An Atheist's Observation of Christianity in Africa

Please read this article: 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5400568.ece

It is quite rare to read an article like this in today's media. I was taken aback when I read the title of the article, and I was even more amazed once I finished reading it. Kudos to Matthew Parris for being honest, unashamed, and unafraid of what others might think of his synopsis. Many Christian's in Africa (or at least the ones that the author observed) are apparently succeeding in loving the Lord with all of their hearts, minds, and souls, as well as loving their neighbors as themselves. What a beautiful testimony of Christ's saving power, where even an atheist can see the work of the Spirit in action. May this be a wake up call to other Christians around the globe (including myself) to arise from a faith of apathy and live life unfettered for the Lord God Almighty. 

Let the Good Times Roll

I had surgery a week and a half ago to remove some bone that was protruding into my achilles and causing me unwarranted pain for nearly three years. I am now walking and feeling quite well. The doctor said that I will not be able to run for four to six months (liability nonsense), which means that I should be running again in two months or so. Barring the weather tomorrow, I plan to go for a nice easy bike ride. I already have visions of running and competing dancing around in my head (I had these fantasies the night before Christmas). 

It has been difficult for me not to ride my bike or run as I recuperate from my surgery. I have tried to find creative ways to burn the enormous amount of energy contained inside my body. It will not be long before I purchase my own Pilates mat and begin to exercise with a group of senior citizens at some fitness center; then I will know that I have truly hit rock bottom. At least it has been raining and freezing cold during much of my down time. My rest period has provided me ample time to catch up on the latest television shows. I did not have a functioning television in any of my dwelling places during my time at college. Now that I am living at home with my parents again, where there is a television set (no cable), I have been able to browse some of the shows that our fine networks provide us with. Not much has changed since the time I left for college. Most of these networks are still plagued with vulgar and/or nonsensical "reality" shows as well as other profane and/or unoriginal television shows. Not to say that I dislike all of television, as I do enjoy such shows as "the Office" and ... that is about it (there is another show that entertained me, but its title fails me at the moment). Anyhow, Merry belated Christmas to all.  

The Beauty of Friendship

Planet Earth is an incredible yet very complex and frightening place to inhabit. A brief perusal through any local or international newspaper reveals both the horrors and wonders of daily life. Stories of violence and sickness are oftentimes juxtaposed with accounts of peace and prosperity. I find it interesting--and also very unsettling-- whenever there is an advertisement for clothing items or food underneath an article about poverty in some distant land. The sheer volume of this world and the things in it are enough to leave one grasping for answers as to what life is all about. 

Aside from the enormity and confusion that defines the world in which human beings exist lies a beautiful and comforting phenomenon: the ability of organisms to relate with one another. Incredibly, plants, fungus, insects, mammals, and so forth, all have contact with each other in some way or another. This is a complete miracle by God Almighty, and it allows all life forms to maintain at least some level of sanity while they dwell on Earth. Although I am a lover of all forms of nature, my favorite mode of communication involves other humans such as myself. This, however, has not always been the case. 

For the majority of my life, until my junior year of college, I did not mind being a loner. My focus was athletics, and I was not going to let fellowship with other people get in the way of me achieving my goals. The truth is, I was quite a lonely guy--I just didn't know it. Running and schoolwork consumed most of my time, so I rarely experienced the emotions that go along with being isolated from others. It also helped that I was deathly afraid of approaching girls, and that I felt too awkward to introduce myself to a group of guys, especially when they had their clan already formed. Only at night, especially on Friday, did I feel alone and depressed. 

Once I acquired a nagging injury that placed my running career in jeopardy, I began to fraternize with other individuals more frequently. I went to a Bible study on Tuesday nights as well as church on Friday and Sunday. I immersed myself in fellowship, and it was a beautiful thing. Verily, it is not good for man to be alone. 

Unfortunately, from the expressions that I observe on many people's faces, countless individuals are in dire need of friendship. The pain and sorrow that people experience on a daily basis makes my heart swell in grief. These are individuals that are in my own family, neighborhood, school, and church. If God grants me the time here on earth, I will undoubtedly experience much agony in my own life. As long as sin exists in this world, so will the suffering that accompanies it. It is in these times especially that sincere relationships based off of honesty and trust become ever more important.

Lord, allow me to find others that are rooted in You. Protect me from the sin of pride and humble me for Your glory. Help those in distress seek Your face, and place Your saints in their midst. Until the glorious day of Your return, hallelujah. Amen.