All is vanity

Greetings again and welcome back! Its been a while since I have posted an update on life here in beautiful Virginia. Alot has happened but has happened so quickly that it makes it rather difficult to recall it to memory. It must be because I am getting older. :)

As I wrote on the eve of my birthday, God has blessed me with a wonderful 21st year of life. Feel free to read the post to glimpse what He has done. He has certainly been gracious and loving to me. However, He has not been the only one. This past week was jammed pack full of exams and study sessions for the exams but somehow my roommates and their fiances managed to throw me a surprise birthday party. They had me fooled for a while but a slight slip by Jordan gave me a hint of the upcoming surprise. Regardless, I still was taken aback at their kindness. They made me a chocolate Coke cake, purchased a whole gallon of whole milk, and a sizable container of ice cream. I was in hog heaven. I thoroughly enjoyed every last part of it, particularly their humorous birthday card. In it they wished my next year to contain a "resurgence of Calvinism" and an "A in Spinny's class" (the most difficult history course at the college) amongst other things. What a blessing friends are!

I also received cards, phone calls and presents from my family. We found a good deal so my Grandmother is flying me back to Indianapolis for my Easter break. How grand it will be to fellowship with my extended family once again! In addition to that wonderful present, my father and mother sent me the ESV Study Bible. It is, by far, the best gift I have ever received. The footnotes, articles, maps, and cross references enable me to study the Scriptures in greater depth. Nothing could trump that.

I was also richly blessed this week with the opportunity to be a part of the chapel worship team. As a result, I have a greater appreciation for the work of worship leaders now. There is an extensive amount of time, thought, effort and prayer that must go into any chapel worship. Regardless, it was a joy to join my fellow students in exalting the name of our Savior.

On a different note, I have much to look forward to. After my death-by-papers (Philosophy and US History) this week, I am driving down to Morganton, North Carolina for our spring break. It is only Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but the therapeutic value is not found in the amount of time. Rather, it is found in crossing state line going into NC, hangin out with my "family" in Morganton, and worshipping at Faith PCA. This weekend I am taking a friend of mine with me. He is alot taller than me (6ft 5 or 6ish) and I figure its tall time that I wasn't the tallest one around. Actually the truth of the matter is that he is from California and I figure its higher time he partook of some good ol Southern cooking :)

In addition to the upcoming trip to look forward to, the weather has provided me with much hope. It might seem trivial to some but being able to feel the warmth of the sunshine is a big deal to me. Recently the bitter cold has left Purcellville and has been replaced by a less chilly breeze. Its a slight improvement.... but this African will take what he can get. Actually, today was so warm that I has able to go for my first run in several months, - in shorts and a t-shirt! The trees might be bare, and the grass smushed by the weight of 50 (ish) inches of snow, but the radiant warmth of the sun was too much to resist. I had to run....

I have just begun reading thru the book of Ecclesiastes and have had much to ponder while reading the words of the Preacher (thought to be Solomon). The book begins with the proclamation that "All is vanity!" The phrase at first glance is easy to read. When one reads a passage with the intent to get to the end of it, the deep seated nature of such a statement is missed, and I certainly confess to missing it many times. However, with the help of my new study Bible I was informed that the term "vanity" used by the Preacher is quite difficult to translate. It has been translated "vanity" in most, if not all of the English translations, but it has far reaching definitions. Literally it means "vapor" and gives the implication of something extremely temporary, fleeting and elusive. Such a word is applied to every aspect of life- wisdom, pleasure, toil, accomplishments- and even to life itself. That is profound and convicting.

The nature of the human nature is self centered. If you disagree with that claim I encourage you to go for a drive on the highway, or just get in a really long line at a grocery store or bank and watch people. Some dislike traffic jams so much that they are willing to violate laws and drive on the shoulder of the road to get themselves to the front of the traffic jam, or respectively, become so enraged at the gross inconvenience of waiting their turn that they stomp away in disgust. We become wrapped up in the world of "I" and ascribe the highest value to ourselves. Yet the entire book of Ecclesiastes is telling us the complete opposite.

Fleeting are our bank accounts. Temporal are our occupations. Our lives are as a vapor. Vanity, vanity, all is vanity! For in the sight of our God, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. What we hold in great esteem and value is nothing in the sight of our God- unless of course, that which we esteem the greatest honor is God himself.

How ought that to affect our lives? One thing is certain, when the truths given by the "one Shepherd" (Eccl. 12:11) are completely understood, it becomes increasingly easier to abandon the pressures, trials and temptations of the world. Indeed, this is part of the recognition of the truth of the uncomfortable Gospel that we have proclaimed by Christ. It ties directly back into the calling made by Paul in the New Testament that we as Christians are to "do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant that (our)selves." (Philippians 2: 3 - ESV) For it is only when we count our own lives as vapors and temporal segments in time that we can "count others more significant than (our)selves."

Praise
-That midterm exams are over
-For the changing seasons
-For the faithfulness of God to me, a sinner.
Prayer
-For focus and wisdom, that my papers will be of the best possible quality
-For the work of my parents in Kenya
-For safety in travel
-That my license extension would come before I travel to NC (my license expired on my birthday but I filed for an extension prior to that)

Thanks for reading!

In Christ,
Martyn

Safety, snow and snowballs

Praise God for safety! The snow has ceased.... for a time. In the last 12 days we have had over 50 inches worth of snow, and I think I am being conservative with that estimate. The grounds crew has worked tirelessly throughout the past 6 days, often going 12 -16 hours without rest. I have been thoroughly impressed with their work and have told them so many times. So to any of my friends that are reading this that spent countless hours out in the snow shoveling and ploughing.... hats off to you!

According to the weather gurus, Virginia is in for another snow on Sunday... although we are not expecting another blizzard. Despite the enjoyment of the flurries and the thrill of snowball fights, the snow really needs to melt. The roofs are not taking the weight of all the snow very well. We had several leaks in the roofs of two of our buildings that damaged the ceiling. Hopefully no lasting damage was caused. Random side note, I enjoyed the snow immensely. I threw a few snow balls, shoveled the side walks with friends, and was on the recieving end of a hail of snowballs while on Security. I threatened to ticket the offenders.. haha... it was all in jest, except I was the one wearing the snow. :)

We had school cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday this week so I have been able to catch up on some homework, chat with friends and family, and play some sports. It was like a weekend in the middle of the week. My personal calender is all screwed up right now.

My activity of the last weekend, besides the occasional shoveling, was writing a paper for Western Civilizations. I read Blaise Pascal's Pensees (French for "thoughts", and thats not the entirely correct spelling) and felt inclined to write about the nature of God, the nature of man, and the role of human reason in the relationship between the two. It was an intriguing subject which had me glued to my chair.... so much so that I stayed in an office that I have access to for almost the entire weekend.

I am rather worn from the work this week and am in serious need of rest. However, we have a basketball tournament this weekend. Lord willing, we will do well. I suppose I can rest after that.

In regard to Scripture, I have had a reoccurring thought, and the more I read, the more I feel the truth of it is confirmed. The truth I speak of is that of the nature of our faith. The more I examine the life of Christ and the lives of those who sought him truly, the more I am convinced that our is a Gospel of Suffering. The direct application of this truth is frightening to me, as it ought. I read passages like Psalm 116: 12-16 which says:

"How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains."

While I echo the last statement of the psalmist, I am undone by the sentence before it. For if "precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints," ought that to be my desire? Should I not desire to bring glory to the LORD God, even in death... in a death that He finds precious? These have been my thoughts of late.... and I do indeed marvel at what an uncomfortable Gospel we are called to proclaim.

Praise and Prayer:

Thanks be to God for the safety and well being of both students and staff here at school during a literal blizzard. Safety is something so easily taken for granted of....

Praise for the safety of my sister who was in a second accident the same day as her first one. I am unsure of all the details but it amazes me how God protects lives...

Praise God for the snow! Even in the midst of the chaos of it all... the might of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is proclaimed! Man and all that surrounds him ought to be brought to his knees in awe of such a display.... and we were, figuratively at least :)

Pray for my parents ministry in Kenya. Pray that my father's teaching will reflect our Fathers teaching, and that the students of NEGST would be able to understand and put into practice the truths being taught.

Pray for Mom and Dad's health as well. In my conversation with them today, mom told be of the various ailments that both of them are battling. It seems the enemy is striking our family where we are most human... health and finances. Please pray that we all will continue to place our faith in the Word of God! (See John 1:1-5)

Prayer for wisdom and guidance in all that I think say and do... I desire to be more like Christ... which means I have alot of work to do...

Prayer for dedication to the schoolwork. Its so easy to be distracted.

That I will proclaim the love of God to all whom I interact with...

Thank you for taking the time to read. I apologize because I promised pictures... but sadly I am struggling to find a good way to incorporate them into the blog. I will remedy the situation soon. Blessing upon you, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Him,

Martyn

God's blessings

The weeks are ticking by already. It seems like just yesterday that everyone was coming back to school. The weather was bitter cold, but the reunions warm and friendly. Well.... since then the warmth has been more tangible. We have been blessed with a wonderful bout of warm weather here in Purcellville, Virginia. It was warm enough for short sleeves and t-shirts! In January! I have been enjoying it thoroughly. The closer the temperature gets to that of Zambia, the happier I become. :)

I have had a little bit of a mix up with the Registrar's office here. It was an unfortunate miscommunication between the office, my professor, and myself. The professor graciously tried to straighten the situation up but was unable to do so without appealing the Registrar's decision to a higher authority. After much prayer and consideration, I decided that it was not prudent to appeal the decision. I am no longer taking Rhetoric this semester, which is rather disappointing. However, I do see the hand of God in the situation. This semester the class is full to capacity and there will be little time for the professor to do involved personalized instruction (which a course such as Rhetoric needs). However, the Fall semester class size is typically much smaller and therefore enables greater input on the part of the professor. I am eagerly awaiting it next semester.

Our Lord has been kind to me this semester. In spite of disappointments, I have been encouraged by my friends, my church, and opportunities that have opened up. This last week I auditioned to become a member of the worship team for the chapel services here at school and was accepted. I have long had the desire to help lead worship, and I feel so blessed that God has opened the door to it. What an intimate Sustainer we serve! He knows the desires of our hearts, and his timing is perfect.

Several have asked about the health of my ankle. I am happy to report that I am up and walking around. I can even jog in straight lines, which makes for an interesting sight for those around me. I am trying to be gentle to it, but I am hoping to be healed enough to play basketball for PHC (Patrick Henry College) in an upcoming tournament. The swelling has subsided, and the bruising is fading- all good signs I think.

I have recently been considering the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1: 20-21.

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

The admonition of Paul is frightening to the comfortable Christian. The complete subjugation of the heart, mind, and BODY to Christ renders one to be a billboard for Christ. (Its a poor example I know) It is a billboard that is not ashamed to stand up to the storms of peer pressure, and the battling winds of a relativist society. It is not afraid of damage nor destruction. It is a life whose value is not found in itself. It is a rare thing for a man to truly live for something... It is rarer still to find a man willing to die for something... and rarest of all is to find a man who is willing to die for something and count it as gain! Paul "eagerly expects and hopes" that he will not be ashamed, but that he will have courage so "that now as always Christ will be exalted..." There is nothing that attests to the work of Christ more than a heart like Paul's.... a heart that truly believes that "to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Praise & Prayer

-Mom and Dad's continued safety and ministry in Kenya. Praise the Lord for technology that allows for us to video chat. I talk with them as often as I can; I cannot say how thankful I am to have such wonderful parents.

-Praise the Lord for my loving sister, who just turned 20 on Jan 28th. She was recently in a car accident in Indiana. The Lord preserved her life because she was traveling on a highway, hit black ice, and slid into a telephone pole. She was able to walk away from the crash.

-Continued healing for my ankle.

-Growth in the knowledge of and desire for my Lord and Savior.

-For my professors, that they would continue to instruct us faithfully and in accordance with the Word of God.

-Thank the Lord for allowing me to attend Patrick Henry College. While no institution is perfect, God has used the faculty, staff, and students of PHC to work on my heart.

-For a close friend of mine, who has to return to Korea, probably in the summer, to fulfill an obligation to the armed forces of Korea. He is not encouraged by this. Please pray that God will guide him, sustain him and watch over him.

I will close with an excerpt from 1 John. 1 John 4: 7-12 reads: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

In Christ,

Martyn