading that now, I realize how deeply misguided such an inclination is. I dug a little bit deeper today and read this sermon summary by John Piper. Reading the text again with the guidance of John, it's clear that this story is far from merely appeasing some gods. Verses 12-14 of chapter 2 show God's purpose for this attack from locusts:

12 "Even now," declares the LORD,
       "return to me with all your heart,
       with fasting and weeping and mourning."
13 Rend your heart
       and not your garments.
       Return to the LORD your God,
       for he is gracious and compassionate,
       slow to anger and abounding in love,
       and he relents from sending calamity.
His purpose was to return his people unto himself.
And, the verses show more of who he is: slow to anger, compassionate, abounding in love. God is about his own glory, but not in a way that is haughty or condescending- no! That is not the character of God. God is about himself because he knows his character, he is good. He relents from this calamity. And, these people were going astray, and it was breaking the heart of God. The Israelites were lost and dying in their sin, and he was the only solution.
How easily I see my life like this. I think I know what is best for my life. In my pride, I think that I am the answer to the problems in my life. But, as I continue to walk in the power of the Spirit, as I continue to yield my life to Christ, he will make sure my life continues to be more and more about him, the best thing that could ever be for my life, and less about me (and, oh, how vastly simpler it is to type this here than to experience this daily...as even now I am...).

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Stencils in Rome

Besides the thousands of pieces of art found in churches and museums here, thousands of pieces of graffiti can also be found along the streets of Rome. Sadly, much of it is just 'junk'- tags from young punks trying to get known or gawdy political slogans.

Still, there are the wonderful blowups that you can encounter on the trains or near the train station, and my personal favorite, stencils.

I don't entirely understand the reasons for these specific pieces of street art or for street art in general, but I'm interested in learning more. And, that's enough for me to post :)

My buddy Ryan has also made a couple nice stencils. Check out Wooster Collective for some more interesting street art.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

"In Italia"

My friend Joel showed me this thought-provoking music video a few days ago.

"In Italia" is a song by Italian rap artist Fabri Fibra (with guest Gianna Nannini). The song is about how Italy may seem like a picturesque place at first glance, but if you look longer, you will notice there are deep issues that need addressing. The video starts with him speaking with a psychiatrist type. She explains that before they were trying to get to the root of his problems. He then asks permission to recount his life story, and then the video starts.

Joel pointed out how the video does a great job of getting some "long" shots of Italians- merely showing them looking into the camera, holding their expression. I loved how snapshots of Italians are portrayed during the video, then at the end, the long shots are used.

Personally, this video is a reminder of the dire need of the gospel to touch lives here in Rome and the rest of the country.

I've translated a portion of the lyrics below. This dictionary is a great resource in case you wanted to do some translating on your own.

Ci sono cose che nessuno ti dirà… (There are things that no one will tell you)
ci sono cose che nessuno ti darà… (There are things that no one will give you)
sei nato e morto qua (You are born here and you die here)
sei nato e morto qua (You are born here and you die here)
nato nel paese delle mezza verita (Born in the country of half truth)

dove fuggi? (where do you flee?)
in italia i veri mafiosi sono (in italy there is really the mafia)
in italia i più pericolosi sono (in italy there is more danger)
in italia le ragazze nella strada (in italy the young women on the street)
in italia mangi pasta fatta in casa (in italy you eat pasta made in the home)
in italia poi ti entrano i ladri in casa (in italy then thieves enter into your home)
in italia non trovi un lavoro fisso (in italy no you don't find a stable job)
in italia ma baci il crocifisso (in italy but you kiss the crucifix)
in italia i monumenti (in italy the monuments)
in italia le chiese con i dipinti (in italy the churches with the paintings)
in italia gente con dei sentimenti (in italy people with feelings)
in italia la campagna e i rapimenti (in italy the country and the kidnappings)

Thursday, April 24, 2008

B-E-A-UTIFUL

I walked outside with some friends after a morning meeting today and exclaimed, "it is b-e-a-utiful outside right now!" And it was.

I'm sitting here in my kitchen with a warm cup of salep and am thinking that same word, "beautiful" but perhaps for different reasons. I've just read these three blog entries (Andy, Dan, Jeremy) and after each one my reaction was just that, to describe them as beautiful.

Yesterday on campus, at our weekly "Conversations in English", we discussed this idea of beauty. I remember asking a student what she thought was beautiful. She responded that she didn't know. She explained further that it was hard to understand the concept of beauty because it was so abstract; it is beyond comprehension.

Interesting.

I asked myself the same question about what I thought was beautiful and immediately thought about my relationship with God. I thought about the way God has and does engage(d) with us- this intimate relationship between man and God. This is what is beautiful to me. And, vastly still, I cannot understand why I think it is beautiful.

In his sermon "The Rose and The Lily", Charles Spurgeon says:

"Jesus is not content that his brethren should think lowly of him; it is his pleasure that his espoused ones should be delighted with his beauty, and that he should be the King and Lord of their spirits...we are to regard him as a luxurious delicacy, as rare and ravishing delight, comparable to the rose and the lily."

Incredible.

What is beautiful to you? How do you know?

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Saving the day in Italian

I went for a run last Thursday and ended up having my first rescue experience...in Italian.

Here's how it went:

So I'm out for my usual run from my house to Villa Torlonia (a nearby park). I climb the stairs up to the main section of the park, and continue my run. And then, all of the sudden, I hear a cry for rescue from what seemed to be a little girl, "Signore Signore!!" I look up stunned, looking at a group of kids gathered around one another.
"It's broken! It's broken!" the girl says in Italian. I quickly jog over to take a better look.
"My friend broke it- oh my gosh! What are we going to do?" shouted another boy. About 5 pairs of little kid hands are pressing up against a massive planter trying to keep a broken piece from falling. I mean these planters were taller than they were. Surrounding the planter holders are another 10 kids, I'm sure there for moral support. And, then, there was the little Italian girl, the one that had called me over.

She shouts something to me again, and I could hear the urgency in her voice, but I'm certain my face is blank, based on what she says next. Keep in mind here, I am on the tail end of my run (i.e. my lungs gulping for oxygen while my brain is craving glucose).

"English?!" she asks. No response from me still. "Oh no, we've got to speak in English!" she says in Italian while slapping her forehead. I smile at what she just said- it was really cute, but also smiling because a solution has finally come to me.

"Just let it be." I say in Italian...finally. "Someone from the park will fix it later."
"Bravo!" she says. I couldn't tell if she was congratulating my Italian or my solution. I helped the kids bring the broken planter to the ground, and then finished my run.

Later during my cooldown, I began to ponder if I knew the Italian words if one of the kids were drowning in the pond or if they fell from a tree or something. But, then, I stopped my train of thought. It was just weird thinking about kids drowning in that gross pond.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Clocking the World

This clock rocked my world a little bit.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Meno

At a dinner during Team Retreat, my roommate Chris asked, "What do you guys think it means to abide in Christ? Or remain in Him?" While he continued to say that it was mostly just a question for personal reflection, we ended up discussing it at dinner.

Continuing to think about what it means to be "captured by Christ" this week, I couldn't help but remember Chris' question. Looking through the archives of Greek Thoughts from Bill Klein, I found an entire 10-part series on this word. I've just read part 2- it's kind blowing my mind. Here's some excerpts:

"The Holy Scriptures teach that a person is either abiding and remaining in God's Word or is not. This condition of abiding is also the difference between a genuine believer and one who might believe certain things about the Lord but does not have the Word of God continually abiding in him. The word me/nw does not describe a believer who has the Word of God abiding in him at one moment and then does not have it abiding in him the next moment. To the contrary, the genuine believer is continuously abiding, continuously remaining, in the Word of God."

I kinda want to learn ancient Greek now...

Monday, April 07, 2008

Team Vacation!

I am in my last day of team vacation! Since, March was such a busy time in ministry (with Spring Break, etc), we decided to spend some days resting and playing. Our location of choice: Tropea, southern beaches of Calabria, Italy. The vid says more. Enjoy!