Motion in Poetry

With all the intensity of the past few days culminating in the epic crossing from Canada into the USA, it's been hard to articulate just how amazing this adventure has been so far. Thus, I have opted to convey my words in the form of a poem to convey the sweeping magnitude that is my emotion. Here is the essence of yesterdays adventure. Due to time constraints, I have opted for haiku.

Cross border at 4,
Stealing train station Wi-Fi
Eat big hamburger.

But seriously we're love traveling and we especially love being in the US. And now for several days of intensive training before the grand departure for Brazil on Saturday!

Until next time,

Jake Rivers

The One About the Car

Since finishing my final shift at work last Saturday, Ash and I have been assimilated into a whirlwind tour of Ontario, saying our hellos and goodbyes to various friends and family members before our impending departure for Brazil. We ate 'merican appetizers in Port Huron, enjoyed multiple packing and unpackings during a brief stopover in Cambridge, raced through the Brazilian embassy in Toronto, took advantage of much family generosity in Orillia, went backpack hunting on Sudbury, and spent a weekend enlightening ourselves to the deeper meanings of "campfire odor" on the banks of Blind River.The good news is at each stop both Ash and I were very blessed for the good times we were able to enjoy. The bad news is that not all these stops were in geographical order, resulting in much back and forth venturing and much coin given to the gas vendors. But can I really complain about travel woes, knowing I am about to depart for halfway around the world, yet am spared from the plethora of anxieties aspiring missionaries faced in previous millenniums? Nevermore!

No, I have no complaints to give regarding travel. Only heartache. And that not even for the vessel we take, but for the one we leave behind. [Sigh], I worry for my poor car!

As one could likely conclude from an hour's observation of our beautiful '97 Chevy Cavalier, (or a 15 second conversation with me), I know basically nothing about cars. Reciting the make and model actually comprises a frightening percentage of my total auto-knowledge. See, the best thing about a used car is that they come considerably cheaper. Even better when they come free from a family member, already aptly christened "The Sanctification-mobile". If you remember ATOM from the movie REAL STEEL, you'll respect that the triangulation of "Outdated", "Punching bag", and "Unstoppable" still amounts to a winning combination. In like manner, the Car demonstrates an unbiased aptitude for both new and reoccurring problems, yet always with a stiff determination to pass all mandatory tests, get us there safely, and remain [reasonably] road worthy. 

I've heard before of the special bond one often forms with the "First Car", so I suppose it's not so strange that it has taken on a sort of "Pet" status for Ash and myself. Perhaps this is why I have taken to describing its ailments in far more "organic" terminology. So if you hear me describe how our car is in a coma, stiff jointed, flatulent, or (as it currently is) down with a nasty cough and reoccurring bladder problems, you know where the mindset's coming from.

With our 3 month departure so imminent, the future for the dear Chevi remains clouded. Our deep hope is that enough will be leftover in the bank to pay for the needed repairs so that we'll have wheels to come home to in January. Yet we know whatever happens, we'll be in good hands. We were 4 months away from getting married, penniless, carless, and clueless, when God provided this wonderful vehicle for us. We prayed for a used car to last us a year and it has lasted us over two. Whatever happens to us in Brazil and whatever we might come home to, (to drastically paraphrase Hebrews 12:1-2) we'll keep "looking to where we wanna go."

Blessings,

Jake Rivers

Fantasy Literature (Top Ten Reasons Why It's Awesome)

This week's epic read!

     I love Fantasy Literature. If it came down to it, I'd probably claim it as my favorite genre. I mean seriously, who doesn't get even a little bit geeked out at the thought of epic quests, ethereal locations, and mysterious characters? OK, probably lots of people, but for those of us who do, you know what I'm talking about!

Top Ten Reasons Why Fantasy Literature Is Awesome:

10: Just Like Real Life

Good vs. Evil, "ordinary" people doing extraordinary things, and accepting deals from sketchy figures in back alleys is always a bad idea. 

9: No Loose Ends

If you meet someone, find something, or go somewhere, it will somehow inevitably apply latter in the story. (Or sequel at the very least)

8: Problems Solved In Cool Ways

Break it, smash it, burn it, melt it, stab him, poison it, aim for the weak points, rebuild it, rescue her, kiss her, etc. (Not a single piece of paper work to be submitted!)

7. Nothing Like Real Life

Peasants become royalty on a regular basis, magic items cure any disease, and evil villains are obligated to exclusively wear sinister apparel. 

6: Talking Animals

"I'm a talking wolf," said the Talking Wolf...

5: Legacies. 

Recent surveys indicated 99% of fantasy characters had parents who fought for something worth dying for. (sure we miss them, but they always leave behind such cool stuff for us!)

4: Magic

(Duh, it's magic!)

3: Currency

Gold is somehow both ten times as easy to find and ten times as valuable as it is in real life!

2: Non-Lethal Death-Traps

Only in the fantasy world can you fall for the most obvious of the enemies tricks, but then still manufacture a technicality and win the day. I really don't know who looks dumber really...

1: Irony

The people who love fantasy lit would be the first to snuff it if they ever got into that world. Actually, they'd never even make it to the dragon's den. If you can't do stairs, don't try mountains. (Maybe that's why people like me love learning all the facts about made up worlds; our usefulness is limited to walking-encyclopedia/peon.)

(If I've missed anything in this list please let me know)

Until next time, keep your sword at the ready and lay off the poison apples!

Blessings,

Sir Jake of Rivers

Chosen

A reflection on Matthew 22:1-21

     

     [And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.' But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."]

   In once sense it appears as though Christ was simply rebuking the religious leaders for their rejection of salvation. (And that it is, make no mistake!) But Jesus is going deeper than that here. His choice of wording is exposing something far deeper and infinitely more glorious. We know this because every time Jesus veers suddenly away (in word or action) from what would be expected, he is doing so to reveal more of the immensity and splendor of God. 

     "For many are called! But few _________!" 

Accept? 

Respond? 

Choose? 

     This should be obvious! He just went into length describing the failed response of those invited to the banquet! What does being chosen have to do with ANYTHING in this parable? The king invites, the guests refuse. Point of the story: Don't be a decliner! 

But this is so much more powerful than anyone was anticipating.

     This parable is not a shout out to the power of man's choice, or the importance of making the right decision. This is instead a monumental, awe-inspiring, pride-humbling, dominating demonstration of the width and breadth of God's merciful grace. We who believe in Christ are those who have been both called, (and even more gloriously) chosen. We are not called (one point for God) and choosing (one point for us). No, our very lives are invaded with the unacceptable offer that the Holy Spirit must re-create us to receive. That what it means to come to be born again. This is what underlies the parable. 

     Getting into the kingdom is impossible without both the calling and choosing of our sovereign Lord. If there was only calling, even if God were to speak audibly from heaven to each individual, there would be not a single believing soul in all the history of the world. If you are a true Christian, its because you were called and chosen and these two words are fatal to sinful hearts. These words are a war declaration and a announcement of victory. For this is what it means to be saved from sin. Our deepest hearts fight to the death against the invasion of grace. (And die they do, on a cross, with Christ.) The old way of living is dead, never to resurrect. Reinstated in its place is not an overturned, disorganized rebellion, abandoned to make it on our own once the evil dictator of sin has been assassinated. Christ does not dispose of the tyrant and leave the oppressed soul to live as it wishes. No, when the conquest is complete, he takes the crown, he sits in the throne and says unto the scattered remnant of the sinner's heart, "Behold, I make all things new!" The soul of darkness becomes the dominion of light. For from eternity past Christ has ordained that this territory, this province, this city, this village, this house, this heart will be his. 

And no one can stop this warrior-king. 

Many are called. The message of the king will certainly shake the corners of the earth. Many will hear, many will cover their ears. Many will scoff. But a precious, beloved few will be rescued. 

     He will come for you, little sheep.Though as frail as frail gets, he will come and deliver you. This great shepherd spoke these very words, "I have other sheep, not of this (i.e. Israel) sheepfold. I must bring them also," (John 10:16) Who can stay the hand of God? Who can bring any charge against God's elect? If God himself justifies, who is it that condemns? (Romans 8:33-34) For all the power and might of hell, flesh, the world, the devil, or even our own sin will never be sufficient to blot out the word written next to our names in the lambs book of life.

"Chosen"

Blessings,

Jake Rivers

Imperial March

Love exists when you hear your wife hum the Imperial March, as she makes you hot chocolate in your Darth Vader mug.

Join me!

Jake Rivers

Keeping the Box in Boxing Day

I am disgusted I tell you. Disgusted! It seems like every where I go, I'm hearing nothing but families planning on getting together to celebrate Christmas on Boxing Day! Apparently, December 25 just isn't enough anymore. Now we need to take the celebration of food, family, and ultimately the birth of Christ himself, and completely annex the 26th as well.
Why don't we remember to keep the Box in Boxing Day?
Sure, maybe values have changed, but aren't we clearly out of line when we feel we have the right to include and omit whatever we want on these ancient traditions? How would you feel if you were a flat screen tv, just sitting in the display window at Best Buy and all you see is people bypassing the stores to spend time with their families? You'd be heart broken! Ever since October you've been blasted with the message that the season is not about materialism and then when the big day finally comes, the masses bail on you once again.
So this is my shout out to all the shoppers maintaining the sacrament of the Day. Thank you for your devotion and for reminding us how foolish we are for thinking we can change the focus.
God bless us, everyone!

Jake Rivers

P.s. Wait, what then are the implications for Easter? These fluffy symbols of mass fertility are making me nervous...

Some thoughts on biblical humour

I'm considering giving up making puns about bible names. They always sound funny in my head, but whenever I tell them, they always seem to go down like a lead Zebulun.