Whatever Takes Us Away

A blank mind this morning, but I feel it necessary to post something to the blog.

For those (few) loyal readers let me pose a question: If you know someone is seeking after God, but has many misconceptions about Christianity, how would you proceed?

A.    Pound them over the head with John 3:16

B.     Give them all the freedom they want so they can choose whatever god they want

C.     Guide them through (slowly) the general intent of the Bible and salvation

D.    Not say anything about Christianity at all

E.     Answer any questions they may have and then proceed with bringing them “down the aisle” to “receive” Christ at the altar Sunday morning

F.      Parts of some of these (please give short explanation)

I ask this because I may have a guest in the house soon that has a ton of questions and I wonder what may be the best approach to guiding/answering this person.  I know full-well and understand the power of prayer, and it is something I have already been doing, but getting a counsel from others (who may or may not carry much wisdom) is a biblical concept as well.

In advance, thanks.

At some point in an educational career there comes a wall.  This immovable object you press against does not budge, and only feels worse each time you press harder.  I have reached that point I think.  I know, I haven’t been at it for even two years yet, but each semester I am taking 18 credit hours, burning through college faster than most; nearly double the pace.  I think this has brought me to the point of near burn out with my want/desire to finish and continue on towards a graduate degree.  Maybe it is the thought of finishing and then having to put the degree into real-world application (i.e. finding a job that will help pay for the degrees I’ve earned). 

At any rate, I have amassed a large collection of books, DVD’s and knowledge that will hopefully come in handy for the rest of my life.  Until I get to put all this into practice I suppose I will continue burning myself until the flame has been extinguished.

Well, it's Friday, September 25th, but those who read this probably already know that.  This Friday is special for a couple of reasons, it isn't the date that's important, but what this day indicates is the focus here.  You see, tomorrow marks the opening of the deer bow season for 2009-2010 and today is a day off from work for me.  I don't mind waking up early to hit the woods, but it really sucks when you get off work at 11:00 pm and don't get to sleep until after midnight - that 5:45 am alarm doesn't sit well with me on those nights.  So, today is a day off and I hope (if all goes well) to be in bed well before midnight tonight (sometime between 10:00 and 10:30 seems best). 

Now, with that said there is another problem that has been posed over the past few days - the weather.  Looking ahead to tomorrow looks like I'll be wet while in the tree, but alas, I hope the tree umbrella will help me out there!  If all else fails I have the tent blind set up and ready for action too, another way to keep dry on opening morning.

Lastly, since it is the opening weekend of the bow season my chances of going to church Sunday is highly unlikely.  Don't get me wrong, I find it incredibly important to go each week, but this Sunday I make an exception (and have for the last two years).  Call it "Our Lady of the Tree Stand" or what have you, but that is indeed where I will be; amongst God's beautiful creation and being a mindful steward of the creatures He has given us for sources of food (yes, deer is allowable, even under the Old Testament laws given to Moses).  And, as that steward, I will do my best to not get greedy or overzealous when it comes to the animals I will be seeking this hunting season (though a mix of animals would be nice).  I pray now, as I will in my stand tomorrow morning, that God will be with me and that He will bless the time I spend with Him and His creation this season (and especially tomorrow morning)!

Now may you, my deer reader, keep me in mind as you go to church this Sunday morning, and know that all of God's creation is beautiful, even when it looks like a steak.

For those very few loyal readers I have, forgive me for my inconsistent writings of late.  Summer, what little of it is left, has once again blown by me and blown me over.  I have finished my Associates Degree in religion, the kids are growing and swimming (when the weather cooperates), and things around the Mundy house have been usual - busy, busy, busy.

I haven't been writing here, for no good reason, and while I have intended to write more often, it just hasn't happened.  I could say that will change, like I have in the past, but I now know that I will not respond (even to myself) in kind in that respect.  Get used to the fact that I won't be posting here as often as I once did, but this has become more of a last place for me to put my thoughts out. 

Summer has once again come and gone, and I have once again lived another year to tell the stories.  Oh well, at least I have this beautiful wife to help keep me on track with all aspects of my life.  See you around!

Well, not knowing what I had started, or what I had gotten myself into at first, here I am three years past and I am still adding posts to this blog. For those few readers I have, I hope that I have at least provided some interesting reads during that time; and I hope to give you more as time progresses further.

A brief history lessen for those new to "Whatever":

Much has taken place over three years. I have taken up hunting for one thing, and quite enjoy the time I spend outdoors in the fall and winter time doing such. I have added school to my life once again, and am nearly done with degree #1 in religion (Christian religion to be more precise). Degree #2 will be in the works starting this summer and will further my pursuit of the same as the former. I get the question all the time, "Are you going to be a preacher or something?" To which I answer, "I don't know." But I will say, that through my studies my faith has been strengthened and my knowledge of things (all things) has been greatly expanded. I still have four kids of my own and have added our affectionately called Number 5, our pseudo-adopted fifth who will be graduating high school this spring (congrats #5). We are still in the same house, and have now been here for nearly five years, the same as the job I have.

For looking forward with this blog: if any of my few faithful readers have any ideas or thoughts of which you would like my input, post a comment on this post as to what you might like to have me wax on about, that is, what would you like me to write about in the future. While this blog is mainly about my thoughts, for my own sake of keeping tabs on my life, it is also about you who read - and I am grateful for those that do and want to care for your thoughts and ideas as well as my own.

For those who pray much and are looking for a good cause to pray: in only a few days my dad will be leaving for Vietnam for a two week mission trip, he and a small group from Ohio will be going to help establish places to call "home" churches and to help distinguish certain people that may come to the states for theological training in the future. As he is a pastor (mine to be more exact) he will be sharing his faith journey with those he comes in contact with. Keep him and his traveling companions in your thoughts and prayers.

For everyone: keep reading here and posting comments.

I look forward to the next three years and hope to read your comments during that time.

We are a nation, rather, a world in chaos. Things have seemed to have been ideal for most of us living in developed nations, but suddenly a change has swarmed like a plague over the entirety of the planet. Economies are not just faltering a bit, they are failing in many places. How did this happen? Many would say that here in the U.S., the fault belongs to the banking industry, Wall Street, or other industries with large financial interests, but is this really why we are so beleaguered? We love our things. We love ourselves. We detest anyone that tells us we cannot do what we want to do. We abhor what is truly right and honest, yet we wonder why we have gotten into the mess we now find ourselves in.

For nearly two millennia the Bible has seen and foretold what would happen when we look to ourselves for answers. A book that has been scrutinized for giving good, decent, life saving information has been thrown to the wayside – in order that we might live life in a way that it was not meant to be lived. We used dishonest means to gain a foothold over those less fortunate. The book of Proverbs is packed full of wisdom, wisdom that most neglect to read or take to heart. It tells of how children are to listen to and obey their parents (something that has gone by the wayside). It tells how laziness leads to nowhere (something that has become very common). Proverbs tells how wicked men bring disaster upon themselves (look at our own nation right now). This book is packed full of knowledge that gives insight to how and why we have gotten to the place we are currently.

Proverbs isn’t the only book in the Bible that talks in this manner. Much of the Bible explains human nature and its desire to be detestable in most respects. In the New Testament, Romans is a good example of this. Romans 1:18-32 is a prime example and tells us why we are the way we are today. We have been given over to a depraved mind (a statement that applies to the whole of mankind). “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 were darkened.” (Rom 1:21) We have exchanged the truth of God, His Word, and His commands for our own enjoyment – a fleeting span of lusts and desires that will perish with us. Fact: 1 out of every 1 person on the planet will die. 100% participation. What can we take with us? Not one thing.

Truth is, the problems we face are not caused by some financial problems, but it is our own desire to “advance” ourselves and our agendas that have led to the current crisis. We advance unnatural behaviors as if they will make things better. We advance the desire for more (more of everything) as if they will brings us more happiness. We feed our lusts and our perversions as if they will keep us around longer. This has proved to be a fatal blow to us all.

I’m not pointing the finger outward only. I myself have fallen in the trap, and been led astray by my own desires. Call this a confession if you want, but I too want things. I too desire more and better and faster. While many in our country don’t have a computer or have one that is nearly a decade old, I have three – the oldest of which I am using right now at three years of age; and yet, I wish I had a new one. I have a job right now, yet wish I could have a job that paid better. I have a house and am able to make the payments on that house, but I wish I had a bigger house with more land. I, my wife, and our pseudo-adopted daughter all have a vehicle that run quite well, but you bet I wish I had a newer car that got better gas mileage. I too, am to blame for our current situation. It has been this think that has led to our demise.

We don’t stop, at any point in our day, to thank God for allowing us to have what we now have. We don’t thank God for our lives. We don’t thank God for our families. We don’t thank God, frankly, for anything.

Stop. Listen. Be Thankful. Take that dusty Bible off the shelf and read what has been passed down to us. You might find some true insight, something that might just save your life - or someone else’s.

The bulk of this post was originally put up in December 2006. After reading an article of a friend (http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/02/not-so-good-samaritans...), I decided to revisit this post. After reading my own story I decided to repost it. At the end of this post I will be adding some additional information/follow up on the post. For those of you who may have read this before, read it again and read my friend Dan's post over at Cerulean Sanctum.

Original Post:

Sometimes we are, as Christians, put to the test. Our convictions are tried and our ability to do the right thing and make the right decision are truly tested. Today was one of those tests for me, and a reminder of something in the past.

I got ready, like I do most every Sunday morning, helped get the kids ready and headed out the door to start the van - in hopes it would be warmed up by the time we all got in to go to church. As it would turn out I said "hello" to a passer-by on the sidewalk. He stopped, greeted back and said he was on his way to church. "So am I," I replied. "Where do you go to church?" he asked.

I told him where I went to church, exchanged some pleasantries, and then he threw out the question: "Could I go with you?" Mind you I had some trouble hearing and understanding him; he's a little older and has a slight speech problem. Well, as I turned and looked at our van, warming up, counting heads I dumbly replied, "We don't have much room." And then conviction set in. "Hold on just a second," as I turned to the front door. I called to Tina, explained the situation briefly, set myself straight and headed back out. "We'll take my van so there's room enough. Let me get it started and warmed." I still had an odd feeling, but went with it anyway. I brushed the frost from the front windshield, told Tina I'd see her in a little bit and we headed to church, Jepp and I.

Many things were going through my head as we drove along. One such thing was a Newsboys song, "Entertaining Angels" and there was another thought right behind that one . . .

While we still lived outside of Chicago we had a visitor at our church one Sunday morning. That morning about 30 minutes before the service started a person began hanging around outside, walking around as people headed inside. She asked for spare change, food, work, anything that may be given. Many people walked by trying hard not to take notice of her. Others told her to simply leave. One of the last people to come in had noticed her, walked to her and asked her to come in for the church service. And so she came.

We did the usual. Sang songs, shook hands, did "church" things. The pastor started to give his message and then to the many, shock set in. He had asked this woman to come up front with him, gave her a microphone and began asking questions about her life, how she got to where she was in life, what was in store for her future, etc. What most of the congregation didn't know was that this was all planned. This woman wasn't a homeless person, but a social worker that worked with the homeless in and around Rockford, IL. Many in church that morning found themselves looking introspectively, asking themselves what they had said, or not said to this person and how they may have treated many others like her throughout their lives. It was a definite eye opener for many, myself included - even though I knew about it before hand.

Jepp and I shared, though he didn't know it, a moment this morning that made me realize that I needed to be tested. My faith in action had laid dormant for a while and required a little dusting. I brought him to church, introduced him to those we encountered, showed him the fellowship area (complete with freshly brewed coffee) and a familiar face to boot. You see, Jepp walks the streets of Bethel all day long. Each morning he visits McD's and sees some of those faces (from church this morning) while they are having their breakfast and coffee. From what I gather he seldom ventures outside of our little village - and his known world - but this morning, God put him in my path, to check me and my Christian action. After church, I gathered my things, watched Jepp chat (very little) and watched as those around him shake hands, hug and greet him with love, inviting him to come back again. We walked to the car, quietly got in and drove off.

He isn't much of a talker, and that's okay with me. I can handle comfortable silences with friends and strangers alike. We got a couple miles away when he pulled out a small wallet, showed me a McDonalds symbol and asked if I could take him there - you see, in addition to the speech problem, Jepp is also illiterate. But, again without his knowing, Jepp and I shared a moment. He has a routine, and each day that routine includes McD's.

I still felt bad about our initial encounter, even after returning home and having had a few moments to myself to take it all in. After all, at first I wanted to send him on his way, walking around the streets of Bethel. With this simple testimony I am reminded of two things that Jesus taught: 1. Luke 6:43-45 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. 2. The parable of the Good Samaritan. I am sure many have simply walked by this man, day after day without even giving him a single glance. I was convicted this day to be the Samaritan that stopped.

And there we were, Jepp and I.

Follow up commentary:

Well, it has been a while since I first posted this/read it. After I read Dan's article about the Good Samaritan I was immediately reminded of this post and set out to find it in my archives. Once I read it I realized I hadn't posted much about Jepp in quite a long time. Sadly, I haven't seen Jepp around in several months. Once in a while after I had taken him to church with me he would stop by. Usually, Tina or I would give him some food (brown bag lunch if you will) and occasionally some spare money (if we had anything to share). He went to church with us one other time, and he was greeted with just as much love the second time as the first. People remembered him, shook hands, and talked with him as best they could. However, at some point over this past summer Jepp no longer came by. I do not know what has become of this man, if he moved on to another town nearby (which is doubtful) or if he had passed on, gone to meet his Father in Heaven. Whatever the case, I am again reminded of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Sometimes our Christian walk seems virtually unrewarding, like we have said "yes" to something, but never get to share that with someone outside the walls of the church, someone with whom we could make a difference. This was a chance in a lifetime for me, and I am glad I did what I did. Having seen poor children in Mexico, Korea and Thailand beg for anything they can get their hands on, I know too well that feeling when you know you can do something decent, but don't. That cold December morning, a man approached me with a query and I had to make a decision, and fast. The decision I chose to make impacted me then, still impacts me today, and will most likely impact me for the rest of my life. Once again, without his knowing, Jepp and I share a moment - the blessing may have been his on those days when I took him to church or shared a meal with him, but without his implicit or explicit knowledge I will have the blessing of having known and provided something for him the rest of my life.

I sometimes look for Jepp in places I would see him around town, but I see him no longer. Sometimes when there is an unexpected knock at the door I think it might be him, but it no longer is. Not all stories will be so good, but if you step out in faith from time to time, you might have a Jepp story of your own - one that will have a positive impact on your life and the life you reach out to care for.

Another month has come and gone, and surprisingly, the first month of the New Year went pretty darn fast. I am glad however, that we near spring and warmer weather once again. Just the thought of more snow makes my head turn in a Poltergeist kind of way. Don't get me wrong, I like snow and have enjoyed playing in the snow with my kids, but I really do enjoy the warmer months of the year.

I think I used to get cabin fever, that unrelenting feeling that you'll never see the outside world again, sometime between late November on through about the beginning of March. However, the past couple of years have seen a decline in that feeling. I suppose my taking up hunting as a new hobby has helped in this department, getting me out of doors at least a few times a month from October through the end of January. This, possibly, will keep cabin fever at bay - at least until April when I will actually be able to get out, work in the yard and see my perinnial flowers in bloom once again.

I will be outside doing other things of course. I have been asked by two unnamed suspects to do the Flying Pig half marathon this spring. This means I will have to get my running shoes out and get back into training mode yet again.

So, for all of you couch potatoes that feel the dread of winter creeping up on you, get out and do something. What our country needs is not another wonder pill to keep us thin, but just a little bit of movement to get the blood pumping a couple times a week. I am not suggesting that everyone get out and do a half or full marathon, just get out and walk for Pete's sake! There are pills for just about everything these days and little is done for one's health by one's self (I am not saying that all pills are evil, but just watch TV for a while and see how many commercials are now for some drug that will "improve" some bodily function that could be helped with proper dieting and exercise). Winter is drawing towards its close here in southern Ohio, start making plans to do some exploration, walk the local park, or go for a short run, some of you may even have a dog that could use the exercise, take your dog for a walk each day - you both might find you feel better in a matter of weeks.

As I get back into a running routine I will try to keep a log here as to how things are progressing. Those that read this, let me know how you are doing in the same respect. I'll be glad to cheer you on.

For a biblical perspective, take some time to read what the Apostle Paul says about exercise. Yes, even the Bible tells us to keep our bodies in shape - and I don't mean round. I Corinthians 9:23-25 While this isn't specifically speaking towards our physical attributes, it is helpful to know there are references to our physical well-being. Likewise, Hebrews 12:1-3 helps illustrate this point. As Christians, when we take serious our spiritual well-being, our physical well-being is also kept in check. Strengthen your mind and fix it on the work done on the cross and through the resurrection, and strengthen your body as well. For, you cannot have one without the other, if the body dies, so dies the mind contained within.

I really enjoy hunting, it is something I picked up only a few years ago, but I have found I am quite fond of it. However, I have a problem: I work second shift (until 11:00 pm) and like getting out in the woods before sunrise. That alarm clock sounds more and more like that annoying co-worker in the next cubicle that has no volume or tone control with their voice. Each time, after about the first month, I hear the alarms go off it gets harder and harder to get out of bed; and yet here I am at 12:53 in the am and I am typing this post. Am I just crazy?

6:00 am rolls around much quicker when you're sleeping!

Maybe tonight I will dream of that giant herd of deer that have no sense of smell, no sense of hearing and are all blind in one eye - I think my chances would be greatly increased if only I could find that herd. I'm not a trophy hunter, I enjoy a decent "mountable" animal, but I am more in it for the sport and the meat - yeah, I'm sure P.E.T.A. isn't going to like me any - I eat what I go after.

At any rate, the alarm is set, my gear is ready for the morning and the coffee pot timer is waiting for 5:50 am, at which point, when I fall off my side of the bed into my clothes I will at least have one small thing accomplished: Fresh Coffee!

Only five hours five minutes til' the alarms sound.

In this digital age of (in)convenience it is overwhelmingly easy to reconnect with people from our pasts. And this post is about just that thing; reconnections with old friends.

A few months back I started a Facebook account, not really knowing what Facebook is/was/could be. As it turns out, people really dig deep into their mental memory banks to try their hardest to remember the most obscure people they could possibly remember from their pasts (yes that sentence was intentionally long and arduous). I happen to be one of those people (on both sides of the account). Finding friends from years gone by, friends that I worked with, friends that shared common interests - I am finding that there are some connections that just were not meant to be lost.

Now, take into account that not everyone wants to be found. There was a point in my life that I wanted as few people from my past to remember me or know how I was doing or where I was living, I've gotten over myself since and hence, I can be found as YOUR friend on Facebook. Some people from my past haven't changed much, others have. Me, take me for example. Many of the people I am linking up with through Facebook know me in a short time span (three years or less time spent in "friendship"), and the person they remember was vastly different from who I have become. Over the last 10 years my life has changed in dramatic ways. As a young teen I wasn't really a fan of children, yet here I am with four kids of my own and the fifth added teenager in the house. There was a span of five years that I didn't really attend church on a regular basis, but here I am studying Christian Theology and finishing my first degree in the coming months. Some knew me as one of the fun party guys, hitting the "regular" spots on Friday and Saturday nights from San Diego to Los Angeles, and here I am staying at home on those days.

All of this to say, it is interesting to catch up with old friends, acquaintances, and keep in touch with new friends that have moved away. If you have some time and wish to find old friends, take the time to check it out. You might be shocked, you might be sad or you might find that old familiar friend lives in the town next door.