the online journal of jordan e.

oh my god
"And what is it, really, that explains the enduring relevance of Jesus to human life? Why has he mattered so much? Why does he matter now? Why does he appear on the front covers of leading newsmagazines two millennia later? Why, even, is his name invoked in cursing more than that of any other person who lived on earth?" - Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy

Though these are all pointed, relevant questions, the last strikes me as the most interesting. How many times in a day are the words "oh my god" frivilously spilled out over casual phone calls, over heated discussions. Why is it that people yelp "Jesus Christ!" when stubbing a toe or upon being surprised? How did it come to be that we've chosen the name of this one particular person to replace cursewords, conversation fillers, preludes to news? If the context for selecting such words is based merely on a title of an important historical figure then why aren't we yelling Mahatma Ghandi! or Napoleon Bonaparte! when clonking our heads? Why is this particular two thousand year old man, Jesus Christ, on the tips of our tongues and still pervading cultures with current relevance? And mostly, how, when, recognizing the great significance of this man on people, do we not investigate any further?

posted by Jordan @ 10:22 fm

Recollecting Yesteryear
I found a little something-something I had written about a certain scarring experience in college. This is just the starts of the story. If you feel you have the prophetic insight, imagination or hunch as to how it progresses, please offer the next step in the tale. The true bit will follow momentarily.

>>I thought I was sending a message that said, “Welcome to the great US of A, friend! Enjoy the tator tot hotdish and monster trucks, you pal, you.” What had filtered though my friendly smiles and small talk didn’t translate to him as just a hearty, American welcome, however. I’m pretty sure his radar picked up something more along the lines of “Come with me my precious minion and we will roost together forever as sweet, sweet lovers in this home of the brave,” (“lovers” in this case is undoubtedly pronounced as “lovaaaahs” and said with one hand held inspirationally in the air).
I experienced the pinnacle of this so-called miscommunication one day while making toast in the communal kitchen of our dorm building. As I was anticipating the golden-brown goodness of my Wonderbread and, at the same time, eyeing a tempting box of Runts from a nearby vending machine, Nii entered, stage left.<<

posted by Jordan @ 3:28 em

I spent last week in Columbus, Ohio at the Vineyard National Leadership Conference. To put it shortly, it was wunderbar. It was held at the Columbus Vineyard, where 7,000 members worship on any given weekend. The complex was huge and a bit overwhelming, but became increasingly genuine - especially when you find out that their pastor, Rich Nathan, can still be found by himself praying for homeless people in the city. Despite the big numbers, God's grounded presence still is rooted there.
We heard from great speakers (i.e. Gordon Fee - author, board member for the TNIV Bible, and general Bible genius; Floyd Flake - former congressman, pastor of 20,000 person church in New York, and president of Ohio State University; and loads of Vineyard pastors), had excellent worship (done by the people who write the songs) and supah workshops. On top of all that, I got a greater sense for our Vineyard family - and the church in general - meeting some really great people, etc and got a reaffirmed passion for the things I feel God wants to use me for.
I came home refilled and with renewed and refreshing hope in Jesus. But the stinking goodness didn't end with my homeward on-flight ginger ale. There was a message on my phone from a man at our church asking me to call him back. He gave him a ring, thinking he needed a volunteer for our church food shelf that he and his wife run. Instead, he asked me if I have a computer. I told him no to which he asked if I plan on doing more graphic design work. I told him yes. He said he had been praying and felt like God was telling him to give me his nearly new flat screen, Tiger OS Mac. I was flabbergasted. Just last week I sort of crankily asked God what in the world I would use if I did a full-time internship at church (there would've been no extra computers) and if I wanted to do freelance stuff. He responded!
Not only that, but as the weather has been warming, I've been feeling the pressure to find a car to replace my beast that can't withstand weather over 60degrees. I just stumbled upon a rocking Toyota station wagon for $500. Yes it has over 200,000 miles, but it has been tried and true, is a sweet 5 speed, has new tires, heat, some really cute rust spots and the owner agreed to sell it to me for $300.
If you're not following Jesus, you've got to be nuts. I'm not saying that crassly or proudly. After all, I have to choose everyday whether or not I'm going to follow him. But I know this: he longs to satisfy us - not only with things and gadgets, but with unseen stuff that fills the voids inside of us. And when you begin following him, you suddenly find that these invisible words, experiences and glimpses are digested in fiery drops, causing an internal flurry simply from his overwhelming love and desires to make you whole. Nothing has or will ever compare to that.

posted by Jordan @ 1:05 em