I spent most of the day at home working on projects for school. In the afternoon my brother went to a board game event for youth group from 3-5. At 7 I went to Joseph's house for a small gathering before we all head back off to school. I'm leaving for Berkeley tomorrow night. We spent the night... relaxing.

If you're wondering why the photographs today and yesterday have a slight greenish tint to them, it's because I've run them a little through photoshop. I was playing around with some settings recently when I realized that this greenish tint gives the photographs an older, filmish look... I won't be posting them like this forever, so enjoy them while they last (if you like them), or laugh while you can (if you don't).

Earlier in the evening, Ben was showing and teaching joseph various fighting techniques... That's why some of the pictures have them grabbing each other... Just so you know.

I completely forgot about these until Jim reminded me in a comment... Here are two videos of us running at each other with a big exercise ball in between. These are educational videos that teach the important equation in physics,

F = m * a.

Jim vs. Michael

Jim vs. Joseph

Devotion time questions:

Zechariah 11

Reflect on the words “fallen,” “ruined,” “cut down,” and “destroyed.” How much do I place confidence in things that will ultimately meet this kind of end?

I think I need to keep in mind more that everything material in my life will eventually meet this end. You cannot depend on things like college degrees, high paying jobs, or powerful positions for security and comfort, since eventually they're destined to disappear.

Another thing is our own health. We cannot put our confidence in being healthy, since our bodies are destined for death. However, this doesn't mean we are to neglect or abuse the bodies that God has blessed us with.

What is so tragic about these people who didn’t recognize Zechariah who tried to “[pasture] the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock?”

They were "biting the hand that fed them" and rejecting the one who was trying to save them. The people were blinded to the realities of what was going on, and preferred the shepherds that were neglecting them over Zechariah who was trying to pasture them. Their blindness led to their destruction.

What was Zechariah’s response when the flock detested him for getting rid of the three bad shepherds?

He grew weary of them and decided to not shephard them, leaving the dying to die and those who were perishing to perish. Those who were left over would not be protected from one another.

What is my attitude towards good shepherds whom God placed in my life for my own good?

I don't think I've ever turned against them or rejected what they were trying to do for me, but I think I haven't always taken their words and advice seriously. I need to be thankful for the people God has put over me to shephard me, and carefully considered their words of guidance for me.

How does vv.12-13 foreshadow what happened to Jesus, the Good Shepherd?

The people rejected Zechariah the "good shephard" and sent him away with 30 pieces of silver, which he went and threw into the temple on God's command.

In the same way, Jesus the Good Shepherd was rejected and crucified for the price of 30 silver coins. Judas then went and threw the coins into the temple.

Salvation was worth 30 pieces of silver to the people being saved in both instances.

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
Matthew 26:14-15

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Matthew 27:3-5

What has been my response to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for me?

I've spent parts of my life running from him, hiding from him, and rejecting what he wants for me, but I pray that for the rest of my life I will cling to him, be obedient to him, and lay my life down for him.

Reflect on John 10. Am I following Jesus, the Good Shepherd?

Thoughts omitted here.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
John 10:11-13