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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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)

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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"

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.

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!!!!

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.

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..

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!