I'd like to start a running thread on cynicism. I suppose I don't need a reason, but I have been thinking about it a lot lately, so that's my reason. Plus, who doesn't want to think about cynicism this time of year? 'Tis the season, I say. As it is the night before Christmas, I won't delve into it much. I can promise, however, that it will be longer than Bob's two-part "series."
For now, I'll just say that sometimes, it really is easy to be cynical. Today, for instance, I went to the mall, and in spite of all the supposed holiday cheer in the air, I found that most people were more concerned with getting a better parking spot than me than with tidings of comfort and joy, peace on earth, goodwill to men, etc. Baby Jesus would not be happy with this, I think. Yet, baby Jesus does not seem to be able to prevent selfishness as the most selfless of times. Maybe it's because too many people like to think of Jesus - in the words of Cal Naughton, Jr. - "as a mischievous badger." You'd be wrong, but there you are. Merry Christmas everybody!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The Old Walkabout
Everyone I know, and those I do not, should go to this website: walkscore.com. Maybe I am the last to know about it, but I think that I am not. I read about this on James K. A. Smith's blog. That's a name drop - read anything by that guy. Anyway, this website is a wonderful tool for those who are energy conscious or healthy. We scored an 82, which I think is pretty high. I defy you to beat our score! That only confirms our feelings that we live in a great part of town. Of course, the real importance of this website is not what score you make, but how you use the knowledge gained from this site to your advantage. From the website:
Why Walking Matters
Why Walking Matters
Walkable neighborhoods offer surprising benefits to our health, the environment, and our communities.
Better health: A study in Washington State found that the average resident of a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood weighs 7 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood1. Residents of walkable neighborhoods drive less and suffer fewer car accidents, a leading cause of death between the ages of 15 - 45.
Reduction in greenhouse gas: Cars are a leading cause of global warming. Your feet are zero pollution transportation machines.
More transportation options: Compact neighborhoods tend to have higher population density, which leads to more public transportation options and bicycle infrastructure. Not only is taking the bus cheaper than driving, but riding a bus is ten times safer than driving a car!
Increased social capital: Walking increases social capital by promoting face-to-face interaction with your neighbors. Studies have shown that for each 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community activities falls by 10 percent.
Stronger local businesses: Dense, walkable neighborhoods provide local businesses with the foot traffic they need to thrive. It's easier for pedestrians to shop at many stores on one trip, since they don't need to drive between destinations.
Favorite Things
is not really a Christmas song, but this time of year, one of my favorite things to do is take the books for the semester off of the top shelf of my desk, and put them in their place on my bookshelves. There is a feeling of completeness that comes with this act that is quite rewarding. I got to do that yesterday; color me rewarded. I have officially finished a 12 hour semester, on time. Take that, Greg McKenzie.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Just For Fun
This is an essay I wrote for class earlier this week. I should warn you, it is long and you don't care. Basically, the point of the essay was to exegete, theologize, and apply any text I wanted in about 1000 words.
The text in question is I Corinthians 10:1-13.
To begin to understand these verses, one must first consider the context. Beginning in chapter eight, Paul is answering a question posed to him by the Corinthian church concerning “food sacrificed to idols” (I Cor. 8:1). The church in Corinth seems to have differing opinions over whether or not a Christian can eat meat that has been sacrificed to an idol. That is, some Christians were eating meat bought from a pagan temple and eating, while others felt that doing so was engaging in the worship of other, pagan deities. Paul’s argument concerning this issue is long and complex, such that it is hard to understand what exactly is the point for which he argues. He begins in chapter eight by showing how idols represent literally nothing, so it is acceptable to eat this meat because it has in reality been sacrificed to nothing. Yet, Paul’s answer is not a simple “yes;” it is the dreaded “yes, but….” The “but” concludes chapter eight: “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall” (8:13). Paul then argues in all of chapter nine for a Christian understanding of “rights.” That is, how a Christian should understand his or her rights in relation to others. Ultimately, the only right that Paul will claim is that he might “become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (9:22). Following this declaration is Paul’s sport analogy where he argues that the Christian life should be driven by Kingdom purposes. This leads directly into the content of 10:1-13.
Paul’s single-minded devotion to God’s purposes motivates him to forsake his right to eat meat sacrificed to idols for the sake of his brother. This idea leads Paul to argue from the example of Israel. He begins by paralleling Israel with the Corinthian church. Israel, like them, received a water and spirit baptism (10:2). So also Israel was nourished spiritually in Christ (10:3-4). Yet, in spite of this calling to be God’s chosen people, they repeatedly fell short of God’s call and suffered the consequences (10:5-10). Paul says that these events transpired (presumably, in part) as an example and warning to those who would follow those desert wanderers. Israel, who had just experienced the pinnacle of their history in the Exodus and receiving of the Law at Mt. Sinai, was still susceptible to failure. In the same way, the Christians in Corinth, who had received the very pinnacle of God’s revelation of his redemptive history, are still susceptible (10:12). Yet, being susceptible is not the same as being hopeless, for hope is found in the help of God (10:13). Thus, from Israel’s history, Paul teaches the Corinthian church how they are to think about themselves in relation to the way they treat those brothers and sisters who do not share their opinion about eating meat sacrificed to idols.
From the meager exegetical work above, the primary principle that one should draw from the passage in question concerns the claiming of perceived rights. That is, Christians ought to give up their rights for the sake of their fellow Christians. This practical principle is driven by another, more theoretical principle. This principle is addressed more in chapter nine. The reason Christians give up their rights for the sake of others is because of their whole-hearted devotion to the gospel of Christ (9:12). Paul embodies this principle: “But I have not used nay of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast” (9:15). Thus, the normative principle for Paul is single-minded devotion to the cause of Christ. Paul applies this in principle generally as the forsaking of one’s rights. In his context, this plays out as a Christian abstaining from meat sacrificed to idols for the conscience of his brother.
Paul can argue for and apply these principles based on the history of God’s redemptive acts in the world. That is, Paul does not argue in or from a vacuum. The foundation of his argument is the very cause of Christ for which he forsakes his rights. At the heart of the story in which Paul places all others, including his and the Corinthian church, is the one, true Redeemer. It is God who seeks always redemption for His creation. Yet this redemption does not occur through victory and oppression, but through death and resurrection. It would be through the death and resurrection of His chosen people that God redeemed his covenant with Abraham. It would be through the death and resurrection of His Son that God would fulfill his redemptive plan. In the Incarnation and subsequent death and resurrection of Jesus, God forsook his divine rights. In fact, at the end of his address on eating meat sacrificed to idols, Paul appeals to this divine example (11:1). It is this act of God through Christ - the very culmination of His redemptive history - that necessitates singular devotion to the Gospel of Jesus.
This devotion is fundamentally characteristic of the Christian life. Because of what God has done, the Christian no longer lives a self-centered life. Rather, imitating Paul imitating Christ, the Christian lives a life of sacrifice for the cause of the Gospel. This story of what God has done, that shapes the life of the believer, also has relevance for others. As such, he is not wiling to let himself be arrogant concerning his call. No one is worthy of the call of Christ. Thus, he is concerned that when Christians start claiming their rights at the expense of others, especially other Christians, it will detract from the story of what God has done. Paul sees the Gospel as suffering most when Christians are self-centered
Application begins with the two principles that gird Paul’s argument in this text: devotion to the Gospel and the forsaking of personal rights. Many in our contemporary context view personal rights and freedoms as the core of a new gospel. Freedom to speak or believe whatever one wants has become the fundamental “right” of humanity. The elevation of the individual is the result. And, as such, the oppression and coercion of others for the sake of the individual is rampant. In this setting, Paul’s theology is distinctly counter-cultural. The Christian faith has never been about claiming one’s rights. The consequences of human fallenness are what belong rightfully to humanity. No one seems to be claiming these, however. Christians who stridently claim their rights and freedoms need to consider then their perspective. It seems that too often their perspective is more American than Christian. Thus, in a passage of Scripture that often seems confusing and out of place, the example of Israel remains relevant. The calling to Christ is not an elevation to higher status. The joy of a life in Christ is living the life of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11). The glory of a Christian is the glory of the cross. This selfless forsaking of human rights is possible only when one’s story is found in the story of the one, true God. The story of what God has done places all things in clear perspective. And, as Christian center their lives around this Gospel, they find that they would rather not claim their right, but only their cross. They trust not in themselves, but only in God, who is faithful.
The text in question is I Corinthians 10:1-13.
To begin to understand these verses, one must first consider the context. Beginning in chapter eight, Paul is answering a question posed to him by the Corinthian church concerning “food sacrificed to idols” (I Cor. 8:1). The church in Corinth seems to have differing opinions over whether or not a Christian can eat meat that has been sacrificed to an idol. That is, some Christians were eating meat bought from a pagan temple and eating, while others felt that doing so was engaging in the worship of other, pagan deities. Paul’s argument concerning this issue is long and complex, such that it is hard to understand what exactly is the point for which he argues. He begins in chapter eight by showing how idols represent literally nothing, so it is acceptable to eat this meat because it has in reality been sacrificed to nothing. Yet, Paul’s answer is not a simple “yes;” it is the dreaded “yes, but….” The “but” concludes chapter eight: “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall” (8:13). Paul then argues in all of chapter nine for a Christian understanding of “rights.” That is, how a Christian should understand his or her rights in relation to others. Ultimately, the only right that Paul will claim is that he might “become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (9:22). Following this declaration is Paul’s sport analogy where he argues that the Christian life should be driven by Kingdom purposes. This leads directly into the content of 10:1-13.
Paul’s single-minded devotion to God’s purposes motivates him to forsake his right to eat meat sacrificed to idols for the sake of his brother. This idea leads Paul to argue from the example of Israel. He begins by paralleling Israel with the Corinthian church. Israel, like them, received a water and spirit baptism (10:2). So also Israel was nourished spiritually in Christ (10:3-4). Yet, in spite of this calling to be God’s chosen people, they repeatedly fell short of God’s call and suffered the consequences (10:5-10). Paul says that these events transpired (presumably, in part) as an example and warning to those who would follow those desert wanderers. Israel, who had just experienced the pinnacle of their history in the Exodus and receiving of the Law at Mt. Sinai, was still susceptible to failure. In the same way, the Christians in Corinth, who had received the very pinnacle of God’s revelation of his redemptive history, are still susceptible (10:12). Yet, being susceptible is not the same as being hopeless, for hope is found in the help of God (10:13). Thus, from Israel’s history, Paul teaches the Corinthian church how they are to think about themselves in relation to the way they treat those brothers and sisters who do not share their opinion about eating meat sacrificed to idols.
From the meager exegetical work above, the primary principle that one should draw from the passage in question concerns the claiming of perceived rights. That is, Christians ought to give up their rights for the sake of their fellow Christians. This practical principle is driven by another, more theoretical principle. This principle is addressed more in chapter nine. The reason Christians give up their rights for the sake of others is because of their whole-hearted devotion to the gospel of Christ (9:12). Paul embodies this principle: “But I have not used nay of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast” (9:15). Thus, the normative principle for Paul is single-minded devotion to the cause of Christ. Paul applies this in principle generally as the forsaking of one’s rights. In his context, this plays out as a Christian abstaining from meat sacrificed to idols for the conscience of his brother.
Paul can argue for and apply these principles based on the history of God’s redemptive acts in the world. That is, Paul does not argue in or from a vacuum. The foundation of his argument is the very cause of Christ for which he forsakes his rights. At the heart of the story in which Paul places all others, including his and the Corinthian church, is the one, true Redeemer. It is God who seeks always redemption for His creation. Yet this redemption does not occur through victory and oppression, but through death and resurrection. It would be through the death and resurrection of His chosen people that God redeemed his covenant with Abraham. It would be through the death and resurrection of His Son that God would fulfill his redemptive plan. In the Incarnation and subsequent death and resurrection of Jesus, God forsook his divine rights. In fact, at the end of his address on eating meat sacrificed to idols, Paul appeals to this divine example (11:1). It is this act of God through Christ - the very culmination of His redemptive history - that necessitates singular devotion to the Gospel of Jesus.
This devotion is fundamentally characteristic of the Christian life. Because of what God has done, the Christian no longer lives a self-centered life. Rather, imitating Paul imitating Christ, the Christian lives a life of sacrifice for the cause of the Gospel. This story of what God has done, that shapes the life of the believer, also has relevance for others. As such, he is not wiling to let himself be arrogant concerning his call. No one is worthy of the call of Christ. Thus, he is concerned that when Christians start claiming their rights at the expense of others, especially other Christians, it will detract from the story of what God has done. Paul sees the Gospel as suffering most when Christians are self-centered
Application begins with the two principles that gird Paul’s argument in this text: devotion to the Gospel and the forsaking of personal rights. Many in our contemporary context view personal rights and freedoms as the core of a new gospel. Freedom to speak or believe whatever one wants has become the fundamental “right” of humanity. The elevation of the individual is the result. And, as such, the oppression and coercion of others for the sake of the individual is rampant. In this setting, Paul’s theology is distinctly counter-cultural. The Christian faith has never been about claiming one’s rights. The consequences of human fallenness are what belong rightfully to humanity. No one seems to be claiming these, however. Christians who stridently claim their rights and freedoms need to consider then their perspective. It seems that too often their perspective is more American than Christian. Thus, in a passage of Scripture that often seems confusing and out of place, the example of Israel remains relevant. The calling to Christ is not an elevation to higher status. The joy of a life in Christ is living the life of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11). The glory of a Christian is the glory of the cross. This selfless forsaking of human rights is possible only when one’s story is found in the story of the one, true God. The story of what God has done places all things in clear perspective. And, as Christian center their lives around this Gospel, they find that they would rather not claim their right, but only their cross. They trust not in themselves, but only in God, who is faithful.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Question
Today at the graduate school, we had a visiting professor named Michael Landon. I thought this was hilarious. When I told Jesse, she didn't think it was funny because she didn't know who Michael Landon was - and I'm not talking about the visiting professor. She thinks it is ridiculous that I know who Michael Landon is. So, am I ridiculous or do you know who Michael Landon is?
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Rare Form
Nick Saban made a stupid mistake. He could use a healthy dose of perspective, as well. Earlier this week, he compared Alabama's loss in their homecoming game - to a hyphenated team (University of Louisiana-Monroe) - to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor in terms of pivotal catastrophes. Great, Nicky. You're team lost a game that they really, really, really, really should have won, and rather than just admitting that you and your team blew it and played horribly, you take the high road and decide that your loss ranks on the level of two of the most tragic events to ever take place on American soil. God will smite you for this travesty, Nick Saban! The real catastrophe will be Bama's sixth loss in six years to Auburn! War Eagle!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Campbell's - Mmmm Mmmm Weird
Few people read this blog. Even fewer probably care about the content of this post. But even fewer people (read, nobody) can stop me from posting this garbage anyway. I'm doing more research for my Restoration History class, and here's some random notes from our pope, Alexander Campbell (Campbell hated catholics).
In an article titled, "Bad Books," Campbell warns his readers to stay away from books "of mere fiction and fancy" and especially those "of the foul and exciting Romance." Yep, Campbell warns against reading for pleasure because "a habit of reading for amusement simply, becomes so fixed, that science loses all its charms...." With reading romance novels, he predicts "mental delirium" for those who develop this despicable habit. I for one, am committed to maintaining scientific reading for its charms. All of them. So there you have it everybody. Stop reading my blog. It's bad for you. And burn your Harry Potter books.
In an article titled, "Bad Books," Campbell warns his readers to stay away from books "of mere fiction and fancy" and especially those "of the foul and exciting Romance." Yep, Campbell warns against reading for pleasure because "a habit of reading for amusement simply, becomes so fixed, that science loses all its charms...." With reading romance novels, he predicts "mental delirium" for those who develop this despicable habit. I for one, am committed to maintaining scientific reading for its charms. All of them. So there you have it everybody. Stop reading my blog. It's bad for you. And burn your Harry Potter books.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Ode to Our Owens
Not too long ago, Brooke said that one of the great things that happened in the joining of Nick and Jesse was the inclusion of Owens. I couldn't agree more. So, I decided to do something only slightly lame and blog about my love for Owens. The first thing that comes to my mind is how bad it stinks when Owens farts. That's most because he just farted and my eyes are watering. To be inappropriately honest, when he drops a bomb, I often have to leave the room. When I am close enough to him and I "feel a breeze," I will return the favor. That's right, I fart at my dog. Why do I love this? I don't know. I'm just a kid, I suppose. The best part of it is that whenever I do, he ALWAYS gets me back. I'm not kidding either. He'll get up when I'm on the couch and stretch. He often lets 'em rip when he does, and it's always right at me. Ruthless. I love it. Something else that I love about Owens is how much he sleeps. He sleeps a lot. I envy him, but he deserves it. Something Jess and I recently discovered is that Owens is actually THE pick of the litter. None of his brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. won more races than he did. Not that we condone the inbreeding of greyhounds or their use for profit, but my boy can run. D's Echo was his racing name, and you can check out his stats here. So now I am super-proud of him for being a successful racer. You can even see his individual races. In the last race, he led early but pulled up late. That probably explains his ridiculous limp that looks more like a bunny hop. He's 8 now, which is kind of old, and he does act like an old man most of the time. But, when we play, he's wild at heart. I trained him to be that way. Jesse is a wonderful caretaker, but he's much more manly now that he has me to show him how. He's vicious when we wrestle for his blanket, chew toys, stuffed animals, etc. He barks like a man more than yelps like a woman now, too. On Sundays, he is SUPER excited when we come home from church. As soon as he has smelled where we've been, he runs back to the Man Room and jumps up on the Man Couch, because he knows it is time for the men to watch football. So, all this to say that I love our dog. He's the best.
Owen's famous first picture
Owens has lain down outside maybe twice. It's funny because I don't think he knows what to do once he does.
When he sleeps, Owens gets possessed. We joke about spoofing The Omen with a movie about our dog, The Owens. Sometimes he runs in his sleep while laying down. So, his legs are stretched out beside his body, and his little feet just go spastic. Also, he barks in his sleep.
The happy family at Halloween. What a great smile!
That's no ghost in the window, that's Owens' eyes. He watched us leave out that window until he can't see us anymore.
We recently took Owens to the beach.
He liked it.
Owen's famous first picture
Owens has lain down outside maybe twice. It's funny because I don't think he knows what to do once he does.
When he sleeps, Owens gets possessed. We joke about spoofing The Omen with a movie about our dog, The Owens. Sometimes he runs in his sleep while laying down. So, his legs are stretched out beside his body, and his little feet just go spastic. Also, he barks in his sleep.
The happy family at Halloween. What a great smile!
That's no ghost in the window, that's Owens' eyes. He watched us leave out that window until he can't see us anymore.
We recently took Owens to the beach.
He liked it.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Post #100 and the KKK
So I just saw this is my 100th post. I'm currently doing research on pacifists in the Restoration Movement at the time of the Civil War, and discovered something interesting. There's this story many writers tell of David Lipscomb. He was preaching against the war in Tennessee, when a Southern commander was sent to listen to the sermon and determine whether it was treasonous. This commander would say later,
"I have not reached a conclusion as to whether or not the doctrine of the sermon is loyal to the Southern Confederacy, but I am profoundly convinced that he [Lipscomb] is loyal to the Christian religion."
That's the story I've heard several different times. The detail I just read for the first time? The commander was one Nathan Bedford Forrest. I thought that was interesting, and you should know.
"I have not reached a conclusion as to whether or not the doctrine of the sermon is loyal to the Southern Confederacy, but I am profoundly convinced that he [Lipscomb] is loyal to the Christian religion."
That's the story I've heard several different times. The detail I just read for the first time? The commander was one Nathan Bedford Forrest. I thought that was interesting, and you should know.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Helloooooooo, Jerry
Am I actually starting to feel like Newman? Every time I turn on the television, there is Jerry, shamelessly promoting his new animated movie about a non-human entity. Really, Jerry? I'm actually starting to lose a little respect here. I know, I know... it's Jerry Seinfeld. Yadda, yadda, yadda. I could expect this from George, or even Kramer, but you, Jerry? For shame. For shame. This bee movie may be as bad a choice as the pirate shirt.
On a related note, someone needs to find a new take for these animated movies. They're aren't a novelty anymore, and I'm tired of the whole, "Hey! What if ________ could talk? That would be hiLARious!" angle.
On a related note, someone needs to find a new take for these animated movies. They're aren't a novelty anymore, and I'm tired of the whole, "Hey! What if ________ could talk? That would be hiLARious!" angle.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Bring on the Rockies
I want to be gracious, especially towards my buddy Bob from Cleveland, so here's to the Red Sox, 2007 ALCS Champions. The Indians are a good, young (except for Kenny Lofton - he's old) team with a bright future. They played very well. They just didn't have J.D. Drew. The Victor Martinez slow trot didn't bother me.
Important things to know about me:
I am in love with Dustin Pedroia.
Manny is Manny.
I have not washed my Papelbon jersey since the playoffs started.
The first night I told Jesse I loved her was the night the Sox won the WS in 2004.
I am going to bed happy.
GO SOX!!!!!!
Important things to know about me:
I am in love with Dustin Pedroia.
Manny is Manny.
I have not washed my Papelbon jersey since the playoffs started.
The first night I told Jesse I loved her was the night the Sox won the WS in 2004.
I am going to bed happy.
GO SOX!!!!!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Memphis News
Jesse and I just saw ABC Eyewitness News 24 show these two news promos:
- Man burns down house trying to get rid of wasps
- Woman steals car to pay for husband's sex change
I love Memphis.
- Man burns down house trying to get rid of wasps
- Woman steals car to pay for husband's sex change
I love Memphis.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Random Stuff
We are at the beach this week, the best place to spend your study break. I still like K-Ville and Life. Bionic Woman not so much. Journeyman is good for a rainy day. Auburn football is actually not bad for watching, as long as you are watching them play Vandy. We'll see what happens in Fayetteville this weekend.
I'm loving playoff baseball. The Sox look good. We have a good chance to win it all. I also like the Indians beating the Yanks. That was nice. The NLCS is very exciting with two surprise teams. Both play well and young - but the Rockies are streaking at the right time. For AAAA baseball, that's what you need right? Rockies (after 7) and Sox (after 6). Sox in 5.
The Cowboys should have lost on Monday, but man what a win. They'll lose this Sunday to a really good team.
I just finished a book called "Who's Afraid of Postmodernism?" by James K. A. Smith. It is really, really good. Pro-postmodernism, pro-Christian. Very challenging, very insightful.
And for anyone who cares, my football team is still better than KC's. In fact, all four of my teams are doing well at this point. I'm losing bad to Bob-O in the college pick 'em, though. check his page next week for the return of the Seven.
I'm loving playoff baseball. The Sox look good. We have a good chance to win it all. I also like the Indians beating the Yanks. That was nice. The NLCS is very exciting with two surprise teams. Both play well and young - but the Rockies are streaking at the right time. For AAAA baseball, that's what you need right? Rockies (after 7) and Sox (after 6). Sox in 5.
The Cowboys should have lost on Monday, but man what a win. They'll lose this Sunday to a really good team.
I just finished a book called "Who's Afraid of Postmodernism?" by James K. A. Smith. It is really, really good. Pro-postmodernism, pro-Christian. Very challenging, very insightful.
And for anyone who cares, my football team is still better than KC's. In fact, all four of my teams are doing well at this point. I'm losing bad to Bob-O in the college pick 'em, though. check his page next week for the return of the Seven.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
TiVo Rocks
One of the benefits of TiVo is the fall guru guide. Basically, I can set my TiVo to record any new show this fall. So I decided to let people know my thoughts, as if it makes a difference, on the new line-up for the new season. Another cool thing about TiVo is that we got to download the new NBC shows before next week, so up first are the four new NBC shows, plus a couple Fox shows. In order from liked most to liked least:
1. K-Ville: I forgot that the guru guide was set to record this one, but I'm glad it did. I don't expect much from Fox (see Back To You), so maybe that played to this show's advantage, but I liked this show a lot. I think. It's about New Orleans - present day, post-Katrina - and a couple cops who stick around for the city they love. Now, the action scenes are not great. They're really choppy, probably to cover up for a low-budget and time constraints. But this show isn't about the action scenes so it's okay. It's really more about the people trying to cope even years later with Katrina, and in that sense, the characters really resonate. They're realistic (the pop word here is "gritty"), they're human, they're normal. I think they a good job incorporating the deep South culture without overplaying it, too. I'm not willing to say that it's great, but I thought the first episode was pretty good/really good. It'll stay on the list for the Fall. As a side note, the cameo by multiple Lost characters was unexpected. When "Ethan" shows up, you know he's going to be a bad guy - he's approaching Steve Buschemi creepy, without the Steve Buschemi. (Two TiVo thumbs up)
2A. Chuck: I'll start by saying that none of the NBC shows really appealed to me, but I was willing to give them a shot. Of the four new ones (Chuck, Life, Journeyman, Bionic Woman), I was most excited about Life - mostly because Damian Lewis was amazing in Band of Brothers. We'll get to Life, but first Chuck. This show is alright. The best thing this show does is not try too hard to be totally realistic. The premise of the show isn't realistic, so why try and make it something it is not? The action isn't special, but it's not too bad. The premise is a little iffy, but there's a good mix of light-hearted fun and seriousness. Fortunately, the fun heavily outweighs the seriousness, because this show would suck if it took itself seriously. The best thing they have done with this show is embrace the ridiculous, and that is what makes it work. Chuck is charming for a dork - something I aspire to, so I guess that's part of why I like this show. The supporting cast is pretty good too. (One TiVo thumb up)
2B. Life: Like I said, I'm pretty excited about Life. So far, so good. It's the good
old cop drama, except with a twist. Lewis does a good job with his quirky zen-influenced character, bringing a good mix of sensitivity and ruthlessness to a complicated character. If you haven't seen the commercials, he was wrongly convicted for murder then released 12 years later with a hefty ransom and a job as detective back on the force. Oh yeah, his wife left him, his personal financial manager is an Enron-type corporate guy he met in jail. All the other cops hate him because he's still a con in their eyes, and he's pretty close with his female lawyer - guess what she's attractive. As you can see, there's a lot to work with. Since it's a little late on the scene with the whole quirky cop thing (see Colombo, Monk, Cracker), it may be hard to keep it unpredictable. The jury is still out, but I'm intrigued. (One TiVo thumb up)
3. Journeyman: I had no interest in this show, but I watched it during lunch over the last couple of days, and I have to say, it wasn't bad. By the end, I was impressed and maybe hooked. A promising storyline helps. I know the whole "I liked this show when it was called Quantum Leap" joke is an easy one, but there's more to the show than ripping off an old show. The lead guy is intriguing. The running story is tempting. With the exception of time travel, I thought the plot was realistic. Plus, the guy has an iPhone - at the very least, I'm waiting to see how long it works for him. (no thumbs)
4. Bionic Woman: Um, so this show... it's about a bionic woman. A secret government procedure administered by the boyfriend with secrets after a pretty rough wreck gives a woman a bunch of bionic special powers. I don't know about this one. It's not bad, but I wasn't really hooked. A show like this is going to have to rely on some pretty good action sequences and a sequence of events that don't leave you thinking, "Wait a minute... that can't be right...." I'm just not sure that can be done with this show. (no thumbs)
5. Back to You: It just plain sucks. From the ten-years-too-late Chris Farley overexcited, sweaty fat guy bit, to the AWFUL laugh-track, to the predictable and stupid punch lines, I did not like this show at all. The plot stinks, too. I thought it was a comedy, until the last five minutes got strangely serious. I can't figure out why Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton signed up for this. I can figure out why Fred Willard signed up. Christopher Lloyd writes and produces. No, not that one. Apparently this guy won a lot of awards with Frasier (he also worked on Wings and Golden Girls). (Three TiVo thumbs down)
1. K-Ville: I forgot that the guru guide was set to record this one, but I'm glad it did. I don't expect much from Fox (see Back To You), so maybe that played to this show's advantage, but I liked this show a lot. I think. It's about New Orleans - present day, post-Katrina - and a couple cops who stick around for the city they love. Now, the action scenes are not great. They're really choppy, probably to cover up for a low-budget and time constraints. But this show isn't about the action scenes so it's okay. It's really more about the people trying to cope even years later with Katrina, and in that sense, the characters really resonate. They're realistic (the pop word here is "gritty"), they're human, they're normal. I think they a good job incorporating the deep South culture without overplaying it, too. I'm not willing to say that it's great, but I thought the first episode was pretty good/really good. It'll stay on the list for the Fall. As a side note, the cameo by multiple Lost characters was unexpected. When "Ethan" shows up, you know he's going to be a bad guy - he's approaching Steve Buschemi creepy, without the Steve Buschemi. (Two TiVo thumbs up)
2A. Chuck: I'll start by saying that none of the NBC shows really appealed to me, but I was willing to give them a shot. Of the four new ones (Chuck, Life, Journeyman, Bionic Woman), I was most excited about Life - mostly because Damian Lewis was amazing in Band of Brothers. We'll get to Life, but first Chuck. This show is alright. The best thing this show does is not try too hard to be totally realistic. The premise of the show isn't realistic, so why try and make it something it is not? The action isn't special, but it's not too bad. The premise is a little iffy, but there's a good mix of light-hearted fun and seriousness. Fortunately, the fun heavily outweighs the seriousness, because this show would suck if it took itself seriously. The best thing they have done with this show is embrace the ridiculous, and that is what makes it work. Chuck is charming for a dork - something I aspire to, so I guess that's part of why I like this show. The supporting cast is pretty good too. (One TiVo thumb up)
2B. Life: Like I said, I'm pretty excited about Life. So far, so good. It's the good
old cop drama, except with a twist. Lewis does a good job with his quirky zen-influenced character, bringing a good mix of sensitivity and ruthlessness to a complicated character. If you haven't seen the commercials, he was wrongly convicted for murder then released 12 years later with a hefty ransom and a job as detective back on the force. Oh yeah, his wife left him, his personal financial manager is an Enron-type corporate guy he met in jail. All the other cops hate him because he's still a con in their eyes, and he's pretty close with his female lawyer - guess what she's attractive. As you can see, there's a lot to work with. Since it's a little late on the scene with the whole quirky cop thing (see Colombo, Monk, Cracker), it may be hard to keep it unpredictable. The jury is still out, but I'm intrigued. (One TiVo thumb up)3. Journeyman: I had no interest in this show, but I watched it during lunch over the last couple of days, and I have to say, it wasn't bad. By the end, I was impressed and maybe hooked. A promising storyline helps. I know the whole "I liked this show when it was called Quantum Leap" joke is an easy one, but there's more to the show than ripping off an old show. The lead guy is intriguing. The running story is tempting. With the exception of time travel, I thought the plot was realistic. Plus, the guy has an iPhone - at the very least, I'm waiting to see how long it works for him. (no thumbs)
4. Bionic Woman: Um, so this show... it's about a bionic woman. A secret government procedure administered by the boyfriend with secrets after a pretty rough wreck gives a woman a bunch of bionic special powers. I don't know about this one. It's not bad, but I wasn't really hooked. A show like this is going to have to rely on some pretty good action sequences and a sequence of events that don't leave you thinking, "Wait a minute... that can't be right...." I'm just not sure that can be done with this show. (no thumbs)
5. Back to You: It just plain sucks. From the ten-years-too-late Chris Farley overexcited, sweaty fat guy bit, to the AWFUL laugh-track, to the predictable and stupid punch lines, I did not like this show at all. The plot stinks, too. I thought it was a comedy, until the last five minutes got strangely serious. I can't figure out why Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton signed up for this. I can figure out why Fred Willard signed up. Christopher Lloyd writes and produces. No, not that one. Apparently this guy won a lot of awards with Frasier (he also worked on Wings and Golden Girls). (Three TiVo thumbs down)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Superlative
Jesse and I were blessed this past weekend to take a trip to New York City for a little sightseeing. Among the various New York things we experienced, the highlight was a Sunday night concert at Radio City Music Hall featuring the great Tony Bennett.
Master artist. Consummate professional. Aged wonder. Gracious host. American classic. Pick your superlative, they all fit. This concert was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. First, you have the venue. Radio City Music Hall is a beautiful, historic concert hall (Tony told us it was designed by Liza Minelli's dad, who knew?). Just sitting in our nosebleed seats before the concert started, we knew that we were in for something special.
Then, the lights go down, and Regis walks out. Yep, that's right. Regis Philbin. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm so excited to be here. Aren't you, Gelman?" Actually, Gelman wasn't there. But anyway, here's Regis talking, introducing Tony and mentioning that there will be some special guests. Hmmmmm. That's interesting. So Tony comes out, and starts to do his thing, belting out classic after classic. Did I mention that he is now 80 years old?!?! Well, he starts to sing this song, and then stops and says he needs some help with the next one and would we please welcome his good friend, John Legend. So they sing their duet from his recent album, "Sing You, Sinner." John leaves to the delight of the young folk and confusion of the old (the concert was presented by the AARP). A little later, "Ladies and Gentlemen, my good friend, James Taylor!" I actually said "What?" out loud I was so surprised. So they sing their duet, "Put On A Happy Face." Finally, a little later, he is joined by k.d. lang and trumpeter Chris Botti. During the trumpet solo, he danced with lang. During "The Good Life," he dedicated the song to Paris Hilton (see lyrics: " Well, just wake up, kiss the good life goodbye"). She'll admit this, but Jesse cried when he sang "The Way You Look Tonight." She said she's never swooned for an 80 year old before, but this time at least, it was understandable. His voice remains strong, and he delivers each word with appropriate grace and emotion. He sang for two hours without a break. He told some great stories. He was very kind and gracious, and thanked everyone for coming out repeatedly. Quite simply, it was amazing, and as Jesse says, "The coolest thing we did in New York."
Here's one of Tony with the band.
Master artist. Consummate professional. Aged wonder. Gracious host. American classic. Pick your superlative, they all fit. This concert was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. First, you have the venue. Radio City Music Hall is a beautiful, historic concert hall (Tony told us it was designed by Liza Minelli's dad, who knew?). Just sitting in our nosebleed seats before the concert started, we knew that we were in for something special.Then, the lights go down, and Regis walks out. Yep, that's right. Regis Philbin. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm so excited to be here. Aren't you, Gelman?" Actually, Gelman wasn't there. But anyway, here's Regis talking, introducing Tony and mentioning that there will be some special guests. Hmmmmm. That's interesting. So Tony comes out, and starts to do his thing, belting out classic after classic. Did I mention that he is now 80 years old?!?! Well, he starts to sing this song, and then stops and says he needs some help with the next one and would we please welcome his good friend, John Legend. So they sing their duet from his recent album, "Sing You, Sinner." John leaves to the delight of the young folk and confusion of the old (the concert was presented by the AARP). A little later, "Ladies and Gentlemen, my good friend, James Taylor!" I actually said "What?" out loud I was so surprised. So they sing their duet, "Put On A Happy Face." Finally, a little later, he is joined by k.d. lang and trumpeter Chris Botti. During the trumpet solo, he danced with lang. During "The Good Life," he dedicated the song to Paris Hilton (see lyrics: " Well, just wake up, kiss the good life goodbye"). She'll admit this, but Jesse cried when he sang "The Way You Look Tonight." She said she's never swooned for an 80 year old before, but this time at least, it was understandable. His voice remains strong, and he delivers each word with appropriate grace and emotion. He sang for two hours without a break. He told some great stories. He was very kind and gracious, and thanked everyone for coming out repeatedly. Quite simply, it was amazing, and as Jesse says, "The coolest thing we did in New York."
Here's one of Tony with the band.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Confessions
Sacrament - a Christian rite that mediates divine grace.
What little I know about confessing, I learned from Usher. Just kidding. But lately, I have been thinking a lot about confession, especially confession as sacrament. That's a big leap from the kind of confession that typically takes place in our churches - that is, not at all. Maybe confession as a sacrament seems Catholic. Well, it is. But what's so bad about that? I'm willing to say that confession is a necessary spiritual discipline, and one that we do not practice in our heritage. With the obsession for dogmatic absolutism giving way to a highly relational theology (for better and worse), why are we leaving out the practice of confession? If ever there was a place for "high church" practices to enter our fellowship, I would think it would be in the realm of confession. That being said, let's not all go tell the preacher. Better yet, let's not all wait and go down to the front - or worse yet, the back - of the auditorium on Sunday morning to confess. Why wait? What about your spiritual vitality is worth waiting even one more day?
I don't like the idea of hiding our confessions, whether in a booth or in the back of the auditorium. It speaks to the idea that we are afraid to be real with one another. It may even be indicative of the lack of faith we have in the grace of God, or more likely, in the ability of God's family to properly handle the grace-full situations that follow confession. Do I really trust you to know what is really going on with me? Typically, the answer is a resounding no. We foster a culture of distrust in our churches by our practice of confession and it leads to spiritual stunting. We fail to grow when we cannot confess.
That being said, are some things between the believer and God? Can you confess to Him alone and still experience forgiveness, healing, and growth? I grudgingly concede that the answer to both questions can be affirmative. But I still believe that God created the church to be a place where sins are confessed and healing is not only received, but also given. Confession is the only path to healing, forgiveness, grace. We're very good with talking about the need for repentance, but what is that without confession. True confession leads to true repentance. And true repentance is not about a matter of doctrine or judgment; true repentance is a matter of healing and grace.
Thus, in order for us to become a confessing people, we must first learn humbly to receive God's grace. Then, confession truly becomes a sacramental practice. Like our most common sacraments - baptism and the Lord's Supper - it is both intimately personal and amazingly communal. And, it is a practice that we desperately need in our churches today.
What little I know about confessing, I learned from Usher. Just kidding. But lately, I have been thinking a lot about confession, especially confession as sacrament. That's a big leap from the kind of confession that typically takes place in our churches - that is, not at all. Maybe confession as a sacrament seems Catholic. Well, it is. But what's so bad about that? I'm willing to say that confession is a necessary spiritual discipline, and one that we do not practice in our heritage. With the obsession for dogmatic absolutism giving way to a highly relational theology (for better and worse), why are we leaving out the practice of confession? If ever there was a place for "high church" practices to enter our fellowship, I would think it would be in the realm of confession. That being said, let's not all go tell the preacher. Better yet, let's not all wait and go down to the front - or worse yet, the back - of the auditorium on Sunday morning to confess. Why wait? What about your spiritual vitality is worth waiting even one more day?
I don't like the idea of hiding our confessions, whether in a booth or in the back of the auditorium. It speaks to the idea that we are afraid to be real with one another. It may even be indicative of the lack of faith we have in the grace of God, or more likely, in the ability of God's family to properly handle the grace-full situations that follow confession. Do I really trust you to know what is really going on with me? Typically, the answer is a resounding no. We foster a culture of distrust in our churches by our practice of confession and it leads to spiritual stunting. We fail to grow when we cannot confess.
That being said, are some things between the believer and God? Can you confess to Him alone and still experience forgiveness, healing, and growth? I grudgingly concede that the answer to both questions can be affirmative. But I still believe that God created the church to be a place where sins are confessed and healing is not only received, but also given. Confession is the only path to healing, forgiveness, grace. We're very good with talking about the need for repentance, but what is that without confession. True confession leads to true repentance. And true repentance is not about a matter of doctrine or judgment; true repentance is a matter of healing and grace.
Thus, in order for us to become a confessing people, we must first learn humbly to receive God's grace. Then, confession truly becomes a sacramental practice. Like our most common sacraments - baptism and the Lord's Supper - it is both intimately personal and amazingly communal. And, it is a practice that we desperately need in our churches today.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Memphis Sport Fantasy Challenge
I had a draft today for the Memphis Sport Fantasy Football Challenge, in which 50+ people compete for the crown. How can this be, you ask? Well, without too much detail, it's divided into smaller divisions (8 teams each), with the top one or two teams advancing to the playoffs. I got the second pick in my division, and I am super pumped about my team. It is better than Kevin Conway's All-Infirmary All-Stars.
Steven Jackson
Steve Smith
Marvin Harrison
Maurice Jones-Drew
T.J. Housh
Cedric Benson
Andre Johnson
Matt Hasselbeck
Jay Cutler
Lav Coles
Jason Whitten
Green Bay Defense
Ladell Betts
Jeff Wilkins
Brandon Jackson
I think this team will go far - make the playoffs for sure. Then again, I could be very, very wrong.
Steven Jackson
Steve Smith
Marvin Harrison
Maurice Jones-Drew
T.J. Housh
Cedric Benson
Andre Johnson
Matt Hasselbeck
Jay Cutler
Lav Coles
Jason Whitten
Green Bay Defense
Ladell Betts
Jeff Wilkins
Brandon Jackson
I think this team will go far - make the playoffs for sure. Then again, I could be very, very wrong.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Greatest Half Day Ever
When Jesse grew up, it was a somewhat common practice to celebrate her half-birthday, since the actual birthday falls in the Summer. We all know how bad we felt for the Summer birthday kids when we were younger. No one's around to celebrate! No cupcakes at school! I never had this problem (February). So when I saw my half-birthday listed on the family calender, I figured it was just a shout out to an old and cherished Maddox tradition. I was wrong.
Jesse came home early yesterday and surprised me with a wonderful half-birthday, half-day celebration. She took me to Davis-Kidd to peruse the fantasy football mags and pick out my favorite (K & A be warned). Then we went and watched The Bourne Supremacy on DLP (shout out to Pops). Then, we went home and she showed me the best part, a month subscription to MLB TV. Through the end of the season, I get to watch any Sox game I want on the new iMac, which by the way, is more than capable of handling a full screen Sox game, or the uber-cool MLB Mosaic, which shows up to six games at once in a (go figure) mosaic pattern. So last night, along with a wonderful shrimp dinner, we got to watch a great Sox game in which they came back in the bottom of the ninth to win the game.
My wife is awesome.
Here's the new computer:
Jesse came home early yesterday and surprised me with a wonderful half-birthday, half-day celebration. She took me to Davis-Kidd to peruse the fantasy football mags and pick out my favorite (K & A be warned). Then we went and watched The Bourne Supremacy on DLP (shout out to Pops). Then, we went home and she showed me the best part, a month subscription to MLB TV. Through the end of the season, I get to watch any Sox game I want on the new iMac, which by the way, is more than capable of handling a full screen Sox game, or the uber-cool MLB Mosaic, which shows up to six games at once in a (go figure) mosaic pattern. So last night, along with a wonderful shrimp dinner, we got to watch a great Sox game in which they came back in the bottom of the ninth to win the game.
My wife is awesome.
Here's the new computer:
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The Mac Daddy
Well, I finished a somewhat torturous week of Restoration history class. I now know the years in which the four founding leaders of the Stone-Campbell Movement were born and died. My life is complete. I also know the founding year for most of our journals. The wait is over. I took my final Saturday morning, promptly forgot everything, and was blessed to hang out with Sophie Ray and some other guy. Now, I have a week off and I plan on using it wisely. I started Harry Potter on Saturday night, and finished it Monday morning. Wow. Beyond that, I planned on catching up on some of the things around the house I had neglected during my short course. That is, until the iMac Daddy arrived yesterday. This thing is pretty awesome. After I clean off the desk some, I'll post a picture.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
I have RMS
Restless Mind Syndrome. This morning, around 4:30, I woke up thinking about random things and couldn't fall back asleep. Then, a bug starting flying around and attacking the walls at 4:50. So I gently nudged Jesse so she wouldn't be scared by the impending shoe smash, got out of bed, chased it around with said shoe, smashed the flying beetle with said shoe, and got back in bed. Immediately, our room stank. I don't know what kind of beetle it was, but it stank bad. In a matter of seconds, the whole room smelled like damp mud. So I got back up, scraped up the stupid beetle, and flushed it. Isn't that weird? I think that is weird. Weird that I was awake, weird that I killed a beetle and left it there, weird that the beetle stunk. I feel like everyone should know about this. I do weird things at night and in the early morning.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Neo-Restoration
I would like to encourage everyone to visit the neo-restoration website, started by my friend Greg. I'm really excited about the potential dialogue this website can generate. It may be very challenging for some, but certainly worth your time.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Dog Days of Summer
Yesterday, Owens desperately needed to go out. So I let him, thinking it was time for him to do his business. Turned out, he just wanted to rest on the hard, barren, weed-stricken
wasteland that is our backyard. It was kind of funny at the time. On the other hand, Trey was about to mow back there, so maybe Owens wanted to get some time in before it got even worse.
These days, I wouldn't mind being able to spend some time outside doing yard work, reading a book, playing some game - relaxing. As it is, summer weather is in full swing and it's getting quite hot, so I'll have to find some way to enjoy these days from inside. But, lest I anger my mother-in-law with shallow talk of the weather (a somewhat-dated joke), I figure it is time to move on past the Belize post.
Yet, even though the summer weather is in full swing, my summer season is rapidly coming to an end. Summer camp has come and gone, with it the long sweaty days, the frustrating-but-rewarding 10th grade boys Bible class, and the stinky-but-air-conditioned 10th grade boys cabin.
Jesse's birthday has come... and remains with us. She opened some presents before camp, pseudo-celebrated on the Monday of camp, had cake and ice cream with the Rays last night, and has one or two special surprises from her husband yet to be discovered. We do know how to celebrate.
My summer job at Super Suppers is coming to an end. August 4th is my last day, Lord willing for good. That is because August 6th is my last first day of fall classes. I have a one-week intensive all day, every day from the 6th to the 11th, with four or five books to read before class starts. Here's to the history of the American Restoration Movement. Add to that three more weekly courses starting two weeks later, and I'm taking my first of two four-class semesters that promise to be full, if not filling. I'm doing that so that by the end of next spring, I will only have one class remaining and be done with full-time school.
That, of course, means that the time is rapidly approaching for the job search to begin. I am filled with the circular emotions of excitement and fear when I think about finishing school, most likely moving away from Memphis, and starting a ministry with my wife to teenagers and their families and so continue to answer God's call for our lives. Please pray with us about our future.
Finally, least importantly but also very exciting, the end of the summer season means the beginning of fall and football. Bob and I are already planning to start up the seven again, in conjunction with a pick 'em tournament through the worldwide leader. War Eagle. Camp is opening for the NFL as well (not surprisingly, I'm thinking the Pats will go all the way) and with it, fantasy football.
With all that, it seems the fall will be spectacularly busy. Looks like I'll be enjoying these dog days after all.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Yep
We are in fact back from Belize. Just in time to rest up, and then head to camp next week. I suppose I must be feeling extra guilty these days.
I'm not sure, at this point, that I know just exactly how to describe our time in Belize. The words I have in my mind to describe it seem very incomplete and unjust for the nature of the trip. Here's what I can say right now:
It was really an amazing experience - borderline indescribable. Buster has a great legacy there, so my wife would and does say. It's one of the more stretching and challenging mission experiences I can imagine for a group of teenagers, not to mention the adults. The teens who went with us are all amazing kids. I hope never to forget the generosity of Spirit we encountered before and during the trip from our friends and family. God taught/reminded me about faithfulness, trust, and the true heart of ministry through this trip in powerful ways. I love youth ministry so ridiculously much. I love my wife so much ridiculously more, and I love God the most.
Thank you again to all who supported our trip financially and through your prayers. They were answered! Because of your gift, we were able to participate in the planting of seeds in the lives of over 800 children, and countless more in Independence, Red Bank, San Jacindro, and the greater Stann Creek district.
Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a picture or two from the trip... enjoy:
The happy couple after Sunday church.
Some of our group at the end of a hike through the jungle.
The VBS group (no dentists) with kids at San Jacindro (we called it San Mosquito) on Thursday.
A fair representation of everyone's experience at VBS every day. One American for every 30+ Belizeans.
I'm not sure, at this point, that I know just exactly how to describe our time in Belize. The words I have in my mind to describe it seem very incomplete and unjust for the nature of the trip. Here's what I can say right now:
It was really an amazing experience - borderline indescribable. Buster has a great legacy there, so my wife would and does say. It's one of the more stretching and challenging mission experiences I can imagine for a group of teenagers, not to mention the adults. The teens who went with us are all amazing kids. I hope never to forget the generosity of Spirit we encountered before and during the trip from our friends and family. God taught/reminded me about faithfulness, trust, and the true heart of ministry through this trip in powerful ways. I love youth ministry so ridiculously much. I love my wife so much ridiculously more, and I love God the most.
Thank you again to all who supported our trip financially and through your prayers. They were answered! Because of your gift, we were able to participate in the planting of seeds in the lives of over 800 children, and countless more in Independence, Red Bank, San Jacindro, and the greater Stann Creek district.
Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a picture or two from the trip... enjoy:
The happy couple after Sunday church.
Some of our group at the end of a hike through the jungle.
The VBS group (no dentists) with kids at San Jacindro (we called it San Mosquito) on Thursday.
A fair representation of everyone's experience at VBS every day. One American for every 30+ Belizeans.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Belize
Jess and I are leaving tomorrow morning for a ten day mission trip with the Highland Youth Group, which means we are something something today. Go crazy? Don't mind if I do!
Good luck, Bob. Except you will keep playing until Fortner wins and then he'll call it, so really, there's no luck involved. The luck wishing is for the class, I guess.
Good luck, Bob. Except you will keep playing until Fortner wins and then he'll call it, so really, there's no luck involved. The luck wishing is for the class, I guess.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Expertise
With many friends in graduate school for various medical professions, I often feel a strange tension when discussing the seemingly endless academic work required for medical/theological graduate degrees. On the one hand, we get each other because it takes so long. On the other, they get to be doctors when it's done; I'll just have a masters. Again, they get to be recognized experts in their field of study, I just get to minister to people who already are experts in mine. I mean, really, a master of divinity is a misnomer. The more I learn, the less I am sure I know; and yet it will probably not be uncommon for the people who know less, have read less, studied less than me to assume that their perception of all things theological is better or at least as good as mine. This is only natural, because no one believes in something because they think it's wrong. I'm not complaining, though. Consider this my Bob blog, just pointing out another irony in our crazy world.
Friday, June 22, 2007
(gulp)
Um, I love the Superman Tower ride at Six Flags amusement parks. Scratch that, loved.
From the New York Post:
A teenage girl's legs were severed above the ankle while on a thrill ride at a popular amusement park yesterday, park officials said.
Wow. That really, really freaks me out. I won't be riding that ride again. And more, I can't even imagine what that poor girl is going through. How sad!
From the New York Post:
A teenage girl's legs were severed above the ankle while on a thrill ride at a popular amusement park yesterday, park officials said.
The accident happened around 4:45 p.m. on the Superman Tower of Power at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, said Six Flags spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg.
A witness, Chris Dinnette, was riding one car over from the girl who was hurt. He told NBC affiliate WAVE he heard what he thought were screams of excitement. But then he saw a cable "come back and hit a lot of people" and realized he was hearing screams of horror.
The girl, 13, was taken to University Hospital. There was no immediate word on her condition.
The ride lifts passengers 177 feet straight up, then drops 154 feet, reaching a speed of 54 mph, according to the park's Web site.
Wow. That really, really freaks me out. I won't be riding that ride again. And more, I can't even imagine what that poor girl is going through. How sad!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
New Look
I like this template. What do my readers think? Patrick, do you feel comfortable posting inflammatory remarks on this blog?
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Loose connections
I've decided to remove Mark Cuban's blog from my sidebar. It's no fun when the Mavs are not a part of his discussion, and now that he's gone mum on the fun stuff per request of David Stern, I don't even get the techno jargon about which he is concerned.
Speaking of the Mavs, last night at Target, someone had started playing the PS3 and then left, leaving the Mavericks turning the ball over on the inbounds pass every time to the Heat, and the score was, at the time, 30-5. Ouch. That one still hurts.
Speaking of blogs, I like what Bob posted about with conforming to God's character as much as trying to discern His will. Yes, as my wife was quick to point out, His will still matters. I think the Open position could benefit from an exploration of this idea. It's probably not a new one, but it's new to me via Bob, so he gets the credit.
Speaking of theology, Pinnock's book on the holy spirit was okay. Not great, but he also discussed the gender issues, and it's getting more clear to me now.
Speaking of clarity, why must every theological position be so heavily nuanced. It drives me crazy most of the time.
Speaking of video games, my wife is AWESOME. She let us use the last of the undiscovered wedding gift cards to purchase Guitar Hero 2 last night for the 360. It literally rocks. And Jess rocks too.
Speaking of the Mavs, last night at Target, someone had started playing the PS3 and then left, leaving the Mavericks turning the ball over on the inbounds pass every time to the Heat, and the score was, at the time, 30-5. Ouch. That one still hurts.
Speaking of blogs, I like what Bob posted about with conforming to God's character as much as trying to discern His will. Yes, as my wife was quick to point out, His will still matters. I think the Open position could benefit from an exploration of this idea. It's probably not a new one, but it's new to me via Bob, so he gets the credit.
Speaking of theology, Pinnock's book on the holy spirit was okay. Not great, but he also discussed the gender issues, and it's getting more clear to me now.
Speaking of clarity, why must every theological position be so heavily nuanced. It drives me crazy most of the time.
Speaking of video games, my wife is AWESOME. She let us use the last of the undiscovered wedding gift cards to purchase Guitar Hero 2 last night for the 360. It literally rocks. And Jess rocks too.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
The Moltmann
Jurgen Multmann thinks that rebaptism is unnecessary but that baptism is (with a possibility for immersion??) - a very startling connection between us close-mindeds and the gone-too-fars, so thought me. He also thinks that we should emphasize the feminine qualities of the Holy Spirit, because (it, he, she) gives birth to us. This would make the Trinity a more perfect community, consisting of the Father, the Mother, and the Son. Also, ruach in Hebrew is feminine and pneuma in Greek is neuter. It is not until you get to the Latin translations that it is definitive masculine. This argument, of course, is crazy. At the least, there are many masculine references to the Holy Spirit in the Greek (John 16, esp. v.7ff is one) New Testament. And even James Barr (Greg's favorite liberal) would tell you to pay more attention to sentences rather than to words. Basically, the Holy Spirit is masculine. But hey, what's wrong with having typical "feminine" qualities or even practices (or am I reading myself into this)? I for one, am pleased to be born of the Spirit. Even if He is not a "she."
Really, I just wanted to post something and that's the last thing I read. Besides Multmann's The Source of Life, I'm also looking at a Pinnock's book on the Holy Spirit (open theistic pneumatology could be interesting), Bruner's book on the HS (Oster fav), a couple works of James Barr so Greg will respect me, Brueggeman's The Land, a few repeats on open theism, and Fretheim's seminal work, The Suffering of God. Summer reading rocks. Also, Life of Pi, which my wife read first, was pretty good. I recommend reading it with a partner because talking about it with someone else is necessary. Don't read it by yourself.
We're off to Arkansas to spend the weekend with my family. I shall return Beckham's favorite uncle in spite of my other brother's unfair advantage of living in the same city.
Really, I just wanted to post something and that's the last thing I read. Besides Multmann's The Source of Life, I'm also looking at a Pinnock's book on the Holy Spirit (open theistic pneumatology could be interesting), Bruner's book on the HS (Oster fav), a couple works of James Barr so Greg will respect me, Brueggeman's The Land, a few repeats on open theism, and Fretheim's seminal work, The Suffering of God. Summer reading rocks. Also, Life of Pi, which my wife read first, was pretty good. I recommend reading it with a partner because talking about it with someone else is necessary. Don't read it by yourself.
We're off to Arkansas to spend the weekend with my family. I shall return Beckham's favorite uncle in spite of my other brother's unfair advantage of living in the same city.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Stealing Signs
I have a feeling Jesse and Brooke will be posting their own thoughts on today, but I wanted to go ahead and get my story out there, because my story takes the cake.
We had a joint yard sale with the Rays (with some stuff from the Smiths... and our neighbors across the street... and our next-door neighbor) today. We considered it a fundraising yard sale because the Rays are putting their money toward traveling to pick up Sophie (their adopted daughter) in Ethiopia in a month, and Jess and I are putting our money toward paying for our mission trip to Belize this summer. So yesterday, the girls made signs and I went around and put them up in the neighborhood, which gets a lot of traffic for shortcuts and the Target across the street. I put up a sign on the major cut-through street (complete with speedbumps if that tells you anything) on a light pole. Well, this morning, Jess comes back from picking up donuts and says that our sign had been taken down, except one of the same color had been put up advertising a yard sale for the house in which the light pole was. So I decided to investigate.
I get in my car, drive over, and sure enough, there is our yard sale sign, flipped over, and marked on for a different sale. This is no good. So I get out and walk over to the lady who lives there and asked her why she thought it was a good idea to use our sign to advertise for her sale. And she tells me that she does not allow anyone to advertise on "her light pole." The only problem, this light pole belongs to the city of Memphis, and is actually in her neighbors yard. It's not exactly her pole.
Then she tells me that they (her and her husband) tell people not to put signs up. Funny thing, because I put my sign up yesterday in broad daylight, right in front of her husband. He didn't say a word.
So I ask her again why she thought it would be okay to use our sign. Indignantly, she tells me that she is old, tired, and crank and to leave her alone. This is no good.
I try a different route. "Ma'am," I ask her, "did you not have a problem with taking down a sign that clearly says the sale is for a good cause?" The lady says no, and then asks what good cause could it be. When I mention the whole "adopting a baby from Africa" thing, the weirdest thing happens. She becomes young, awake, and apologetic.
Long story less long, she apologizes, and lets me take the sign down, allowing me to use our sign somewhere else, and mentioning that she will send people our way after her sale. I offer her the same, and we part ways.
I don't get why someone would do that. I mean, tear the sign down and throw it away, whatever. We had other signs and had a great sale without it. But using our sign for your own sale? Come on now.
On a side note, Nora Conway is still one of the cutest baby girls ever, and we sold Jesse's old twin size water bed for $40. That sale alone made my day. Our attic used to look like this:
Now it doesn't.
We had a joint yard sale with the Rays (with some stuff from the Smiths... and our neighbors across the street... and our next-door neighbor) today. We considered it a fundraising yard sale because the Rays are putting their money toward traveling to pick up Sophie (their adopted daughter) in Ethiopia in a month, and Jess and I are putting our money toward paying for our mission trip to Belize this summer. So yesterday, the girls made signs and I went around and put them up in the neighborhood, which gets a lot of traffic for shortcuts and the Target across the street. I put up a sign on the major cut-through street (complete with speedbumps if that tells you anything) on a light pole. Well, this morning, Jess comes back from picking up donuts and says that our sign had been taken down, except one of the same color had been put up advertising a yard sale for the house in which the light pole was. So I decided to investigate.
I get in my car, drive over, and sure enough, there is our yard sale sign, flipped over, and marked on for a different sale. This is no good. So I get out and walk over to the lady who lives there and asked her why she thought it was a good idea to use our sign to advertise for her sale. And she tells me that she does not allow anyone to advertise on "her light pole." The only problem, this light pole belongs to the city of Memphis, and is actually in her neighbors yard. It's not exactly her pole.
Then she tells me that they (her and her husband) tell people not to put signs up. Funny thing, because I put my sign up yesterday in broad daylight, right in front of her husband. He didn't say a word.
So I ask her again why she thought it would be okay to use our sign. Indignantly, she tells me that she is old, tired, and crank and to leave her alone. This is no good.
I try a different route. "Ma'am," I ask her, "did you not have a problem with taking down a sign that clearly says the sale is for a good cause?" The lady says no, and then asks what good cause could it be. When I mention the whole "adopting a baby from Africa" thing, the weirdest thing happens. She becomes young, awake, and apologetic.
Long story less long, she apologizes, and lets me take the sign down, allowing me to use our sign somewhere else, and mentioning that she will send people our way after her sale. I offer her the same, and we part ways.
I don't get why someone would do that. I mean, tear the sign down and throw it away, whatever. We had other signs and had a great sale without it. But using our sign for your own sale? Come on now.
On a side note, Nora Conway is still one of the cutest baby girls ever, and we sold Jesse's old twin size water bed for $40. That sale alone made my day. Our attic used to look like this:
Now it doesn't.
Friday, May 04, 2007
The True Meaning of Friendship
Is never speaking about what happened last night to me ever. I am shocked and appalled and embarrassed about the Mavericks colossal choke job and saw it coming from Game 1. Dirk and this team will not recover; I say blow the team up now. Trade the whole thing for Kobe - at least with him you know you are getting a first round exit. This is the only time I will speak of this.
In other news, and with some irony, yesterday also saw the end of my semester. Now I have the whole summer to, as my Dad called it, "go secular." I'll be back at Super Suppers and reading the occasional fiction book, or whatever I want. To celebrate, tonight I will be watching Spiderman 3 on a DLP projector (thanks Dad) at the Paradiso. I can already tell you that it's pretty good, and you might like it.
In other news, and with some irony, yesterday also saw the end of my semester. Now I have the whole summer to, as my Dad called it, "go secular." I'll be back at Super Suppers and reading the occasional fiction book, or whatever I want. To celebrate, tonight I will be watching Spiderman 3 on a DLP projector (thanks Dad) at the Paradiso. I can already tell you that it's pretty good, and you might like it.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Out of Touch
I have had my head buried in papers recently, and I'm about to surface, which made me think about some things. Generally, I think I may be out of touch. For one, I have not spoken to many people in the last couple of weeks, other than the librarian and my classmates who are also in the library, and Chuck when I take an XBOX break. For two, I don't think I know what the standard is for length regarding papers. Tell me, dear readers, what is the minimum page limit for a paper that you would consider to be long? Concordantly, how many sources do you consider to be enough for a research paper? I will tell you that being at HUGSR may have warped my perspective. I consider any paper over 20 pages to be in the "long" range, and I average 40-50 sources per paper. This is too much, isn't it? Similarly, we don't have cable, so last night I listened to the Sox SWEEP the Yanks via radio. It was actually kind of cool. I felt very retro and sophisticated. Look at me listening to people talk and using my imagination. Just like the good old days...
Or maybe I'm just a little out of touch...
(Of course, I'm not as out of touch as Patrick, who still cares about hockey.)
Or maybe I'm just a little out of touch...
(Of course, I'm not as out of touch as Patrick, who still cares about hockey.)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Escaping Reality
As the basketball regular season ended last night, I have two things to excite me.
1. The Mavericks return to playoff dominance and the clinching of the championship that should have been ours last year.
2. I only played in two fantasy basketball leagues this year, but I won them both! I'm so pumped about this. One league is uber-competitive friends from undergrad, and I've never won any sport (baseball, basketball, football) since we started five years ago. I've been close, but never won.
Jesse will tell you that I only do things that I am good at (which is why I must get Guitar Hero for when the Jerkins come over), so this is nice. I am also winning both of my baseball fantasy leagues so far, so things are looking good for me, although it is early. Now if I could just get one pick right in our American Idol league, I would be excited. I'm not too happy that Sanjaya is gone and I missed my opportunity to vote him off. I voted for him for four straight weeks, decided he was in it for the long haul, and then, like that, he Keyser Soze's me. I can only hope we never hear from him again.
1. The Mavericks return to playoff dominance and the clinching of the championship that should have been ours last year.
2. I only played in two fantasy basketball leagues this year, but I won them both! I'm so pumped about this. One league is uber-competitive friends from undergrad, and I've never won any sport (baseball, basketball, football) since we started five years ago. I've been close, but never won.
Jesse will tell you that I only do things that I am good at (which is why I must get Guitar Hero for when the Jerkins come over), so this is nice. I am also winning both of my baseball fantasy leagues so far, so things are looking good for me, although it is early. Now if I could just get one pick right in our American Idol league, I would be excited. I'm not too happy that Sanjaya is gone and I missed my opportunity to vote him off. I voted for him for four straight weeks, decided he was in it for the long haul, and then, like that, he Keyser Soze's me. I can only hope we never hear from him again.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I Can't Handle The Truth
Yes, Jack Nicholson, go ahead and scream in my face. I came to a bittersweet realization yesterday at the post office. On a side note, there is a Dwight Shrute look-alike who works at the PO on Southern. Maybe I will sneak a picture on my cell phone next time I am in there. Back to the sad part, the Post Office is running a special on Star Wars mailing stuff (stamps, envelopes, etc.). The ploy is to get people to vote on their favorite stamps (www.uspsjedimaster.com), use the envelopes, and potentially win a trip for four to Star Wars Celebration IV, taking place in LA in part to commemorate the 30 year anniversary of the original Star Wars movies coming out. It's the biggest Star Wars celebration on earth, blah, blah, blah.
Here's the problem. I love Star Wars. A lot. I was not born when the first ones came out in theaters, but I grew up watching them every year during Thanksgiving and Christmas, and
am okay with being a huge nerd. Admittedly, I was driven to another level when the new youth minister, hired my seventh grade year, showed me the entire room in his house full of Star Wars action figures, vehicles, etc. We used to go to toy shows together; I'm a huge nerd. This is a picture of the Man Room on St. Nick - me and the few tributes that decorate my bookshelves (I won't tell you how much Star Wars related stuff is in boxes at my parent's house in Dallas). I would like to add that, although it may not be clear, my youth minster's kids gave me a darth vader cookie jar as a wedding present. It's awesome. So it's been established, I am an uber-nerd/dork. But really, and here's the sad part. I WAS an uber-nerd/dork.
I went to the first showing of each of the three new movies. I liked the first one. I'll even take Jar-Jar. Heck, C-3PO is annoying too. The second one, eh... not as much. By the time the third one showed up, I was just glad it was over. By the time the third movie came out, the trilogy had been remade. I give you the Matrix, and most of all, I give you the Lord of the Rings. And here's where it gets sad, George Lucas screwed up the most successful movie franchise ever. Yeah, a new record at the Box Office happens every year, but when you look at the multi-generational fan base, with books, movies, toys, all of that, Star Wars is still at the top. And now one half of the franchise is clearly not even close to being as good as the other half, which was filmed with now-obsolete technology and acting that was almost as bad. Sound like the odd ranting of an uber-dork? Sound like maybe you don't really care, and it's not as bad/sad as I am making it sound?
Well, here's the actual sad part. People - ie, grown men and women - will be killing themselves to score some free tickets to the biggest dork show on earth so that they can dress up like movie characters from a sorry movie franchise that peaked 25 years ago. This is a sad, sad thing. This should not be. As a self-respecting fan of Star Wars (a paradox, some might argue), I am renouncing my unashamed fandom. I am now practicing moderation and will admit that I am somewhat ashamed. I will sit silently as someone mocks Star Wars fans as idiots and dorks and losers, and defend them no longer. Let the mocking begin.
I wish I could link to Triumph the Insult Comic Dog in line at a movie release, but due to some of the questionable content, I thought it better just to mention it and let you decide if you want to watch it. Instead, I give you my second favorite video (and a somewhat doctored up version) of one of the greatest heroes of all time: The Star Wars Kid.
Here's the problem. I love Star Wars. A lot. I was not born when the first ones came out in theaters, but I grew up watching them every year during Thanksgiving and Christmas, and
am okay with being a huge nerd. Admittedly, I was driven to another level when the new youth minister, hired my seventh grade year, showed me the entire room in his house full of Star Wars action figures, vehicles, etc. We used to go to toy shows together; I'm a huge nerd. This is a picture of the Man Room on St. Nick - me and the few tributes that decorate my bookshelves (I won't tell you how much Star Wars related stuff is in boxes at my parent's house in Dallas). I would like to add that, although it may not be clear, my youth minster's kids gave me a darth vader cookie jar as a wedding present. It's awesome. So it's been established, I am an uber-nerd/dork. But really, and here's the sad part. I WAS an uber-nerd/dork.I went to the first showing of each of the three new movies. I liked the first one. I'll even take Jar-Jar. Heck, C-3PO is annoying too. The second one, eh... not as much. By the time the third one showed up, I was just glad it was over. By the time the third movie came out, the trilogy had been remade. I give you the Matrix, and most of all, I give you the Lord of the Rings. And here's where it gets sad, George Lucas screwed up the most successful movie franchise ever. Yeah, a new record at the Box Office happens every year, but when you look at the multi-generational fan base, with books, movies, toys, all of that, Star Wars is still at the top. And now one half of the franchise is clearly not even close to being as good as the other half, which was filmed with now-obsolete technology and acting that was almost as bad. Sound like the odd ranting of an uber-dork? Sound like maybe you don't really care, and it's not as bad/sad as I am making it sound?
Well, here's the actual sad part. People - ie, grown men and women - will be killing themselves to score some free tickets to the biggest dork show on earth so that they can dress up like movie characters from a sorry movie franchise that peaked 25 years ago. This is a sad, sad thing. This should not be. As a self-respecting fan of Star Wars (a paradox, some might argue), I am renouncing my unashamed fandom. I am now practicing moderation and will admit that I am somewhat ashamed. I will sit silently as someone mocks Star Wars fans as idiots and dorks and losers, and defend them no longer. Let the mocking begin.
I wish I could link to Triumph the Insult Comic Dog in line at a movie release, but due to some of the questionable content, I thought it better just to mention it and let you decide if you want to watch it. Instead, I give you my second favorite video (and a somewhat doctored up version) of one of the greatest heroes of all time: The Star Wars Kid.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Sympathy
... goes out to Angela, my sister-in-law, who will have to put up with what will most assuredly be an aggravating enlarged ego from "illegitimate" Florida fan (look who's talking, Mr. Red Sox) Josh, my brother. At least Beckham will be legitimate right?
... goes out to Bob, Matt Neely, and the countless other Buckeye fans who have no reason to riot because of Florida, again. Bob sought me out for a listening ear and tender shoulder on which to cry this morning in the library. He's right, if the university had made their open three point shots, it would have been a game. Here's to Kevin Durant.
... goes out to me. The Royals? Really?
... goes out to Josh Ray. A Cubs loss, a boring class, and no Extra Innings package makes for a crappy day.
... goes out to the BigCK who had to break "lent" without me for the last two weekends. I'd like to substitute an "oh well" for that "oh boy."
... goes out to Bob, Matt Neely, and the countless other Buckeye fans who have no reason to riot because of Florida, again. Bob sought me out for a listening ear and tender shoulder on which to cry this morning in the library. He's right, if the university had made their open three point shots, it would have been a game. Here's to Kevin Durant.
... goes out to me. The Royals? Really?
... goes out to Josh Ray. A Cubs loss, a boring class, and no Extra Innings package makes for a crappy day.
... goes out to the BigCK who had to break "lent" without me for the last two weekends. I'd like to substitute an "oh well" for that "oh boy."
Monday, March 26, 2007
My Kojak Son
Last night, in a fit of boredom/stroke of genius, I grabbed the Mad Gab box and broke out some family fun. It works best when you are both feeling a little punchy. Our favorite of the night was Thou Sundial Undress Sing, which I managed to scream over and over for a good five minutes without getting. That was followed by the dumbest Mad Gab ever: Gym Carry (I'll give you a hint - Jim Carrey was the "answer").
Friday, March 23, 2007
Euphoria
IF you thought that last post was bad, wait till you read this one. NO ONE cares about this, except me. But, yesterday, I wore my Papelbon t-shirt. Jonathan Papelbon was the rookie closer for the Red Sox last year, who happened to have one of the best years a closer has ever had in baseball. At the end of the season, he hurt his shoulder, and so the Sox decided to try him at starter this Spring. As a result, the Sox have tried several other pitchers at closer, but they all stink. Back to yesterday, I'm wearing my shirt, I come home from class, and I see that Papelbon has been losing sleep because he still wants to be the closer, so the Sox decide to make him the closer. I couldn't be more thrilled. And it all happens on the day I wearing his shirt. Words cannot describe how excited I am about this. So there you go.
A Nick Blog
Few will care, but for those who do, this music video is one of my favs. They showed it at their concert whilst they played the song, and it rocks. As I recently discovered it on the tube, I thought I would share it with everyone.
Monday, March 19, 2007
A Bob Blog
Bob told me to blog this, so I am. I have a feeling it will only be of interest to me and him. How's that for an attention grabber?
So, I'm doing research for the passage in Mark 9:49 about salting with fire, and one of the articles I read mentions the danger in taking certain passages too literally, and then references an article written in 1928. Curiosity aroused, I looked it up. Here is the passage referenced:
"And yet so terrible is it to Christ that one should be smirched by evil even there, that He plunges me into that terrific metaphor, surely the most heart-shuddering thing in Scripture, about the right hand cut off and the right eye torn out - anything, everything to be saved from this foul, festering pollution! Once on a day I had a ghastly experience. The phone rang early in the morning, and an hysterical woman's voice bade me come instantly. I went, and found that a most brilliant student had suddenly gone crazy in the night, had with a safety-razor cut off his hand, and lay there laughing exultantly. 'I did it right,' he cried, 'I can look Jesus in the face.' They took him to the hospital, his hand beside him in a paper bag, and from thence to the asylum, poor crazed soul! But as I stood there in that blodd-splashed place, Christ's hate and terror of sin even in thought came rushing in upon me. Pluck it out! Cut it off! Or it will fester, poison, slay your soul!"
There's a witty response to this strange anecdote, but I can't think of it. I guess if you want to post a comment, let me know what you would say in response to this story.
So, I'm doing research for the passage in Mark 9:49 about salting with fire, and one of the articles I read mentions the danger in taking certain passages too literally, and then references an article written in 1928. Curiosity aroused, I looked it up. Here is the passage referenced:
"And yet so terrible is it to Christ that one should be smirched by evil even there, that He plunges me into that terrific metaphor, surely the most heart-shuddering thing in Scripture, about the right hand cut off and the right eye torn out - anything, everything to be saved from this foul, festering pollution! Once on a day I had a ghastly experience. The phone rang early in the morning, and an hysterical woman's voice bade me come instantly. I went, and found that a most brilliant student had suddenly gone crazy in the night, had with a safety-razor cut off his hand, and lay there laughing exultantly. 'I did it right,' he cried, 'I can look Jesus in the face.' They took him to the hospital, his hand beside him in a paper bag, and from thence to the asylum, poor crazed soul! But as I stood there in that blodd-splashed place, Christ's hate and terror of sin even in thought came rushing in upon me. Pluck it out! Cut it off! Or it will fester, poison, slay your soul!"
There's a witty response to this strange anecdote, but I can't think of it. I guess if you want to post a comment, let me know what you would say in response to this story.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Christian Bracketology
I love March and I love basketball, so you all know what's on my mind. And since I'm thinking about it, here are the first round matchups that confound me:
Butler v. Old Dominion
UNLV v. Ga.Tech
Nevada v. Creighton
Virginia v. Albany
Tennessee v. Long Beach State
Teams that confuse me:
Oregon
Winthrop
Virginia
UCLA
Upset picks:
I have VCU beating UCLA, do the math.
Texas playing G'Town for the East.
Oral Roberts over WASU.
Winthrop over ND.
Finally, Go Niagra, except Kansas to win it all over Ohio State. Double heartbreak for OSU fans, no national championship again, and Oden still goes.
Butler v. Old Dominion
UNLV v. Ga.Tech
Nevada v. Creighton
Virginia v. Albany
Tennessee v. Long Beach State
Teams that confuse me:
Oregon
Winthrop
Virginia
UCLA
Upset picks:
I have VCU beating UCLA, do the math.
Texas playing G'Town for the East.
Oral Roberts over WASU.
Winthrop over ND.
Finally, Go Niagra, except Kansas to win it all over Ohio State. Double heartbreak for OSU fans, no national championship again, and Oden still goes.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The Art of Critique
Perhaps you were not inspired, dear reader, by the quotation in the last post. So allow me to elaborate. Giving up is not beautiful. Complaining and whining is not attractive. No one pays money for anything done in the spirit of apathy, laziness, ignorance, or even in the pursuit of safety and comfort. Nor, I would like to point out, are people inspired by such things.
I want my life to be beautiful. I want to live an inspired life that inspires others. That may mean that I persevere under harsh circumstances. That may mean that I choose not to whine or complain about the way things are and pursue what they could be. It may mean that I need to start considering things about which I was too lazy, apathetic, or ignorant. And it may even mean that I need to abandon my desire for safety and comfort.
Unfortunately, I see a lot of ugliness in my world. I see people (including churches) and institutions that seem to lack or deny themselves the ability to create something beautiful. Now, I can criticize this ugliness, and I think many people choose to do just that, or I can create something beautiful. The choice, I think, rests on faith. Some might be tempted to call this optimism, but it's too easy to discount optimism as silly, immature, or stupid. While I don't think it is any of those things, I do believe that optimism is built upon the foundation of faith. If I believe that God can do great things in the world today, I will be optimistic. If I believe that the Spirit works today to change lives dramatically, I will be optimistic. If I believe that God's love can conquer all things and that nothing will separate me from that love, I will be optimistic. And if I can believe, then I can create something beautiful. And when I create something beautiful, then I can change the world.
What in your life will you make beautiful? Will you criticize or will you create?
I want my life to be beautiful. I want to live an inspired life that inspires others. That may mean that I persevere under harsh circumstances. That may mean that I choose not to whine or complain about the way things are and pursue what they could be. It may mean that I need to start considering things about which I was too lazy, apathetic, or ignorant. And it may even mean that I need to abandon my desire for safety and comfort.
Unfortunately, I see a lot of ugliness in my world. I see people (including churches) and institutions that seem to lack or deny themselves the ability to create something beautiful. Now, I can criticize this ugliness, and I think many people choose to do just that, or I can create something beautiful. The choice, I think, rests on faith. Some might be tempted to call this optimism, but it's too easy to discount optimism as silly, immature, or stupid. While I don't think it is any of those things, I do believe that optimism is built upon the foundation of faith. If I believe that God can do great things in the world today, I will be optimistic. If I believe that the Spirit works today to change lives dramatically, I will be optimistic. If I believe that God's love can conquer all things and that nothing will separate me from that love, I will be optimistic. And if I can believe, then I can create something beautiful. And when I create something beautiful, then I can change the world.
What in your life will you make beautiful? Will you criticize or will you create?
Monday, March 05, 2007
Inspiration for the Day
Well, I finished my midterms last week, as well as the rest of my course work for my incomplete from last fall, so I am officially caught up with life after a three-month hiatus. Feels good...
Unfortunately, the extra time I have now leaves me without anything about which to blog, so I'll just share this quote I heard yesterday that inspires me.
"I critique by making something beautiful."
- Michaelangelo
Unfortunately, the extra time I have now leaves me without anything about which to blog, so I'll just share this quote I heard yesterday that inspires me.
"I critique by making something beautiful."
- Michaelangelo
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Just a Quarter
Since Jess has referred people to my pseudonymous cyber-haven, I figured I should post something about it being my birthday. My first thought was to share with everyone how much and the many reasons why I love myself, since that has been the recent trend for February birthday boys. For the sake of time, I passed on that idea.
Then I thought maybe I could cover all the things that have happened in the last 25 years, but maybe some things are better left in the past.
(I don't know these people, but apparently this picture was taken in 1982)
So I decided that first of all, everyone should know that my wife has been really awesome to me today. I got breakfast in bed (honey nuts, strawberries, and a cinnamon roll), plus I got to check all my sports websites this morning in bed (as opposed to the usual spot, hiding out in the man room before Jess wakes up), AND she brought me Chinese from New Hong Kong for lunch (yes, Julie, God spoke to me through the Beef & Broccoli).
That being settled, my family has been very generous and I anticipate ruining my semester in front of the 360 (now with hard drive) thanks to their generosity.
Still, I've decided to try and incorporate more reader participation on my blog (Bob Lablob). My first choice was to have people go with when they think the titles of the gospels originated, or whether or not they think the gospels were written to a specific audience. However, since I have decided to increase participation, I will include on two similar musings that came up in the last week.
1. What is the greatest song to be released since 2000?
2. What is the greatest romantic comedy to come out since 2000?
My votes?
1. Jess mentioned "Since You Been Gone" by Kelley Clarkson (grammar notwithstanding)
I'm still deciding, but maybe "The Scientist" by Coldplay? "Thing Called Love" by the Darkness? Or even "Who Let The Dogs Out?" by The Baja Men.
2. I'm not sure yet.
Then I thought maybe I could cover all the things that have happened in the last 25 years, but maybe some things are better left in the past.
(I don't know these people, but apparently this picture was taken in 1982)
So I decided that first of all, everyone should know that my wife has been really awesome to me today. I got breakfast in bed (honey nuts, strawberries, and a cinnamon roll), plus I got to check all my sports websites this morning in bed (as opposed to the usual spot, hiding out in the man room before Jess wakes up), AND she brought me Chinese from New Hong Kong for lunch (yes, Julie, God spoke to me through the Beef & Broccoli).
That being settled, my family has been very generous and I anticipate ruining my semester in front of the 360 (now with hard drive) thanks to their generosity.
Still, I've decided to try and incorporate more reader participation on my blog (Bob Lablob). My first choice was to have people go with when they think the titles of the gospels originated, or whether or not they think the gospels were written to a specific audience. However, since I have decided to increase participation, I will include on two similar musings that came up in the last week.
1. What is the greatest song to be released since 2000?
2. What is the greatest romantic comedy to come out since 2000?
My votes?
1. Jess mentioned "Since You Been Gone" by Kelley Clarkson (grammar notwithstanding)
I'm still deciding, but maybe "The Scientist" by Coldplay? "Thing Called Love" by the Darkness? Or even "Who Let The Dogs Out?" by The Baja Men.
2. I'm not sure yet.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
That Special Place
These days, the most crowded room in the house is our bathroom. I know, it's supposed to be a taboo subject, but with the chief's approval, throne room talk has been allowed. So what's the big deal with our bathroom? Well, the new coat of paint does look nice, but it's actually not the atmosphere. It's the game. That's right, I recently uncovered a treasure in the attic that has taken pride of place in the next to the toilet paper roll and the plunger. And I give you, Electronic Hand-Held Yahtzee.
Would you believe my wife did not know how to play this game? The first few days, she had no idea what I was doing in there. Even with a 53-man roster, taking the Browns to the Super Bowl... well, you get the idea. But eventually, with the silent moments of contemplation being interrupted by piercing screams of "YAHTZEE!" her curiosity got the best of her. And now that I have explained how it works, it's a race to get to the bathroom first. Heck, I may not even need to go, but I'll still take a study break to try and beat the high score. So maybe it's a taboo subject, but in our house, there's no place we'd rather be.
A Few Bonus Yahtzee Tips:
I really feel like getting to 63 for the extra 35 points is key.
With the electronic version, rolling is easy. Starting over when you don't like your roll is even easier.
Finally, it's important to keep your focus. Just because it's in your hand does not mean you should wipe with it.
Would you believe my wife did not know how to play this game? The first few days, she had no idea what I was doing in there. Even with a 53-man roster, taking the Browns to the Super Bowl... well, you get the idea. But eventually, with the silent moments of contemplation being interrupted by piercing screams of "YAHTZEE!" her curiosity got the best of her. And now that I have explained how it works, it's a race to get to the bathroom first. Heck, I may not even need to go, but I'll still take a study break to try and beat the high score. So maybe it's a taboo subject, but in our house, there's no place we'd rather be.
A Few Bonus Yahtzee Tips:
I really feel like getting to 63 for the extra 35 points is key.
With the electronic version, rolling is easy. Starting over when you don't like your roll is even easier.
Finally, it's important to keep your focus. Just because it's in your hand does not mean you should wipe with it.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
More Christmas Stories
Some of you may know that I got an X-Box 360 for Christmas from Jesse's parents. Now all of you do. While I wish you all could have been there to experience the excitement with me, you can be content watching this video that simulates my joy upon receiving said 360.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Clarifications
That last post was in no way an indictment of Santa nor his/her abilities to give wonderful gifts and be generally totally sweet.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Christmas Disappointment
So this Christmas was really great, except for one thing:
If you look closely at the left side of the puzzle, you will NOT see the missing piece, but you will see where it belongs. Talk about a study in futility, shouldn't the puzzle companies be doing something about this? Full refund with picture evidence seems like it could be exploited (although one might ask why), but why not set up some way for them to send the missing piece in the mail? It would be like Calvin's beanie or the Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring, I'd check the mail every day. Until then, there's a hole in the Aegean. (See Buster for spiritual parallels)
If you look closely at the left side of the puzzle, you will NOT see the missing piece, but you will see where it belongs. Talk about a study in futility, shouldn't the puzzle companies be doing something about this? Full refund with picture evidence seems like it could be exploited (although one might ask why), but why not set up some way for them to send the missing piece in the mail? It would be like Calvin's beanie or the Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring, I'd check the mail every day. Until then, there's a hole in the Aegean. (See Buster for spiritual parallels)
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Just another victory?
Maybe it wasn't anything special, but I sure did enjoy today's victory a little more than usual. If we can get out of the West again, last year's fiasco won't be happening again.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Honest Questions
These have been on my mind lately. Go ahead and take a stab...
So many people with great potential to be agents of change are dissatisfied with the way the church is today, so why isn't the church changing?
Is the reason many of those in my generation of ministers whom I respect the most are going into the mission field (foreign or domestic) because they'd rather deal with difficulties in a church built from scratch than the established American church institution?
Are the cultural forms we use in the American church really best-suited for the functions and goals of the church?
How long will it take for American Christians to realize that our culture is NOT Christian and what would it look like if we did realize that?
So many people with great potential to be agents of change are dissatisfied with the way the church is today, so why isn't the church changing?
Is the reason many of those in my generation of ministers whom I respect the most are going into the mission field (foreign or domestic) because they'd rather deal with difficulties in a church built from scratch than the established American church institution?
Are the cultural forms we use in the American church really best-suited for the functions and goals of the church?
How long will it take for American Christians to realize that our culture is NOT Christian and what would it look like if we did realize that?
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Revisiting the Past
Ohio State - no loss
WVU - no loss
USC - one loss (possibly undefeated)
Michigan - one loss
Texas - one loss
Louisville - one loss
Clemson - one loss
Auburn - one loss (fine, MAYBE two)
Florida - one loss (maybe two)
Arkansas - one loss (maybe two)
Notre Dame - one loss (maybe two)
Boise State - no loss??
Cal - one loss (probably two)
Tennessee - two loss (MAYBE one)
These were my predictions for the end of the year, back in October. First of all, I'm truly ashamed that Tennessee (9-4) made this list. All we really know now is that no one ever knew what Cal would do.
Let's look at the ones I got right:
Boise State - Thank you for making every game for the rest of the year suck.
Florida - who knew?
Louisville - Ah Rutgers...
The ones I almost got:
Ohio State - Enough has been said about this already.
USC - Oregon State and UCLA combined couldn't beat Michigan, although Oregon State had a classic bowl win.
Auburn - (it's in the parentheses and you get points for beating the national champs)
Michigan - Didn't see the second half of the Rose Bowl, but hey, I was close.
The overrated:
Texas - These guys didn't have it, but man is Vince Young great!
Notre Dame - e tu, Mel Kiper?
Clemson - a disappointing loss to Kentucky only makes me wish more that I had not read iii's blog.
The underachieving:
WVU - watch out for Slaton and White next year.
Arkansas - Slaton + White = McFaddon
Cal - Again, this year's Jekyll and Hyde award
All in all, not bad on the predictions and great for another year of college football. Here's to next fall and my early pick to win it all? Sadly, I'm going to have to go with USC. But I'm looking for big years from Wisconsin, Florida, and WVU as well.
WVU - no loss
USC - one loss (possibly undefeated)
Michigan - one loss
Texas - one loss
Louisville - one loss
Clemson - one loss
Auburn - one loss (fine, MAYBE two)
Florida - one loss (maybe two)
Arkansas - one loss (maybe two)
Notre Dame - one loss (maybe two)
Boise State - no loss??
Cal - one loss (probably two)
Tennessee - two loss (MAYBE one)
These were my predictions for the end of the year, back in October. First of all, I'm truly ashamed that Tennessee (9-4) made this list. All we really know now is that no one ever knew what Cal would do.
Let's look at the ones I got right:
Boise State - Thank you for making every game for the rest of the year suck.
Florida - who knew?
Louisville - Ah Rutgers...
The ones I almost got:
Ohio State - Enough has been said about this already.
USC - Oregon State and UCLA combined couldn't beat Michigan, although Oregon State had a classic bowl win.
Auburn - (it's in the parentheses and you get points for beating the national champs)
Michigan - Didn't see the second half of the Rose Bowl, but hey, I was close.
The overrated:
Texas - These guys didn't have it, but man is Vince Young great!
Notre Dame - e tu, Mel Kiper?
Clemson - a disappointing loss to Kentucky only makes me wish more that I had not read iii's blog.
The underachieving:
WVU - watch out for Slaton and White next year.
Arkansas - Slaton + White = McFaddon
Cal - Again, this year's Jekyll and Hyde award
All in all, not bad on the predictions and great for another year of college football. Here's to next fall and my early pick to win it all? Sadly, I'm going to have to go with USC. But I'm looking for big years from Wisconsin, Florida, and WVU as well.
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