The Ear Hears

This is a video I came across a couple days ago of the band Gungor. They have a very unique style and are excellent musicians. I've listened to many bands that try something new and unique and everything sounds like a mess. Many Christian bands that are out there unfortunately are severely lacking in talent. Not so with Gungor. This is a good example of Christians stewarding their gifts and doing it well.

I just now finished listening to their latest album, and it was astounding. The men and women in this band are all so musically talented, and yet, instead of playing for their own praise, they are insistent on giving God all the glory. The lyrics are all about our relationship with God, and utter their amazement at how good, perfect, and praiseworthy our Lord is. They do what they love and what they are good at, all for the God they love.

That said, not everyone is called to be in a band. In fact, there are many who are definitely not called to be in a band. What if every single Christian grabbed a guitar and started a worship band? What if that's what every Christian thought they were called to do? There would be some amazing times of worship, yes, but who would be there to teach us the Bible? Or who would care for us when we get sick, or lead us in government? Paul addressed this for us in 1 Corinthians 12,

"14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body."

Did you catch that? "God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose." He created every part of our physical bodies in a manner of his choosing, yet not all of them have the same function. In understanding Paul's analogy, do you see how each individual Christian has been given a specific purpose and unique abilities to serve the church body? Why then do you try to do the work of the eye when you are an ear?


I keep saying "you" as though I think I have it figured out and never have problems with this. The truth is, however, that I so often look over at "that guy" who is doing something amazing with his life, and I start to covet his gifts and abilities. That can lead me down a dangerous road of jealousy and depression very quickly because I am dissatisfied with what God has given me. If I was to let this feeling grow and fester inside me, it would completely suppress the work that God does have for me. Who will be listening if I, as the ear, keep trying to see instead?

In the end, me telling you this isn't going to make you understand what you are to do with you life any better. That's God's job. My job is simply to point you to Him. Your job is to run after Him. Run well.

~ Haitianmono

Nocturnal Introductions

Alrighty, so now that I have a blog, I suppose it is customary to give a sort of introduction of myself and my intentions associated with said blog. First of all, I find it a mite bit unnerving that I am more or less writing to the entire internet. Will anyone really ever read these words???  I probably shouldn't be concerned with this, however, half my life is dedicated to overanalyzing things, which unfortunately leads to these winding tangents of thought.... sorry.


Ah, back to the intro. My name, as you will see it, is Haitianmono. A slight misnomer, really, as I technically developed Mononucleosis before leaving on one of my Haiti trips. It's actually kinda sad that I got the "kissing disease" as I was only graced by the "disease" and not the "kissing." Pretty lame, huh ;) I was 15 or 16 at the time, and was quite convinced that high school romance was retarded and ridiculous. How dreadfully old fashioned of me.


Oh yes, this brings me to something else that you simply must know in order to understand my blog: 90% of what I write will range from mildly sarcastic to inconceivably facetious, unless I'm talking specifically about my faith. So ye be warned.


I want to use this blog for several things. You will probably see lots of posts about Haiti, some about the Emergency Room, and others about my general life and how God is teaching and maturing me. What I desire most, the real reason that I started this blog, is that you and I would be continually encouraged, uplifted and sanctified, and that God would receive all of the glory. Please understand that I'm not much for theological debate - I'm not smart enough for that! - but I am all about submitting to the authority and teachings of Christ. Maybe that's not where you are - maybe you think I'm a bit of a freak. I'm not trying to sound religious... on the contrary, I will do my best to show how much I despise the term "religion." But I do want to sound Christ-like. And perhaps, if you are willing to walk with me (and put up with me), then my hope is that you will someday see this too.


Okay, 6:00am, time for bed.


~ Haitianmono


p.s. I work nights, by the way... most of my posts will probably be written after midnight.

Instead of Homework

It always amazes me just how quickly Art History can become so unappealing, and quite frankly, a waste of my time. I got through approximately 3 pages today before I dropped the book on the coffee table, sprawled myself on the couch, and did something I find myself doing a lot lately: thinking and praying. My mind wanders back to my last Haiti trip and also to the Facebook post by the missionaries, asking for prayers for the triplets that were born last night. According to the latest update, 2 of the babies have died, but the third one is still fighting. And so, I think and pray for this tiny baby boy, and my heart is heavy for them all. 1700 miles separates me from this harsh reality. It is not the same here. So I think some more.


And then my mind shifts to something that has become an ever increasing desire since just before I left for Haiti in August. I wanted to start a blog. While I was in Haiti, I began to really want to start a blog. I wanted to share with others a piece of what I experienced in Haiti and to show how God has worked in my life and the lives of those around me. So here we go. Let's see where this thing leads us.


~ Haitianmono


p.s. Mostly this post was just a test to see what this here blog looks like. Real posts to come.