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Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

I received this via email at work today and thought I’d share it with you:

• My desk will never be dusty - it is covered by mounds of paperwork.
• My refrigerator will never be empty - it is filled with green, fuzzy leftovers.
• My car will never be stolen - it is too dirty and is usually sitting on empty.
• My friends will never leave me - I know too much.
• My body will never be scratched - it is protected by a lot of “padding”.
• My children will always love me - I give them money and feed them.
• My wallet is never empty - I have credit cards, receipts, past due bills, chewing gum wrappers, expired coupons, phone numbers on small pieces of paper, a baby picture (not sure if it is my 2nd or 4th child…. Or maybe a nephew), a business card from a psychic located in the office behind lane 6 in the bowling alley, 4 dimes, 17 pennies, a quarter and a Chuckie Cheese token.
• My job is awesome - except for the working part.
• My shoes fit perfectly - except where they rub my big toe and my the heel of my left foot.
• My clothes are stylish and up-to-date - now that the 70’s and 80’s look is back in style.
• My co-workers are the best - except for the one that keeps asking, “What are you doing? Don’t you ever do any work around here?” (don’t tell her but her day is coming!)
• I live a truly blessed life - I hope yours is just as blessed as mine is.

Is the Creation Museum good for Christianity? I’m not so sure. This flickr photoset gives a walkthrough of the museum, and I’ve got to say… I’m really taken aback by what I’m seeing in the pictures. I believe in God’s word, but those that take a hard-lined, ultra-literal approach to modern translations might need to consider that they don’t have everything right. The fact of the matter is that whether you believe in creationism or not, we will never be right about it. If you believe in God, it’s really only for God to know. That’s where faith comes in. If you don’t believe in God, science will always give you something else to consider… some other evidence to factor in.

Last week, the ESV Bible Blog posted about reading the ESV on your iPod, so I gave it a try. Only the New Testament is available at the moment. This is a great resource if you’re wanting to do some light reading or need to look up a verse while you’re on the go. There’s two versions available… one for the iPod nano and one for the iPod video. I’d highly recommend checking it out!

I almost hate leaving the office some nights. But it’s not because of work… it’s what I encounter when I leave our office. Last night, while I was making my to our parking lot, a (homeless?) man approached me. He said he was really hungry, and needed some money to eat. Two things ran through my mind at this moment, and the first was “Yeah, Right.” (He was dressed fairly well for someone without money.) The second was, “I don’t have any money and I’m wearing my iPod in plain sight… is this guy going to try to attack me?” After a brief pause, I told him I didn’t have any money (which is true… I never carry cash on me) and walked away. Thankfully, nothing happened.

If I were in the same position, would I be humble enough to ask for help?

I can’t help but think of how uncomfortable the whole exchange was, though. For me, there was discomfort in the fact that I immediately started doubting whether this guy was genuinely in need, and that my thoughts nearly immediately turned to predicting my own bodily harm if I didn’t give him anything. Fortunately, the latter didn’t happen. For him, I could imagine that if he truly was in need how uncomfortable it must have been for him to ask for help. If I were in the same position, would I be humble enough to ask for help?

Mark 5:38-42: 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (ESV)

From the passages above the Bible tells us: “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” I keep trying to tell myself that… But it’s difficult given how the world is. You never know if someone is truly in need of help. You never know if the money you give someone will be used for food, or will it be squandered on drugs, alcohol… You just never know. I suppose that’s the point though: it’s not for me/us to understand. Hopefully, I’ll be able to handle the situation differently if I’m approached again.

What are your thoughts on “panhandling”? Do you give to strangers that ask for money?