Nathan Davis's Blog

Wrapped up in the Story

Jun 9, 2008
7 comments

How does one truly achieve or find the place of "transformation?" Of course this is our whole purpose as those called into God's kingdom to achieve "transformation" into the image of God's Son (Jesus Christ). Our psyche and ego need impregnated with, not only the idea of God, but the knowledge of Him and our new relationship with him. The bible refers to our "identifying" with Christ. All of this requires meditation, supernaturally imposed knowledge (revelation) which comes through the gospel and grace (God giving us the ability to see His image or glory in the gospel). Those two things require exposure to God's word (the gospel). The more we expose ourselves to him, engage him and absorb the word of God the more we get "wrapped up" in Him. The ego is defined as...

ego |ˈēgō|noun ( pl. egos)a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance : a boost to my ego.

The more this (our ego) moves from being rooted in the natural context of "things" in this life and begins to get entangled and interwoven in him the more we take on him and his likeness. The more we think as he thinks and move as he moves. The cross is more than something we encourage ourselves with (forgiveness). It is also the thing we identify with in that we daily accept our no longer belonging to the world (as we have died to it) and now being alive unto God. This reality transitions our ego into his kingdom and it begins to take root it Him. He is my value, my worth. I am dead and only find meaning in Him. We must become wrapped up in the story of God revealed in Scripture and look to God to take us out of the trap of finding value in this life and in objects. How do we see ourselves? Get absorbed and expose yourself to new degrees to the truth of God's word and story. You are his and not your own. Embrace these realities daily.

The Spirit of Jesus

Jun 2, 2008
5 comments

Cross

(NOTE: The following is from some personal notes of mine hence their broken nature)

If in fact the Spirit of of Jesus is upon us... we would characterize the general behavior of Jesus as it relates to our culture.

REFLECT on how THE SPIRIT OF JESUS might be LEADING US. Into what RIDICULOUS BEHAVIOR is JESUS LEADING US?

(NOTE: The word ridiculous is used to signify the worldly perspective regarding the level and intensity of the behavior.)

JESUS is...

LEADING US TO DESPISE RELIGIOSITY - MATT 23 The woes to the Pharisees and the lack of real care for others... Their works existed for themselves...

LEADING US INTO HUMILIATING LEVELS OF SERVICE TO DIGNIFY OTHERS - JOHN 13.1 Washing of the disciples feet - the stooping low of God to make us great...

LEADING US INTO A SIMPLER MORE SINCERE LIFE OF CARE TO BE FRUITFUL The need to sculpt our lives or have our lives sculpted after him... the Spirit of Jesus that marches down into the messes...

LEADING US TO BEFRIEND AND CONNECT WITH IRRELIGIOUS PEOPLE AND EXPRESS CARE AND INSPIRE FAITH - LUKE 7.34 Matthew the tax collector... Friend of sinners and publicans.

LEADING US INTO RIDICULOUS LEVELS OF GIVING TO EVEN THE UNWORTHY - MATT 5.40 If someone sues you or takes from you give to them above what they took...

LEADING US INTO RIDICULOUS LEVELS OF REACTION TO THOSE THAT MISTREAT US - MATT 5.41 The walking of a second mile, the prayers and blessing we would offer...

LEADING US INTO PRACTICAL CARE MINISTRY & QUALITY TIME INVESTMENT WITH THE HURTING - MATT 25.31 The sheep and goats - the sick, hungry, thirsty imprisoned, in need of clothing and housing. In need of basic needs...

LEADING US INTO MINISTRY WHILE EXPERIENCING DEEP LEVELS OF REJECTION, PAIN AND HURT IN OUR OWN LIVES - LUKE 23:34 The prayer for people and the encouragement to the thief on the cross in the midst of painful trying situations...

Get a Job you bum! Wait a minute.. I'm sorry. Can I help you?

Jun 1, 2008
4 comments

Break

I was in Kansas City the other day with some friends doing some shopping in the Plaza and I saw a guy begging for cash. Typically we see this and our reaction is "dude get a job," or we pretend we don't see or hear them there. "Don't make eye contact!" I decided to stop, dig into my pockets, give him some cash, and shake his hand. I spoke to him as if he was a man that deserved respect... and he is...

I later said to my friends rather randomly after thinking a bit "Sometimes we need to just completely violate our reasoning and GIVE." If we develop a habit and then it gets hard coded as a disposition based on a some very good logic that "they need to get a job," we may miss some very real opportunities to dignify people and genuinely express Christ. Not all bums, beggars, whiners (my kids sometimes) need given to on all occasions but we should never let ourselves operate (react) out of a default response of very limited human reasoning.

We drove on further and I said (right after we had just blown a couple hundred between the four of us on clothes) "Let's go to the mission!" It went dead silent. We were in consumption mode, still a bit intoxicated from our new smelling and fine purchases, on the way to get frozen custard - "Go to the Mission?" I admit it felt weird to say and it definitely came out of left field for them.

Shawn (a good friend and fellow consumer) makes a joke about how odd it might feel to sit down with guys who are thinking about where there next meal might come from in our new overly priced clothes... or to shake their hand with mine (yeah the one with my new watch on it), saying "God bless you!"

Of course I am not suggesting anything is wrong or sinful with the idea of owning things or nice things I am just commenting on how weird it felt this particular day to consider the idea of another person out there with much less right in the middle of our spending spree... It felt awkward and yet in all that it was easy to look through the glass of my other friends Scion as we continued on and be skeptical... skeptical of those asking for "a bit" of help.

I want to keep myself in service and in touch with the needs of others. I want to randomly assault my skepticism and dullness to people's needs. Maybe this will keep me more sober and aware of the reality of peoples needs and in turn I won't miss out on truly expressing Christ day to day!

My First 21 Days of Dieting (the last forty dayer I did)

May 31, 2008
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Nathan’s Meal Plan

Day 1, 2, 3 (1,200 calories)

Day 1

Breakfast: 1 grapefruit (82, 3.4), 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), 2 Tbs ground flaxseeds (120, 5.4), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), no-cal beverage (water, green tea)

Lunch: ¼ cup of Almonds (206, 4), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), unlimited free vegetables, 1 apple (80, 3.7), no-cal beverage

Dinner: 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.2), ½ cup of Black beans (114, 7.5), 1 cup of cauliflower (26, 3.4), ½ cup of beets (27, 3.4), no-cal beverage (water, non caffeinated herbal tea)

Total calories: 1218

Total fiber: 41.7

Day 2

Breakfast: 1 banana (109, 2.8), ½ 1 grapefruit (82, 3.4), 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), 2 Tbs ground flaxseeds (120, 5.4), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), no-cal beverage (water, green tea)

Lunch: 1 cup plain yogurt, low fat (155), unlimited free vegetables, ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), ¼ cup almonds (206, 4) no cal beverage

Dinner: 2 eggs (150, 0), 1 cup broccoli (44, 4.7), ½ cup of carrots (46, 3.7), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage (water, green tea)

Total calories: 1230

Total fiber: 35.4

Day 3

Breakfast: 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (120, 5.4), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: 2 slice Ezekiel bread (160), 1 Tbsp Olive oil (126), 1 avocado (235, 7.3), unlimited free vegetables, no cal beverage

Dinner: 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.2), 1 cup of asparagus (43, 2.9), 1 cup of dinner salad, ½ cup blackeyed peas (90, 4), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1299

Total fiber: 35.5

Days 4, 5, 6, 7 (1,500 calories)

Day 4

Breakfast: 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (120, 5.4) ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: 1 cup avocado (235, 7.3), 1 cup cooked brown rice (216, 3.6), ½ cup cooked blackeyed peas (90, 4), unlimited free vegetables, no cal beverage

Dinner: 4 oz of chicken breast (223, 0), medium sweet potato (95, 3), 1 cup broccoli (44, 4.7), 1 cup of dinner salad, 8 oz. shitake mushrooms (87, 2.5), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1512

Total fiber: 45

Day 5

Breakfast: ¼ cup uncooked quinoa (159, 2.5), 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (75, 2), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), ½ cup blueberries (40, 4), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.2), ½ cup kidney beans (103, 4.5), 1 banana (109, 2.8), unlimited free vegetables, 1 cup plain yogurt (155, 0), no cal beverage

Dinner: 4 oz of chicken breast (223, 0), 1 cup of asparagus (43, 2.9), 1 cup of dinner salad, 1 cup of carrots (52, 3.7), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1481

Total fiber: 34

Day 6

Breakfast: 1 slice Ezekiel bread (80, 3), ½ tbsp olive oil (60, 0), 2 eggs (150, 0), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: ¼ cup quinoa (159, 2.5), ½ cup kidney beans (103, 4.5), unlimited free vegetables, 1 cup plain yogurt (155, 0), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), no cal beverage

Dinner: 4 oz chicken (223, 0), 1 cup of asparagus (43, 2.9), 8 oz. shitake mushrooms (87, 2.5), 1 cup of dinner salad, ½ cup blackeyed peas (90, 4), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1496

Total fiber: 29.8

Day 7

Breakfast: 1 cup plain yogurt (155, 0), ½ cup of blueberries (40, 2), 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (120, 6) 1 grapefruit (74, 3.2), no cal beverage

Lunch: ½ cup Black beans (114, 7.5), 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.6), ¼ cup almonds (206, 4), unlimited free vegetables, 1 banana (109, 2.8), no cal beverage

Dinner: 2 eggs (150, 0), 1 avocado (235, 7.3), 2 cups of broccoli (88, 9.4), 1 cup of dinner salad, 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1570

Total fiber: 48

Day 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 (1,800)

Day 8

Breakfast: 1 grapefruit (82, 3.4), 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), 2 Tbs ground flaxseeds (120, 5.4), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), no-cal beverage (water, green tea)

Snack: 1 Apple (80, 3.7), 2 Tbs Almond butter (195, 4)

Lunch: ¼ cup of Almonds (206, 4), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), unlimited free vegetables, 1 apple (80, 3.7), no-cal beverage

Snack: 1 cup plain nonfat yogurt (155, 0), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2)

Dinner: 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.2), ½ cup of Black beans (114, 7.5), 1 cup of cauliflower (26, 3.4), ½ cup of beets (27, 3.4), no-cal beverage (water, non caffeinated herbal tea)

Total calories: 1851

Total fiber: 53.1

Day 9

Breakfast: 1 banana (109, 2.8), ½ 1 grapefruit (82, 3.4), 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), 2 Tbs ground flaxseeds (120, 5.4), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), no-cal beverage (water, green tea)

Snack: 1 Apple (80, 3.7), 2 Tbs Almond butter (195, 4)

Lunch: 1 cup plain nonfat yogurt (155, 0), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), low fat (155), unlimited free vegetables, ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), ¼ cup almonds (206, 4) no cal beverage

Snack:

Dinner: 2 eggs (150, 0), 2 slices Ezekiel bread (160, 6), 1 cup broccoli (44, 4.7), ½ cup of carrots (46, 3.7), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage (water, green tea)

Total calories: 1705

Total fiber: 43

Day 10

Breakfast: 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (120, 5.4), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Snack: 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt (155, 0), ½ cup blueberries (44, 2),

Lunch: 2 slice Ezekiel bread (160), 1 Tbsp Olive oil (126), 1 avocado (235, 7.3), 4 oz Turkey (214, 0), unlimited free vegetables, no cal beverage

Dinner: 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.2), 1 cup of asparagus (43, 2.9), 1 cup of dinner salad, ½ cup blackeyed peas (90, 4), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1712

Total fiber: 37.5

Day 11

Breakfast: 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (120, 5.4) ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Snack: 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt (155, 0), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7)

Lunch: 1 cup avocado (235, 7.3), 1 cup cooked brown rice (216, 3.6), ½ cup cooked blackeyed peas (90, 4), unlimited free vegetables, no cal beverage

Dinner: 4 oz of chicken breast (223, 0), medium sweet potato (95, 3), 1 cup broccoli (44, 4.7), 1 cup of dinner salad, 8 oz. shitake mushrooms (87, 2.5), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1830

Total fiber: 46.7

Day 12

Breakfast: ¼ cup uncooked quinoa (159, 2.5), 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (75, 2), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), ½ cup blueberries (40, 4), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.2), ½ cup kidney beans (103, 4.5), 1 banana (109, 2.8), unlimited free vegetables, no cal beverage

Snack: 1 cup plain yogurt (155, 0), ½ cup blueberries (44, 2), 2 Tbs ground flaxseed (95, 5.4)

Dinner: 4 oz of chicken breast (223, 0), 1 cup of asparagus (43, 2.9), 1 cup of dinner salad, 1 cup of carrots (52, 3.7), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1806

Total fiber: 41.5

Day 13

Breakfast: 2 slice Ezekiel bread (160, 6), ½ tbsp olive oil (60, 0), 2 eggs (150, 0), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: ¼ cup quinoa (159, 2.5), ½ cup kidney beans (103, 4.5), unlimited free vegetables, 1 cup plain yogurt (155, 0), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), no cal beverage

Snack: 2 cups romaine lettuce (16, 2), 1 cup cucumbers (14, 1), 1 cup carrots (52, 3.7), 1 cup beets (75, 3)

Dinner: 4 oz chicken (223, 0), 1 cup of asparagus (43, 2.9), 8 oz. shitake mushrooms (87, 2.5), 1 cup of dinner salad, ½ cup blackeyed peas (90, 4), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1733

Total fiber: 43

Day 14

Breakfast:1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), ½ cup of blueberries (40, 2), 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (120, 6) 1 grapefruit (74, 3.2), no cal beverage

Snack: 1 cup plain yogurt (155, 0), 1 banana (109, 2.8)

Lunch: ½ cup Black beans (114, 7.5), 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.6), ¼ cup almonds (206, 4), unlimited free vegetables, 1 banana (109, 2.8), no cal beverage

Dinner: 2 eggs (150, 0), 1 avocado (235, 7.3), 2 cups of broccoli (88, 9.4), 1 cup of dinner salad, 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1824

Total fiber: 54.8

Day 15, 16, 17 (1,200 calories)

Day 15

Breakfast: 1 grapefruit (82, 3.4), 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), 2 Tbs ground flaxseeds (120, 5.4), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), no-cal beverage (water, green tea)

Lunch: ¼ cup of Almonds (206, 4), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), unlimited free vegetables, 1 apple (80, 3.7), no-cal beverage

Dinner: 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.2), ½ cup of Black beans (114, 7.5), 1 cup of cauliflower (26, 3.4), ½ cup of beets (27, 3.4), no-cal beverage (water, non caffeinated herbal tea)

Total calories: 1218

Total fiber: 41.7

Day 16

Breakfast: 1 banana (109, 2.8), ½ 1 grapefruit (82, 3.4), 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), 2 Tbs ground flaxseeds (120, 5.4), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), no-cal beverage (water, green tea)

Lunch: 1 cup plain yogurt, low fat (155), unlimited free vegetables, ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), ¼ cup almonds (206, 4) no cal beverage

Dinner: 2 eggs (150, 0), 1 cup broccoli (44, 4.7), ½ cup of carrots (46, 3.7), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage (water, green tea)

Total calories: 1230

Total fiber: 35.4

Day 17

Breakfast: 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (120, 5.4), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: 2 slice Ezekiel bread (160), 1 Tbsp Olive oil (126), 1 avocado (235, 7.3), unlimited free vegetables, no cal beverage

Dinner: 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.2), 1 cup of asparagus (43, 2.9), 1 cup of dinner salad, ½ cup blackeyed peas (90, 4), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1299

Total fiber: 35.5

Days 18, 19, 20, 21(1,500 calories)

Day 18

Breakfast: 1 cup oatmeal (145, 4), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (120, 5.4) ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: 1 cup avocado (235, 7.3), 1 cup cooked brown rice (216, 3.6), ½ cup cooked blackeyed peas (90, 4), unlimited free vegetables, no cal beverage

Dinner: 4 oz of chicken breast (223, 0), medium sweet potato (95, 3), 1 cup broccoli (44, 4.7), 1 cup of dinner salad, 8 oz. shitake mushrooms (87, 2.5), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1512

Total fiber: 45

Day 19

Breakfast: ¼ cup uncooked quinoa (159, 2.5), 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (75, 2), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), ½ cup blueberries (40, 4), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.2), ½ cup kidney beans (103, 4.5), 1 banana (109, 2.8), unlimited free vegetables, 1 cup plain yogurt (155, 0), no cal beverage

Dinner: 4 oz of chicken breast (223, 0), 1 cup of asparagus (43, 2.9), 1 cup of dinner salad, 1 cup of carrots (52, 3.7), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1481

Total fiber: 34

Day 20

Breakfast: 1 slice Ezekiel bread (80, 3), ½ tbsp olive oil (60, 0), 2 eggs (150, 0), 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Lunch: ¼ cup quinoa (159, 2.5), ½ cup kidney beans (103, 4.5), unlimited free vegetables, 1 cup plain yogurt (155, 0), ½ cup blueberries (40, 2), ¼ cup walnuts (163, 1.7), no cal beverage

Dinner: 4 oz chicken (223, 0), 1 cup of asparagus (43, 2.9), 8 oz. shitake mushrooms (87, 2.5), 1 cup of dinner salad, ½ cup blackeyed peas (90, 4), 1 orange (62, 3), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1496

Total fiber: 29.8

Day 21

Breakfast: 1 cup plain yogurt (155, 0), ½ cup of blueberries (40, 2), 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (120, 6) 1 grapefruit (74, 3.2), no cal beverage

Lunch: ½ cup Black beans (114, 7.5), 1 cup brown rice (216, 3.6), ¼ cup almonds (206, 4), unlimited free vegetables, 1 banana (109, 2.8), no cal beverage

Dinner: 2 eggs (150, 0), 1 avocado (235, 7.3), 2 cups of broccoli (88, 9.4), 1 cup of dinner salad, 1 apple (81, 3.7), no cal beverage

Total calories: 1570

Total fiber: 48

pangeaday.org

May 13, 2008
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Jehane Noujaim Unveils Pangea Day

Elijah Caught a Fish

Apr 30, 2008
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DSC_0339

EMAILED TWITTER with my Idea

Apr 24, 2008
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My friend and I have what is currently an idea. A Twitter Cafe.

Our motive is we love twitter (networking) and coffee (the life blood of social prowess).

1) The basic look and feel would include one or multiple walls covered in actual twitters. Littered.

- A very clean almost mac store feel but more fun and colorful.

- Some LCDS for menus and also some just streaming twitter updates from around the globe...

2) Menus, Art and Tables of course could be littered also with Twitters modeling your actual look.

3) Twitter promotion and memorabilia everywhere of course. Actual twitter users could potentially get discounts?!

Was wondering if something like this would interest you and your partnership / permission.

I own a startup media company specializing in curriculum & web design and my friend and I work as media directors in a local church.

Thanks and we look forward to a reply and information regarding the legality / possibility of such a thing and our involvement.

We are located in Oklahoma City, OK and serve a greater metro and suburban area of about 1.5 million people.

Nathan Davis

http://twitter.com/mediapeople

CIVIC INFLUENCE

Apr 23, 2008
3 comments

Picture 1

How are we mapping our influence in the city? I am working on a project that maps influence in a local community revealing how churches can integrate into existing structures with both the mission and message of Jesus....