The Return of the Steve

Due to recent protest from Ben Blakey, I am resuming posting on the blogosphere. There were a lot of reasons why I haven't written for a while. For one, I had the most busy and difficult finals week I've ever had a few weeks ago. Another reason is that I was slightly put-out that no one seemed to think my post on Thurl Ravenscroft was funny at all. But the main reason I haven't posted is because I haven't really had anything profitable to say. This actually still might be the case.

A breif re-cap of what has occured in my life over the past month or so:

My intramural football team won the championship game. It was the most physical intramural football game I've played in my three years at the college. I got a couple sacks and I was given a significant shoulder injury that still bothers me. But hey, we went out champions.

I had the finals week from Sheol. Two in-class writing finals including several timed essays, a 75-question final on OT, and two more take-home finals that took about a total of 30 hours combined. Not kidding. My last final was due at 5:00 Friday afternoon of finals week. I finished it at 4:47 and ran to North Campus.

I said goodbye to two of my closest friends, and I don't know when the next time is that I will see either one of them. Hugh Jackson left in a very anti-climatic way... I took a short break to have one last dinner with him in the caf and then we loaded up Billy's car and just like that he and Houston were gone to LAX. Ben and I moved Tommy down to Escondido two weeks ago and that Friday he was gone in a similar rushed fashion. Not to be too philosophical, but their departures has gotten me really thinking not just about the brevity of this life, but also the brevity of relationships given us in this life. For that is what they are-- gifts; and no matter how fleeting, should be cherished and well stewarded, for like all things, we are to give an account of what we have been given to the One who gave them.

On that note, Ben leaves soon, too.

Christmas was very chill this year. We didn't host it for the first time in ages, and that was nice. I got a couple of sweaters, some piper books, the new Switchfoot cd and Matisyahu's Youth cd. Pretty good haul, if I do say so myself.

There was one thought that seemed to keep reoccuring in my mind this Christmas season. A phrase, actually. "The consolation of Israel." Luke 2:25 tells us that Simeon, the old man that greeted Mary and Joseph when they brought Jesus to the Temple on the 8th day, was waiting for "the consolation of Israel." I began to ask myself, what does this mean? Well, to console is to offer comfort, support, care in a time of grief or morning. It is "the shoulder to cry on", so to speak. It is the arm around the shoulders, the manifestation of hope in a time of sorrow. It is the glimmer of light when things are dark. The next logical question is, why would Israel need to be consoled? Is it because of the Romans and there oppresive occupation of the land and subjugation of the people of Israel? Not really. Israel's history is that of being subjected by other nations more physically powerful. No. Israel needed consolation because they had heard no word from God for 400 years. Israel needed consolation because they were already on their third temple. Israel needed consolation because few things had gone right since 586 BC, when the Chaldeans took them into exile. The reason Israel needed consolation was because they felt abandoned by God. He was nowhere to be found, they thought. And so God came to them, but in the form of a baby. Sadly though, as John 1 tells us, "His own did not receive Him." Israel rejected their consolation. I picture a weeping girl, sitting in ashes, being offered the loving arms of her husband, and yet she shrugs them away, refusing his Gift. But Christ did not go unwelcomed, and that is the Good News. Many turned, many still turn, and many more will turn to His open arms. And the Bible tells us that one day, Israel will finally accept the Gift, its consolation. My current study in Romans 9-11 has me convinced that God is not finished with His chosen race yet.

And that brings me to another topic. My mind has been largely drawn to thoughts of Israel over the past few months, and the need of God's people to come to Him. I'm sure some of it has something to do with IBEX Fall '07... but I don't think that's just it. I am praying about what God would have me do.

Which brings me to another topic. I have recently seen God do things what I thought utterly impossible. I mean things that I never, ever, ever believed in a million years would happen-- he made them happen. Astounding. I am convinced more than ever that He will bring to pass what He believes is best, and He will withhold what He deems is right to withhold. His name be praised.

There is much more I could write about, but this post is growing long enough, and I am tired.

Glad to be back.