It's not everyday that your boss's boss gives you a bonus and sends out an e-mail about it to a bunch of higher-ups. It's not everyday that you find out that the few grand you had the company invest in their stock was just invested and is guaranteed a 250% return. It's not every weekend that I have to make a list of things to do on Saturday because there are so many. Apparently, today is just one of those days.
Today was spent largely in bug fixing for the coming interim Beta driver release, followed up by dinner with Mohan and a friend of his from Cali at an Indian restaurant in Brier Creek. I haven't had chicken masala in a long time, and their definition of "pretty spicy" completely hit the spot. Other than watching Hot Fuzz [which is awesome] that Evan had rented, ... not much after that to write home about.
On that note, I think it's about time for a bowl of Fruit Loops.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Irony is ironic
Today was pretty slow, but at the same time I have a lot of eggs up in the air; thus far I've been good at juggling them. I received word that a longtime missionary couple in Pakistan that is partially supported by my church were murdered in their home last night; sobering news to say the least.
In reviewing the Lord's day messages last night, Pastor Andy drew attention to something that had missed me, due to my earlier epiphanies as cited in my last post. The thought that Christ could be pleased with any of our actions is a staggering one. With a proper biblical understanding of total depravity, it's hard to imagine such a thing, even on my best days. Even Spirit-imparted righteousness leaves one infinitely far off; yet another reason why I will never be a Roman. Only imputed perfect righteousness applied to us allows the Father to see our actions through glasses colored by that righteousness. Every deed is seen as if it were the perfect work of Christ, because He was tempted in every way that we have been. Every deed in which we sin daily disappears next to His perfect works as the moon disappears at noon. And yet God is perfectly just, having punished each of those works in Christ in a single sacrifice. Whoa.
---
I suppose that it's irony that when you have lots of time, you don't do those things you've been meaning to do. When you are running around crazy busy, that's when you end up doing said things.
If honesty is the best policy,... then spoken irony is ironic. Or maybe it's coincidence.
In reviewing the Lord's day messages last night, Pastor Andy drew attention to something that had missed me, due to my earlier epiphanies as cited in my last post. The thought that Christ could be pleased with any of our actions is a staggering one. With a proper biblical understanding of total depravity, it's hard to imagine such a thing, even on my best days. Even Spirit-imparted righteousness leaves one infinitely far off; yet another reason why I will never be a Roman. Only imputed perfect righteousness applied to us allows the Father to see our actions through glasses colored by that righteousness. Every deed is seen as if it were the perfect work of Christ, because He was tempted in every way that we have been. Every deed in which we sin daily disappears next to His perfect works as the moon disappears at noon. And yet God is perfectly just, having punished each of those works in Christ in a single sacrifice. Whoa.
---
I suppose that it's irony that when you have lots of time, you don't do those things you've been meaning to do. When you are running around crazy busy, that's when you end up doing said things.
If honesty is the best policy,... then spoken irony is ironic. Or maybe it's coincidence.
Monday, August 27, 2007
What will your reaction be?
It was a pretty good day; coming down to the wire to release data at work, but nothing too strange. Except for waiting around half the day for the Redmond crew to start working on my bugs, that is.
Proverbs 28:2 "By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures." And we wonder why bureaucracies come into being. Like John Adams said, our governmental system only works with a moral population.
Sometimes it doesn't take too long into the Lord's day for something to really stick in my mind and bug me the rest of the day. This time it was something Doug said a few minutes into the sunday school lesson, asking the question "what will your reaction be, when Christ comes again?" Once you get past the gutshot "well it'll be great" reaction, how you react is very telling of how you relate to the world and worldly things.
The lesson was drawn from the title of another chapter of Ryle, which echoes the words of Christ to "remember Lot's wife." When confronted with leaving her worldly possessions behind, she was so attracted to them that she disobeyed the angel's warning, and died as a result. When I think of what my reaction would be to the return of Christ, I find myself thinking "well I don't want Him to return yet, because I haven't done X yet and don't have Y yet" far more often than I'd like to admit. When it comes down to it, that reaction is exactly the same as hers- the things of earth meaning more to me than spiritual things. Needless to say, that train of thought is still rattling around my head 36 hours later.
In the morning, Pastor Gary continued the series in Colossians, beginning with the observation that while we often have "I want to please Him in everything" on our minds, we often resort to our own thoughts about what pleases Him and how to please Him. Paul's list starts with bearing fruit in what He things is good, something that requires searching of the Word to know. Second on Paul's list is theology, "increasing in the knowledge of God." Sadly, there are far too many so-called Christians who are faithful about following the "rules" and going to church once a week, but have no interest at all in learning about God Himself. Third, "strengthened to endurance." Fourth, "giving thanks." He dwelt for the rest of his time on this one, because it is the one most obvious to a watching world.
Only someone who has a strong understanding of Providence can be thankful in all circumstances, even the most painful. Knowing that every things that He brings about comes from the hand of an affectionate Father is the only thing that will get you through and enable you to take even the toughest situations with joy.
Proverbs 28:2 "By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures." And we wonder why bureaucracies come into being. Like John Adams said, our governmental system only works with a moral population.
Sometimes it doesn't take too long into the Lord's day for something to really stick in my mind and bug me the rest of the day. This time it was something Doug said a few minutes into the sunday school lesson, asking the question "what will your reaction be, when Christ comes again?" Once you get past the gutshot "well it'll be great" reaction, how you react is very telling of how you relate to the world and worldly things.
The lesson was drawn from the title of another chapter of Ryle, which echoes the words of Christ to "remember Lot's wife." When confronted with leaving her worldly possessions behind, she was so attracted to them that she disobeyed the angel's warning, and died as a result. When I think of what my reaction would be to the return of Christ, I find myself thinking "well I don't want Him to return yet, because I haven't done X yet and don't have Y yet" far more often than I'd like to admit. When it comes down to it, that reaction is exactly the same as hers- the things of earth meaning more to me than spiritual things. Needless to say, that train of thought is still rattling around my head 36 hours later.
In the morning, Pastor Gary continued the series in Colossians, beginning with the observation that while we often have "I want to please Him in everything" on our minds, we often resort to our own thoughts about what pleases Him and how to please Him. Paul's list starts with bearing fruit in what He things is good, something that requires searching of the Word to know. Second on Paul's list is theology, "increasing in the knowledge of God." Sadly, there are far too many so-called Christians who are faithful about following the "rules" and going to church once a week, but have no interest at all in learning about God Himself. Third, "strengthened to endurance." Fourth, "giving thanks." He dwelt for the rest of his time on this one, because it is the one most obvious to a watching world.
Only someone who has a strong understanding of Providence can be thankful in all circumstances, even the most painful. Knowing that every things that He brings about comes from the hand of an affectionate Father is the only thing that will get you through and enable you to take even the toughest situations with joy.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Emptyness is underated
It's been a long week, as evidenced by my drastic lack of blogging of late. I was in WV last week for Maw's 96th birthday; it was good to see the folks again and realize the amazing difference that the gospel makes in the way a family relates. Right before I left, I upgraded my laptop to Vista, and have liked what I've seen so far. I got back to Mebane in time for the evening service; Pastor Henning preached a sermon on the character of Jonathan; they've left to return to Costa in the past week.
It's been a busy week at work, coming down to the wire of the planned release candidate that is scheduled for Monday. It's a draining thing to be fixing things left and right, but I guess that's a sign that you're really contributing to the end product.
Our culture is all about independence. From its founding documents all the way down to the overwhelming waves "what you want" advertising, independence is the message of the day. But it's all an illusion; we can't even control the tiniest circumstances in our lives. As Paul put it, I will rather boast in my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest in me.
I'm drained, and really glad that it's Sunday now.
Thou and Thou only
first in my heart
high King of heaven
my treasure Thou art
I don't love you much do I
just more than the stars in the sky
It's been a busy week at work, coming down to the wire of the planned release candidate that is scheduled for Monday. It's a draining thing to be fixing things left and right, but I guess that's a sign that you're really contributing to the end product.
Our culture is all about independence. From its founding documents all the way down to the overwhelming waves "what you want" advertising, independence is the message of the day. But it's all an illusion; we can't even control the tiniest circumstances in our lives. As Paul put it, I will rather boast in my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest in me.
I'm drained, and really glad that it's Sunday now.
Thou and Thou only
first in my heart
high King of heaven
my treasure Thou art
I don't love you much do I
just more than the stars in the sky
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Don't judge a book....
I have a new rule for anyone who engages in conversation with me. You are not allowed to insult someone with your choice of vulgar references unless a) I have met them already and b) You can remember their name accurately. If I haven't met them... I don't want to hear it. If you can't remember their name, you don't know them well enough to insult them honestly. There's nothing more awkward than heading out on a short business day-trip and having the manager-type you're going with proceed to insult them in vulgar terms, when I'm going to have to work with them for the next 6 hours, all when I haven't even met them yet.
Surprisingly, the business trip went very well; apparently, engineers do a lot better when an engineer speaks actual engineering to them. Who've have thought? All in all, it was a very productive trip, and we got a lot done.
Don't judge a book by its cover... and don't make me do it either.
It's been a long day.
Surprisingly, the business trip went very well; apparently, engineers do a lot better when an engineer speaks actual engineering to them. Who've have thought? All in all, it was a very productive trip, and we got a lot done.
Don't judge a book by its cover... and don't make me do it either.
It's been a long day.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Yay for code freeze
Today was pretty slow, other than the rash of tiny bugs that I had to address around 6pm. Code freeze day was largely uneventful, primarily because the Riverbed people _finally_ promised to make their device available tomorrow... one day after the code freeze. I'll be glad when that driver is finally done so that I can delete my VM, nuke my box and install Vista on it at long last.
Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day, because I'm going on a site visit to try to address some driver bugs for BB&T [yes, the bank]. I guess I'll have to wear something more than shorts and a T-shirt... ah well. It's cool being the go-to technical guy on something like this; Lord willing, it will go well and help along the somewhat cool relations Opsware has had with this customer.
"Do your work as unto God and not unto men." --Paul
"It's a love story, with Bridget Bardoux playing the part of the hypotenuse." --Tom Lehrer is really funny
Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day, because I'm going on a site visit to try to address some driver bugs for BB&T [yes, the bank]. I guess I'll have to wear something more than shorts and a T-shirt... ah well. It's cool being the go-to technical guy on something like this; Lord willing, it will go well and help along the somewhat cool relations Opsware has had with this customer.
"Do your work as unto God and not unto men." --Paul
"It's a love story, with Bridget Bardoux playing the part of the hypotenuse." --Tom Lehrer is really funny
Monday, August 13, 2007
Father knows best
No, I'm not referring to the TV show and if you're reading this Dad, sorry it's not you either. Today was an ordinary Lord's day... if there is such a thing. Despite forgetting to set my alarm and the fact that the sun didn't wake me up like it usually does around 8am, I made it in time for Pastor Gary's next message in his marriage series.
If today's message could be summarized in a sentence, it would be that a central purpose in God's design of marriage was to be a principle help to the sanctification of the great majority of His people. If one were to go into a bit more detail, his miniseries has been premised on the supposition that marriage was designed not so much for the benefit of the parties concerned, but to serve as a miniature drama production illustrating the basics of the gospel message-- self sacrificing love on the part of the man and complete submission on the part of the woman. Neither comes to mankind by nature, and both are completely antithetical to the interests of remaining sin. While I can't speak to its benefits first hand, they are also available through the iron sharpening iron process of every relationship that I have.
Our evening message was brought by Pastor Andy and centered around the verses in John 20 that refer to the well known statement by Thomas- "unless I see the imprint of the nails, and put my hands into the imprint of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will not believe." Thomas is commonly described as "the doubter," but Andy made the point that the statements ascribed to him in the gospels can be easily seen to be statements faith at best, and those of a halting believer at worst. Doubting often carries with it the stigma of unbelief, but doubting and vacillating are not contradictory to faith. If it weren't, then it wouldn't be faith, it would be sight.
His message focused not so much on the actions of Thomas, but on the response of Christ to His halting disciple. As He had previously done with Mary and as He did a short time later with Peter, His response directly addressed Thomas' questionings with a savor of grace. He invited Thomas to examine His wounds; His response is far accommodating than we would ever expect. He used Thomas' exact words, even though He had not been present when they were spoken, as a further proof of His deity. Thomas faith is proven by his response, "my Lord and my God!" Jesus response is great encouragement in times when I find myself doubting His purposes, either implicitly or explicitly. He hasn't changed; His response now is exactly as His response was then. Father knows best, but He is compassionate, having been tempted in every way I have.
For some reason I was reminded today of something I heard on Alan Colmes radio show, where he was asking an evangelical minister what the difference was between the Arab suicide bombers and some students of Christian schools saying they are "willing to die for God." Sadly, the minister hadn't any real answer, but if I'd had the chance to call in with the all to obvious response. Those students were expressing a willingness to be killed by others for the sake of their allegiance to Christ, which is a long sea mile from being willing to kill others for God. It's a complete straw man to compare the two, but sadly many seem willing to make it.
If today's message could be summarized in a sentence, it would be that a central purpose in God's design of marriage was to be a principle help to the sanctification of the great majority of His people. If one were to go into a bit more detail, his miniseries has been premised on the supposition that marriage was designed not so much for the benefit of the parties concerned, but to serve as a miniature drama production illustrating the basics of the gospel message-- self sacrificing love on the part of the man and complete submission on the part of the woman. Neither comes to mankind by nature, and both are completely antithetical to the interests of remaining sin. While I can't speak to its benefits first hand, they are also available through the iron sharpening iron process of every relationship that I have.
Our evening message was brought by Pastor Andy and centered around the verses in John 20 that refer to the well known statement by Thomas- "unless I see the imprint of the nails, and put my hands into the imprint of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will not believe." Thomas is commonly described as "the doubter," but Andy made the point that the statements ascribed to him in the gospels can be easily seen to be statements faith at best, and those of a halting believer at worst. Doubting often carries with it the stigma of unbelief, but doubting and vacillating are not contradictory to faith. If it weren't, then it wouldn't be faith, it would be sight.
His message focused not so much on the actions of Thomas, but on the response of Christ to His halting disciple. As He had previously done with Mary and as He did a short time later with Peter, His response directly addressed Thomas' questionings with a savor of grace. He invited Thomas to examine His wounds; His response is far accommodating than we would ever expect. He used Thomas' exact words, even though He had not been present when they were spoken, as a further proof of His deity. Thomas faith is proven by his response, "my Lord and my God!" Jesus response is great encouragement in times when I find myself doubting His purposes, either implicitly or explicitly. He hasn't changed; His response now is exactly as His response was then. Father knows best, but He is compassionate, having been tempted in every way I have.
For some reason I was reminded today of something I heard on Alan Colmes radio show, where he was asking an evangelical minister what the difference was between the Arab suicide bombers and some students of Christian schools saying they are "willing to die for God." Sadly, the minister hadn't any real answer, but if I'd had the chance to call in with the all to obvious response. Those students were expressing a willingness to be killed by others for the sake of their allegiance to Christ, which is a long sea mile from being willing to kill others for God. It's a complete straw man to compare the two, but sadly many seem willing to make it.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Blessed be Your name
Strangely enough, I picked that title because that's what I used when I was blogging in my sleep about an hour ago. That's right; that's what I said.
It's been a slow weekend so far; the heat has finally broken and it's now less than 90 out in the daytime. I'm watching Clear and Present Danger for the umpteenth time; it's such an awesome movie for so many reasons. Next week should be interesting, between several checkins hopefully before the cutoff date of Tuesday, a site visit to BB&T, a trip to WV, and who knows what else.
It's a sad fact that every time I consciously find myself thinking about how well I'm doing fighting against some sin, it's often a short order before I find myself committing it. I suppose it's a testament both to the its resilience and how pride inevitably comes before a fall.
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name
It's been a slow weekend so far; the heat has finally broken and it's now less than 90 out in the daytime. I'm watching Clear and Present Danger for the umpteenth time; it's such an awesome movie for so many reasons. Next week should be interesting, between several checkins hopefully before the cutoff date of Tuesday, a site visit to BB&T, a trip to WV, and who knows what else.
It's a sad fact that every time I consciously find myself thinking about how well I'm doing fighting against some sin, it's often a short order before I find myself committing it. I suppose it's a testament both to the its resilience and how pride inevitably comes before a fall.
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name
Friday, August 10, 2007
Jumping right back in
After taking a week and a half off,... it's been a crazy week. It's code-freeze time, so there's lots of last minute work to do for this month's deadlines. My brother and his family visited for a few days. I'm going on a site-visit to BB&T as the resident expert on Wednesday. I'm going to WV the day after to see my grandmother, the folks, and not on a thankfully canceled customer site visit to Jersey someplace. School season is about to start, so I'm going to have to make a final decision on whether to do chorale this year or not. My company has been recently acquired so there are still a million things in the air.
Needless to say, things are hectic. It's a strange thing to find yourself at peace in the midst of turmoil, without even realizing it. Peace passing understanding, that's what we've been promised. Mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. God is good.
Anyone can be pleasant while things are going well.
Bad times have a way of bringing out the real you.
Whenever God closes a door, it's a surefire evidence that what was behind it wasn't good for you.
Needless to say, things are hectic. It's a strange thing to find yourself at peace in the midst of turmoil, without even realizing it. Peace passing understanding, that's what we've been promised. Mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. God is good.
Anyone can be pleasant while things are going well.
Bad times have a way of bringing out the real you.
Whenever God closes a door, it's a surefire evidence that what was behind it wasn't good for you.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Having family visit rocks
Apparently when I'm busy I forget to blog. Who'd have thunk it. It's Tuesday; Joe, Candy, and the girls are in town for a few days after swinging through WV to see Maw. We went to Bullock's for dinner, since they were interested in trying North Carolina barbecue... it's been soooo long since I'd been there.
I've had a quiet first two days back at the office; the bustle from the pending acquisition seems to have abated somewhat.
I took my bike out for a test drive, out to the intersection of Fayetteville and MLK where the Tobacco trail intersects the road. It was probably a few miles, and definitely did a number on me. Hopefully as I get more time on it, I'll get in a bit better shape. It handled itself well; I'm really happy with the way it rides. Maybe eventually I'll be good enough at it to ride to the office and back; it's about 18 miles one way.
I've had a quiet first two days back at the office; the bustle from the pending acquisition seems to have abated somewhat.
I took my bike out for a test drive, out to the intersection of Fayetteville and MLK where the Tobacco trail intersects the road. It was probably a few miles, and definitely did a number on me. Hopefully as I get more time on it, I'll get in a bit better shape. It handled itself well; I'm really happy with the way it rides. Maybe eventually I'll be good enough at it to ride to the office and back; it's about 18 miles one way.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
All's well that ends well
After sleeping 12 hours,... I think I'm back on the proverbial horse. I think it's a bike-shopping day; at last!
Somehow I ended up listening to a lot of Sarah McLachlan on the plane. This refrain stuck in my mind--
You know that you’re my best friend
You know I’d do anything for you
My love
Let nothing come between us
My love for you is strong and true
There is only one person who deserves such loyalty, and any girl who doesn't agree isn't worth the trouble.
Somehow I ended up listening to a lot of Sarah McLachlan on the plane. This refrain stuck in my mind--
You know that you’re my best friend
You know I’d do anything for you
My love
Let nothing come between us
My love for you is strong and true
There is only one person who deserves such loyalty, and any girl who doesn't agree isn't worth the trouble.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Back
Well, I managed to make it back to good old Raleigh-Durham with all my things... despite leaving my laptop bag outside the airport for 10+ minutes. The only people with leaving town is that everyone forgets you exist temporarily, and suddenly you find yourself with nothing to do, after a lot of time of group activities and lots of things to do. Still, it feels good to be back; it was a much needed break from the grind of many months of hard work.
"The trick about finding happiness is not finding the one choice person who will make you happy; it's avoiding all the potential choices who will make you miserable." --I forget where I read that
Closed doors are a blessing; the only reason we don't see it is because we lack the God's-eye view.
Steak. I need a good steak. Or maybe I'll just find some Bang Bang shrimp.
"The trick about finding happiness is not finding the one choice person who will make you happy; it's avoiding all the potential choices who will make you miserable." --I forget where I read that
Closed doors are a blessing; the only reason we don't see it is because we lack the God's-eye view.
Steak. I need a good steak. Or maybe I'll just find some Bang Bang shrimp.
bienvenido a miami
No, not the Will Smith song. I'm in the Miami airport after a largely uneventful flight from Rio. No hassles at Customs or Immigration, ... it's a lot easier coming back home than it is entering a foreign country. Good food on the airplane... but a 5 hour layover on the other side. Our gate was changed, which caused us to run back an forth across the airport... it's about 25 minutes from Concourse A to E.... and the 25 minutes back.
I'm waiting with baited breath for the Pizza Hut across the room to open.... because I've been without pepperoni for 10 WHOLE DAYS.
I'm waiting with baited breath for the Pizza Hut across the room to open.... because I've been without pepperoni for 10 WHOLE DAYS.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
the paradox of Holiness
Captain's Log, stardate 8.2.2007.4.54.00.PM: beam me up, Scotty.
God is faithful; I am not. God is holy; I am not. God's eyes cannot look upon sin; my eyes seem to be remarkably less descriminating. God's character is impeccable; mine is shot through on an all too regular basis. GRACE: God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Every time I pray, having found myself wandered all too far into sin, it surprises me how much of a "I'm better than this" attitude that floods to my mind. In fact, nothing could be more like me. In sin I was born, and I add to it daily. I've heard it said that holiness is a paradox- the more you realize you aren't, the more you are. The more the Spirit works within the soul, it becomes increasingly conscious of it's own filthiness.
The Lord is my protection; nothing but imputed righteousness is my hope. I'm about to fly home, more conscious of it than ever. Lord willing, I will post again from the good old US of A.
God is faithful; I am not. God is holy; I am not. God's eyes cannot look upon sin; my eyes seem to be remarkably less descriminating. God's character is impeccable; mine is shot through on an all too regular basis. GRACE: God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Every time I pray, having found myself wandered all too far into sin, it surprises me how much of a "I'm better than this" attitude that floods to my mind. In fact, nothing could be more like me. In sin I was born, and I add to it daily. I've heard it said that holiness is a paradox- the more you realize you aren't, the more you are. The more the Spirit works within the soul, it becomes increasingly conscious of it's own filthiness.
The Lord is my protection; nothing but imputed righteousness is my hope. I'm about to fly home, more conscious of it than ever. Lord willing, I will post again from the good old US of A.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Last day... Copacabana and Ipanema
Well, it's my last full day in Rio... it went by so slowly in the beginning, but so fast in the end. We had two options: a jeep tour of the nearby jungle or a schooner tour of the bay area. Anyone who knows me knows what I chose: the jeep tour, hands down. Our driver, Andre, was a complete trip, and just as good as Victor. He was jovial, [he said that his 8-year-old has once told him to "stop being silly"] but he didn't overdue it. We drove out of town in an old-style Army Jeep [probably US made] and about 30-45 minutes out to a National Park [name escapes me]. There are hiking trails that are comparable to those I've walked in the Adirondacks, except that it's dense jungle everywhere. No poison frogs and the like, but we did see the plant that produces the spikes used in blowguns to deliver Curare poison that I've read about. We drove back along the beach, both Ipanema and Copacabana... awesome! The bus doesn't do it justice... nothing compares to a non-existent window and roof.
We finally visited the beach today; the waves were amazing, better that I've seen ANYwhere. Half my kingdom for a surf board.
I think I finally figured out why this trip has been so wonderful; I've been working like a dog the last few months. It's really fun work and the people are the best, but it's still been quite a grind over the longterm. A change of scenery, company, country, language, hemisphere, weather, culture, .... I think it was just what I needed.
"If I rise on wings of dawn or drift in seas of doubt
even there Your strong right hand has never failed to guide me out
Great is Your faithfulness, to carry on with a sinner like me."
--Newsboys
Deus, O Brigado. Jesus, O Brigado. Espírito Sagrado, O Brigado.
God has protected me and mine through these long days, I'm only down a camera case and a pair of sandals which have since been replaced. There's nothing like being completely out of your element to remind me of my own smallness.
"The arm of flesh will fail you; you dare not trust your own [nor anyone else's]"
I'm off to our last-day dinner at a local Churrascaria [similar to the ones I've seen in NC]... Brazilian style where they bring the meat to you on skewers and cut it off right in front of you. Several of us at the office are big fans,.... now I've been to more than restaurants simply titled "Rio" in the Estados Unitos.
Back eventually.
We finally visited the beach today; the waves were amazing, better that I've seen ANYwhere. Half my kingdom for a surf board.
I think I finally figured out why this trip has been so wonderful; I've been working like a dog the last few months. It's really fun work and the people are the best, but it's still been quite a grind over the longterm. A change of scenery, company, country, language, hemisphere, weather, culture, .... I think it was just what I needed.
"If I rise on wings of dawn or drift in seas of doubt
even there Your strong right hand has never failed to guide me out
Great is Your faithfulness, to carry on with a sinner like me."
--Newsboys
Deus, O Brigado. Jesus, O Brigado. Espírito Sagrado, O Brigado.
God has protected me and mine through these long days, I'm only down a camera case and a pair of sandals which have since been replaced. There's nothing like being completely out of your element to remind me of my own smallness.
"The arm of flesh will fail you; you dare not trust your own [nor anyone else's]"
I'm off to our last-day dinner at a local Churrascaria [similar to the ones I've seen in NC]... Brazilian style where they bring the meat to you on skewers and cut it off right in front of you. Several of us at the office are big fans,.... now I've been to more than restaurants simply titled "Rio" in the Estados Unitos.
Back eventually.
an Amazing last concert
Since the internet isn't behaving, I'll have to write this offline and post later.
Today was another excellent day; our final concert was the best attended and most enthusiastically interactive of them all,... which is saying a lot! We performed at a nearby church, over by Ipanema I believe... not sure. We arrived early to rehearse at 4pm because they had a daily Mass at 5pm. We practiced the beginnings of most of the pieces and got ovations after every one from the growing crowd. After spending an hour or two waiting, we went on at 7pm to a nearly packed house. They gave us standing ovations at least 3 or 4 times, most notably after Muie Rendera, for which many of the crowd sung along from the very beginning. We did it again for an encore at the end, and there wasn't a person sitting 3 seconds after we were done!
God has thus far blessed the trip, both to the group and to myself personally. There has been a very open atmosphere, no cliqing, and good times all around. The weather has been amazing, and our tour guides have been the best of any kind I've ever seen, by FAR. Amiable, well-prepared, easy to converse with, and with enough knowledge to exhaust every question.
We found out tonight over dinner just how dangerous of a place we were in when visiting the Casa de Santa Ana in Cidade de Deus; Victor described his interaction with the lookouts [it, like most slums around Rio and other cities, are centers of the drug trade]. Apparently when they were informed of our intentions, they gave us space... you don't mess with us we won't mess with you kind of thing; apparently there is honor even among thieves, so to speak. The hand of God was around us like a blanket, so much so that many of us were completely oblivious to it. It makes the work of those people in Santa Ana that much more impressive and praiseworthy, because of the circumstances in which they perform their labor of love.
The quintet of singers that performed for us the day before did make it to the concert, though we accidentally told them it was at 8pm rather than 7pm, but they made it for the good parts. It was exhilarating to see them actually come; perhaps sometime I'll be able to visit Argentina... eventually. We've got an e-mail address for contact... God knows.
Tomorrow I'm going on the Jeep tour through the jungle... should be quite a ride, and then we've got an afternoon free, so I'll FINALLY get to go to the Copacabana beach and swim. W00t!
Today was another excellent day; our final concert was the best attended and most enthusiastically interactive of them all,... which is saying a lot! We performed at a nearby church, over by Ipanema I believe... not sure. We arrived early to rehearse at 4pm because they had a daily Mass at 5pm. We practiced the beginnings of most of the pieces and got ovations after every one from the growing crowd. After spending an hour or two waiting, we went on at 7pm to a nearly packed house. They gave us standing ovations at least 3 or 4 times, most notably after Muie Rendera, for which many of the crowd sung along from the very beginning. We did it again for an encore at the end, and there wasn't a person sitting 3 seconds after we were done!
God has thus far blessed the trip, both to the group and to myself personally. There has been a very open atmosphere, no cliqing, and good times all around. The weather has been amazing, and our tour guides have been the best of any kind I've ever seen, by FAR. Amiable, well-prepared, easy to converse with, and with enough knowledge to exhaust every question.
We found out tonight over dinner just how dangerous of a place we were in when visiting the Casa de Santa Ana in Cidade de Deus; Victor described his interaction with the lookouts [it, like most slums around Rio and other cities, are centers of the drug trade]. Apparently when they were informed of our intentions, they gave us space... you don't mess with us we won't mess with you kind of thing; apparently there is honor even among thieves, so to speak. The hand of God was around us like a blanket, so much so that many of us were completely oblivious to it. It makes the work of those people in Santa Ana that much more impressive and praiseworthy, because of the circumstances in which they perform their labor of love.
The quintet of singers that performed for us the day before did make it to the concert, though we accidentally told them it was at 8pm rather than 7pm, but they made it for the good parts. It was exhilarating to see them actually come; perhaps sometime I'll be able to visit Argentina... eventually. We've got an e-mail address for contact... God knows.
Tomorrow I'm going on the Jeep tour through the jungle... should be quite a ride, and then we've got an afternoon free, so I'll FINALLY get to go to the Copacabana beach and swim. W00t!
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