"Fundamentalism in all it's varieties--Christian (protestant or catholic), Islamic, Jewish-- all appears to be based on fear: fear of the universe, fear of science, fear of the lose of self, fear of nothingness and Aquinas observes that "all fear derives us from love."
--Matthew Fox, Creation Spirituality, liberating gifts for the peoples of the earth.
Process theology is my new thing. i absolutely love it. i love it because it rejects fear! Fox states "to be a person of faith is to be a person of trust. No religion based on fear can lay claim to following Jesus." Process Theology is the complete opposite of what ppl think when they think of Christianity. It is not fearful, judgemental, nor is it duelistic. You do not have to leave your brain at the door when going to church. In fact, process requires SO much thinking that most people are too lazy to attempt it.
I'm learning about process theology in my theology class. I have read the Fox book as well as God, Christ, Church: A Practical Guid to Process Theology by Marjorie Suchocki and Proverbs of Ashes by Rita Brock and Rebecca Parker. From my basic understanding, this is what i've felt about the nature of reality all my life.
here are the basic tenets: Reality is Relational, Free, and Changing. Can you describe yourself without using a relationship? Process says no, you can't. Even by saying you have black hair means that you do not have brown or blonde hair. this is relational. Hense, there is no inner you! You are a microcosm of relationships, you are like an onion, all layers, no core. we are like Shrek when he insists he's an onion, and donkey says that he's a parfait. We are the conjunction, a network of people, places, and things.
In these relationships, we have the ability to focus on some over others so that these 'chosen relationships' have greater impact than others. for example, i was constantly told i was gothic and affected except for my gma and uncle scott who said i was funny and creative. one day i just decided to focus on the imput from my gma and uncle scott.. mainly cause the chicks dig happy, chicks don't dig moody (at least at TCC they didn't). Free will is very important and this is what grounds agency.
and because of this shifting focus on relationships, this means that everything changes. perminence is an illusion.
This is a post-modernist thought base. relationships are internal (they do not exist on their own outside from us). we are free in an contextual environment. we are more likely to choose the majority imput alhtough we have the freedom to choose less likely.
in this, ALL things have freedom. you the reader, your computer, your chair that you're sitting, the subatomic partical, your body's cells are all free. however there are degrees of freedom. your chair could dematerialize from underneith you.. however it has a history and all it's imputs are telling those particals to stay put. so the likelyhood of this is very slim. however this explains cancer and other malidies. some ppl ask "why has God done this to me!" well, God franky didn't have anything to do with it! It was the cells that choose their freedom to multiply, not God.
So God in this theology is also relational. God is not the all-powerful, sovereign judge of yore. If things are truly free, then God can't make anything do something it doesn't want to. God doesn't have the power over freedom. God suggest and coaxes and God's will is for harmony in diversity and complexity. So sin in this theology is ignoring God's will and choosing something counter to that. The good news here is that while God isn't all powerful, God has more power than anything else. There are no guarantees. If the world wanted to blow itself up (as it seems to be doing), God will ask it not to, but the world can ignore this and blow up. But process has a cautious optimism when it comes to the future, since God can influence things into harmony.
In the next post i'll tackle where process stands on creation, humanity, sin, and it's Christology. stay tuned won't you?
Friday, October 26, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
What Do We Call This?!: Thoughts on renaming the Hebrew and Christian scriptures
This is a paper i wrote from my OT112 class. I have since edited it and clarified some spots... hope you enjoy!
There are too many Bibles in the world. If we look at just the arrangement of the books there are at least four different Bibles. The Jewish Canon, the Roman Catholic Canon, the Orthodox Canon, and the Protestant Canon all include books arranged differently to further certain agendas. There are also translation issues that multiply these four canons to an uncountable number of Bibles.
There are as many Bible translations as there are languages. There are also specific translations in these Bibles as to the exact wording, Kings James or New International Bible or Everett Fox translations for example. In all of these translations the Bible never gives itself a name (Williamson 106).
Other book collections do not have this problem. One would simply title their work “The Collected Works of So-and-So,” or one could logically put the overarching theme as the title. The problem is that no two groups can agree on what exactly the Bible’s theme is. To the Jews, everything points toward the Torah. For Christians, everything points to the cross. These two groups are theologically at odds with each other. To make matters worse, the Christian faith groups cannot agree on a theme, hence the various denominations of Catholic and Protestant.
People attach a great deal of political and emotional weight to these books. We cannot just name the first collection the “Great Escape,” nor can we name the second one “The Empire Strikes Back.” There is too much religious sentiment riding on the Bible, so using a catchy title will not do for this sacred text.
So how can we pick a title that everyone will agree on? How can we pick a title that people do not judge? How can these groups with different agendas co-exist with the same texts? Christian struggle internally with these questions to come to terms with the role of the Jews and Judaism in Christian theology (Schramm par. 4).
Christians must work to avoid the theology of adversus Judaeos. In the book Has God Rejected His People?, Clark M. Williamson states that “against the Jews’ theology is an apologetic argument in the support of the claim that Christianity has superseded Judaism” (90). Against the Jews’ theology is defined in two ways:
1. Rejection/Election theology—Gods reject Jews and therefore “elects” Christians as the new people of the covenant
2. Inferiority/Fulfillment theology—Jews are inferior to God’s plan and through Jesus, Christians fulfill God’s plan (90).
Jews are very aware of the “New Testament.” This book is Christianity’s claim that the ritual demands of the Scripture are abolished (Schramm par. 8). Christianity’s founding fathers have cited the New Testament many times to attack Judaic theology (Williamson 90). With the way that Christians have arranged both testaments, the New Testament is dependent on the Hebrew Scriptures. William Johnson Everett states in his article “Renaming scripture - Old Testament or Hebrew Bible?” that “Judaism can no longer be understood apart from Christianity, not only because Christian oppression so deeply shaped the development of Judaism, but because through the expansion of Christianity the whole world has come to know the peculiar witness of the people of the ‘Old Testament’” (73).
The traditions are so intertwined it is impossible to separate the two without harming the other. Judaic and Christian theologies are like conjoined twins who violently disagree on many issues. One twin argues that there are three major parts of the body: the Torah, Nevi’im, and the Ketubim (and the latter supports the former). The other twin not only disagrees but suffers from schizophrenia and reorders the first’s order of organs while adding a few other organs. So in the end there is one big confused mess. We have one schizo twin that is dragging the other half around claiming the same origins. But the situation is not as hopeless as it seems. I feel that acknowledging the individual twins’ agendas and motivations would be defining factors as to what to call the Scriptures.
My solution would be to give each separate grouping of a particular religion’s Scriptures a name. The overall name for both Jewish and Christian Bibles simply would be The Bible or more politically correct, The Scriptures. The Jews could call their Scriptures the TaNaK or Jewish Bible or something similar. The Christians will then acknowledge their own rearrangement of the Jewish order of the books, since they are indeed arranged to fit a certain agenda. The name I would use for the Protestant Old Testament would be the Protestant Agenda Scriptures or P.A.S., and the New Testament would be the Protestant Agenda Testament or P.A.T. The Catholics in turn have C.A.S. and C.A.T. and the Orthodox O.A.S. and O.A.T. This fulfills the Christian embrace of acronyms and manages to pay proper respect to the Judaic tradition without belittling it. To argue for the Protestant names specifically, pas in Spanish means peace and to pat someone is usually a sign of respect and to show affection. It is perfect for my Protestant tradition because peace is love and love brings peace.
Realistically this would never work. For religions to gain members they must argue that it is God’s agenda they are following and promoting, not their own. Some might also say that this phrasing paints Christianity in a bad light compared to Judaism. The reality here is that we cannot afford to continue the use of “Old” and “New” Testaments due to the history of Judaic abuse at the hands of Christians. These types of characterizations of the testaments have led to many abuses like supersessionism and claims of inferiority that were manifested in the Holocaust (Williamson 105). We do not have the vocabulary yet to get across the ideas and histories that these Scriptures contain, but we must work to get it.
We must be accurate and give each separate Bible a different name. We must recognize that there is not one from of Christianity and that even our selection of Bibles differ. We also must recognize Christianity's dependence and history of disreguard for the Jewish religion. We must strive for a vocabulary that can do all of this and I know i'm not the one to do it.
Works Cited
Everett, William Johnson "Renaming scripture - Old Testament or Hebrew Bible? - Column". Christian Century. Oct 29, 1997. FindArticles.com. 02 Oct. 2007. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_n30_v114/ai_20013860
Schramm, Brooks. “Uncertain Terms: the Title of the First Volume of the Christian Bible”. Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies, Autum 2000. Moodle. Lancaster Theological Seminary, Philip Schaff Lib. 2, Oct. 2007. http://online.lancasterseminary.edu/moodle/course/view.php?id=6
Williamson, Clark M. Has God Rejected His People? Anti-Judaism in the Christian Church. Nashville, Tennisee: Abington Press, 1982; 89-105
There are too many Bibles in the world. If we look at just the arrangement of the books there are at least four different Bibles. The Jewish Canon, the Roman Catholic Canon, the Orthodox Canon, and the Protestant Canon all include books arranged differently to further certain agendas. There are also translation issues that multiply these four canons to an uncountable number of Bibles.
There are as many Bible translations as there are languages. There are also specific translations in these Bibles as to the exact wording, Kings James or New International Bible or Everett Fox translations for example. In all of these translations the Bible never gives itself a name (Williamson 106).
Other book collections do not have this problem. One would simply title their work “The Collected Works of So-and-So,” or one could logically put the overarching theme as the title. The problem is that no two groups can agree on what exactly the Bible’s theme is. To the Jews, everything points toward the Torah. For Christians, everything points to the cross. These two groups are theologically at odds with each other. To make matters worse, the Christian faith groups cannot agree on a theme, hence the various denominations of Catholic and Protestant.
People attach a great deal of political and emotional weight to these books. We cannot just name the first collection the “Great Escape,” nor can we name the second one “The Empire Strikes Back.” There is too much religious sentiment riding on the Bible, so using a catchy title will not do for this sacred text.
So how can we pick a title that everyone will agree on? How can we pick a title that people do not judge? How can these groups with different agendas co-exist with the same texts? Christian struggle internally with these questions to come to terms with the role of the Jews and Judaism in Christian theology (Schramm par. 4).
Christians must work to avoid the theology of adversus Judaeos. In the book Has God Rejected His People?, Clark M. Williamson states that “against the Jews’ theology is an apologetic argument in the support of the claim that Christianity has superseded Judaism” (90). Against the Jews’ theology is defined in two ways:
1. Rejection/Election theology—Gods reject Jews and therefore “elects” Christians as the new people of the covenant
2. Inferiority/Fulfillment theology—Jews are inferior to God’s plan and through Jesus, Christians fulfill God’s plan (90).
Jews are very aware of the “New Testament.” This book is Christianity’s claim that the ritual demands of the Scripture are abolished (Schramm par. 8). Christianity’s founding fathers have cited the New Testament many times to attack Judaic theology (Williamson 90). With the way that Christians have arranged both testaments, the New Testament is dependent on the Hebrew Scriptures. William Johnson Everett states in his article “Renaming scripture - Old Testament or Hebrew Bible?” that “Judaism can no longer be understood apart from Christianity, not only because Christian oppression so deeply shaped the development of Judaism, but because through the expansion of Christianity the whole world has come to know the peculiar witness of the people of the ‘Old Testament’” (73).
The traditions are so intertwined it is impossible to separate the two without harming the other. Judaic and Christian theologies are like conjoined twins who violently disagree on many issues. One twin argues that there are three major parts of the body: the Torah, Nevi’im, and the Ketubim (and the latter supports the former). The other twin not only disagrees but suffers from schizophrenia and reorders the first’s order of organs while adding a few other organs. So in the end there is one big confused mess. We have one schizo twin that is dragging the other half around claiming the same origins. But the situation is not as hopeless as it seems. I feel that acknowledging the individual twins’ agendas and motivations would be defining factors as to what to call the Scriptures.
My solution would be to give each separate grouping of a particular religion’s Scriptures a name. The overall name for both Jewish and Christian Bibles simply would be The Bible or more politically correct, The Scriptures. The Jews could call their Scriptures the TaNaK or Jewish Bible or something similar. The Christians will then acknowledge their own rearrangement of the Jewish order of the books, since they are indeed arranged to fit a certain agenda. The name I would use for the Protestant Old Testament would be the Protestant Agenda Scriptures or P.A.S., and the New Testament would be the Protestant Agenda Testament or P.A.T. The Catholics in turn have C.A.S. and C.A.T. and the Orthodox O.A.S. and O.A.T. This fulfills the Christian embrace of acronyms and manages to pay proper respect to the Judaic tradition without belittling it. To argue for the Protestant names specifically, pas in Spanish means peace and to pat someone is usually a sign of respect and to show affection. It is perfect for my Protestant tradition because peace is love and love brings peace.
Realistically this would never work. For religions to gain members they must argue that it is God’s agenda they are following and promoting, not their own. Some might also say that this phrasing paints Christianity in a bad light compared to Judaism. The reality here is that we cannot afford to continue the use of “Old” and “New” Testaments due to the history of Judaic abuse at the hands of Christians. These types of characterizations of the testaments have led to many abuses like supersessionism and claims of inferiority that were manifested in the Holocaust (Williamson 105). We do not have the vocabulary yet to get across the ideas and histories that these Scriptures contain, but we must work to get it.
We must be accurate and give each separate Bible a different name. We must recognize that there is not one from of Christianity and that even our selection of Bibles differ. We also must recognize Christianity's dependence and history of disreguard for the Jewish religion. We must strive for a vocabulary that can do all of this and I know i'm not the one to do it.
Works Cited
Everett, William Johnson "Renaming scripture - Old Testament or Hebrew Bible? - Column". Christian Century. Oct 29, 1997. FindArticles.com. 02 Oct. 2007. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_n30_v114/ai_20013860
Schramm, Brooks. “Uncertain Terms: the Title of the First Volume of the Christian Bible”. Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies, Autum 2000. Moodle. Lancaster Theological Seminary, Philip Schaff Lib. 2, Oct. 2007. http://online.lancasterseminary.edu/moodle/course/view.php?id=6
Williamson, Clark M. Has God Rejected His People? Anti-Judaism in the Christian Church. Nashville, Tennisee: Abington Press, 1982; 89-105
Monday, October 15, 2007
Further Down the Rabbit Hole
I feel like i didn't go far enough with explaining the Bible and it's formation. The whole point is that the formation is very complicated. So much so that some things will seem alien or counter to what we've been traditionally taught.
let's name my primary assumption. the Bible is worth reading and investigating it's origin. This collection of works has been cited throughout history. some would say it is the backbone of western culture, so i would say it's pretty influential. so what is the bible?
it is not a history book as it doesn't match up with other histories in the areas directly. it doesn't mention a lot of heavy hitters that influenced it... like alexander the great! he's sort of a big deal in the history of the region, but the bible does not mention him although most of the prose in it is a direct greek immitation.
it is more than a hallmark of literature. most like the entire cultures of Jewish, Christian, and Muslims would agree that it's God's dealing with people over the ages. this is the world viewed theologically.
the Bible is very fuild. some books were already written and being copied and distributed while others were being written. it was not circulated between two covers but as individual scrolls. communities had differing stories. even though some had the same stories, there were differences between those! some scrolls were widely distributed early and then died off and vice versa.
for example the Christian Testament pretty much had the 4 gospels and 10 Pauline letters widely distributed. James, 2&3 Peter, and Revelations struggled early but made it into the final canon. Barnabus and the Apocalypse of Peter started early but didn't make it to the canon. however the ideas stayed around and Dante's Inferno was written based on the Apocalypse of Peter.
The Bible started to stabilize for both Christians and Jews in the 4th century. Cananizations not up to a small group but it was rather inclusive. large segment of communities that already held scrolls to be central, holy, or authoritative. there was also a typical Middle Eastern process that puts differing and contradictory traditions into a single book. Just ready Numbers and then Deuteronomy or Paul and James and you'll know that there's a lot of stuff that doesn't stack up easily in the Bible. This is a huge problem for fundies who read the Bible 100% literally. This fact makes a literal interpretation of the Bible impossible because it's not build on linear thinking. it's built on Jewish non-linear thought. It is built so that different groups can form their own canons out of the Canon.
the dead sea scrolls confirm this whole process. the dead sea scrolls are pretty much the entire TaNaK (what we would call the "old" testament, but more on this later) with the exception of Esther. There are also more additions to certain books like Daniel and Numbers. This really is the most important find in the 20th century for biblical studies and has lead to the revision of the Bible many times.... and yes... the BIBLE is being CHANGED! even today!
so in conclusion, i'll restate my stance on the Bible. THe Bible is complex in it's reading and in it's formation. The Bible, I would argue, is not without errors. There are a ton of questionable translations since Hebrew is a pun-based sometimes vowel-less language. the copying of this book isn't perfect and any bible scholar worth their salt will admit this. I do believe the bible to be infallable. i do believe there there is enough in the Bible that it will never let you down if you're looking for an answer. this is also the reason people can be pro-choice or pro-life and be scriptually supported for either stance.
keep it tuned! up next: What to call the Old Testament!
let's name my primary assumption. the Bible is worth reading and investigating it's origin. This collection of works has been cited throughout history. some would say it is the backbone of western culture, so i would say it's pretty influential. so what is the bible?
it is not a history book as it doesn't match up with other histories in the areas directly. it doesn't mention a lot of heavy hitters that influenced it... like alexander the great! he's sort of a big deal in the history of the region, but the bible does not mention him although most of the prose in it is a direct greek immitation.
it is more than a hallmark of literature. most like the entire cultures of Jewish, Christian, and Muslims would agree that it's God's dealing with people over the ages. this is the world viewed theologically.
the Bible is very fuild. some books were already written and being copied and distributed while others were being written. it was not circulated between two covers but as individual scrolls. communities had differing stories. even though some had the same stories, there were differences between those! some scrolls were widely distributed early and then died off and vice versa.
for example the Christian Testament pretty much had the 4 gospels and 10 Pauline letters widely distributed. James, 2&3 Peter, and Revelations struggled early but made it into the final canon. Barnabus and the Apocalypse of Peter started early but didn't make it to the canon. however the ideas stayed around and Dante's Inferno was written based on the Apocalypse of Peter.
The Bible started to stabilize for both Christians and Jews in the 4th century. Cananizations not up to a small group but it was rather inclusive. large segment of communities that already held scrolls to be central, holy, or authoritative. there was also a typical Middle Eastern process that puts differing and contradictory traditions into a single book. Just ready Numbers and then Deuteronomy or Paul and James and you'll know that there's a lot of stuff that doesn't stack up easily in the Bible. This is a huge problem for fundies who read the Bible 100% literally. This fact makes a literal interpretation of the Bible impossible because it's not build on linear thinking. it's built on Jewish non-linear thought. It is built so that different groups can form their own canons out of the Canon.
the dead sea scrolls confirm this whole process. the dead sea scrolls are pretty much the entire TaNaK (what we would call the "old" testament, but more on this later) with the exception of Esther. There are also more additions to certain books like Daniel and Numbers. This really is the most important find in the 20th century for biblical studies and has lead to the revision of the Bible many times.... and yes... the BIBLE is being CHANGED! even today!
so in conclusion, i'll restate my stance on the Bible. THe Bible is complex in it's reading and in it's formation. The Bible, I would argue, is not without errors. There are a ton of questionable translations since Hebrew is a pun-based sometimes vowel-less language. the copying of this book isn't perfect and any bible scholar worth their salt will admit this. I do believe the bible to be infallable. i do believe there there is enough in the Bible that it will never let you down if you're looking for an answer. this is also the reason people can be pro-choice or pro-life and be scriptually supported for either stance.
keep it tuned! up next: What to call the Old Testament!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
a religion of questions
Seminary will shatter your faith! well, it will at least challenge it at it's very core. questions about the true nature of God, how the bible was formed, and even the history of christianity... many ppls views on all of these issues have drastically altered in the past few weeks.. for me it was more of a confirmation of things i've suspected over the years.
did you know that the first five books of the bible has at least 4 authors? this explains the two creation stories i mentioned a few weeks back. this also explains how when you're reading the bible, stories will start over or be interrupted in the middle. the bible is actually many traditions spliced together.
the bible didn't fall out of the sky and was complete cover to cover. it was a long process of passing around scrolls and these were never in a particular order. plus it wasn't until much much later that anyone decided to put a cover on these stories anyway! so the order of the stories even to which stories got in is up for debate. there were never a room full or rabbis or priests who decided which books go where, it was mainly through popular concensus that the bible was ever formed. so despite what most consiracy theorist tell you, or what the DaVinci Code would have you believe, a vote was never taken on the bible.
when things were translated from hebrew and greek into latin, The Vulgate, this set the stage for what books were in and which were out. so one man, named Jerome, pretty much decided what made it and what didn't.
so who cares? well just think of the theological implications of this. where is God in all of this? this is something i challenge you to answer for yourselves.
what i am proposing here is that we start to develop a religion of questions. i was asked recently about how i deal with all of these "faith shattering revelations" and i said that it fit my religion of questions. even when i get an answer i question that. the person then said that it seemed like i'd never get any answers... i said that this type of religion always keeps one engaged and active. religion is not just something one should do on sunday, it should be a week long, hourly process.
that's all for now! coming up later this month is a spotlight on the jewish christian relationship (including a post concerning what we should call the old testament), a halloween special, and hopefully a video post if kate and i ever get around to doing it.
did you know that the first five books of the bible has at least 4 authors? this explains the two creation stories i mentioned a few weeks back. this also explains how when you're reading the bible, stories will start over or be interrupted in the middle. the bible is actually many traditions spliced together.
the bible didn't fall out of the sky and was complete cover to cover. it was a long process of passing around scrolls and these were never in a particular order. plus it wasn't until much much later that anyone decided to put a cover on these stories anyway! so the order of the stories even to which stories got in is up for debate. there were never a room full or rabbis or priests who decided which books go where, it was mainly through popular concensus that the bible was ever formed. so despite what most consiracy theorist tell you, or what the DaVinci Code would have you believe, a vote was never taken on the bible.
when things were translated from hebrew and greek into latin, The Vulgate, this set the stage for what books were in and which were out. so one man, named Jerome, pretty much decided what made it and what didn't.
so who cares? well just think of the theological implications of this. where is God in all of this? this is something i challenge you to answer for yourselves.
what i am proposing here is that we start to develop a religion of questions. i was asked recently about how i deal with all of these "faith shattering revelations" and i said that it fit my religion of questions. even when i get an answer i question that. the person then said that it seemed like i'd never get any answers... i said that this type of religion always keeps one engaged and active. religion is not just something one should do on sunday, it should be a week long, hourly process.
that's all for now! coming up later this month is a spotlight on the jewish christian relationship (including a post concerning what we should call the old testament), a halloween special, and hopefully a video post if kate and i ever get around to doing it.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Dinesta
Not getting much sleep recently due to the papers.. here's what i've started using drugs to help! aaah... drugs.. they're my new god now! (hi Jimmy! :-))
also found here
i however see Denny, a 17ft allosuarus... however that's nothing new. Denny's been chill'n with my since elementry school.. i think he's still dating his high school sweetheart Erin B.!
also found here
i however see Denny, a 17ft allosuarus... however that's nothing new. Denny's been chill'n with my since elementry school.. i think he's still dating his high school sweetheart Erin B.!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
What the BLEEP am I talking about?!
What the Bleep Do We Know!? (also written What tнe⃗ #$*! Dө ωΣ (k)πow!? and What the #$*! Do We Know!?) is a controversial 2004 film that combines documentary interviews and a fictional narrative to posit a connection between science and spirituality.(from wiki)
Did you know that our brains’ neurological set ups are based on what emotions we experience on a daily basis? Our brain networks our synapses in response to daily stressors. So if we’re angry or frustrated or happy at certain times of the day our brain connects to respond to these emotions. The problem in this is this wiring is very hard to undo and is already set up even if the stressors aren’t there. This leads to all sorts of habits, emotional problems and even addictions.
Here's The Addiction Clip:
Some other ideas discussed in the film are:
+The universe is best seen as constructed from thought (or ideas) rather than from substance.
+What has long been considered "empty space" is anything but empty.
+Our beliefs about who we are and what is real are not simply observations, but rather form ourselves and our realities.
+Peptides manufactured in the brain can cause a bodily reaction to an emotion, resulting in a new perspective to old adages such as "think positively" and "be careful what you wish for."
Also it talks about the power of intention and prayer in one's life. there was a study about how water on a molcular level would react to prayer and meditation with very conclusive results! the movie states that if observing water changes its molecular structure, and if we are 90% water, then by observing ourselves we can change at a fundamental level via the laws of quantum physics! pretty cool stuff!
how often have i said science and religion are not fundamentally opposites?! i have always argued that they do infact share the same basic operating question, how does the world work and why are we here? we won't reach this question through just one lens... we will have to use both the lens of science and religion to gain any ground on these questions.
anyway.. this movie is a mind bender! go check it out!
Rule of Three
Movie: See above
Book: Engaging God's World- Plantinga
Music: Omega Love great band from pittsburg that my fellow seminarian Cathy turned me onto! great loungie, nora jones-esque sound with some electronica thrown in for good measure.
Did you know that our brains’ neurological set ups are based on what emotions we experience on a daily basis? Our brain networks our synapses in response to daily stressors. So if we’re angry or frustrated or happy at certain times of the day our brain connects to respond to these emotions. The problem in this is this wiring is very hard to undo and is already set up even if the stressors aren’t there. This leads to all sorts of habits, emotional problems and even addictions.
Here's The Addiction Clip:
Some other ideas discussed in the film are:
+The universe is best seen as constructed from thought (or ideas) rather than from substance.
+What has long been considered "empty space" is anything but empty.
+Our beliefs about who we are and what is real are not simply observations, but rather form ourselves and our realities.
+Peptides manufactured in the brain can cause a bodily reaction to an emotion, resulting in a new perspective to old adages such as "think positively" and "be careful what you wish for."
Also it talks about the power of intention and prayer in one's life. there was a study about how water on a molcular level would react to prayer and meditation with very conclusive results! the movie states that if observing water changes its molecular structure, and if we are 90% water, then by observing ourselves we can change at a fundamental level via the laws of quantum physics! pretty cool stuff!
how often have i said science and religion are not fundamentally opposites?! i have always argued that they do infact share the same basic operating question, how does the world work and why are we here? we won't reach this question through just one lens... we will have to use both the lens of science and religion to gain any ground on these questions.
anyway.. this movie is a mind bender! go check it out!
Rule of Three
Movie: See above
Book: Engaging God's World- Plantinga
Music: Omega Love great band from pittsburg that my fellow seminarian Cathy turned me onto! great loungie, nora jones-esque sound with some electronica thrown in for good measure.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Eras of Thinking
OT112 is my intro to the old testament class. it is quickly becoming a favorite. i really enjoy my theology class but this one is just awesome! it's amazing what a huge load of impressions and biases we bring when we read the hebrew bible.
Val asks me every Sunday "what was the fav. thing you learned this week?!" and then listens to me babble (much like you are reading this babble dear reader). either by loving and wonderful sister is really interested or she's really good a faking but i don't really care because it's a nice question and it shows that she supports me and is at least interested.. or has the courtesy to fake interest ;-)
so here's my favorite brain candy from last week! i learned about the three eras of biblical interpretation/philosophical thought.
before we start some would claim that the bible is a self-interpreting book. if that was so we'd have no ministers nor seminaries nor commentaries or arguments about the bible. the bible always had to be intrepreted. here's how:
1.)Pre-Modern Thought cira 100 c.e.
scriptures have multiple levels of meaning and there's no one way to do it but the bottom line is that all scripture is good to and supports the church.
Famous Dudes: Augustine, Origen
2.) The Enlightenment Modernism peak at 1600-1700s c.e.
bible is a rational book. Spinoza summed it up best with "Things happened in natural laws. what is contrary to nature is contray to reason. anything contrary was added by irreligious hands." adds the natural and social sciences into the study of the bible. period where the historical/literary criticisms develop. this periods thought belives TRUTH is an independent entity, just see the famous literature written at this time... the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
"The modern mind assumes that knowledge is certain, objective, and good. in principle, knowledge is accessible to the human mind" -Stanley Grenz
3.) Post-Modern 1940s-present
"Morning after Modern" people are no longer convinced that knowledge is inherently good and the universe is not mechanistic. reality is realitive, indeterminate, and participatory. Quantum Physics= everything is realitive.
so this was pretty cool way of looking at how the bible has been thought of and how humanity has come along in it's thinking. this also leads into the very nature of the Bible... is it a codebook (i.e. literal) or casebook (i.e. open ended). there is an article i read that argues that it's a casebook. a codebook requires precision, example from construction: one build-to-code, exact no straying from it. a casebook requires reflection and application. i take this stance as a casebook can take a series of examples and reflect a variety of responses under varied circumstances. it is this open-ended application that makes the bible such a holy book and such a long lasting tool for people.
this also leads to the very nature of the bible.. is it a history or collection of stories to help an exiled people define their identity? more on this later!
Val asks me every Sunday "what was the fav. thing you learned this week?!" and then listens to me babble (much like you are reading this babble dear reader). either by loving and wonderful sister is really interested or she's really good a faking but i don't really care because it's a nice question and it shows that she supports me and is at least interested.. or has the courtesy to fake interest ;-)
so here's my favorite brain candy from last week! i learned about the three eras of biblical interpretation/philosophical thought.
before we start some would claim that the bible is a self-interpreting book. if that was so we'd have no ministers nor seminaries nor commentaries or arguments about the bible. the bible always had to be intrepreted. here's how:
1.)Pre-Modern Thought cira 100 c.e.
scriptures have multiple levels of meaning and there's no one way to do it but the bottom line is that all scripture is good to and supports the church.
Famous Dudes: Augustine, Origen
2.) The Enlightenment Modernism peak at 1600-1700s c.e.
bible is a rational book. Spinoza summed it up best with "Things happened in natural laws. what is contrary to nature is contray to reason. anything contrary was added by irreligious hands." adds the natural and social sciences into the study of the bible. period where the historical/literary criticisms develop. this periods thought belives TRUTH is an independent entity, just see the famous literature written at this time... the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
"The modern mind assumes that knowledge is certain, objective, and good. in principle, knowledge is accessible to the human mind" -Stanley Grenz
3.) Post-Modern 1940s-present
"Morning after Modern" people are no longer convinced that knowledge is inherently good and the universe is not mechanistic. reality is realitive, indeterminate, and participatory. Quantum Physics= everything is realitive.
so this was pretty cool way of looking at how the bible has been thought of and how humanity has come along in it's thinking. this also leads into the very nature of the Bible... is it a codebook (i.e. literal) or casebook (i.e. open ended). there is an article i read that argues that it's a casebook. a codebook requires precision, example from construction: one build-to-code, exact no straying from it. a casebook requires reflection and application. i take this stance as a casebook can take a series of examples and reflect a variety of responses under varied circumstances. it is this open-ended application that makes the bible such a holy book and such a long lasting tool for people.
this also leads to the very nature of the bible.. is it a history or collection of stories to help an exiled people define their identity? more on this later!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Theological Worlds
This past week we had an intensive introduction to seminary life which culminated in a retreat. All during this week we were challenged to be open to other methods of practice and "doing" religion. We did so by visiting churches and LOTS of class discussion and self-reflection. I loved it!
A prime component of all of this was our "Theological Worlds Test". There is a book by a hermit called Theological Worlds: Understanding the Alternative Rhythms of Christian Belief by W. Paul Jones which stipulates that all religions and reasons why people are drawn to particular Churches is that we are driven by a certain primal fear. So the way we see the world and interact in it is all based on what "world" we happen to reside in.
This is a great, ministry-changing idea as it helps one understand where ppl are coming from. it explains why particular ideas, sermons, bible passages, hymns, etc. resonate with some and not with others. All of these worlds are scriptural represented and supported. here is a quick run down:
World One: Orphan-- primal fear: all is not well! this is not my true home!
Life is: journey home to a place of protection. Heaven!
God is: loving parent, ultimate security (rock of ages)
Jesus is: link between here and "home/heaven", divine window
Church is: described in family images, a warm place.
Preachers act surrogate parents of God's family
Pop Culture Reference: Wizard of Oz (this isn't Kansas!)
World Two: Crusader-- primal fear: could be happy here, someone screwed it up! systemic injustice the real problem of the world. get rid of the "-isms" we can have heaven on earth! Heaven not important, now is paramount.
God seen as: coach, motivational energy to fight the fight.
Jesus is: social prophet, political agitator
Church is: a task force, change agent, a prophetic community
Preachers are like Martin Luther King JR, political activists
Pop Culture Reference: Rage Against the Machine
World Three: Adventurer-- primal fear: boredom! positive note sounds more loudly here in this world. it's largely optimistic and problematic spots of humanity are accidental. Harmonious world where you take care of yourself is taking care of others
God is: Energy, spirit, moving, motion, not stable!
Jesus is: not savior, more like a guide
Church is: education, spiritual recharging station
Preachers are exciting, challenging, and answer questions with more questions! the education aspect is really highlighted here.
Pop Culture Reference: The Simpsons (not linear plot, more wondering and covering lots of topics in one episode)
World Four: The Sinner--primal fear: moral and spiritual failure of humanity. Most thought of world when thinking of Christianity.
life is as test and trial. humanity is fallen/bad!
God is: the judge and will convict but not sentence
Jesus is: the sacrifice, enabler of forgiveness, SAVIOR
Church is: proclaiming community, worshiping
Preachers are role models for community.
Pop Culture reference: Jerry Falwell/Televangelists
World Five: Wounded Healer-- primal fear: shit happens, nothing you can do about it. you will die, life is tragedy. hope is that through other ppl an intimate bond will happen and God cares and empathizes with us.
God is: compassion and empathy
Jesus is: EMMANUEL! (God with us) and paramount as Jesus is the ultimate paradox. God knows through Jesus on the cross what it feels like to be abandoned by God.
Church is: intimate sharing, a big support group.
Preachers are pastoral councilors and role models of compassion
pop culture references: Mother Teresa, alcoholics anonymous, Fight Club
Here's the test for you to test yourself and see what worlds you score in. it's not digital and you have to sum up your scores all on your own, but it's worth it.
I scored high in worlds 3, 1, and 2. The thing about these worlds is that no one has the corner on the market. each one is just as valid as the others. so even though i didn't score high in world 5 or at all in the sinner world doesn't discount them. in fact our class was all over the board.
ministry is messy. what we're challenged as preachers to do is recognize these worlds and do our best to reach all worlds as best we can. what we need to strive for as ministers is to keep all these worlds in dialogue with each other as one can see the potential conflict that could come out of one holding onto their world and actively attacking the others.
So this whole process was definately a HONR! i really opened my eyes to what it means to be a minister as well as why there are so many churches with so many different ways of doing things. It explains alot about the world of religion but it also leaves open a HUGE question which would be "what way is right?" the answer is more questions! critical thinking! they are all valid and the world is a wide open place.
so how does my three interact? something like this:
something is wrong with the world, this is not my home--orphan
this wrong is partly systematically imposed and the -isms aren't helping--crusader
but these three dimentions are enjoyable despite these wrongs--adventurer
there are dimensions that get it right--orphan
we need to work to establish these dimensions here--crusader
by enjoying each other and the world at large--adventurer.
A prime component of all of this was our "Theological Worlds Test". There is a book by a hermit called Theological Worlds: Understanding the Alternative Rhythms of Christian Belief by W. Paul Jones which stipulates that all religions and reasons why people are drawn to particular Churches is that we are driven by a certain primal fear. So the way we see the world and interact in it is all based on what "world" we happen to reside in.
This is a great, ministry-changing idea as it helps one understand where ppl are coming from. it explains why particular ideas, sermons, bible passages, hymns, etc. resonate with some and not with others. All of these worlds are scriptural represented and supported. here is a quick run down:
World One: Orphan-- primal fear: all is not well! this is not my true home!
Life is: journey home to a place of protection. Heaven!
God is: loving parent, ultimate security (rock of ages)
Jesus is: link between here and "home/heaven", divine window
Church is: described in family images, a warm place.
Preachers act surrogate parents of God's family
Pop Culture Reference: Wizard of Oz (this isn't Kansas!)
World Two: Crusader-- primal fear: could be happy here, someone screwed it up! systemic injustice the real problem of the world. get rid of the "-isms" we can have heaven on earth! Heaven not important, now is paramount.
God seen as: coach, motivational energy to fight the fight.
Jesus is: social prophet, political agitator
Church is: a task force, change agent, a prophetic community
Preachers are like Martin Luther King JR, political activists
Pop Culture Reference: Rage Against the Machine
World Three: Adventurer-- primal fear: boredom! positive note sounds more loudly here in this world. it's largely optimistic and problematic spots of humanity are accidental. Harmonious world where you take care of yourself is taking care of others
God is: Energy, spirit, moving, motion, not stable!
Jesus is: not savior, more like a guide
Church is: education, spiritual recharging station
Preachers are exciting, challenging, and answer questions with more questions! the education aspect is really highlighted here.
Pop Culture Reference: The Simpsons (not linear plot, more wondering and covering lots of topics in one episode)
World Four: The Sinner--primal fear: moral and spiritual failure of humanity. Most thought of world when thinking of Christianity.
life is as test and trial. humanity is fallen/bad!
God is: the judge and will convict but not sentence
Jesus is: the sacrifice, enabler of forgiveness, SAVIOR
Church is: proclaiming community, worshiping
Preachers are role models for community.
Pop Culture reference: Jerry Falwell/Televangelists
World Five: Wounded Healer-- primal fear: shit happens, nothing you can do about it. you will die, life is tragedy. hope is that through other ppl an intimate bond will happen and God cares and empathizes with us.
God is: compassion and empathy
Jesus is: EMMANUEL! (God with us) and paramount as Jesus is the ultimate paradox. God knows through Jesus on the cross what it feels like to be abandoned by God.
Church is: intimate sharing, a big support group.
Preachers are pastoral councilors and role models of compassion
pop culture references: Mother Teresa, alcoholics anonymous, Fight Club
Here's the test for you to test yourself and see what worlds you score in. it's not digital and you have to sum up your scores all on your own, but it's worth it.
I scored high in worlds 3, 1, and 2. The thing about these worlds is that no one has the corner on the market. each one is just as valid as the others. so even though i didn't score high in world 5 or at all in the sinner world doesn't discount them. in fact our class was all over the board.
ministry is messy. what we're challenged as preachers to do is recognize these worlds and do our best to reach all worlds as best we can. what we need to strive for as ministers is to keep all these worlds in dialogue with each other as one can see the potential conflict that could come out of one holding onto their world and actively attacking the others.
So this whole process was definately a HONR! i really opened my eyes to what it means to be a minister as well as why there are so many churches with so many different ways of doing things. It explains alot about the world of religion but it also leaves open a HUGE question which would be "what way is right?" the answer is more questions! critical thinking! they are all valid and the world is a wide open place.
so how does my three interact? something like this:
something is wrong with the world, this is not my home--orphan
this wrong is partly systematically imposed and the -isms aren't helping--crusader
but these three dimentions are enjoyable despite these wrongs--adventurer
there are dimensions that get it right--orphan
we need to work to establish these dimensions here--crusader
by enjoying each other and the world at large--adventurer.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Does your job exist?
There will be two posts this week! one now and one on thursday!
there are many things that freak me out about becoming a minister. the first being the fear that ppl will think that i think that i'm holier than they are/thous arts. i assure you dear reader, kate, ma, megan, burrito, nick, and karen and all my other buddies will make sure that i stay humble. (just see the myspace photos and tagged facebook pix for proof).
i see my role not as a leader but as a guide. i just think i 'feel God' more than the average joe. that doesn't make me better.. a little more intuitive.. or crazy. but not better.
the second thing that freaks me out is the fact that ppl debate whether my future job exists. no one ever debated the existence of Armstrong tiles, Georgia Pacific paper-less drywall, and DeWalt tools. No one debates the existence of law, just its application. no one debates val's job as an admin. buying assistant at rod's western palace. but everyone debates the core of my job.
Is there a God?
for me, the answer is yes. if it's different from your answer, that's cool. if your answer is yes, it's Allah/Yaweh/Jesus that's cool too. whatever it takes to guide your life. i think everyone needs something to look towards when they come into conflict. what do you look towards when you get in a pickle and need help?
In a shout out to my Danish friend Rasmus, i've been reading the famous Danish philosopherSoren Kierkegaard. He explains that doubt is an essential element of faith, an underpinning. In plain words, to believe or have faith that God exists, without ever having doubted God's existence or goodness, would not be a faith worth having. For example, it takes no faith to believe that a pencil or a table exists, when one is looking at it and touching it. In the same way, to believe or have faith in God is to know that one has no perceptual or any other access to God, and yet still has faith in God
i really boils down to community. the world runs on the advice of friends and family. the role of religion as i see it now, is to give people a community in which to find solutions to their life-problems. this is what i see as the churchs role in service to humanity.
Rule of Three:
1-Book: Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin, this series is a must read for any fantasy fan!!
1.5-Skool book: Material Christianity and What to Expect in Seminary.
i really like the MC book as i always felt i didn't need 'things' (statues, rosaries, fish symbols on my bumper, etc) to remind me of Gods presence as i've felt it most of the time. Despite my feelings about it's not tough to be devout and kitschy at the same time, but it works for most people to help their personal relationship with God.
2-Music: The Dixie Chicks- taking the long way. i bought this for kate but i absolutely love it! this album proves that they're truly superstars, renegades, innovators, heroes, villians to stupid ppl and moms
3-Movie: Open Season. Genius! really funny! good buddy film about how your friends will get you in trouble but that will also help you grow up.
there are many things that freak me out about becoming a minister. the first being the fear that ppl will think that i think that i'm holier than they are/thous arts. i assure you dear reader, kate, ma, megan, burrito, nick, and karen and all my other buddies will make sure that i stay humble. (just see the myspace photos and tagged facebook pix for proof).
i see my role not as a leader but as a guide. i just think i 'feel God' more than the average joe. that doesn't make me better.. a little more intuitive.. or crazy. but not better.
the second thing that freaks me out is the fact that ppl debate whether my future job exists. no one ever debated the existence of Armstrong tiles, Georgia Pacific paper-less drywall, and DeWalt tools. No one debates the existence of law, just its application. no one debates val's job as an admin. buying assistant at rod's western palace. but everyone debates the core of my job.
Is there a God?
for me, the answer is yes. if it's different from your answer, that's cool. if your answer is yes, it's Allah/Yaweh/Jesus that's cool too. whatever it takes to guide your life. i think everyone needs something to look towards when they come into conflict. what do you look towards when you get in a pickle and need help?
In a shout out to my Danish friend Rasmus, i've been reading the famous Danish philosopherSoren Kierkegaard. He explains that doubt is an essential element of faith, an underpinning. In plain words, to believe or have faith that God exists, without ever having doubted God's existence or goodness, would not be a faith worth having. For example, it takes no faith to believe that a pencil or a table exists, when one is looking at it and touching it. In the same way, to believe or have faith in God is to know that one has no perceptual or any other access to God, and yet still has faith in God
i really boils down to community. the world runs on the advice of friends and family. the role of religion as i see it now, is to give people a community in which to find solutions to their life-problems. this is what i see as the churchs role in service to humanity.
Rule of Three:
1-Book: Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin, this series is a must read for any fantasy fan!!
1.5-Skool book: Material Christianity and What to Expect in Seminary.
i really like the MC book as i always felt i didn't need 'things' (statues, rosaries, fish symbols on my bumper, etc) to remind me of Gods presence as i've felt it most of the time. Despite my feelings about it's not tough to be devout and kitschy at the same time, but it works for most people to help their personal relationship with God.
2-Music: The Dixie Chicks- taking the long way. i bought this for kate but i absolutely love it! this album proves that they're truly superstars, renegades, innovators, heroes, villians to stupid ppl and moms
3-Movie: Open Season. Genius! really funny! good buddy film about how your friends will get you in trouble but that will also help you grow up.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Head off Neck Revelations
I'm living in a townhouse next door to other seminary students. There are roughly four other dudes that are in their 2nd and 3rd year. Talking to them is great cause it gives me a chance to see what's to come and develop a community that we're lacking here (hi jaycee's! k&b&d, and jason and lindsay!!).
The first conversation was about how challenging this seminary seems as compared to the one i checked in DC. My neighbors agree and one said "I thought i knew a lot about the Bible, but the first Old Testament class I had blew my head off my neck!"
He then told me about how there are two creation stories! A close reading of the first few chapters of the King James Bible reveals not one, but two different -- and contradictory -- stories of creation.
From Wiki:
There are two orders of events given which are contradictory. The earlier version appears in Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 and key items follow this order of creation:
plants;
marine animals, birds;
land animals;
humans (man and woman together) (Genesis 1:20 – 27).
The second account begins with Genesis 2:4 wherein key items of creation appear in this order:
man (not woman);
plants;
land animals and birds (marine animals are omitted but omission is not a contradiction and the order of birds and beasts is not stated as being on separate days unlike chapter 1);
and, when no "help meet for him" is found, woman (Genesis 2:7, 9, 18 – 22).[9]
Now I really can't see the point in Creationism! I look forward to more quirks like this! I live for this type of mind-bending,"head-off-neck revelations".
I hope to have many more HONRs as my Old Testament Class begins. (i'll pronounce those as "hon-ers").
p.s. I forgot to mention that i'll be posting every Tuesday! so check back every tuesday for new posts!
The first conversation was about how challenging this seminary seems as compared to the one i checked in DC. My neighbors agree and one said "I thought i knew a lot about the Bible, but the first Old Testament class I had blew my head off my neck!"
He then told me about how there are two creation stories! A close reading of the first few chapters of the King James Bible reveals not one, but two different -- and contradictory -- stories of creation.
From Wiki:
There are two orders of events given which are contradictory. The earlier version appears in Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 and key items follow this order of creation:
plants;
marine animals, birds;
land animals;
humans (man and woman together) (Genesis 1:20 – 27).
The second account begins with Genesis 2:4 wherein key items of creation appear in this order:
man (not woman);
plants;
land animals and birds (marine animals are omitted but omission is not a contradiction and the order of birds and beasts is not stated as being on separate days unlike chapter 1);
and, when no "help meet for him" is found, woman (Genesis 2:7, 9, 18 – 22).[9]
Now I really can't see the point in Creationism! I look forward to more quirks like this! I live for this type of mind-bending,"head-off-neck revelations".
I hope to have many more HONRs as my Old Testament Class begins. (i'll pronounce those as "hon-ers").
p.s. I forgot to mention that i'll be posting every Tuesday! so check back every tuesday for new posts!
Monday, September 03, 2007
A Shift In Focus
This blog has been pretty unfocused. This is a product of it's author, because I'm a pretty unfocused individual. Or I'm more focused on the big picture and not on the brush strokes so I seem unfocused... ANYWAY! here's the deal:
I will now use this blog mainly to try to show what seminary is all about. Hopefully this blog will help shed some light on what most ministers go through (at least UCC ministers and those who attend that denom's seminaries), what is actually in the Bible, and personal changes and challenges I'm going through. I hope this will be of interest to you all.
Lots of posts to come! Stick around!
I will now use this blog mainly to try to show what seminary is all about. Hopefully this blog will help shed some light on what most ministers go through (at least UCC ministers and those who attend that denom's seminaries), what is actually in the Bible, and personal changes and challenges I'm going through. I hope this will be of interest to you all.
Lots of posts to come! Stick around!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
To the East Side!
we're here in good ol' lancaster gearing up to start seminary! holy crap!
right now i'm unpacking and kate is driving way too long to work. hopefully we'll get a new deal where she can work from home.
i had no idea how much stuff we had. my days are now filled with moving it around the new house and trying to place it. it's a nice place and it'll be fixed up much faster than i thought possible, so that's nice.
what's not nice is our condo is still on the market. we hope to sell it be the end of Sept. if not, then we'll have to rent it out.
so that's all from here. once internet is up i'll post more useless info! yay!
right now i'm unpacking and kate is driving way too long to work. hopefully we'll get a new deal where she can work from home.
i had no idea how much stuff we had. my days are now filled with moving it around the new house and trying to place it. it's a nice place and it'll be fixed up much faster than i thought possible, so that's nice.
what's not nice is our condo is still on the market. we hope to sell it be the end of Sept. if not, then we'll have to rent it out.
so that's all from here. once internet is up i'll post more useless info! yay!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Found on Youtube and Copied here
It Could Happen Here...
Schools Back In Session. And They Don't Make 'em Like This Anymore! Despotism (1946): Tyrannical Government, What We Are Supposed To Be Fighting Against! We, the People, are (were) a Republic, NOT a Democracy! Lutheran Germany WAS a Republic, WHAT HAPPENED ?
Watch This Film, Rate Your Goverment....
Reflect:
"Every step...towards...democracy is an advance towards destruction... Liberty has never yet lasted long in a democracy; nor has it ever ended in anything better than despotism." - Fisher Ames (1758-1808; Congressman from Massachusetts ; Statement made in 1801)
"There was not one man among the Founding Fathers who wanted a democracy. Thus, when we are told by our government that the American form of government is a democracy, that statement is not true." - John W. Chalfant (Author of the book Abandonment Theology: The Clergy and the Decline of American Christianity)
America's liberty is perishing beneath the constant growth of government power. Federal, state, and local governments are confiscating citizens' property, trampling their rights, and decimating their opportunities more than ever before." - James Bovard (Author of Lost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty )
"The powers granted under the Constitution, being derived from the people of the United States , may be RESUMED by them, whensoever the same shall be perverted to their injury or oppression." -- Thomas Jefferson
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty , and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." -- The Declaration of Independence
"Man will ultimately be governed by God or by tyrants." - Benjamin Franklin
Here's an example of LIE'N tyrants. We are still a democracy. we need to unite and get these lying sheep out of the higher offices of government!
Schools Back In Session. And They Don't Make 'em Like This Anymore! Despotism (1946): Tyrannical Government, What We Are Supposed To Be Fighting Against! We, the People, are (were) a Republic, NOT a Democracy! Lutheran Germany WAS a Republic, WHAT HAPPENED ?
Watch This Film, Rate Your Goverment....
Reflect:
"Every step...towards...democracy is an advance towards destruction... Liberty has never yet lasted long in a democracy; nor has it ever ended in anything better than despotism." - Fisher Ames (1758-1808; Congressman from Massachusetts ; Statement made in 1801)
"There was not one man among the Founding Fathers who wanted a democracy. Thus, when we are told by our government that the American form of government is a democracy, that statement is not true." - John W. Chalfant (Author of the book Abandonment Theology: The Clergy and the Decline of American Christianity)
America's liberty is perishing beneath the constant growth of government power. Federal, state, and local governments are confiscating citizens' property, trampling their rights, and decimating their opportunities more than ever before." - James Bovard (Author of Lost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty )
"The powers granted under the Constitution, being derived from the people of the United States , may be RESUMED by them, whensoever the same shall be perverted to their injury or oppression." -- Thomas Jefferson
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty , and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." -- The Declaration of Independence
"Man will ultimately be governed by God or by tyrants." - Benjamin Franklin
Here's an example of LIE'N tyrants. We are still a democracy. we need to unite and get these lying sheep out of the higher offices of government!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Centralia!
I just finished reading Bill Bryson's book "A Walk In the Woods" and it's become one of my all time favorites! it's about this novice hiker that takes off to hike the AT and his experiences and thoughts on America while on this hike.
while on his hike he comes across a town called Centralia PA. Here's a quick history taken from http://www.offroaders.com/album/centralia/the-story.htm
"Centralia - Columbia County, Pennsylvania - The fire was started in a garbage dump over an open coal seam in May of 1962. The fire was reported and seemed to be quenched at the time, but actually continued underground. There are many additional versions of the original cause but the garbage pit and the date are probably right. First bid to extinguish the fire was $175.
In July of 1962, the Department of Environmental Resources started to monitor the fire. Boreholes were drilled to check to extent and the temperature of the fire. Some thought they also provided an natural draft which helped combustion. Gas monitors were also installed in most homes in the area above the hottest fire (the impact area)."
and for the MTV generation here's the YOUTUBE to go with it!
Please run out to your borders, BOOKS A MILLION (hi rober!), local library and pick up this book. it's the perfect summer read. can't recommend it more highly.
while on his hike he comes across a town called Centralia PA. Here's a quick history taken from http://www.offroaders.com/album/centralia/the-story.htm
"Centralia - Columbia County, Pennsylvania - The fire was started in a garbage dump over an open coal seam in May of 1962. The fire was reported and seemed to be quenched at the time, but actually continued underground. There are many additional versions of the original cause but the garbage pit and the date are probably right. First bid to extinguish the fire was $175.
In July of 1962, the Department of Environmental Resources started to monitor the fire. Boreholes were drilled to check to extent and the temperature of the fire. Some thought they also provided an natural draft which helped combustion. Gas monitors were also installed in most homes in the area above the hottest fire (the impact area)."
and for the MTV generation here's the YOUTUBE to go with it!
Please run out to your borders, BOOKS A MILLION (hi rober!), local library and pick up this book. it's the perfect summer read. can't recommend it more highly.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Hail to the GREYHOUNDS!
Hail victory! Dogs on a warpath, FIGHT FOR OL' DC!
Greyhounds enter into the Jaycee's league as the defending champions and league record of 14-1. Here's to another successful year! (I also won in my yahoo public league and placed 6th in my own league, not a bad year all in all)
Greyhounds enter into the Jaycee's league as the defending champions and league record of 14-1. Here's to another successful year! (I also won in my yahoo public league and placed 6th in my own league, not a bad year all in all)
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Politics of Conscience
Fellow UCC Member Senator Barack Obama spoke at the UCC Synod on June 23, 2007. He really hit the nail on the head with what I've been try'n to say about my faith and the current political situation. Here's some Highlights:
"So doing the Lord's work is a thread that's run through our politics since the very beginning. And it puts the lie to the notion that the separation of church and state in America means faith should have no role in public life. Imagine Lincoln's Second Inaugural without its reference to "the judgments of the Lord." Or King's "I Have a Dream" speech without its reference to "all of God's children." Or President Kennedy's Inaugural without the words, "here on Earth, God's work must truly be our own." At each of these junctures, by summoning a higher truth and embracing a universal faith, our leaders inspired ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things.
But somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and started being used to drive us apart. It got hijacked. Part of it's because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, who've been all too eager to exploit what divides us. At every opportunity, they've told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their Church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage; school prayer and intelligent design. There was even a time when the Christian Coalition determined that its number one legislative priority was tax cuts for the rich. I don't know what Bible they're reading, but it doesn't jibe with my version.
But I'm hopeful because I think there's an awakening taking place in America. People are coming together around a simple truth – that we are all connected, that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper. And that it's not enough to just believe this – we have to do our part to make it a reality. My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray all I want, but I won't be fulfilling God's will unless I go out and do the Lord's work."
Obama just became my candidate! Universal Healthcare, taking care of the poor, and educating our children are the top issues i care about. We need to think of the young and the old and make sure the beginning and end of life aren't traumatic and stressful. I really don't care about abortion, death penalty, or gun control as they will not directly affect me (not saying i don't have views on them!). The top issues and plans to enact on them are very important and i'm happy obama laid these out.
To check out the full artile, click HERE. It's worth the read.
RULE OF THREE
Book: A Walk In the Woods
Music: Plain White Tee's
Movie: 007: Casino Royale
"So doing the Lord's work is a thread that's run through our politics since the very beginning. And it puts the lie to the notion that the separation of church and state in America means faith should have no role in public life. Imagine Lincoln's Second Inaugural without its reference to "the judgments of the Lord." Or King's "I Have a Dream" speech without its reference to "all of God's children." Or President Kennedy's Inaugural without the words, "here on Earth, God's work must truly be our own." At each of these junctures, by summoning a higher truth and embracing a universal faith, our leaders inspired ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things.
But somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and started being used to drive us apart. It got hijacked. Part of it's because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, who've been all too eager to exploit what divides us. At every opportunity, they've told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their Church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage; school prayer and intelligent design. There was even a time when the Christian Coalition determined that its number one legislative priority was tax cuts for the rich. I don't know what Bible they're reading, but it doesn't jibe with my version.
But I'm hopeful because I think there's an awakening taking place in America. People are coming together around a simple truth – that we are all connected, that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper. And that it's not enough to just believe this – we have to do our part to make it a reality. My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray all I want, but I won't be fulfilling God's will unless I go out and do the Lord's work."
Obama just became my candidate! Universal Healthcare, taking care of the poor, and educating our children are the top issues i care about. We need to think of the young and the old and make sure the beginning and end of life aren't traumatic and stressful. I really don't care about abortion, death penalty, or gun control as they will not directly affect me (not saying i don't have views on them!). The top issues and plans to enact on them are very important and i'm happy obama laid these out.
To check out the full artile, click HERE. It's worth the read.
RULE OF THREE
Book: A Walk In the Woods
Music: Plain White Tee's
Movie: 007: Casino Royale
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Heresy
Panzer Pope is on a rampage! First Ratzinger brings back the latin mass.. cause that's exactly what the catholic church needs, a dude babble'n in a dead language about things that normal people don't understand in THEIR OWN LANGUAGE! Also declares in this article that "that other Christian denominations were not true churches". Well count me out then!
If the catholic church is the only true church, then i want no part in it. I thought the founder of the whole religion was out to tell us that we don't really need laws and churches and institutions to get to God, all we needed was love and anything that helped remind us of that love. That is what church is to me, a way to remind myself of God's love and help focus my energy on finding the answers to the present questions bothering me.
Ratzinger also stated "Christian denominations because it said they were not true churches but merely ecclesial communities and therefore did not have the "means of salvation." I would argue that NO CHURCH has the "means of salvation". To me the entire ministry of Jesus and the teachings of Islam and Judaism state that only God can bring salvation and that the individual has to choose if he or she wants to follow that path. Buddha came right out and said that salvation lies within the INDIVIDUAL and I believe that's what religion is calling us to do, wake up and smell the salvation!
This pope is on crack. This is why ppl do not like religion because it's constantly argue'n with itself and looking completely useless and detacted from the REAL church of the human global society.
Switching gears, I saw this all day on Robin and Company:
Michael Moore Serves Wolf
I don't agree with Michael Moore 100% but I really think he brings up great points to consider. And he was completely right about Iraq. I gotta go see sicko and see what's up with this! Another way to illustrate that we are in charge of our own destinies and we must realize this fact before churchs and governments run us into the ground.
If the catholic church is the only true church, then i want no part in it. I thought the founder of the whole religion was out to tell us that we don't really need laws and churches and institutions to get to God, all we needed was love and anything that helped remind us of that love. That is what church is to me, a way to remind myself of God's love and help focus my energy on finding the answers to the present questions bothering me.
Ratzinger also stated "Christian denominations because it said they were not true churches but merely ecclesial communities and therefore did not have the "means of salvation." I would argue that NO CHURCH has the "means of salvation". To me the entire ministry of Jesus and the teachings of Islam and Judaism state that only God can bring salvation and that the individual has to choose if he or she wants to follow that path. Buddha came right out and said that salvation lies within the INDIVIDUAL and I believe that's what religion is calling us to do, wake up and smell the salvation!
This pope is on crack. This is why ppl do not like religion because it's constantly argue'n with itself and looking completely useless and detacted from the REAL church of the human global society.
Switching gears, I saw this all day on Robin and Company:
Michael Moore Serves Wolf
I don't agree with Michael Moore 100% but I really think he brings up great points to consider. And he was completely right about Iraq. I gotta go see sicko and see what's up with this! Another way to illustrate that we are in charge of our own destinies and we must realize this fact before churchs and governments run us into the ground.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Pearl's Back!
Katie Burke sent me THE LANDLORD and i laughed until milk came out my nose. then i realized i don't drink milk. when something is so funny it makes my nose lactate, it's worth doing a sequel.
plus brandon and alley were married at the beginning of june!!! i don't think i've mentioned that on here. great wedding!a big post is upcoming! until then bloggateers!
plus brandon and alley were married at the beginning of june!!! i don't think i've mentioned that on here. great wedding!a big post is upcoming! until then bloggateers!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Seven Nation Army Couldn't Hold Me Back
Yeah that's right!! Lotsa good stuff goings on here. I just went in front of the Potomac Association to become "in care" and got it! What this means is that after I graduate in 3 years from seminary, the Association will ordain me if I so choose the route of pastoral care. Right now it seems that that's what I'm heading for.
Some interesting questions posed such as:
"What parts of the Bible are you not familar with?"
Pretty much Old Testament after Deuteronomy. We covered a lot in ol' Catholic religion class but it was just the first 4 texts of the old testament.. with a few prophets thrown in so they can say "jesus is coming, jesus is coming, JESUS IS COMING!" and then BANG! New Testament, he's here. We learned up until Acts and then a little revalations thrown in for some doom and gloom. I'd love to tackle the whole darn book and see what i find now.
"Where do you see yourself? What's your ministry about?"
I see myself as a pastor of a church and I hope to target people ages 20 to mid to late 30s. When i tell some of my friends that i'm going into the ministry they're like "that's nice but you know how i feel about religion" (to call them out, mainly OU Ken and The Famous Mister Edwards). I agree with them whole heartedly. Christianity has been taken over and defined by the crazy fundie right-wingers just as Islam has been branded in much the same way. Religion is HARD. It's about loving people for who they are, not who they're supposed to be. Jesus didn't hang with prositutes and tax collectors to guilt them into a better life. He loved them for where they were, and that love caused them to realize that God loves them just as much as anyone else. That asshole that cuts you off in traffic, the rival team that constantly beats your fav. team (i.e. Yankees, Spurs, and Ravens/Steelers), and even that homeless guy you pass everyday, God loves them just as much as He loves you. That's a hard call to answer. Religion isn't easy, it isn't supposed to be. But great things happen to ppl once they're out of their comfort zone.
"What gifts to you bring to the ministry?"
Well half way through my sermon, I'll break for a commercial sponsered by some corporation. PLUS! I'll integrate their product seemlessly into my ministry. Here's an example of what i'm talking about:
I feel a great need to rally the younger generation. We need to mobilize against this onslaught of political corruption, religious bigotry, and social elitism. America needs a gut check, and I hope to be in a position to work towards a better tomorrow through my ministry and UCC affliation.
I can't wait to get to Lancaster PA (not OHIO, sorry Ali!) and start down this road. AND one of my fav. senior high students will be up there! I'm looking forward to hanging out with MALICE and catching up and also see'n what music she's into. Girl has like 600,000 some odd songs from her iTunes and 5,000+ points on the ever so addicting iLike music challenge (which i'll beat her on).
And now, the coolest heckler joke:
Rule of Three:
Book- I AM A STRANGE LOOP
MUSIC- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (thanks Kim!)
MOVIE- Firefly Full Collection
Some interesting questions posed such as:
"What parts of the Bible are you not familar with?"
Pretty much Old Testament after Deuteronomy. We covered a lot in ol' Catholic religion class but it was just the first 4 texts of the old testament.. with a few prophets thrown in so they can say "jesus is coming, jesus is coming, JESUS IS COMING!" and then BANG! New Testament, he's here. We learned up until Acts and then a little revalations thrown in for some doom and gloom. I'd love to tackle the whole darn book and see what i find now.
"Where do you see yourself? What's your ministry about?"
I see myself as a pastor of a church and I hope to target people ages 20 to mid to late 30s. When i tell some of my friends that i'm going into the ministry they're like "that's nice but you know how i feel about religion" (to call them out, mainly OU Ken and The Famous Mister Edwards). I agree with them whole heartedly. Christianity has been taken over and defined by the crazy fundie right-wingers just as Islam has been branded in much the same way. Religion is HARD. It's about loving people for who they are, not who they're supposed to be. Jesus didn't hang with prositutes and tax collectors to guilt them into a better life. He loved them for where they were, and that love caused them to realize that God loves them just as much as anyone else. That asshole that cuts you off in traffic, the rival team that constantly beats your fav. team (i.e. Yankees, Spurs, and Ravens/Steelers), and even that homeless guy you pass everyday, God loves them just as much as He loves you. That's a hard call to answer. Religion isn't easy, it isn't supposed to be. But great things happen to ppl once they're out of their comfort zone.
"What gifts to you bring to the ministry?"
Well half way through my sermon, I'll break for a commercial sponsered by some corporation. PLUS! I'll integrate their product seemlessly into my ministry. Here's an example of what i'm talking about:
I feel a great need to rally the younger generation. We need to mobilize against this onslaught of political corruption, religious bigotry, and social elitism. America needs a gut check, and I hope to be in a position to work towards a better tomorrow through my ministry and UCC affliation.
I can't wait to get to Lancaster PA (not OHIO, sorry Ali!) and start down this road. AND one of my fav. senior high students will be up there! I'm looking forward to hanging out with MALICE and catching up and also see'n what music she's into. Girl has like 600,000 some odd songs from her iTunes and 5,000+ points on the ever so addicting iLike music challenge (which i'll beat her on).
And now, the coolest heckler joke:
Rule of Three:
Book- I AM A STRANGE LOOP
MUSIC- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (thanks Kim!)
MOVIE- Firefly Full Collection
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
The Problem with Herzog
The last year the Ohio University Post has done something very commendable by having it's own conservative collumnist Ashley Herzog. I say commendable as the media has an obligation to present both sides of an argument to creative constructive debate in a opinion column. I say Opinion column as the media has no obligation to either side, just the facts when it comes to delivering the news (a fact that more and more news organizations seem to be forgetting as battle lines are drawn).
My buddy OU Ken got me reading her articles every Tuesday on the Post online magazine. Needless to say OU K was outraged by every single word Ashley put on the paper and wanted my opinions on the majority of them. Upon reading her columns I saw what offended OU K so much as Ashley was challenging most of his unquestionable tenants of liberalism i.e. Abortion, Iraq War, and Feminism. My belief is to question everything. Hit a belief from every angle to see if it holds up. This stems from the Buddhist saying "Believe nothing true you find in books, hear from friends or wise teachers. Take nothing on faith. But believe what you yourself have tested and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto."
What I did disagree with was Ashley's Ann Coulter style of an us-v.s.-them pandering towards one's base tactics as well as twisting facts to meet her arguments. The grosses example was her article on the gender paygap (wiki definition here). She argued that women don't get paid as much as men because of their job choices which is a valid point but the study already compensated for this. So i wouldn't caulk it up to a twisting of the facts than a rookie mistake and seeing what you want to see, as mistake we've all done, libs, repubs, conservs, and dems alike.
This was the only article I disagreed with 100% as the logical foundation of the argument was flawed. But I must admit I've only read the articles from this past quarter not ones before February 2007, so I might retrack this statment.
My biggest point is her fire-brand US v.s. THEM! tactics. Broad generalizations and mud slinging at 'Liberals' really eskew her good points, and she does have good points. Such as why do feminists seem revel in promiscuity? where's the line between sexual liberation and a new form of sexual serfdom? why can't one be a conservative feminist and be accepted? All these arguments are lost by her Coulter-esque bashings and most ppl feel so poked in the eye that they will either toss out her whole argument like OU K did or just not read anything she writes.
I'm really sick of the libs v.s. conservatives. I consider myself a liberal, such a liberal infact that i see both sides of the argument reguardless of party affliation. But the muckrackers like Coulter, O'Rielley, Rush, Stern, and several others do no good to fostering an intelligent debate on Iraq, Abortion, or any other issue. We really need to realize that America has progressed as it has not on the sole policies of any liberal or conservative administration, but from a mix of both. If we were completely conservative like Ashley wants, we would never progress anywhere nor would we rationally debate anything.
Now this next statement is speculation and a generalization as well but please forgive me as i try to prove a point. If we were completely liberal like OU K would be we would have no measurements or finacial indicators to show how a certain program or policy is working. We need both! Liberals for new ideas for progressing and considering the welfare of those effected by the laws and conservatives to put in a business mindset to see if programs are working and efficent. There is no us v.s. them is just an US. We need to realize this and work forwards.
OU K is right that Iraq is a complete disaster and the war on terror is unwinable how we are currently fighting it. He's right that our school and most social systems need overhauled. Ashley is right that Abortion is a terrible thing to go through and should be used only in drastic circumstances and not for birth control.
OU K and Ashley agree on more than they realize. But the mudslinging and cheap shots have to stop for us to gain any clarity so we can move forward together and get us out of this mess that we made (yes WE meaning bush for the war and those idiots who voted for it!).
So my plea is for OU K to remember that we do need to consider how to measure our success and that we need to continually question ourselves as liberals do not have a hold on the truth alone. My plea to Ashley is to continually listen and not try to KO the otherside as they have valid points.
My buddy OU Ken got me reading her articles every Tuesday on the Post online magazine. Needless to say OU K was outraged by every single word Ashley put on the paper and wanted my opinions on the majority of them. Upon reading her columns I saw what offended OU K so much as Ashley was challenging most of his unquestionable tenants of liberalism i.e. Abortion, Iraq War, and Feminism. My belief is to question everything. Hit a belief from every angle to see if it holds up. This stems from the Buddhist saying "Believe nothing true you find in books, hear from friends or wise teachers. Take nothing on faith. But believe what you yourself have tested and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto."
What I did disagree with was Ashley's Ann Coulter style of an us-v.s.-them pandering towards one's base tactics as well as twisting facts to meet her arguments. The grosses example was her article on the gender paygap (wiki definition here). She argued that women don't get paid as much as men because of their job choices which is a valid point but the study already compensated for this. So i wouldn't caulk it up to a twisting of the facts than a rookie mistake and seeing what you want to see, as mistake we've all done, libs, repubs, conservs, and dems alike.
This was the only article I disagreed with 100% as the logical foundation of the argument was flawed. But I must admit I've only read the articles from this past quarter not ones before February 2007, so I might retrack this statment.
My biggest point is her fire-brand US v.s. THEM! tactics. Broad generalizations and mud slinging at 'Liberals' really eskew her good points, and she does have good points. Such as why do feminists seem revel in promiscuity? where's the line between sexual liberation and a new form of sexual serfdom? why can't one be a conservative feminist and be accepted? All these arguments are lost by her Coulter-esque bashings and most ppl feel so poked in the eye that they will either toss out her whole argument like OU K did or just not read anything she writes.
I'm really sick of the libs v.s. conservatives. I consider myself a liberal, such a liberal infact that i see both sides of the argument reguardless of party affliation. But the muckrackers like Coulter, O'Rielley, Rush, Stern, and several others do no good to fostering an intelligent debate on Iraq, Abortion, or any other issue. We really need to realize that America has progressed as it has not on the sole policies of any liberal or conservative administration, but from a mix of both. If we were completely conservative like Ashley wants, we would never progress anywhere nor would we rationally debate anything.
Now this next statement is speculation and a generalization as well but please forgive me as i try to prove a point. If we were completely liberal like OU K would be we would have no measurements or finacial indicators to show how a certain program or policy is working. We need both! Liberals for new ideas for progressing and considering the welfare of those effected by the laws and conservatives to put in a business mindset to see if programs are working and efficent. There is no us v.s. them is just an US. We need to realize this and work forwards.
OU K is right that Iraq is a complete disaster and the war on terror is unwinable how we are currently fighting it. He's right that our school and most social systems need overhauled. Ashley is right that Abortion is a terrible thing to go through and should be used only in drastic circumstances and not for birth control.
OU K and Ashley agree on more than they realize. But the mudslinging and cheap shots have to stop for us to gain any clarity so we can move forward together and get us out of this mess that we made (yes WE meaning bush for the war and those idiots who voted for it!).
So my plea is for OU K to remember that we do need to consider how to measure our success and that we need to continually question ourselves as liberals do not have a hold on the truth alone. My plea to Ashley is to continually listen and not try to KO the otherside as they have valid points.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Get'n my Robe On
Sooo.. I've alluded to a big change coming up way back in previous posts and now i can finally say it! I'm gonna be a minister!!
Yeah. that's right. Standing up and speaking every sunday at a church. Kate and I will be move'n to Lancaster PA so i can study at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Kate will be my sugar mamma as her work has an office in Harrisburg PA. So we're moving in on 8-26 and I can't wait to start! My work has been very supportive and although sad to lose me they are happy at my choice of profession.
So what does that mean for this blog? Can i still post things like this?
YES! I'm a minister, not a priest! It's good to be a protestant cause you can marry and have kids! Yay for UCC!
Also in honor of star war's 30th anniversary, here's another post to celebrate and so Rasmus won't be sad that i forgot. I mean, with a name like Luke, you gotta love this movie. I think I'm named after it cause of the following reasons:
1. It was 1982
2. Star Wars Rules!
3. Cool Hand was in the 1960s, so I couldn't be named after him (plus he's a convict with no Jedi powers)
4. The author of the Bible is what my mom says, but you know what they say... "The pen is mightier than the sword but ain't worth a steam'n pile of dog poo against a lightsaber"
Yeah. that's right. Standing up and speaking every sunday at a church. Kate and I will be move'n to Lancaster PA so i can study at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Kate will be my sugar mamma as her work has an office in Harrisburg PA. So we're moving in on 8-26 and I can't wait to start! My work has been very supportive and although sad to lose me they are happy at my choice of profession.
So what does that mean for this blog? Can i still post things like this?
YES! I'm a minister, not a priest! It's good to be a protestant cause you can marry and have kids! Yay for UCC!
Also in honor of star war's 30th anniversary, here's another post to celebrate and so Rasmus won't be sad that i forgot. I mean, with a name like Luke, you gotta love this movie. I think I'm named after it cause of the following reasons:
1. It was 1982
2. Star Wars Rules!
3. Cool Hand was in the 1960s, so I couldn't be named after him (plus he's a convict with no Jedi powers)
4. The author of the Bible is what my mom says, but you know what they say... "The pen is mightier than the sword but ain't worth a steam'n pile of dog poo against a lightsaber"
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Falwell Dies, Liberals Will Still Burn
How will we function? Liberals are doomed? Who will guide us now?
With such great directive quotes such as:
If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure
as a human being.
Rev. Jerry Falwell
"Somewhere in the past generation,
we've lost our biblical mind and not arranged
something better in its place.
We need a spiritual brainwashing,"
Jerry Falwell
There are almost as many alcoholics as there
are negroes."
Rev. Jerry Falwell
and my favorite quip:
And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But,
throwing God out successfully with the help of the
federal court system, throwing God out of the public
square, out of the schools. The abortionists have
got to bear some burden for this because God will
not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million
little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really
believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and
the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who
are actively trying to make that an alternative
lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way -
all of them who have tried to secularize America -
I point the finger in their face and say "you
helped this happen."
Rev. Jerry Falwell
Man, i hope i don't start tolerating liberals, homo's, and such like without his expert guidance.
i could make a cheap jab at Jerry's expense, but i only pray that he knows the truth and peace that springs eternal in God.
With such great directive quotes such as:
If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure
as a human being.
Rev. Jerry Falwell
"Somewhere in the past generation,
we've lost our biblical mind and not arranged
something better in its place.
We need a spiritual brainwashing,"
Jerry Falwell
There are almost as many alcoholics as there
are negroes."
Rev. Jerry Falwell
and my favorite quip:
And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But,
throwing God out successfully with the help of the
federal court system, throwing God out of the public
square, out of the schools. The abortionists have
got to bear some burden for this because God will
not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million
little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really
believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and
the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who
are actively trying to make that an alternative
lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way -
all of them who have tried to secularize America -
I point the finger in their face and say "you
helped this happen."
Rev. Jerry Falwell
Man, i hope i don't start tolerating liberals, homo's, and such like without his expert guidance.
i could make a cheap jab at Jerry's expense, but i only pray that he knows the truth and peace that springs eternal in God.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Chew On This
Hey Y'all!
Last nights Lost was a doozie! The quick run down is that Ben has father issues and killed off all the Dharma Intitiative peeps by gas'n them. Ben takes Locke to see "Jacob" who speaks to Locke. Locke is then shot by Ben and left for dead in the open grave of the Dharma ppl. Here's the entire run down on About.com
There are many theories floating around to the nature of the island and motivations of Ben. Some say it's hell, some say a limbo of some sort, some speculate it's an electromagnetic sensitive place. The Poprocks Blog has a good run down of theories and speculations. Another good run down can also be found on the New York Mag online.
Here's my amatuer assessment of the island's true nature. The writers have put in a lot of Stephen King references, from the book review of Carrie to numerous others.. for the full run down check out this post.. So for me to come out and say what the island is it would have to explain the following:
1. Reappearance of Dead People
2. Miraculous Healing (Locke being prime example)
3. The Black Cloud
4. How can their be crash survivors when their plane being 4 miles under the sea
In Stephen King's magnum opus The Dark Tower Series, the Dark Tower is the center of the multi-verse. The point where all dimensions and universes come together into one point. If the island is this world's Dark Tower, it would explain a lot. The island would be "thin" where long dead people can cross over and contact those on the island. Also this would explain how there could be no survivors of flight 815 and yet have survivors on the island at the same time ala Donnie Darko. This incorporates tangent universes, multiple life-locations, and even Locke's healing (because he was never paralyzed in this dimension/tagent universe).
Granted there's a lot of work that needs to go into this theory and a whole lot more research than i'm prepared to give to it. I think my buddy Jason would be the go to guy to confirm or deny, as he's the one who got me hooked on this damn show that never gives me answers!!!!
Last nights Lost was a doozie! The quick run down is that Ben has father issues and killed off all the Dharma Intitiative peeps by gas'n them. Ben takes Locke to see "Jacob" who speaks to Locke. Locke is then shot by Ben and left for dead in the open grave of the Dharma ppl. Here's the entire run down on About.com
There are many theories floating around to the nature of the island and motivations of Ben. Some say it's hell, some say a limbo of some sort, some speculate it's an electromagnetic sensitive place. The Poprocks Blog has a good run down of theories and speculations. Another good run down can also be found on the New York Mag online.
Here's my amatuer assessment of the island's true nature. The writers have put in a lot of Stephen King references, from the book review of Carrie to numerous others.. for the full run down check out this post.. So for me to come out and say what the island is it would have to explain the following:
1. Reappearance of Dead People
2. Miraculous Healing (Locke being prime example)
3. The Black Cloud
4. How can their be crash survivors when their plane being 4 miles under the sea
In Stephen King's magnum opus The Dark Tower Series, the Dark Tower is the center of the multi-verse. The point where all dimensions and universes come together into one point. If the island is this world's Dark Tower, it would explain a lot. The island would be "thin" where long dead people can cross over and contact those on the island. Also this would explain how there could be no survivors of flight 815 and yet have survivors on the island at the same time ala Donnie Darko. This incorporates tangent universes, multiple life-locations, and even Locke's healing (because he was never paralyzed in this dimension/tagent universe).
Granted there's a lot of work that needs to go into this theory and a whole lot more research than i'm prepared to give to it. I think my buddy Jason would be the go to guy to confirm or deny, as he's the one who got me hooked on this damn show that never gives me answers!!!!
Monday, May 07, 2007
You can't pick your family
i say this every time i'm frustrated at idiot customers, crazy beltway drivers, and when my family freaks out. this reminds me of the bond of humanity and that everyone passes your way for a reason. it reminds me that we're all children of God and that we're all loved the same by God. my idiot customers teach me tolerance and humility and that they think i'm an idiot just as much as i think they are. the beltway drivers teach me to not be a hypocrit and be conscious of how well i'm driving. my family freak outs teach me how much love them and want them to be happy.
thomas jefferson said "Every generation needs a new revolution" and i'm lucky enough to have one everyday. they aren't huge ones like over coming cancer or struggling to feed myself or how to decrease my carbon output.. they don't need to be. but small revolutions in perception are key. a little each day will add up to something grand.
no one said life is easy. it is esp. hard if you try to live a Christian/Buddhist life... or any religion for that matter. Christianity is HARD. It's not meant to be easy. our religion is based on a guy who was nailed to a tree for being nice... and then came back and was nice again after death. He either didn't learn his lesson, or being nice is more important and sustaining than everyday life is willing to admit. christianity is not for the faint of heart. so if you decide to call yourself that, be conscious of your decision.
so enough of that metaphysical ramble! lots of things happen'n here! all good things but incredibly huge things. great movement is about to take place. more on this when i'm at liberty to say. good things are also happen'n in the movies, we saw spiderman 3.. and it was good but not the best out of the three. i liked when he was being agressive and was fighting new goblin. the action scenes were great... the love story a little weak. the problem of superhero stories is that the director must keep it real and not run into the realm of hokie. this director failed on this call on a few occations... but no where near the failure of the fantastic four did. keep spidy real and grounded and not dancing around a jazz club to show his ex-girlfriend what's up.
here's an awesome movie i can't wait for!!!!
good ol' neil gaiman! AWESOME! and there's actors that i actually KNOW in it too!! sweet dude!
so i charge you guys to strive to be better ppl and to read every neil gaiman book you can! life is good, God is love, transcedence is a step away.
thomas jefferson said "Every generation needs a new revolution" and i'm lucky enough to have one everyday. they aren't huge ones like over coming cancer or struggling to feed myself or how to decrease my carbon output.. they don't need to be. but small revolutions in perception are key. a little each day will add up to something grand.
no one said life is easy. it is esp. hard if you try to live a Christian/Buddhist life... or any religion for that matter. Christianity is HARD. It's not meant to be easy. our religion is based on a guy who was nailed to a tree for being nice... and then came back and was nice again after death. He either didn't learn his lesson, or being nice is more important and sustaining than everyday life is willing to admit. christianity is not for the faint of heart. so if you decide to call yourself that, be conscious of your decision.
so enough of that metaphysical ramble! lots of things happen'n here! all good things but incredibly huge things. great movement is about to take place. more on this when i'm at liberty to say. good things are also happen'n in the movies, we saw spiderman 3.. and it was good but not the best out of the three. i liked when he was being agressive and was fighting new goblin. the action scenes were great... the love story a little weak. the problem of superhero stories is that the director must keep it real and not run into the realm of hokie. this director failed on this call on a few occations... but no where near the failure of the fantastic four did. keep spidy real and grounded and not dancing around a jazz club to show his ex-girlfriend what's up.
here's an awesome movie i can't wait for!!!!
good ol' neil gaiman! AWESOME! and there's actors that i actually KNOW in it too!! sweet dude!
so i charge you guys to strive to be better ppl and to read every neil gaiman book you can! life is good, God is love, transcedence is a step away.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Guns and Forks
I LOVE this Washington Post article which pretty much says everyone agrees we need gun control.. but nobody will admit it.
Here's the two stances and what's inherently wrong with them:
NO GUNS
for the world to be safe without guns.. all guns.. every gun in the world would have to be destroyed... this is as likely to happen as I will stop liking ice cream and candy bars. i know it's bad for me, but it's so so good.
ALL GUN ALL THE TIME
this has worked out great! since we've been working on this there has been no shootings at high schools and universities, no robberies, and none of that pesky shooting your family members in the dark because you think they're robbers. maybe the NRA is right!! wait a sec..
Here's my proposal that the Washington Post article argues (kinda) as well. Let's make everyone who thinks of owning a gun a professional.. so that their gun is not cool, not some movie awesomeness... it's a tool to use to accomplish a task.. like a... like a fork.
Just imagine, if little bobby wants to show timmy his fathers gun it would be like showing timmy the silverware drawer.
As a one time member of the NRA and a liberal voting Democrat, I feel that there SHOULD be control in the form of safety regulations. If you have a license for a car, then what’s so bad about a license for a gun? What is better for our countries protection than an armed citizen group who is trained and knows how to use their weapons? How does this random untrained mob a benefit to the nation? How does an ignorant mob honor our founding fathers and their revolutionary idea of the second amendment? I think a rational approach from both sides would be the best way. It may not stop all crime, but people will be better prepared when crime does happen through these training and licensing programs.
And while we're dealing with how to deal with loners and reach out to the affected in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech Shootings, let's check out what's happening in Germany.....
full article here
wow... slow news day..
Here's the two stances and what's inherently wrong with them:
NO GUNS
for the world to be safe without guns.. all guns.. every gun in the world would have to be destroyed... this is as likely to happen as I will stop liking ice cream and candy bars. i know it's bad for me, but it's so so good.
ALL GUN ALL THE TIME
this has worked out great! since we've been working on this there has been no shootings at high schools and universities, no robberies, and none of that pesky shooting your family members in the dark because you think they're robbers. maybe the NRA is right!! wait a sec..
Here's my proposal that the Washington Post article argues (kinda) as well. Let's make everyone who thinks of owning a gun a professional.. so that their gun is not cool, not some movie awesomeness... it's a tool to use to accomplish a task.. like a... like a fork.
Just imagine, if little bobby wants to show timmy his fathers gun it would be like showing timmy the silverware drawer.
As a one time member of the NRA and a liberal voting Democrat, I feel that there SHOULD be control in the form of safety regulations. If you have a license for a car, then what’s so bad about a license for a gun? What is better for our countries protection than an armed citizen group who is trained and knows how to use their weapons? How does this random untrained mob a benefit to the nation? How does an ignorant mob honor our founding fathers and their revolutionary idea of the second amendment? I think a rational approach from both sides would be the best way. It may not stop all crime, but people will be better prepared when crime does happen through these training and licensing programs.
And while we're dealing with how to deal with loners and reach out to the affected in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech Shootings, let's check out what's happening in Germany.....
full article here
wow... slow news day..
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Angela oh Angela!!
I hear laughter is the best Medicine!!
And Again!
Here's a new blog that has a really crappy premise, but i hear the ending is an awesome victory over adversity.... Our friend Angela has cancer and she's writing about the experience and affect on her family and friends. Angela will be the Sean Connery to the cancer that is Alex... here's another funny video! Get well soon LADY!
And Again!
Here's a new blog that has a really crappy premise, but i hear the ending is an awesome victory over adversity.... Our friend Angela has cancer and she's writing about the experience and affect on her family and friends. Angela will be the Sean Connery to the cancer that is Alex... here's another funny video! Get well soon LADY!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
BACK!
But the real question is why? Why Work? So as I'm trying to adjust to the time change, unbury myself here at work, and adjust to this cold as weather... here's some funny for ya found by good ol' katie burke.
and next we talk we'll have photos from the ranch! yeehaw!
and next we talk we'll have photos from the ranch! yeehaw!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Apart for Now
My love,
we are not together today,
and I'm sorry for this,
but let others spend time with you,
for they know half my bliss.
we will be together again,
(birds, hearts, and stereotypes will sing)
with yesterday's same passion,
our love keeps ripening.
we are not together today,
but we will not fold,
to be with you again in many future days,
and i hope i will remember them all,
when i am old...
-original poem from 2-15-02
Kate found this today and i think it would be good to post it here... just because everyone needs a little poetry in their day and maybe, a little love as well.
we are not together today,
and I'm sorry for this,
but let others spend time with you,
for they know half my bliss.
we will be together again,
(birds, hearts, and stereotypes will sing)
with yesterday's same passion,
our love keeps ripening.
we are not together today,
but we will not fold,
to be with you again in many future days,
and i hope i will remember them all,
when i am old...
-original poem from 2-15-02
Kate found this today and i think it would be good to post it here... just because everyone needs a little poetry in their day and maybe, a little love as well.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Fearless With Some Loathing in Las Vegas
Oh holy crap! We went to Las Vegas the last week of Feb. with Kate and the inlaws and man o man did we have an adventure!
The first time I ever felt like a wide-eyed country kid in the big city was the moment we walked into the Vegas airport... where they have slot machines! In the airport! I didn't know what to expect from Vegas... well, that's not true, you, imaginary reader, know my imagination. I was expecting Elvises to be walking around with nakkid robot showgirls.
Anway, while we were waiting for the In-Laws, we were treated to a nice view of the strip at night where we could see the Luxor and a few others. On the whole, my fav. building at night is the Luxor... it just looks freak'n sweet. like some pagan Alien signal beacon thingie... it's just bad assed.
So Papa Bob, Kate and I ate while mai gambled. This is a re-occuring theme throughout the trip. mai would gamble and the rest of us would get frustrated at lose'n $5 we'd head to see a show or chill out at one of the many bars in a casino. Papa Bob and Kate have no stomach for gamble'n, although Kate is pretty luck at the slot machines. mai on the other hand is tenacious and i believe walked out of vegas with some serious coin by just play'n the slots. i on the other hand am a sore loser. the feeling of winning a few bucks is totally trumped by the awful feeling of lose'n $.05. i'm awfule. maybe if i tried a table game like poker or blackjack... but the slots seemed like a waste to me.
Vegas is over the top. It's like Times Square times a million. So the first day out walking around to Ceasar's Palace and the Venian was all really cool, but once we had time to think about it, it seemed like such extravagance. i mean, that's the point of Vegas, but it seems like they'd have a little more love for the public systems and schools. My friend Katie is out there (from the Armbruster days) and she's working on getting school kids health coverage. Pretty crazy from places where the casinos make $40,000 just out of their fountains! So the second day we headed out to the 8th wonder of the world, the HOOVER DAM!
THEN! We were stranded for 48 hours by snow storms back in DC... so that's two more days off work wondering around Sin City. THAT was the hardest part. We ran and did the super-whirlwind tour and thought we had nothing else to do and then BAM! two extra days. of nothing to do. we should all be so lucky! it wasn't actually too bad, but we were just ready to leave, and one can only wear the same pair of undies for so long.
so here's some pix of me and my smoke'n hot wife!
Our Pix: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AatWTZszctGwz
In Laws Pix: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbOW7dk5ZNFF4A
The worst part is that even with the 48 extra hours we couldn't see the Treasure Island Siren Spectacular because of high winds... that's 5 days in a row with no sexy pirate girls... so here's the video:
We did see the volcano at the mirage and the belagio water show and the ceasar's palace animatronic dudes... all and all, i'd do it again!
TOOTHFACE VACATION RATING FOR LAS VEGAS: 7 out of 10 Teeth
The first time I ever felt like a wide-eyed country kid in the big city was the moment we walked into the Vegas airport... where they have slot machines! In the airport! I didn't know what to expect from Vegas... well, that's not true, you, imaginary reader, know my imagination. I was expecting Elvises to be walking around with nakkid robot showgirls.
Anway, while we were waiting for the In-Laws, we were treated to a nice view of the strip at night where we could see the Luxor and a few others. On the whole, my fav. building at night is the Luxor... it just looks freak'n sweet. like some pagan Alien signal beacon thingie... it's just bad assed.
So Papa Bob, Kate and I ate while mai gambled. This is a re-occuring theme throughout the trip. mai would gamble and the rest of us would get frustrated at lose'n $5 we'd head to see a show or chill out at one of the many bars in a casino. Papa Bob and Kate have no stomach for gamble'n, although Kate is pretty luck at the slot machines. mai on the other hand is tenacious and i believe walked out of vegas with some serious coin by just play'n the slots. i on the other hand am a sore loser. the feeling of winning a few bucks is totally trumped by the awful feeling of lose'n $.05. i'm awfule. maybe if i tried a table game like poker or blackjack... but the slots seemed like a waste to me.
Vegas is over the top. It's like Times Square times a million. So the first day out walking around to Ceasar's Palace and the Venian was all really cool, but once we had time to think about it, it seemed like such extravagance. i mean, that's the point of Vegas, but it seems like they'd have a little more love for the public systems and schools. My friend Katie is out there (from the Armbruster days) and she's working on getting school kids health coverage. Pretty crazy from places where the casinos make $40,000 just out of their fountains! So the second day we headed out to the 8th wonder of the world, the HOOVER DAM!
THEN! We were stranded for 48 hours by snow storms back in DC... so that's two more days off work wondering around Sin City. THAT was the hardest part. We ran and did the super-whirlwind tour and thought we had nothing else to do and then BAM! two extra days. of nothing to do. we should all be so lucky! it wasn't actually too bad, but we were just ready to leave, and one can only wear the same pair of undies for so long.
so here's some pix of me and my smoke'n hot wife!
Our Pix: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AatWTZszctGwz
In Laws Pix: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbOW7dk5ZNFF4A
The worst part is that even with the 48 extra hours we couldn't see the Treasure Island Siren Spectacular because of high winds... that's 5 days in a row with no sexy pirate girls... so here's the video:
We did see the volcano at the mirage and the belagio water show and the ceasar's palace animatronic dudes... all and all, i'd do it again!
TOOTHFACE VACATION RATING FOR LAS VEGAS: 7 out of 10 Teeth
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Update Soon
Ever feel like this? It's been like this for me for the past few days... but it's on the upswing!
New posts soon with our trip to Las Vegas, spot light on Hillary Clinton, and more general rants!
Monday, February 19, 2007
In Addition! McCain Sucks More!
In 1999, the “moderate” version of John McCain said that overturning Roe v. Wade would be dangerous for women and he would not support it, even in “the long term.” Here’s McCain in the San Francisco Chronicle:
"I’d love to see a point where it is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations."
But this morning, McCain flip flopped right on the headlines of MSN.com saying, “I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned,” the Arizona senator told about 800 people in South Carolina, one of the early voting states.
DOUCHEBAG! And to think I thought he was a decent person. In fact here is my face whilest I was reading this article:
I'll vote for someone who is true to themselves, if there is such a thing left in Washington. And to further the issue here's Russert nail'n his balls to the wall:
It's kind of painful to watch cause he knows he's flipped and his real self want's to say "I DON'T MEAN IT I"M JUST SAY'N THIS CRAP TO GET ELECTED" but he doesn't and like the old addage says "you can poo in one hand and wish in the other but you'll get locked up for indecent exposure". At least this is how my grandpa told it, but he was crazy. Crazy like this guy
And to make it up to you, here's the only time Jimmy Kimmel Show is funny!
"I’d love to see a point where it is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations."
But this morning, McCain flip flopped right on the headlines of MSN.com saying, “I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned,” the Arizona senator told about 800 people in South Carolina, one of the early voting states.
DOUCHEBAG! And to think I thought he was a decent person. In fact here is my face whilest I was reading this article:
I'll vote for someone who is true to themselves, if there is such a thing left in Washington. And to further the issue here's Russert nail'n his balls to the wall:
It's kind of painful to watch cause he knows he's flipped and his real self want's to say "I DON'T MEAN IT I"M JUST SAY'N THIS CRAP TO GET ELECTED" but he doesn't and like the old addage says "you can poo in one hand and wish in the other but you'll get locked up for indecent exposure". At least this is how my grandpa told it, but he was crazy. Crazy like this guy
And to make it up to you, here's the only time Jimmy Kimmel Show is funny!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Tom Hanks is not in this post
lots of people ask me "Toothface, what are your fav. websites?" and that I'll say "HOW'D YOU GET THIS NUMBER?" Well here are my two fav. websites, one is my all time and one is a recent find. Either one will make you laugh until your face melts.
Real Ultimate Power!
This was a college fav. I think Steve V introduced me to it, but i'm not sure. It's awesome no matter what. I looooove ninjas! Growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, ninjas were it. Even some of the ninjas were pizza eating mutant turtles! It is a universal fact that all American males around my age love 1. The Simpsons 2. Ninjas 3. can name at least 3 G.I. Joe's 4. Had a crush on the girl from the whitesnake video, the now not-so-hot-batshit-crazy Tawney Kitaen.
My fav. part of this website is the testamonial:
"Ninjas can kill anyone they want. Ninjas cut off heads ALL the time and don't even think twice about it. These guys are so crazy and awesome that they flip out ALL the time. I heard that there was this ninja who was eating at a diner. And when some dude dropped a spoon the ninja killed the whole town. My friend Mark said that he saw a ninja totally uppercut some kid just because the kid opened a window."
Here's the new one! I found this browse'n on myspace and here it is in all it's glory.
TOM OATMEAL
I don't know who or what this guy is, but i cry tears the size of raptor eggs when i read it. My fav. part is in the post called "Investor Needed For My New Film" where Tom gives reasons why you should invest in his film: "Reason #6: Unlike most movies, this masterpiece is totally unpredictable. As the audience watches, they begin to realize that the film is nothing like the trailer. For one, Tom Hanks is not in it and that scene where a man yanks a bolt of lightning out of the sky and uses it as a whip is nowhere to be found. When the film is over, most of the audience will be surprised by the twist at the end. If some audience members aren't surprised, don't worry. They will be when they walk out the exit to discover the theater is really a truck that has been driving them away from the parking lot since the movie started."
I also like the social justice stuff like Mother Jones and the ever-fun wikipedia and other "smart blogs" but i didn't want to bore you. Plus i was feeling down cause now i'm back at work after a sweeeet snow day. I was happy to be like my hero Nick who hasn't worked for most of this month.
Plus it's hard to function when customers will do the following:
Customer: I'm looking for a product for a home theater.
Toothface: Great! What product is it?
Cust: The one for the home theater.
TF: Right... are you looking for drywall, insulation, the actual system?
Cust: It's in a blue bag.
TF: Alright.....
The conversation continues on like this for 4 more hours, but you get the idea. I'd like to think i'm a patient person. I also thank God everyday has God tests this patients all the time. I think the customer's brains are still on their snow day.
So far all is well and we're gearing up to head out this weekend. so that'll be fun. Then next week it's off to vegas where we might even see one of my fav. ol' rezzies, Katie B.
Real Ultimate Power!
This was a college fav. I think Steve V introduced me to it, but i'm not sure. It's awesome no matter what. I looooove ninjas! Growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, ninjas were it. Even some of the ninjas were pizza eating mutant turtles! It is a universal fact that all American males around my age love 1. The Simpsons 2. Ninjas 3. can name at least 3 G.I. Joe's 4. Had a crush on the girl from the whitesnake video, the now not-so-hot-batshit-crazy Tawney Kitaen.
My fav. part of this website is the testamonial:
"Ninjas can kill anyone they want. Ninjas cut off heads ALL the time and don't even think twice about it. These guys are so crazy and awesome that they flip out ALL the time. I heard that there was this ninja who was eating at a diner. And when some dude dropped a spoon the ninja killed the whole town. My friend Mark said that he saw a ninja totally uppercut some kid just because the kid opened a window."
Here's the new one! I found this browse'n on myspace and here it is in all it's glory.
TOM OATMEAL
I don't know who or what this guy is, but i cry tears the size of raptor eggs when i read it. My fav. part is in the post called "Investor Needed For My New Film" where Tom gives reasons why you should invest in his film: "Reason #6: Unlike most movies, this masterpiece is totally unpredictable. As the audience watches, they begin to realize that the film is nothing like the trailer. For one, Tom Hanks is not in it and that scene where a man yanks a bolt of lightning out of the sky and uses it as a whip is nowhere to be found. When the film is over, most of the audience will be surprised by the twist at the end. If some audience members aren't surprised, don't worry. They will be when they walk out the exit to discover the theater is really a truck that has been driving them away from the parking lot since the movie started."
I also like the social justice stuff like Mother Jones and the ever-fun wikipedia and other "smart blogs" but i didn't want to bore you. Plus i was feeling down cause now i'm back at work after a sweeeet snow day. I was happy to be like my hero Nick who hasn't worked for most of this month.
Plus it's hard to function when customers will do the following:
Customer: I'm looking for a product for a home theater.
Toothface: Great! What product is it?
Cust: The one for the home theater.
TF: Right... are you looking for drywall, insulation, the actual system?
Cust: It's in a blue bag.
TF: Alright.....
The conversation continues on like this for 4 more hours, but you get the idea. I'd like to think i'm a patient person. I also thank God everyday has God tests this patients all the time. I think the customer's brains are still on their snow day.
So far all is well and we're gearing up to head out this weekend. so that'll be fun. Then next week it's off to vegas where we might even see one of my fav. ol' rezzies, Katie B.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Excellent time to be a Dorky Democrat!
I try, i really do try to see both sides. I've always said that if McCain ran for office, i'd vote for him. However there seems to be a discrepancy between the man McCain and the candidate McCain. Here's an example of what i mean:
Holy Monkey Turds! A candidate that talks out of both sides of his mouth?! Who'd heard of that? Not in these parts! So that's nothing new, but what really caught my attention was this Washington Post article Kate found. The issue of campaign finance is what drew me to John. Johnny and i would spend long nights over a glass of Pinot Noir and gaze into each others eyes and talk about ending soft money and limiting spending to a socially responsible level. But now i see he's been cheating on me. That night in Morrocco meant nothing to me JOHN! We're over! You hear me! And stop calling me for booty calls between tuesday and thursday! We both know you're just jet setting back to your wife for the "congressional weekend". ass.
In other news, a favorite book of mine is coming to comics!
While a favorite comic is going to HBO!The Preacher is coming to HBO! Okay, God goes away on vacation and the battle between Heaven and Hell rages might be a weak plot... but when you're sixteen and all hormones... man did that sound cool!
And finally to prove that i'm a massive dork, here's a funny little spoof on some game'n platforms that i don't agree with... but it's funny!
Wii Vs. PS3 Commercial
Add to My Profile More Videos
Holy Monkey Turds! A candidate that talks out of both sides of his mouth?! Who'd heard of that? Not in these parts! So that's nothing new, but what really caught my attention was this Washington Post article Kate found. The issue of campaign finance is what drew me to John. Johnny and i would spend long nights over a glass of Pinot Noir and gaze into each others eyes and talk about ending soft money and limiting spending to a socially responsible level. But now i see he's been cheating on me. That night in Morrocco meant nothing to me JOHN! We're over! You hear me! And stop calling me for booty calls between tuesday and thursday! We both know you're just jet setting back to your wife for the "congressional weekend". ass.
In other news, a favorite book of mine is coming to comics!
While a favorite comic is going to HBO!The Preacher is coming to HBO! Okay, God goes away on vacation and the battle between Heaven and Hell rages might be a weak plot... but when you're sixteen and all hormones... man did that sound cool!
And finally to prove that i'm a massive dork, here's a funny little spoof on some game'n platforms that i don't agree with... but it's funny!
Wii Vs. PS3 Commercial
Add to My Profile More Videos
Monday, January 29, 2007
Stars that Clear
Another version of my patent pending HYPERLINK POETRY! For those of you who aren't familiar, i take somes songs and mash 'em together to form a new poem with a cohesive message. i think this fits to my last post.
It's funny how songs just pop up randomly into your life. The day of the last post, i popped in Bright Eye's I'm Wide Awake It's Morning cd and was just hit over the head. The lyrics hit home, said just what i was feeling. i find that amazing. This CD is amazing. It's a mix of dylan, springsteen, and cash rolled into one. i'm surprised i liked it! and then we went to the O.A.R. concert with Jason and Lindsay this past friday at GMU... and they really rocked the house! another time where the lyrics just hit you in the gut and run away with it. I never really listened to O.A.R., but their lyrics are pretty profound. very positive and transcendent. i really had a great time.
so here's the poem that sums up my last post with a mix of Bright Eyes, Death Cab, and O.A.R.
Stars that Clear
If you hate the taste of wine,
Why do you drink it till you're blind?
And if you swear that there's no truth and who cares
How come you say it like you're right?
Why are you scared to dream of God
When it's salvation that you want?
You see stars that clear have been dead for years
But the idea just lives on...
In our wheels that roll around
As we move over the ground
And all day it seems
we've been in between
A past and future town
We are nowhere and it's now
When you are on your own
not speaking out is like fighting alone
and that is the worst damn way to fight
and when you are scared no more
you reach your hand out and just open the door
and thats just what I'm doing tonight
And I'm not sure what the trouble was that started all of this
The reasons all have run away, but the feeling never did
It's not something I would recommend, but it is one way to live
Cause what is simple in the moonlight by the morning never is
And all you see
Is where else you could be
When you're at home
Out on the street
Are so many possibilities
To not be alone
It's funny how songs just pop up randomly into your life. The day of the last post, i popped in Bright Eye's I'm Wide Awake It's Morning cd and was just hit over the head. The lyrics hit home, said just what i was feeling. i find that amazing. This CD is amazing. It's a mix of dylan, springsteen, and cash rolled into one. i'm surprised i liked it! and then we went to the O.A.R. concert with Jason and Lindsay this past friday at GMU... and they really rocked the house! another time where the lyrics just hit you in the gut and run away with it. I never really listened to O.A.R., but their lyrics are pretty profound. very positive and transcendent. i really had a great time.
so here's the poem that sums up my last post with a mix of Bright Eyes, Death Cab, and O.A.R.
Stars that Clear
If you hate the taste of wine,
Why do you drink it till you're blind?
And if you swear that there's no truth and who cares
How come you say it like you're right?
Why are you scared to dream of God
When it's salvation that you want?
You see stars that clear have been dead for years
But the idea just lives on...
In our wheels that roll around
As we move over the ground
And all day it seems
we've been in between
A past and future town
We are nowhere and it's now
When you are on your own
not speaking out is like fighting alone
and that is the worst damn way to fight
and when you are scared no more
you reach your hand out and just open the door
and thats just what I'm doing tonight
And I'm not sure what the trouble was that started all of this
The reasons all have run away, but the feeling never did
It's not something I would recommend, but it is one way to live
Cause what is simple in the moonlight by the morning never is
And all you see
Is where else you could be
When you're at home
Out on the street
Are so many possibilities
To not be alone
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
We are all fascists
Quick post here, as i don't really feel like tackle'n the massive amount of things i must do today. i know the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but i know where that step leads, and i wanna put that off for 10 more minutes.
speaking of putting things off... i've been reading a few blogs and listening to a few friends who keep saying "things will change, i really mean it this time!". i'm getting tired of it. you either are or you are not. transistions don't take that long if you're serious about change. i guess people are secure in their sadness.
the point i'm trying to make is a long one, and i don't have time for that, so here's the short point. We're all fachists when it comes to life. The world is controlled by the ego, the ME worldview is pretty limited. ME is bigger than you, period. So when I'M sad and shitty, I'M not seeing how this effects you, nor do I really care because I can't see past MY own issues/sorrow/whatever. driving people away is not a good thing, esp. when people want to help and get one out of the state one's in. but that all starts with wanting to get out of that state in the first place.
The only way out is breaking the ME worldview and coming into the WE worldview... or at least a me worldview. so that's my response to that garbage.
in addition, hellogoodbye is my current audio addiction! check 'em out!
and the current books i'm reading is START WHERE YOU ARE, Neil Gaiman's Fragile Things, and King's The Shining on audio book. All are completely awesome. Esp. the start where you are book, that's a good book on coming into the WE worldview.
kate and i are still on our battlestar galactica kick... love that show! burrito's bach. party is coming up, so i'm excited for that! lots of stuff in the works! it'll be exciting!
speaking of putting things off... i've been reading a few blogs and listening to a few friends who keep saying "things will change, i really mean it this time!". i'm getting tired of it. you either are or you are not. transistions don't take that long if you're serious about change. i guess people are secure in their sadness.
the point i'm trying to make is a long one, and i don't have time for that, so here's the short point. We're all fachists when it comes to life. The world is controlled by the ego, the ME worldview is pretty limited. ME is bigger than you, period. So when I'M sad and shitty, I'M not seeing how this effects you, nor do I really care because I can't see past MY own issues/sorrow/whatever. driving people away is not a good thing, esp. when people want to help and get one out of the state one's in. but that all starts with wanting to get out of that state in the first place.
The only way out is breaking the ME worldview and coming into the WE worldview... or at least a me worldview. so that's my response to that garbage.
in addition, hellogoodbye is my current audio addiction! check 'em out!
and the current books i'm reading is START WHERE YOU ARE, Neil Gaiman's Fragile Things, and King's The Shining on audio book. All are completely awesome. Esp. the start where you are book, that's a good book on coming into the WE worldview.
kate and i are still on our battlestar galactica kick... love that show! burrito's bach. party is coming up, so i'm excited for that! lots of stuff in the works! it'll be exciting!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
King of the Dorkdom
some people are very surprised that i was a dork in high school. i'm baffled by this. there is no WAS.... i WAS a dork in high school and still am! don't let the sexy fool ya, imaginary reader, i've got full blown dork in recent weeks.
My best bud Megan told me about this XBOX game called FABLE and how it was the smaw'someness game ever. So i bought it on impluse the other day at best buy and it has already endangered my marriage. yes, it's that good!
FABLE follows the story of a kid whose family is killed by bandits and is taken to a hero training center. he grows up and then starts to make choices and every choice you make turns you more good or evil. people react to you character based on how good/evil it is i.e. running away from the evil dude or having a crush on the good dude. it's very intense and ton of fun... at least for me. Kate is beginning to hate the game (although she'd love it if she ever played it.)
the game play is a mix of Diablo meets Grand Theft Auto and the character is like Link from the Legend of Zelda (THE greatest all-time games in the Lindon household) using the sword and bow. You can use more magic, but i'm still try'n to figure those out. my only gripe is that sometimes the text doesn't show up all the time, so that makes making decisions a little harder.
now and update on the day-to-day activities!
the last couple days at work have been killer. just felt like they've dragged on and that's the least of my worries! yesterday the copier attacked me! here's fotage of the attack when i was wearing my fav. black dress.
my truck is also in the shop, so i get to drive around a rental car! pretty cool right?! nooooo. here's what they gave me:
it's the size of a matchbox. it's like drive'n a roller skate. although it is funny to see a 6'4" dude climb out of a 4' long car. i feel like i'm in high school again drive'n around THE MUTT!
but it's all good. my birthday just passed and i'm 25 which means i can rent that car for cheap and my insurance is coming down! Kate also got me tickets to see the Wizards v.s. The Lakers, Heat, and Celtics! How awesome is that?! Also we went out to Hard Times and had a few beers with our fav. Jaycee friends Jason and Lindsey. Good times!
Til next time! peace!
My best bud Megan told me about this XBOX game called FABLE and how it was the smaw'someness game ever. So i bought it on impluse the other day at best buy and it has already endangered my marriage. yes, it's that good!
FABLE follows the story of a kid whose family is killed by bandits and is taken to a hero training center. he grows up and then starts to make choices and every choice you make turns you more good or evil. people react to you character based on how good/evil it is i.e. running away from the evil dude or having a crush on the good dude. it's very intense and ton of fun... at least for me. Kate is beginning to hate the game (although she'd love it if she ever played it.)
the game play is a mix of Diablo meets Grand Theft Auto and the character is like Link from the Legend of Zelda (THE greatest all-time games in the Lindon household) using the sword and bow. You can use more magic, but i'm still try'n to figure those out. my only gripe is that sometimes the text doesn't show up all the time, so that makes making decisions a little harder.
now and update on the day-to-day activities!
the last couple days at work have been killer. just felt like they've dragged on and that's the least of my worries! yesterday the copier attacked me! here's fotage of the attack when i was wearing my fav. black dress.
my truck is also in the shop, so i get to drive around a rental car! pretty cool right?! nooooo. here's what they gave me:
it's the size of a matchbox. it's like drive'n a roller skate. although it is funny to see a 6'4" dude climb out of a 4' long car. i feel like i'm in high school again drive'n around THE MUTT!
but it's all good. my birthday just passed and i'm 25 which means i can rent that car for cheap and my insurance is coming down! Kate also got me tickets to see the Wizards v.s. The Lakers, Heat, and Celtics! How awesome is that?! Also we went out to Hard Times and had a few beers with our fav. Jaycee friends Jason and Lindsey. Good times!
Til next time! peace!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
So this is the New Year
and i don't feel any different...
i know this video doesn't show up on my facebook feed, so just check the blog. i love this band! kate still thinks that they are too affected. or is it effected? i never got that right in Journalism 103.
it's no secret that i don't really like new years... the holiday of the nano-second is not a friend of mine mainly due to the fact that it feels like a holiday of forced fun. however this new years was really fun! and 2007 seems like a year of great changes for the better.
Mom and Val came out with Chance in tow. It was great to see my prissy old dog shy away and stress out about Sonny, the excited loving new dog. We had a great visit and some highlights include visiting the postal museum, the national aquarium, and eating at Pelican Petes (best seafood in germantown!). Mom and I played some Madden 07 and she was pretty good at it!
So all is well and i'll update you, imaginary reader, about the possible changes that 2007 holds.
i know this video doesn't show up on my facebook feed, so just check the blog. i love this band! kate still thinks that they are too affected. or is it effected? i never got that right in Journalism 103.
it's no secret that i don't really like new years... the holiday of the nano-second is not a friend of mine mainly due to the fact that it feels like a holiday of forced fun. however this new years was really fun! and 2007 seems like a year of great changes for the better.
Mom and Val came out with Chance in tow. It was great to see my prissy old dog shy away and stress out about Sonny, the excited loving new dog. We had a great visit and some highlights include visiting the postal museum, the national aquarium, and eating at Pelican Petes (best seafood in germantown!). Mom and I played some Madden 07 and she was pretty good at it!
So all is well and i'll update you, imaginary reader, about the possible changes that 2007 holds.
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