Shooting

So I went shooting with my dad and grandpa. I shot at a target 50 feet away with a 45 and a 22. It was one of the most fun experiences of my life.

We drove to Arlington Heights to pick him up, went out to dinner and then went to his gun club. At this gun club my grandpa was in his element. He taught us the proper stance to shoot, what it meant if we were off the target in any certain direction and how to aim with iron sights and with electronic sights. After we got done shooting, he told a few dirty jokes, spoke of the benefits of his sun glasses (which were eagle sights by the way, the best attachable sun glasses out there!) and he cleaned his windshield with the generic blue Windex type stuff twice before we reached his house. I was sitting in the back seat listening to him talk, seeing his white hair and long ears and I was so struck at how beautiful people are.

He is definitely a rebellious creature, untouched by the cleansing grace of Jesus, but the Lord still loves His creation however dirty. It's interesting how we can forget that people were made beautiful and treat them as if they are ugly unless they pass our tests of moral living. We forget that while we were still dirty, diseased and sinful, Jesus put on human clothes and died for us to save.

Sometimes I think I place human standards on God. I mean, I think God judges using human standards of justice, righteousness and beauty. I don't know if I'm making sense. What I mean is that I am ashamed to say that I judge other people who have had sex before marriage when I have looked with lust on another woman. I have not forgiven someone who has lied to me when I haven't been honest. I use God's righteousness against everyone but myself.

But people, including my Grandpa are beautiful. Not because we are on our own but because the God who loves us is beautiful.

That Jammin Camp

I just read Dan's post. If you haven't read it yet you should.

I really like knowing how my friends are doing spiritually but for some reason it's a lot easier to read about them than to talk to them. I wonder if they feel the same way about me?

In any case I just returned from Jam Camp. It was my 4th time. While I don't think that that number really matters I do feel like I know what I'm doing when I'm with the junior high group at Jam Camp. Usually a feeling of accomplishment and understanding is accompanied with something new that turns what you thought you knew into something very not known. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Well I wish I could say that Jam Camp was enlightening with every word that the speaker Joel said being meaningful. But actually I found his talks confusing. I would say the best part of that weekend was listening to Bradley Hathaway with Joel and hearing him cry out about just wanting to be hugged by Jesus. You know, that's exactly how I felt.

I wanted to be done with theology, done with morality, done with philosophy and especially done with religiosity and just have Jesus be around me, bearing down on me with the intensity of the someone who knows and yet forgives. I still feel that way.

And as I read through the Sermon on the Mount for some reason I was struck over and over with the verse from 1 Samuel "to obey is better than to sacrifice". So I guess all those times I sacrifice my time and money and talents don't make up for not obeying. Interestingly enough time, talent and treasure are the three points in the Harvest's stewardship campaign.

But really, Jesus is a great God. One thing Joel did remind me of is that Jesus isn't just our friend but He is also our Lord. Hard truths hard, but they are good.

Lately I am thankful for things that are hard.

On the way back we almost got run over by a plane. On the highway.