other worlds

Boss DP put me on a hiring committee for an office position (as opposed to a faculty position), and it was kinda fun for me because I wasn't in the hot seat. It's so great to be able to watch and learn knowing that I can only benefit from the process.

But it was also eye-opening to realize that I'm a lot more naive and inexperienced than I would like to admit. The world can be a hard place.

Still, I'm guessing that some things do separate the stronger candidates from the weaker ones: Confidence, Energy, and Friendliness.

Even when some of the answers were a little dull or confusing, the interviewee's demeanor distracted us from the content of what she was saying.

How to do church

Another good sermon in a series on letting go

1) Let go of your reputation

2) Let go of your future (Egypt?! No, Bethlehem!!)

3) Let go of the results


Poor Joe. But God has eternity to make it up to him.

What does it mean to let go?

Judah Smith:

- Let go of finding God (God is the one who finds us)

- Let go of fighting sin (we can't -- but Jesus can, so we seek shelter in Him)



Matthew 10:39

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Prophetic message from a friend

I've been reading Mark. Read through chapter 1 this morning, and was struck by repeated occurrences of the motif of identity. Christ calling James and John, Simon and Andrew away from their lives in which they might have defined themselves by profession (as fishermen) or by familial relationship (vis-a-vis the father). Christ rebuking the demon-possessed man who cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?" (my italics; it seems he's identifying with the unclean spirit) and commanding, "Come out of him!" (Christ distinguishes between the spirit and the man). Jesus being recognized and affirmed particularly by God the Father: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

I've been thinking about how following Christ necessitates a massive transformation of identity. Not sure how God is doing that in you in this season, but I trust that He is at work. Will continue to be in prayer for you.

No fear

As I reflect on the past, I realized that God started to provide long before I knew how to pray. God was always in this and had my good in mind even before I knew Him.

Walking in faith still isn't easy for me. This morning, I just want to tell God, "No more, please. No more challenges and tests. I just want to be happy." 

But am I idolizing happiness?

It's hard but I need to remember that money is just money. Work is just work. At the end of the day, what is money and work to God? Tools. 

It was only a week but I feel like I lived a different life.

Family trip

From -3 to 33

Guatemalan empanada

It's like a soft biscuit with a sweet custard filling. I prefer Argentine empanadas.

Chicago deep dish pizza

Meh.