I have blogged in the past on several sites as well as writing articles. I have now decided to move it all to one place. Blogging may be the most narcissitic thing in my life, but I enjoy it. For an introvert like myself, there is a certain catharsis in writing that supercedes any amount of talking. This blog is for me, but you are welcome to read it and comment if you like.
Below, you will find a sampling of past articles and blogs that I have done.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Under the Hood
This blog originally posted 04/12/09 as an article I wrote for our church newsletter
I hate car repair.
There. I said it. I’m glad it’s out in the open.
Now you’ll probably want to revoke my ‘man card’ because guys are supposed to like tinkering on automobiles as if there is some mystic link between testosterone and grease. Maybe it’s genetic, but the sordid truth is: I hate car repair.
Wait, don’t take my man card yet. I have changed my own oil, I’ve put in new alternators in three cars, and even changed the clutch on a four wheel drive Jeep once. I can do it, I just don’t like it.
The thing that most bothers me about car repair is the constant maintenance. If you want to keep your car running, there are all these things that you have to do to keep your car running well. You are supposed to have regular oil changes, check the spark plugs, rotate your tires, and change the blinker fluid or some such.
What a pain. There always seems to be something that must be done. You have to remember to do it, schedule the mechanic, and then pay for it.
The funny thing is, with my new ministry job here at MVCC, I now have to deal with maintenance on the church van.
During the last couple of oil changes on the church van, the mechanic kept telling us that we had moisture in the oil. “Big deal,” I think, oil is wet, isn’t it? However, the truth is, since we only drive the church van a few miles each week and only take it on long trips about twice a year, the engine wasn’t getting hot enough to burn off the condensation in the oil. Our mechanic went on to say that, if we didn’t take the van out and really drive it once in awhile, the moisture would eventually damage the engine.
That seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it. You’d think that driving it more would wear down the engine faster and driving it less would make it last longer. However, it seems to be like a muscle, if you want to keep it healthy, you have to use it.
There is a truth here that applies to our lives. Generosity. Courage. Faith. Love. Kindness. All of the things about our humanity that we call good require us to get them out on the road and open them up once in awhile.
When you live your life wrapped up in yourself, never venturing far from your own needs and concerns, you begin to get moisture in your engine. Your goodness starts to rust. Your trust in others begins to break down. Your love begins to wear out.
Everyone knows the bitter person, the cynical pessimist, the miserable fellow who is old before his time. You just don’t want to be around these people because they seem to suck the very life from you. These are the people that failed to keep using their good gifts and they just broke down.
“So”, you ask, “how do I get these out on the open road?”
It takes action…purposeful action. You have to make the choice to say, “No,” to those things that focus on you and begin saying, “Yes,” to those that focus on others. Begin to follow the call of God in the Bible, serving others before yourself. In Philippians, it says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Following God is not about sitting back in church pews looking forward to heaven, it is about action, bringing a little of God’s kingdom here, now.
There are many practical ways to do this. This week, turn off the television and spend some time in real conversation with your family. Go to church and ask about ways that you can serve. Take the money that you were going to use to buy that new upgraded toy that you really don’t need, and donate it to church or a charity. Buy some groceries for the family in need up the street. Take your group of friends and volunteer at Habitat for Humanity or the Phoenix Rescue Mission. These things are a little hard at first, but with practice, you will be going longer and farther than you ever realize possible, and your life will be better and healthier for it.
The good news is, as we have taken the van out monthly for longer drives, the most recent oil change showed it to be in good shape.
The great news is that you can do this with your life too.
There. I said it. I’m glad it’s out in the open.
Now you’ll probably want to revoke my ‘man card’ because guys are supposed to like tinkering on automobiles as if there is some mystic link between testosterone and grease. Maybe it’s genetic, but the sordid truth is: I hate car repair.
Wait, don’t take my man card yet. I have changed my own oil, I’ve put in new alternators in three cars, and even changed the clutch on a four wheel drive Jeep once. I can do it, I just don’t like it.
The thing that most bothers me about car repair is the constant maintenance. If you want to keep your car running, there are all these things that you have to do to keep your car running well. You are supposed to have regular oil changes, check the spark plugs, rotate your tires, and change the blinker fluid or some such.
What a pain. There always seems to be something that must be done. You have to remember to do it, schedule the mechanic, and then pay for it.
The funny thing is, with my new ministry job here at MVCC, I now have to deal with maintenance on the church van.
During the last couple of oil changes on the church van, the mechanic kept telling us that we had moisture in the oil. “Big deal,” I think, oil is wet, isn’t it? However, the truth is, since we only drive the church van a few miles each week and only take it on long trips about twice a year, the engine wasn’t getting hot enough to burn off the condensation in the oil. Our mechanic went on to say that, if we didn’t take the van out and really drive it once in awhile, the moisture would eventually damage the engine.
That seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it. You’d think that driving it more would wear down the engine faster and driving it less would make it last longer. However, it seems to be like a muscle, if you want to keep it healthy, you have to use it.
There is a truth here that applies to our lives. Generosity. Courage. Faith. Love. Kindness. All of the things about our humanity that we call good require us to get them out on the road and open them up once in awhile.
When you live your life wrapped up in yourself, never venturing far from your own needs and concerns, you begin to get moisture in your engine. Your goodness starts to rust. Your trust in others begins to break down. Your love begins to wear out.
Everyone knows the bitter person, the cynical pessimist, the miserable fellow who is old before his time. You just don’t want to be around these people because they seem to suck the very life from you. These are the people that failed to keep using their good gifts and they just broke down.
“So”, you ask, “how do I get these out on the open road?”
It takes action…purposeful action. You have to make the choice to say, “No,” to those things that focus on you and begin saying, “Yes,” to those that focus on others. Begin to follow the call of God in the Bible, serving others before yourself. In Philippians, it says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Following God is not about sitting back in church pews looking forward to heaven, it is about action, bringing a little of God’s kingdom here, now.
There are many practical ways to do this. This week, turn off the television and spend some time in real conversation with your family. Go to church and ask about ways that you can serve. Take the money that you were going to use to buy that new upgraded toy that you really don’t need, and donate it to church or a charity. Buy some groceries for the family in need up the street. Take your group of friends and volunteer at Habitat for Humanity or the Phoenix Rescue Mission. These things are a little hard at first, but with practice, you will be going longer and farther than you ever realize possible, and your life will be better and healthier for it.
The good news is, as we have taken the van out monthly for longer drives, the most recent oil change showed it to be in good shape.
The great news is that you can do this with your life too.
Keepsakes
This blog originally posted Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 1:41pm
It’s moving time again. Should be a time of hope and excitement. Moving to a new place, close to the church, close to work, close to my daughter’s school. It’s a larger place with everything we needed and prayed for and then some. Like I said, it should be a time of hope and excitement.
Should be…
Instead, I find myself in an introspective mood.I open boxes that have been packed away in closets for years. Boxes that we have moved more than once in our life’s journey without opening them. I told my wife that we should just throw them out without opening them. We haven’t needed what is in them up to now, chances are, we won’t ever need what is in them.
She was firmly against this. “What if there are some documents in there that have private information on them. We could be in danger of identity theft.” Sometimes I can’t figure out who is more practical, her or me.
Truthfully, I think she is just afraid to throw out what might be sentimental later, but she has figured out over the years how to speak my language.
So. I open boxes and begin to sort.
In reality, I am not opening boxes, I am performing exploratory archeology on my own life. What are these wonderful artifacts that are so valuable as to warrant carrying with us through the years.
I find my junior high yearbook. (shudder). I thought all evidence of those early teen years were destroyed years ago. How did that survive. I’ve worked so hard to repress memories of acne, awkwardness, hair in new places, nocturnal emissions, deep desires for things that I don't really understand, and strange body odors. (shudder, shudder)
I dig deeper and found an old award from Bank of America. Evidently, I was a very valuable employee to them at one point in time according to the Lucite and metal award. Not valuable enough to avoid layoffs, but worth enough to get a trophy that I store in a box.
Digging even deeper in the box, I find a checkbook from an old bank account closed more than a decade ago. Maybe my wife was right about the identity theft danger. Of course, there is no money in there now and there wasn’t much back then. Not sure why I still have it.
I found several ceramic coffee cups, pens, notepads, and other geegaws from trade shows and sales visits over the years at PTI. I even found one of the PTI coozies that someone had thousands of printed for us (it took years to get rid of all of those). I am sure this stuff was supposed to convince me to purchase something from these companies or to have loyalty in some form or another. Now it is just junk taking up space.
Next, I stumble on something truly historic. A green plastic army man toy from my youth. Now those were the years. No bills, no responsibility, and you could buy green army men for 99 cents a bucket and hold grand scale battles in the backyard with violence that rivaled Stalingrad or Passchendaele.
Here now is the little orange New Testament that some missionary was handing out in front of my high school one day. I wasn’t Christian then and only opened it briefly to highlight the 23rd Psalm. At the time, I only knew about that Psalm and the two quotes, ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged,’ and ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ Turns out, I was wrong about one of those. I never read that Bible, but I carried it in my backpack like a good luck amulet through most of my senior year. Maybe God would look kindly on a guy carrying a Bible around and find me a girlfriend, or at least help me pass algebra.
Wow, a pack of Zig-Zag papers. We won’t go into why I had those, suffice it to say that I don’t use them anymore. That chapter is long ago closed.
There is much more in the box: an old watch that doesn’t work, a broken pocket knife, a first place ribbon for some forgotten contest, a report card from high school, a set of ‘Spanish for Beginners’ cassette tapes from the library that I long ago was billed for, a leather work glove (just one, mind you), some marbles, and some old school reports.
Sigh.
Almost all of the box is garbage and there are still a dozen boxes like it to go. Most of this stuff, though a part of my life at one time, has no bearing on my life now. And yet… there is almost a talisman-like feel to some of the items, a mysterious force that entices me to put them back into the box and hang on to them.I know it isn’t just me. I have seen the houses of friends and relatives. What is it that makes us keep these insignificant mementos like the detritus that flows alongside a ship in harbor?
You see, I know the truth of it all.
The most valuable treasures in my life are those that don’t fit in a box.
How do you package the first time I held my daughter and prayed over her? How do I box up the first embrace with my lovely wife? What about the bittersweet memories of first kisses, crushes, and stolen moments.Where do I store memories of my Uncle Bob teaching me how to shoot and camp, of playing poker and filling a room with cigar smoke with Rick and Joe, of being baptized in Christ?
It’s these liminal moments that make the best treasures. Those times where you cross a threshold into a new state. Things will never be the same now, something has changed. These treasures, though rich and important are not always pleasant.
They include the first time you lose someone close to you through death, your first broken heart, the first time your child is in the hospital, the first time you were fired.These are the important things in life. This is what matters.
I know that on my deathbed, I will not be asking for someone to give me more junk; I’ll be asking for just a few more moments with my loved ones. Yet, I hang on to the junk.
Writing this isn’t getting those boxes sorted.
On second thought, maybe I will through them all out.
It’s moving time again. Should be a time of hope and excitement. Moving to a new place, close to the church, close to work, close to my daughter’s school. It’s a larger place with everything we needed and prayed for and then some. Like I said, it should be a time of hope and excitement.
Should be…
Instead, I find myself in an introspective mood.I open boxes that have been packed away in closets for years. Boxes that we have moved more than once in our life’s journey without opening them. I told my wife that we should just throw them out without opening them. We haven’t needed what is in them up to now, chances are, we won’t ever need what is in them.
She was firmly against this. “What if there are some documents in there that have private information on them. We could be in danger of identity theft.” Sometimes I can’t figure out who is more practical, her or me.
Truthfully, I think she is just afraid to throw out what might be sentimental later, but she has figured out over the years how to speak my language.
So. I open boxes and begin to sort.
In reality, I am not opening boxes, I am performing exploratory archeology on my own life. What are these wonderful artifacts that are so valuable as to warrant carrying with us through the years.
I find my junior high yearbook. (shudder). I thought all evidence of those early teen years were destroyed years ago. How did that survive. I’ve worked so hard to repress memories of acne, awkwardness, hair in new places, nocturnal emissions, deep desires for things that I don't really understand, and strange body odors. (shudder, shudder)
I dig deeper and found an old award from Bank of America. Evidently, I was a very valuable employee to them at one point in time according to the Lucite and metal award. Not valuable enough to avoid layoffs, but worth enough to get a trophy that I store in a box.
Digging even deeper in the box, I find a checkbook from an old bank account closed more than a decade ago. Maybe my wife was right about the identity theft danger. Of course, there is no money in there now and there wasn’t much back then. Not sure why I still have it.
I found several ceramic coffee cups, pens, notepads, and other geegaws from trade shows and sales visits over the years at PTI. I even found one of the PTI coozies that someone had thousands of printed for us (it took years to get rid of all of those). I am sure this stuff was supposed to convince me to purchase something from these companies or to have loyalty in some form or another. Now it is just junk taking up space.
Next, I stumble on something truly historic. A green plastic army man toy from my youth. Now those were the years. No bills, no responsibility, and you could buy green army men for 99 cents a bucket and hold grand scale battles in the backyard with violence that rivaled Stalingrad or Passchendaele.
Here now is the little orange New Testament that some missionary was handing out in front of my high school one day. I wasn’t Christian then and only opened it briefly to highlight the 23rd Psalm. At the time, I only knew about that Psalm and the two quotes, ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged,’ and ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ Turns out, I was wrong about one of those. I never read that Bible, but I carried it in my backpack like a good luck amulet through most of my senior year. Maybe God would look kindly on a guy carrying a Bible around and find me a girlfriend, or at least help me pass algebra.
Wow, a pack of Zig-Zag papers. We won’t go into why I had those, suffice it to say that I don’t use them anymore. That chapter is long ago closed.
There is much more in the box: an old watch that doesn’t work, a broken pocket knife, a first place ribbon for some forgotten contest, a report card from high school, a set of ‘Spanish for Beginners’ cassette tapes from the library that I long ago was billed for, a leather work glove (just one, mind you), some marbles, and some old school reports.
Sigh.
Almost all of the box is garbage and there are still a dozen boxes like it to go. Most of this stuff, though a part of my life at one time, has no bearing on my life now. And yet… there is almost a talisman-like feel to some of the items, a mysterious force that entices me to put them back into the box and hang on to them.I know it isn’t just me. I have seen the houses of friends and relatives. What is it that makes us keep these insignificant mementos like the detritus that flows alongside a ship in harbor?
You see, I know the truth of it all.
The most valuable treasures in my life are those that don’t fit in a box.
How do you package the first time I held my daughter and prayed over her? How do I box up the first embrace with my lovely wife? What about the bittersweet memories of first kisses, crushes, and stolen moments.Where do I store memories of my Uncle Bob teaching me how to shoot and camp, of playing poker and filling a room with cigar smoke with Rick and Joe, of being baptized in Christ?
It’s these liminal moments that make the best treasures. Those times where you cross a threshold into a new state. Things will never be the same now, something has changed. These treasures, though rich and important are not always pleasant.
They include the first time you lose someone close to you through death, your first broken heart, the first time your child is in the hospital, the first time you were fired.These are the important things in life. This is what matters.
I know that on my deathbed, I will not be asking for someone to give me more junk; I’ll be asking for just a few more moments with my loved ones. Yet, I hang on to the junk.
Writing this isn’t getting those boxes sorted.
On second thought, maybe I will through them all out.
On Hope
This blog originally published Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 6:00pm
In a recent blog, I was tagged by several people for what they saw as a lack of hope. So, I thought I would address the issue of hope.
There are two kind of people in the world: those that divide the world into two kinds of people and those that don’t. I am in the first bunch. I always seem to be dividing things into two categories.
For example, there are two kinds of hope… There is the hope that God provides. This is the hope of resurrection and new life. This type of hope is a gift to those that believe in Jesus Christ. This is a wonderful hope for those who believe.
The other kind of hope is the hope that God gives the world. This is the hope that comes from God’s Kingdom. It is a hope for all. And, it is this message of hope that is so very important, the hope that may lead some to believe.
The first hope comes with faith in God and Christ His Son. The second hope comes from community action by God’s people, the ones who have been changed by faith.
Now, it seems to me that the church has historically focused on the first type of hope. I for one am not a pie-in-the-sky, waitin-for-heaven type of Christian. I'm a man who believes that actions speak much louder than words. I believe that the Bible is quite clear in its message that God’s Kingdom is here and now. Jesus began it, the apostles spread it, we are called to continue it and someday, Jesus will return to complete it.
There must be some reason that God doesn't take us away from this world when we believe, and this is it - He wants us to bring hope. A little of God’s Kingdom travels with each and every believer who goes out and touches the world around them. It is this little bit of the Kingdom that brings some little light of hope in a dark world.
Christianity is rapidly growing everywhere in the world but in the United States and Europe. Here, it is declining. We have to ask, “Why?” These people need God just as much as the rest of the world. It doesn’t take much effort to see the spiritual darkness, moral bankruptcy , and emotional desperation around us. It all comes down to a lack of hope. This is the reason that the people of our culture self-medicate with entertainment, toys, ambition, and syncretic spirituality. They are looking for hope, but just don’t know where to find it.
Yet, you might say, “But there is a church in every neighborhood, so the lack of Christianity is not the problem.
Well, kudos on getting the first part right. We are swamped with churches.
But, I firmly believe that, though there are many churches, and many people in the churches; there is a terrible lack of Christians in churches. There are a lot of people sitting in churches who have missed the message of action.
The lack of hope in this world is due to a lack of Christian action. When believers move, amazing things happen.
God’s word spreads.
Hope grows.
I know several wonderful Christians, who, though life has not been easy for them, have taken God’s call to action seriously. Instead of focusing on themselves, they reach out to others. They make a difference. They spread hope.
I also know many others who call themselves Christian. Maybe they attend church this week and maybe they don’t. Maybe they donate a pittance to church or charity and maybe they don’t. These are the people who complain about the music in church instead of recognizing the worship is for God, not them. These are the ones who bounce churches, because they ‘aren’t being fed’ (more on that topic another time). These are the ones who rarely if ever do anything to bring God’s Kingdom here and now. There is much that could be written about these Christians, but fortunately, they are few.
The last kind of Christian is the real problem. This is by far the largest group. They are the rank and file pew-sitters. They don’t maliciously ignore God. There’s no ulterior motive behind their apathy. They just don’t have time for Him and His work. They are so polluted by the same busy-ness, the need for entertainment, the same ambitious drive for more stuff; that they have little or no positive effect on the world. They could bring God’s Kingdom, but they are just too busy. They never hear God’s call to turn their faith to action because they never turn down their iPod. They don’t kill hope, they just let it slowly die.
Where self-centeredness is high, hope is low.
Whether you like James’ epistle or look at it as Luther’s ‘right epistle of straw,’ the truth is that scripture calls us to put our faith in action. We are to be a light among men. We are to act justly and to love mercy. We are to care for widows and orphans. We are to do good deeds to bring praise to our Father in Heaven. We are to invest the talents He gives us. We are to spread hope. Hope.
Hope comes from us, from God’s people moving. The positive message here is that the few people who do act, accomplish some amazing things. They bring hope to lives by being a friend to the elderly, by adopting unwanted children, by helping a friend paint their house, by babysitting for a single mom, by giving to charity, by volunteering, by helping the homeless, by sharing from their larder with someone who is hungry…They bring Hope by doing.
There just aren’t enough of these people out there. We need more.
This is a call to action. This is a call to wake up.
If you are that Christian who is always too busy, this is for you. The simple message from God’s word is that He actually expects something from you. No, we can’t earn God’s grace, but that doesn’t mean He wants us to sit on our duffs, warming pews, but having no other effect on the world.
In case you missed the message, I am talking to you. As the song, 'Madly' says; "Let what we do in here, fill the street out there."
Let's get off our duffs, get our hands dirty, and get to work.
Bring the hope.
In a recent blog, I was tagged by several people for what they saw as a lack of hope. So, I thought I would address the issue of hope.
There are two kind of people in the world: those that divide the world into two kinds of people and those that don’t. I am in the first bunch. I always seem to be dividing things into two categories.
For example, there are two kinds of hope… There is the hope that God provides. This is the hope of resurrection and new life. This type of hope is a gift to those that believe in Jesus Christ. This is a wonderful hope for those who believe.
The other kind of hope is the hope that God gives the world. This is the hope that comes from God’s Kingdom. It is a hope for all. And, it is this message of hope that is so very important, the hope that may lead some to believe.
The first hope comes with faith in God and Christ His Son. The second hope comes from community action by God’s people, the ones who have been changed by faith.
Now, it seems to me that the church has historically focused on the first type of hope. I for one am not a pie-in-the-sky, waitin-for-heaven type of Christian. I'm a man who believes that actions speak much louder than words. I believe that the Bible is quite clear in its message that God’s Kingdom is here and now. Jesus began it, the apostles spread it, we are called to continue it and someday, Jesus will return to complete it.
There must be some reason that God doesn't take us away from this world when we believe, and this is it - He wants us to bring hope. A little of God’s Kingdom travels with each and every believer who goes out and touches the world around them. It is this little bit of the Kingdom that brings some little light of hope in a dark world.
Christianity is rapidly growing everywhere in the world but in the United States and Europe. Here, it is declining. We have to ask, “Why?” These people need God just as much as the rest of the world. It doesn’t take much effort to see the spiritual darkness, moral bankruptcy , and emotional desperation around us. It all comes down to a lack of hope. This is the reason that the people of our culture self-medicate with entertainment, toys, ambition, and syncretic spirituality. They are looking for hope, but just don’t know where to find it.
Yet, you might say, “But there is a church in every neighborhood, so the lack of Christianity is not the problem.
Well, kudos on getting the first part right. We are swamped with churches.
But, I firmly believe that, though there are many churches, and many people in the churches; there is a terrible lack of Christians in churches. There are a lot of people sitting in churches who have missed the message of action.
The lack of hope in this world is due to a lack of Christian action. When believers move, amazing things happen.
God’s word spreads.
Hope grows.
I know several wonderful Christians, who, though life has not been easy for them, have taken God’s call to action seriously. Instead of focusing on themselves, they reach out to others. They make a difference. They spread hope.
I also know many others who call themselves Christian. Maybe they attend church this week and maybe they don’t. Maybe they donate a pittance to church or charity and maybe they don’t. These are the people who complain about the music in church instead of recognizing the worship is for God, not them. These are the ones who bounce churches, because they ‘aren’t being fed’ (more on that topic another time). These are the ones who rarely if ever do anything to bring God’s Kingdom here and now. There is much that could be written about these Christians, but fortunately, they are few.
The last kind of Christian is the real problem. This is by far the largest group. They are the rank and file pew-sitters. They don’t maliciously ignore God. There’s no ulterior motive behind their apathy. They just don’t have time for Him and His work. They are so polluted by the same busy-ness, the need for entertainment, the same ambitious drive for more stuff; that they have little or no positive effect on the world. They could bring God’s Kingdom, but they are just too busy. They never hear God’s call to turn their faith to action because they never turn down their iPod. They don’t kill hope, they just let it slowly die.
Where self-centeredness is high, hope is low.
Whether you like James’ epistle or look at it as Luther’s ‘right epistle of straw,’ the truth is that scripture calls us to put our faith in action. We are to be a light among men. We are to act justly and to love mercy. We are to care for widows and orphans. We are to do good deeds to bring praise to our Father in Heaven. We are to invest the talents He gives us. We are to spread hope. Hope.
Hope comes from us, from God’s people moving. The positive message here is that the few people who do act, accomplish some amazing things. They bring hope to lives by being a friend to the elderly, by adopting unwanted children, by helping a friend paint their house, by babysitting for a single mom, by giving to charity, by volunteering, by helping the homeless, by sharing from their larder with someone who is hungry…They bring Hope by doing.
There just aren’t enough of these people out there. We need more.
This is a call to action. This is a call to wake up.
If you are that Christian who is always too busy, this is for you. The simple message from God’s word is that He actually expects something from you. No, we can’t earn God’s grace, but that doesn’t mean He wants us to sit on our duffs, warming pews, but having no other effect on the world.
In case you missed the message, I am talking to you. As the song, 'Madly' says; "Let what we do in here, fill the street out there."
Let's get off our duffs, get our hands dirty, and get to work.
Bring the hope.
Peace in Our Time
This blog originally posted Monday, April 13, 2009 at 2:10pm
My daughter attends a Montessori school where they worship the idea of peace. They believe that, if we just teach the children, then one day we will have world peace. They have a peace pole, a peace garden, and lessons on peace. While I was on campus the other day, I heard one of the teachers telling a young boy, “There is NEVER any reason to hit someone!” Now, the boy in question was just playing with another boy and they were bopping each other in the shoulder for fun. (Boys…It has something to do with that Y chromosome.) Nevertheless, this teacher, whether she meant to or not, taught these boys a very dangerous lesson in life.
Over the years, as a youth minister, I have had quite a few kids from this school come through our program. While there is much to admire about the school, this veneration of peace at all costs is an unwise philosophy, and they inculcate the children with it. Even driving into the parking lot of the school, you see bumper stickers that say, “Visualize World Peace” or “Imagine a world where the military has to hold bake sales to buy battleships” or, “You cannot simultaneously prepare for and prevent war.”
They are basing their belief system on a false assumption – “People are basically good inside.”
That sounds nice, and I am sure many of us have heard it or even believe it ourselves. The only problem is that this concept is patently false.
Before I became a Christian in my early 20s, I searched through various religions and belief systems trying to find out, which, if any, were right. This was a primary issue that caused me to disregard many belief systems. You see, it was easy for me to look at the people around me, the events in the world, and truthfully within myself to see that people are NOT basically good. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Humans are basically selfish, destructive, and petty little creatures that are occasionally capable of beautiful acts of goodness.
Take a moment and stew on that.
It may not be the nice or upbeat, but it is the truth.
In fact, it was ultimately Christianity, and only Christianity that gave an answer to this: The fallenness of mankind. Mankind is a broken creature that, only by the grace of God has the ability to rise above our selves towards something greater. Anyone who has ever worked with toddlers knows, you don’t have to teach selfishness, brutality or cruelty. We lie, steal, cheat, and abuse from the start. You must teach goodness.
This brings us back to the teaching at my daughter’s school. I applaud them for teaching the importance of peace. I agree, war is bad, violence is awful. However, violence is not always the worst thing.
Sometime, violence IS the answer.
I cannot imagine them lecturing a perpetrator on the error of his violent ways as he is kidnapping their child. Let that teacher say, “There is NEVER any reason to hit someone,” as she watches her daughter being raped.
Sometimes, violence IS the answer.
Have we learned nothing from history? Hitler was not stopped by talking. It took the blood sacrifice of millions of young men to end his evil. Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong Il, Mahmoud Achmadinijad, and their evil associates are good examples. As the quote in Cool Hand Luke says, “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate, some men, you just can’t reach” Sociopaths do not listen to reason, they do not respect talk, they don’t care about peace – the only thing that will get their attention is force and the willingness to use it.
Sometimes, violence IS the answer.
Between 800,000 and 1 million people were hacked to death in the Rwandan genocide.
The diplomats talked.
Thousands were killed in Srebrenica and other cities and towns during the ethnic cleansings in the breakaway republics of former Yugoslavia.
The diplomats talked.
Saddam Hussein gassed Kurds in Halabja.
The diplomats talked.
Murders, rapes, and killings go on in Darfur, Sudan today.
The diplomats still talk.
Peace has never come through talking, alone. Peace has only ever come through fighting for it, or using the threat of violence to bring the errant parties to the table.
Peace will only come to our world, one of two ways. When Jesus Christ comes back to judge the quick and the dead – there will be final peace.
Until then, peace only comes by those who wish to do good being willing to use violence to defeat those who are evil.
Alternately attributed to George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling, and Winston Churchill there is a quote: “good men sleep soundly in their beds because rough men stand ready in the night to do violence on their behalf.”Whether it be a soldier, sailor, marine, airman or a policeman, Thank God for those who ironically bring peace through violence.
Rodger S. Loar 13 April, 2009
My daughter attends a Montessori school where they worship the idea of peace. They believe that, if we just teach the children, then one day we will have world peace. They have a peace pole, a peace garden, and lessons on peace. While I was on campus the other day, I heard one of the teachers telling a young boy, “There is NEVER any reason to hit someone!” Now, the boy in question was just playing with another boy and they were bopping each other in the shoulder for fun. (Boys…It has something to do with that Y chromosome.) Nevertheless, this teacher, whether she meant to or not, taught these boys a very dangerous lesson in life.
Over the years, as a youth minister, I have had quite a few kids from this school come through our program. While there is much to admire about the school, this veneration of peace at all costs is an unwise philosophy, and they inculcate the children with it. Even driving into the parking lot of the school, you see bumper stickers that say, “Visualize World Peace” or “Imagine a world where the military has to hold bake sales to buy battleships” or, “You cannot simultaneously prepare for and prevent war.”
They are basing their belief system on a false assumption – “People are basically good inside.”
That sounds nice, and I am sure many of us have heard it or even believe it ourselves. The only problem is that this concept is patently false.
Before I became a Christian in my early 20s, I searched through various religions and belief systems trying to find out, which, if any, were right. This was a primary issue that caused me to disregard many belief systems. You see, it was easy for me to look at the people around me, the events in the world, and truthfully within myself to see that people are NOT basically good. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Humans are basically selfish, destructive, and petty little creatures that are occasionally capable of beautiful acts of goodness.
Take a moment and stew on that.
It may not be the nice or upbeat, but it is the truth.
In fact, it was ultimately Christianity, and only Christianity that gave an answer to this: The fallenness of mankind. Mankind is a broken creature that, only by the grace of God has the ability to rise above our selves towards something greater. Anyone who has ever worked with toddlers knows, you don’t have to teach selfishness, brutality or cruelty. We lie, steal, cheat, and abuse from the start. You must teach goodness.
This brings us back to the teaching at my daughter’s school. I applaud them for teaching the importance of peace. I agree, war is bad, violence is awful. However, violence is not always the worst thing.
Sometime, violence IS the answer.
I cannot imagine them lecturing a perpetrator on the error of his violent ways as he is kidnapping their child. Let that teacher say, “There is NEVER any reason to hit someone,” as she watches her daughter being raped.
Sometimes, violence IS the answer.
Have we learned nothing from history? Hitler was not stopped by talking. It took the blood sacrifice of millions of young men to end his evil. Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong Il, Mahmoud Achmadinijad, and their evil associates are good examples. As the quote in Cool Hand Luke says, “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate, some men, you just can’t reach” Sociopaths do not listen to reason, they do not respect talk, they don’t care about peace – the only thing that will get their attention is force and the willingness to use it.
Sometimes, violence IS the answer.
Between 800,000 and 1 million people were hacked to death in the Rwandan genocide.
The diplomats talked.
Thousands were killed in Srebrenica and other cities and towns during the ethnic cleansings in the breakaway republics of former Yugoslavia.
The diplomats talked.
Saddam Hussein gassed Kurds in Halabja.
The diplomats talked.
Murders, rapes, and killings go on in Darfur, Sudan today.
The diplomats still talk.
Peace has never come through talking, alone. Peace has only ever come through fighting for it, or using the threat of violence to bring the errant parties to the table.
Peace will only come to our world, one of two ways. When Jesus Christ comes back to judge the quick and the dead – there will be final peace.
Until then, peace only comes by those who wish to do good being willing to use violence to defeat those who are evil.
Alternately attributed to George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling, and Winston Churchill there is a quote: “good men sleep soundly in their beds because rough men stand ready in the night to do violence on their behalf.”Whether it be a soldier, sailor, marine, airman or a policeman, Thank God for those who ironically bring peace through violence.
Rodger S. Loar 13 April, 2009
Merry Minuet
This blog originally posted Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 9:02am
Written in 1950s - still great today.
Here are the lyrics:
They're rioting in Africa, they're starving in Spain.
There's hurricanes in Florida, and Texas needs rain.
The whole world is festering with unhappy souls. The French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles. Italians hate Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch.
And I don't like anybody very much!
But we can be tranquil, and thankful, and proud, For mans' been endowed with a mushroom-shaped cloud. And we know for certain that some lovely day
Someone will set the spark off, and we will all be blown away.
They're rioting in Africa, there's strife in Iran. What nature doesn't do to us, will be done by our fellow man.
Kingston Trio 1959
Great Song
Written in 1950s - still great today.
Here are the lyrics:
They're rioting in Africa, they're starving in Spain.
There's hurricanes in Florida, and Texas needs rain.
The whole world is festering with unhappy souls. The French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles. Italians hate Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch.
And I don't like anybody very much!
But we can be tranquil, and thankful, and proud, For mans' been endowed with a mushroom-shaped cloud. And we know for certain that some lovely day
Someone will set the spark off, and we will all be blown away.
They're rioting in Africa, there's strife in Iran. What nature doesn't do to us, will be done by our fellow man.
Kingston Trio 1959
Great Song
Somebody needs to show this to Congress
This blog originally posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 1:49pm
http://www.hulu.com/embed/J4vJO8oTo5zAO0QrO_sbLQ
http://www.hulu.com/embed/J4vJO8oTo5zAO0QrO_sbLQ
Will the band play on?
This blog originally posted Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 2:50pm
If you haven’t seen the movie, “The Matrix,” I strongly urge you to go see it. Put your thinking cap on and take some time to process it. Watch it with someone who likes to discuss ideas. Science fiction may not be your thing, but trust me, this is worth your time.
The movie tells the story of a guy who realizes that there is something more to the world that he is living in, that something about it isn’t right. He meets a group of people who help him to wake up to the fact that the world that he thought he was living in isn’t real and that he is actually living in an ugly world that is at war. The syncretism and pop-philosophy of movie has been much discussed, but the one part that I firmly believe that the creators got right, is the concept of two worlds existing simultaneously.
The first world is the one that we put on like a set of ultra-hip sunglasses and an iPod. It wraps around our eyes and blocks our ears, letting us see and hear only the most pleasant things, while filtering out the harshness of reality.
It is the world of entertainment that we cover our eyes with.
It is the world of toys and fun and busy-ness.
It is the world of Myspace and March Madness.
It is the world of Mortgages and Soccer Moms.
It is the world of corporate ladders and promotions.
It is the world where the things that Paris Hilton or Brittney Spears do matter.
It is the world where the coolest car, the nicest house, the most money, make a difference.
It is the world where you care what team won the game last night.
It is the world where you want to know what is going to happen tonight on “Lost,” or “House,” or “American Idol.”
It is the world of desperate dissipation that we grip tightly over your eyes so that we don’t see that other world… The real one.
The other world, the real one, is the world where choices are hard and bad things do happen. It ain't pretty. It is where your Mom is sick. It is where someone you know commits suicide. It is where a sweet little eight year old girl skips down the street to her murder. It is where a strange, lonely man opens fire on hopeful immigrants.
Genocide happens in this world over and over and over again and no one stops it. Moms and babies are hacked to death with machetes for being from the wrong tribe or religion. Men are beaten to death and beheaded for believing something different from their persecutors. Children in this world are forced to fight on the front lines of battle between drug lords or petty dictators. Beautiful young pre-teen girls are raped repeatedly in forced prostitution so that their starving families might be able to feed their brothers and sisters. Immigrants trying to find a new life, die of thirst in the desert while people argue of the ‘problem of illegals.’
Here in this world, children are born to struggling single moms and grow up knowing only crime and abuse to continue the cycle with their children. Here, elderly people languish in their own soiled clothing because family members are too busy to see them or help. Here, drugs and alcohol reap a terrible toll on the bodies, minds, and souls of their victims. Here, people die of AIDS, abandoned by their family for their lifestyle choice and by their friends out of fear of contracting the disease themselves.
Earthquakes happen. Wars go on. Lives are destroyed. Evil exists..... In this world.
In this world, hope dies a thousand deaths every day.
All this, while we close our eyes tightly, cover our ears and yell “la, la, la” at the top of our lungs so we don’t have to have our precious first world disturbed.And, if you do peek from between your eyelids and notice the other world, or, God forbid you call attention to it, there is always a man in a dark trench coat and shades, looking suspiciously like Timothy Leary there to hand you a blue pill and urge you to go back to sleep in blissful ignorance in the first world. Chill out. You take things to seriously. Don't worry, be happy.
The story goes that, as the Titanic sank, the orchestra realized they could not be saved. So they took out their musical instruments and played music as the ship was sinking.
For me, the most poignant scene in The Matrix is when Cypher betrays the others and makes a deal with Agent Smith so that he can return to the first world, the Matrix. He says, “I don't want to remember nothing, and I wanna be rich. , you know, someone important, like an actor.” He chooses a pretend life of escapism over the reality that is there.
I took the red pill years ago and sometimes I want to scream, “WAKE UP!!!”
I watch parents encourage their kids to play in every sport, to join every extracurricular activity, as if any of it matters. I watch men ignore their families to devote their lives to work so that they can get a little more money to buy toys that they will hardly have time to use. I watch women sink their lives into their children, living vicariously through them, trying to grasp the youth that they once had. I watch young people party like mad, trying to drown reality in beer bongs and unattached sex. I watch adults and teens get sucked into an online world where they can pretend to be anything they want to be and have ‘friends’ that never truly know who they really are. I watch people that I care about drowning in busy-ness and stress.
Yet, every once in awhile, the real world intrudes. The doctor says, “It is cancer.” Your Grandma calls and says she has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. The friend you had lunch with last week was just killed in a car accident. The letter arrives telling you that the bank is foreclosing.
This is your opportunity! Break out of your self-centered, entertainment-ridden, life of dissolution. Take the red pill. Wake up!!!
Your life on this earth is short. Turn off the television. Log off the computer. Throw away that magazine. Don’t sign-up for that next club sport. Put the golf clubs and fishing pole in the closet. Sell your toys and give money to the poor. Grab your family and hug them. Take the money that you would have spent on a movie or a cup of Starbucks or a new iPod and give it to someone in need. Meet your neighbors and really get to know them. Call up that friend that has slipped away because you have both been too busy. Have lunch with the lonely person, hold the hand of a sick person, read to a child, volunteer, go on a missions trip, serve someone. Go to church and get right with God.
or………take the blue pill………go back to sleep………rejoin the matrix………let the band play on………
But, I promise you this, you will be pulled, kicking and screaming into the real world eventually.
As this real world crushes you without pity, you may get a momentary glimpse, where you realize what a waste it has all been. You could have a moment to savor the taste of regret before you are extinguished. You might just receive the split-second of knowledge that neither your life, nor your death will ever matter.
We each have a choice - We can ride the edge of reality or fade away in dull self-indulgence.
Will the band play on?
If you haven’t seen the movie, “The Matrix,” I strongly urge you to go see it. Put your thinking cap on and take some time to process it. Watch it with someone who likes to discuss ideas. Science fiction may not be your thing, but trust me, this is worth your time.
The movie tells the story of a guy who realizes that there is something more to the world that he is living in, that something about it isn’t right. He meets a group of people who help him to wake up to the fact that the world that he thought he was living in isn’t real and that he is actually living in an ugly world that is at war. The syncretism and pop-philosophy of movie has been much discussed, but the one part that I firmly believe that the creators got right, is the concept of two worlds existing simultaneously.
The first world is the one that we put on like a set of ultra-hip sunglasses and an iPod. It wraps around our eyes and blocks our ears, letting us see and hear only the most pleasant things, while filtering out the harshness of reality.
It is the world of entertainment that we cover our eyes with.
It is the world of toys and fun and busy-ness.
It is the world of Myspace and March Madness.
It is the world of Mortgages and Soccer Moms.
It is the world of corporate ladders and promotions.
It is the world where the things that Paris Hilton or Brittney Spears do matter.
It is the world where the coolest car, the nicest house, the most money, make a difference.
It is the world where you care what team won the game last night.
It is the world where you want to know what is going to happen tonight on “Lost,” or “House,” or “American Idol.”
It is the world of desperate dissipation that we grip tightly over your eyes so that we don’t see that other world… The real one.
The other world, the real one, is the world where choices are hard and bad things do happen. It ain't pretty. It is where your Mom is sick. It is where someone you know commits suicide. It is where a sweet little eight year old girl skips down the street to her murder. It is where a strange, lonely man opens fire on hopeful immigrants.
Genocide happens in this world over and over and over again and no one stops it. Moms and babies are hacked to death with machetes for being from the wrong tribe or religion. Men are beaten to death and beheaded for believing something different from their persecutors. Children in this world are forced to fight on the front lines of battle between drug lords or petty dictators. Beautiful young pre-teen girls are raped repeatedly in forced prostitution so that their starving families might be able to feed their brothers and sisters. Immigrants trying to find a new life, die of thirst in the desert while people argue of the ‘problem of illegals.’
Here in this world, children are born to struggling single moms and grow up knowing only crime and abuse to continue the cycle with their children. Here, elderly people languish in their own soiled clothing because family members are too busy to see them or help. Here, drugs and alcohol reap a terrible toll on the bodies, minds, and souls of their victims. Here, people die of AIDS, abandoned by their family for their lifestyle choice and by their friends out of fear of contracting the disease themselves.
Earthquakes happen. Wars go on. Lives are destroyed. Evil exists..... In this world.
In this world, hope dies a thousand deaths every day.
All this, while we close our eyes tightly, cover our ears and yell “la, la, la” at the top of our lungs so we don’t have to have our precious first world disturbed.And, if you do peek from between your eyelids and notice the other world, or, God forbid you call attention to it, there is always a man in a dark trench coat and shades, looking suspiciously like Timothy Leary there to hand you a blue pill and urge you to go back to sleep in blissful ignorance in the first world. Chill out. You take things to seriously. Don't worry, be happy.
The story goes that, as the Titanic sank, the orchestra realized they could not be saved. So they took out their musical instruments and played music as the ship was sinking.
For me, the most poignant scene in The Matrix is when Cypher betrays the others and makes a deal with Agent Smith so that he can return to the first world, the Matrix. He says, “I don't want to remember nothing, and I wanna be rich. , you know, someone important, like an actor.” He chooses a pretend life of escapism over the reality that is there.
I took the red pill years ago and sometimes I want to scream, “WAKE UP!!!”
I watch parents encourage their kids to play in every sport, to join every extracurricular activity, as if any of it matters. I watch men ignore their families to devote their lives to work so that they can get a little more money to buy toys that they will hardly have time to use. I watch women sink their lives into their children, living vicariously through them, trying to grasp the youth that they once had. I watch young people party like mad, trying to drown reality in beer bongs and unattached sex. I watch adults and teens get sucked into an online world where they can pretend to be anything they want to be and have ‘friends’ that never truly know who they really are. I watch people that I care about drowning in busy-ness and stress.
Yet, every once in awhile, the real world intrudes. The doctor says, “It is cancer.” Your Grandma calls and says she has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. The friend you had lunch with last week was just killed in a car accident. The letter arrives telling you that the bank is foreclosing.
This is your opportunity! Break out of your self-centered, entertainment-ridden, life of dissolution. Take the red pill. Wake up!!!
Your life on this earth is short. Turn off the television. Log off the computer. Throw away that magazine. Don’t sign-up for that next club sport. Put the golf clubs and fishing pole in the closet. Sell your toys and give money to the poor. Grab your family and hug them. Take the money that you would have spent on a movie or a cup of Starbucks or a new iPod and give it to someone in need. Meet your neighbors and really get to know them. Call up that friend that has slipped away because you have both been too busy. Have lunch with the lonely person, hold the hand of a sick person, read to a child, volunteer, go on a missions trip, serve someone. Go to church and get right with God.
or………take the blue pill………go back to sleep………rejoin the matrix………let the band play on………
But, I promise you this, you will be pulled, kicking and screaming into the real world eventually.
As this real world crushes you without pity, you may get a momentary glimpse, where you realize what a waste it has all been. You could have a moment to savor the taste of regret before you are extinguished. You might just receive the split-second of knowledge that neither your life, nor your death will ever matter.
We each have a choice - We can ride the edge of reality or fade away in dull self-indulgence.
Will the band play on?
A lost generation
This blog originally posted Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 10:08am
I really liked this, so I just had to post it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA
I really liked this, so I just had to post it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA
It just ain't that hard
This blog originally posted Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 4:38pm
Everyone who can read this needs to sit down with their Grandparents (and if possible) great Grandparents to find out how they survived before we got the idea that the government was supposed to provide for us.
Our government actually has very limited powers and responsibilities laid out in the Constitution. Over the last fifty years, we have allowed our elected representatives to usurp more and more power. We have excepted these abuses because they have bribed us with our own money and money stolen from others. If the government would just pay for my college, help me buy a house, give me health insurance, etc, etc, etc; then I can truly be happy.
Yet, when the harsh reality looms that we just don’t have the money to pay for all of these things, along with all the other pork barrel spending that gets added in to every little bill that goes through, what do we do? We mortgage our children’s future by deficit spending and we raise taxes now. The simple truth is, no business or household in this country can run for long on deficit spending, but somehow we got the idea that the government can. If my family’s monthly bills don’t leave enough money for a luxury cruise, then we don’t go on one. If the luxury cruise is important to us, then we save and save and save, then maybe take it a few years from now. Or, we cut some other luxury so that the money can go towards the goal. Pretty simple.
Our government doesn’t even try to work this way anymore. Why? Because they can bribe us with money that isn’t theirs and isn’t ours.
I was having lunch with one of my students this week and he suggested that it was a good idea to tax ‘rich’ people so that we can have these things. Now, this is a normally intelligent kid and I love talking with him, but somewhere, somehow, he has been taught that it is ‘fair’ to steal from one person so that he can have what he wants. Somehow, that is fair?!?!?! Ask any preschool teacher, if it isn't your toy, you shouldn't take it from the other little kid just because you want it. Now, go stand in the corner.
Where did we lose the basic concepts that this nation was built upon – hard work, saving for what you want, living frugally, being generous with your own money, helping your neighbor, questioning our Government, and following God? Understand, this is not about our current president. He is just one more in a line of leaders who are moving farther from our founding fathers.
The truth is, the biggest danger is not democrats or republicans. Both are responsible for the mess we are in. The worst thing about the current situation is that, again we have the majority of congress and the president both from the same party. Anytime we have this situation (either democrat or republican), spending goes through the roof. Who is responsible for the biggest government debt in history? George Bush. Who is on track to blow this record away? Barack Obama.
Want to fix the country? Give me a very large box of red pens and the budget (along with any other spending bills). I'll make the hard decisions. I'll balance the budget very quickly. (and probably burn through a lot of red ink in the process.)
We need to reset. We need to go back to the beginning. I thank God for the grace to have been born in a nation like ours. The U.S.A. is a wonderful idea and it can work as long as we hold to the original ideas of limited government, individual responsibility, and patriotism based on what’s best for the nation and not what’s best for my party.
Stop voting for someone just because they are Republicans or Democrats. Stop voting for someone based on whether they bring money to your state or not. Stop expecting the government to pay your way. Work Hard. Spend Less. Live on less than what you earn. Cut up your credit cards. Give generously to Church and Charity. Think of others before yourself. Learn from your failures. Pick yourself up and try again. Take personal responsibility for your own mistakes and problems. Save for your future. Vote intelligently. Get Involved. Throw the bums out again and again until we get someone in there who does it right. Let's turn this country around.
It just ain't that hard.
Everyone who can read this needs to sit down with their Grandparents (and if possible) great Grandparents to find out how they survived before we got the idea that the government was supposed to provide for us.
Our government actually has very limited powers and responsibilities laid out in the Constitution. Over the last fifty years, we have allowed our elected representatives to usurp more and more power. We have excepted these abuses because they have bribed us with our own money and money stolen from others. If the government would just pay for my college, help me buy a house, give me health insurance, etc, etc, etc; then I can truly be happy.
Yet, when the harsh reality looms that we just don’t have the money to pay for all of these things, along with all the other pork barrel spending that gets added in to every little bill that goes through, what do we do? We mortgage our children’s future by deficit spending and we raise taxes now. The simple truth is, no business or household in this country can run for long on deficit spending, but somehow we got the idea that the government can. If my family’s monthly bills don’t leave enough money for a luxury cruise, then we don’t go on one. If the luxury cruise is important to us, then we save and save and save, then maybe take it a few years from now. Or, we cut some other luxury so that the money can go towards the goal. Pretty simple.
Our government doesn’t even try to work this way anymore. Why? Because they can bribe us with money that isn’t theirs and isn’t ours.
I was having lunch with one of my students this week and he suggested that it was a good idea to tax ‘rich’ people so that we can have these things. Now, this is a normally intelligent kid and I love talking with him, but somewhere, somehow, he has been taught that it is ‘fair’ to steal from one person so that he can have what he wants. Somehow, that is fair?!?!?! Ask any preschool teacher, if it isn't your toy, you shouldn't take it from the other little kid just because you want it. Now, go stand in the corner.
Where did we lose the basic concepts that this nation was built upon – hard work, saving for what you want, living frugally, being generous with your own money, helping your neighbor, questioning our Government, and following God? Understand, this is not about our current president. He is just one more in a line of leaders who are moving farther from our founding fathers.
The truth is, the biggest danger is not democrats or republicans. Both are responsible for the mess we are in. The worst thing about the current situation is that, again we have the majority of congress and the president both from the same party. Anytime we have this situation (either democrat or republican), spending goes through the roof. Who is responsible for the biggest government debt in history? George Bush. Who is on track to blow this record away? Barack Obama.
Want to fix the country? Give me a very large box of red pens and the budget (along with any other spending bills). I'll make the hard decisions. I'll balance the budget very quickly. (and probably burn through a lot of red ink in the process.)
We need to reset. We need to go back to the beginning. I thank God for the grace to have been born in a nation like ours. The U.S.A. is a wonderful idea and it can work as long as we hold to the original ideas of limited government, individual responsibility, and patriotism based on what’s best for the nation and not what’s best for my party.
Stop voting for someone just because they are Republicans or Democrats. Stop voting for someone based on whether they bring money to your state or not. Stop expecting the government to pay your way. Work Hard. Spend Less. Live on less than what you earn. Cut up your credit cards. Give generously to Church and Charity. Think of others before yourself. Learn from your failures. Pick yourself up and try again. Take personal responsibility for your own mistakes and problems. Save for your future. Vote intelligently. Get Involved. Throw the bums out again and again until we get someone in there who does it right. Let's turn this country around.
It just ain't that hard.
Finally, Religion & Tech Support Come Together!
This blog originally posted Monday, August 27, 2007
Current mood: geeky
Jesus and Satan were having an on-going argument about who was better on the computer. They had been going at it for days and frankly God was tired of hearing all the bickering. Finally fed up, God said, "THAT'S IT! I have had enough. I am going to set up a test that will run for two hours, and from those results, I will judge who does the better job."
So Satan and Jesus sat down at the keyboards and typed away. They moused. They faxed. They e-mailed. They e-mailed with attachments. They downloaded. They did spreadsheets! They wrote reports. They created labels and cards. They created charts and graphs. They did some genealogy reports. They did every job known to man.
Jesus worked with heavenly efficiency, and Satan was faster than hell. Then, ten minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, rain poured, and, of course, the power went off. Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld. Jesus just sighed.
Finally the electricity came back on, and each of them restarted their computers. Satan started searching frantically, screaming: "It's gone! It's all GONE! "I lost everything when the power went out!" Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from the past two hours of work. Satan observed this and became irate. "Wait!" he screamed. "That's not fair! He cheated! How come He has all His work and I don't have any?"
God just shrugged and said, "JESUS SAVES!!"
Current mood: geeky
Jesus and Satan were having an on-going argument about who was better on the computer. They had been going at it for days and frankly God was tired of hearing all the bickering. Finally fed up, God said, "THAT'S IT! I have had enough. I am going to set up a test that will run for two hours, and from those results, I will judge who does the better job."
So Satan and Jesus sat down at the keyboards and typed away. They moused. They faxed. They e-mailed. They e-mailed with attachments. They downloaded. They did spreadsheets! They wrote reports. They created labels and cards. They created charts and graphs. They did some genealogy reports. They did every job known to man.
Jesus worked with heavenly efficiency, and Satan was faster than hell. Then, ten minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, rain poured, and, of course, the power went off. Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld. Jesus just sighed.
Finally the electricity came back on, and each of them restarted their computers. Satan started searching frantically, screaming: "It's gone! It's all GONE! "I lost everything when the power went out!" Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from the past two hours of work. Satan observed this and became irate. "Wait!" he screamed. "That's not fair! He cheated! How come He has all His work and I don't have any?"
God just shrugged and said, "JESUS SAVES!!"
Three Little Sheep + 1
This blog originally posted Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Current mood: quixotic Category: Religion and Philosophy
The Story of the 3 Little Sheep + 1
Three little sheep to church they went
To hear God's word that's heaven sent.
They sit in the pews side by side
But the difference in their faith is quite wide.
You see…
sheep number one he's new to the fold,
Daily telling his testimony in a way so bold
He gives his money his life, and his time
To serve Jesus his Lord and let God's Glory shine.
No, He doesn't have everything right,
Not a bible expert, but he reads it each night
His old friends think its a strange thing
How it's changed his life and this has truth's ring.
They wonder at how he volunteers his time
And is generous with money, every dime
He no longer parties or smokes or drinks
What a strange thing he's got or so they think.
But someday the time comes, when things go wrong
Their lives have problems and before too long,
They remember what changed in sheep number one
And ask questions about God and Christ the Son.
Now Sheep number two he follows God
But he looks at sheep one and thinks him odd
Too loud, too weird you'll scare them away
Sheep two tells sheep one every Sabbath day
Don't get me wrong, sheep two loves the Lord,
But with his faith, he has become quite bored
He usually gives some money in the pot
Just like he shows up for church, just not a lot
He sleeps through the prayer and yawns through the songs
He's looking at his watch if the sermon is too long
He accepted Christ early but his faith ain't his own
He just tries to blend in, another church clone.
His friends, all Christians look and act the same
They've got God and will go to heaven, so they claim.
God wants them to have faith to be enjoying,
But He can't get through to them while they're snoring.
Look at the world and look at sheep two
I can't tell much difference and neither can you.
He'll probably go to heaven, when he has died,
But when God sees him, he'll have no pride.
Sheep number three is the worst of the bunch
When it comes to his faith, he's out to lunch
He looks good at church for service on Sunday
But he looks much different the next day on Monday
He cheats on his taxes and beats on his wife
He lies and he gossips and causes great strife
His employees they hate him, malicious and greedy
Ask his lawyer and his girlfriend, they'll tell you he's sleezy.
But on Sunday he's pressed, all nice and shiny
But deep in his heart he is totally slimy
They pass by the plate and he waves his big bill,
But when they look away drops nothing in the till
The world sees sheep three and it gives them fits
Why go to church "They're all hypocrites!"
When he talks, "Jesus is Lord", that's what he'll say,
But when he walks he shows its just not his way.
When he gets to heaven, he's in for a real surprise
That's not where he's goin' not when he dies
He'll say Lord, Lord, but I'm one of your few
and God will tell him, "I don't know you"
For him the road was wide and nicely paved
But the narrow road is the one for those that are saved
He heard God's word, salvation could've been arranged
Now he'll suffer in hell for remaining unchanged.
Now this story is called 3 sheep plus one
We've seen those three, but now just for fun
Lets look at the last, the single, alone
It's for this one that I've written this poem.
He is the unsaved, the worldly sheep
For those whom Christ died to wake from their sleep
To give them eternal life as his greatest gift
To heal their souls of sins deep rift.
This one, alone, this sheep number four
Lives a life of pain and future unsure
He's destined for trouble and just doesn't know it
Unless sheep one through three meet him to show it.
Sheep number one says God is the way,
Don't rock the boat is what the other two say,
Sheep two says don't be pushy or preach,
Sheep three doesn't bother, no need to reach.
If they have their way, sheep one will calm
And the three of them will at church sing their songs
With no effect on the world, no nothing at all
The last sheep remains outside to take the fall
Three little sheep plus one is my story,
I pray to God and give him all of the Glory
I now ask a question, my challenge is true
Which one are you, sheep 1, sheep 3 or sheep 2?
Is your faith real, has it changed who you are,
Or do you keep it small and stored in a jar
Wednesday and Sunday you come into church
Proud of your deeds, mounted on a perch.
But what of the poor, the meek, the unsaved
Jesus brought them a message they craved
If you aren't being salt or a light
They can't see Jesus and that's just not right.
Praying and study are important no doubt,
But what use is faith is f you don't get it out.
Do what God says and give it a start
Serve others and love all to change your heart.
Heed this warning today so that you will know
Test your faith daily so it will grow
If you close your ears and remain sheep 2 or 3
When death comes, who knows where you'll be.
Current mood: quixotic Category: Religion and Philosophy
The Story of the 3 Little Sheep + 1
Three little sheep to church they went
To hear God's word that's heaven sent.
They sit in the pews side by side
But the difference in their faith is quite wide.
You see…
sheep number one he's new to the fold,
Daily telling his testimony in a way so bold
He gives his money his life, and his time
To serve Jesus his Lord and let God's Glory shine.
No, He doesn't have everything right,
Not a bible expert, but he reads it each night
His old friends think its a strange thing
How it's changed his life and this has truth's ring.
They wonder at how he volunteers his time
And is generous with money, every dime
He no longer parties or smokes or drinks
What a strange thing he's got or so they think.
But someday the time comes, when things go wrong
Their lives have problems and before too long,
They remember what changed in sheep number one
And ask questions about God and Christ the Son.
Now Sheep number two he follows God
But he looks at sheep one and thinks him odd
Too loud, too weird you'll scare them away
Sheep two tells sheep one every Sabbath day
Don't get me wrong, sheep two loves the Lord,
But with his faith, he has become quite bored
He usually gives some money in the pot
Just like he shows up for church, just not a lot
He sleeps through the prayer and yawns through the songs
He's looking at his watch if the sermon is too long
He accepted Christ early but his faith ain't his own
He just tries to blend in, another church clone.
His friends, all Christians look and act the same
They've got God and will go to heaven, so they claim.
God wants them to have faith to be enjoying,
But He can't get through to them while they're snoring.
Look at the world and look at sheep two
I can't tell much difference and neither can you.
He'll probably go to heaven, when he has died,
But when God sees him, he'll have no pride.
Sheep number three is the worst of the bunch
When it comes to his faith, he's out to lunch
He looks good at church for service on Sunday
But he looks much different the next day on Monday
He cheats on his taxes and beats on his wife
He lies and he gossips and causes great strife
His employees they hate him, malicious and greedy
Ask his lawyer and his girlfriend, they'll tell you he's sleezy.
But on Sunday he's pressed, all nice and shiny
But deep in his heart he is totally slimy
They pass by the plate and he waves his big bill,
But when they look away drops nothing in the till
The world sees sheep three and it gives them fits
Why go to church "They're all hypocrites!"
When he talks, "Jesus is Lord", that's what he'll say,
But when he walks he shows its just not his way.
When he gets to heaven, he's in for a real surprise
That's not where he's goin' not when he dies
He'll say Lord, Lord, but I'm one of your few
and God will tell him, "I don't know you"
For him the road was wide and nicely paved
But the narrow road is the one for those that are saved
He heard God's word, salvation could've been arranged
Now he'll suffer in hell for remaining unchanged.
Now this story is called 3 sheep plus one
We've seen those three, but now just for fun
Lets look at the last, the single, alone
It's for this one that I've written this poem.
He is the unsaved, the worldly sheep
For those whom Christ died to wake from their sleep
To give them eternal life as his greatest gift
To heal their souls of sins deep rift.
This one, alone, this sheep number four
Lives a life of pain and future unsure
He's destined for trouble and just doesn't know it
Unless sheep one through three meet him to show it.
Sheep number one says God is the way,
Don't rock the boat is what the other two say,
Sheep two says don't be pushy or preach,
Sheep three doesn't bother, no need to reach.
If they have their way, sheep one will calm
And the three of them will at church sing their songs
With no effect on the world, no nothing at all
The last sheep remains outside to take the fall
Three little sheep plus one is my story,
I pray to God and give him all of the Glory
I now ask a question, my challenge is true
Which one are you, sheep 1, sheep 3 or sheep 2?
Is your faith real, has it changed who you are,
Or do you keep it small and stored in a jar
Wednesday and Sunday you come into church
Proud of your deeds, mounted on a perch.
But what of the poor, the meek, the unsaved
Jesus brought them a message they craved
If you aren't being salt or a light
They can't see Jesus and that's just not right.
Praying and study are important no doubt,
But what use is faith is f you don't get it out.
Do what God says and give it a start
Serve others and love all to change your heart.
Heed this warning today so that you will know
Test your faith daily so it will grow
If you close your ears and remain sheep 2 or 3
When death comes, who knows where you'll be.
Embers
This blog originally posted Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Current mood: lonely Category: Life
Well, camp is over for the summer. Got done with CIY three weeks ago and Junior High Camp last week.
I'm always a little sad after camp. Every year. It took me a little while to realize why, but now I know. It's community. For one straight week, I get to live in a Christian community, eating, drinking, woshiping, sleeping, playing, etc... all in Christian community. Just like the first church in Acts.
We live, love, laugh, cry, argue, and play together. Every meal is communion. Every thing we do is worship. We are focussed on each other and on God.
I used to think camp was a nice break from the real world. Now, I realize that the real world is an unfortunate break from where I'm supposed to be.
The theme of CIY this year was, "you were never meant to be alone". That is so true. The level of relationship that is achievable in a closeknit Christian community is beyond anything else. And, best of all, it is just a peak at what eternity will be like in pure and total relationship with God.
The unfortunate truth is that our culture has become so 'me' centered and focused on our impassioned search for brief fixes of happiness, that we no longer attempt real community. We have begun to look at church as a community center that is there to provide services to us and not as a family that needs and loves us, a body that we are an irreplaceable part of. No, now we switch churches on a dime because we 'aren't being fed' or because another church has 'better worship'.
This church hopping, which is encoraged by many of the McMega Churches has been terribly destructive to the real relational community that can (and at times has) existed in the past.
Yeah, they have latte's down the street, and 7 services every weekend at the one around the corner. This one has a special group that caters just to my specific interests and that one sends their youth group to Disneyland for free every year.
Can we be honest here? All that is a 2nd rate chasing of the world. Vegas and Hollywood both do a better job and at least they are honest that the glitz and glamour is all fake. We aren't supposed to go to church to be entertained or catered to. We are supposed to worship God in community that is infinitely more joyful than a few moments of passive pleasure.
When did we forget that a relationship requires commitment, time invested, intentional love. How did we lose the knowledge that community is hard to build but infinitely worth it. Where did we misplace the understanding that God wants us to be a body, a family, a relationship?
If you can read this and believe in Jesus, I dare you to reconsider how you look at your faith. Are you a passive recipient of services? Are you a bored occasional visitor? Do you skip going to service because you ahave other 'important' things to do? Are you church hopping or shopping? If you are, open your Bible and look at Acts 2:42-25. That type of vibrant, loving, committed community is what we are supposed to have. It is achievable. It just requires you.
Like any relationship, it requires time. It requires you to be there. It requires you to want to grow closer to other people. It requires you to invest in others. It requires you to serve others. It requires you.
We don't need to reinvent Christianity to appeal to the masses. We just need to return to it.
Current mood: lonely Category: Life
Well, camp is over for the summer. Got done with CIY three weeks ago and Junior High Camp last week.
I'm always a little sad after camp. Every year. It took me a little while to realize why, but now I know. It's community. For one straight week, I get to live in a Christian community, eating, drinking, woshiping, sleeping, playing, etc... all in Christian community. Just like the first church in Acts.
We live, love, laugh, cry, argue, and play together. Every meal is communion. Every thing we do is worship. We are focussed on each other and on God.
I used to think camp was a nice break from the real world. Now, I realize that the real world is an unfortunate break from where I'm supposed to be.
The theme of CIY this year was, "you were never meant to be alone". That is so true. The level of relationship that is achievable in a closeknit Christian community is beyond anything else. And, best of all, it is just a peak at what eternity will be like in pure and total relationship with God.
The unfortunate truth is that our culture has become so 'me' centered and focused on our impassioned search for brief fixes of happiness, that we no longer attempt real community. We have begun to look at church as a community center that is there to provide services to us and not as a family that needs and loves us, a body that we are an irreplaceable part of. No, now we switch churches on a dime because we 'aren't being fed' or because another church has 'better worship'.
This church hopping, which is encoraged by many of the McMega Churches has been terribly destructive to the real relational community that can (and at times has) existed in the past.
Yeah, they have latte's down the street, and 7 services every weekend at the one around the corner. This one has a special group that caters just to my specific interests and that one sends their youth group to Disneyland for free every year.
Can we be honest here? All that is a 2nd rate chasing of the world. Vegas and Hollywood both do a better job and at least they are honest that the glitz and glamour is all fake. We aren't supposed to go to church to be entertained or catered to. We are supposed to worship God in community that is infinitely more joyful than a few moments of passive pleasure.
When did we forget that a relationship requires commitment, time invested, intentional love. How did we lose the knowledge that community is hard to build but infinitely worth it. Where did we misplace the understanding that God wants us to be a body, a family, a relationship?
If you can read this and believe in Jesus, I dare you to reconsider how you look at your faith. Are you a passive recipient of services? Are you a bored occasional visitor? Do you skip going to service because you ahave other 'important' things to do? Are you church hopping or shopping? If you are, open your Bible and look at Acts 2:42-25. That type of vibrant, loving, committed community is what we are supposed to have. It is achievable. It just requires you.
Like any relationship, it requires time. It requires you to be there. It requires you to want to grow closer to other people. It requires you to invest in others. It requires you to serve others. It requires you.
We don't need to reinvent Christianity to appeal to the masses. We just need to return to it.
The World's Funniest Joke
This blog originally posted Monday, May 21, 2007
Current mood: silly
For no good reason, I googled the phrase: "World's Funniest Joke."
Here it is:
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy takes out his phone and calls the emergency services.
He gasps: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator says: "Calm down, I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a gunshot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says: "OK, now what?"
Current mood: silly
For no good reason, I googled the phrase: "World's Funniest Joke."
Here it is:
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy takes out his phone and calls the emergency services.
He gasps: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator says: "Calm down, I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a gunshot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says: "OK, now what?"
Children are not an accessory!!!
This blog originally posted Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Current mood: sad Category: Blogging
Right now, police in Portugal are looking for a beautiful 4 year-old girl who has gone missing and is presumed kidnapped. Madeleine McCann, daughter of Gerry and Kate McCann from England was left alone in her hotel room at a resort with her 2 year old brother and sister while her parents went out for dinner.
There has been an international outpouring of support for this family. J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter author), David Beckham (world famous soccer player), and Simon Cowell (of American Idol) have put up a multi-million dollar reward for the return of this child.
What disturbs me is what is missing from this story. Where is the outrage that these parents left three children under the age of five alone in a hotel room in a strange country?!?!?!
The worst part about this is that this kind of treatment of children is not uncommon. Latch-key kids are a problem all over the U.S. Every couple of months you here about some parent that left their kids alone while they went to the bar. Parents get divorced and then feel that it's 'their turn' and so abandon their responsibilities as they go back on the dating market. Parents choose careers that keep them away from their children for long periods or have children and promptly go back to work leaving a nanny to raise the kids. Parents who pay for every club, sport, and other activity to keep their child busy and out of the way, or worse, pay for a TV and let that be the babysitter.
Kids are not life accessories. Having a child changes your life. No, you don't get to go have fun the same way you used to. Vacations no longer are absolute freedom to you. Once you decided to procreate, you chose to give up a great deal of freedom. The simple fact is that being a good parent is hard.
Maybe no one told you this, "It's not about you!" Your job for the next 18+ years is raising an emotionally healthy and responsible adult. That means you have to sacrifice. That means you have to make hard choices. That means you have to be a grown-up.
Simply stated: If you want to do what you want, when you want it. If you want to have extra spending money and free time. If you don't like sacrifice or hard choices....Don't Have Kids!!!!!!!
I pray that little Madeleine gets home safely. Despite my disgust for her parents, I have some sympathy. The thought of losing my daughter is almost unbearable. I hope the family is reunited. But I also pray that Kathy and Gerry learn their lesson. I hope they get the message and begin to act like grown-ups. I just hope it isn't too late.
Dear Lord, please bring little Madeleine home safely. God, I pray that you would give the family strength, and help them to learn from this. Help us all to get the message. Our children are a gift from you that is not to be treated lightly. Forgive us Lord when we fall short of that. Abba Father, please save little Madeleine.
Current mood: sad Category: Blogging
Right now, police in Portugal are looking for a beautiful 4 year-old girl who has gone missing and is presumed kidnapped. Madeleine McCann, daughter of Gerry and Kate McCann from England was left alone in her hotel room at a resort with her 2 year old brother and sister while her parents went out for dinner.
There has been an international outpouring of support for this family. J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter author), David Beckham (world famous soccer player), and Simon Cowell (of American Idol) have put up a multi-million dollar reward for the return of this child.
What disturbs me is what is missing from this story. Where is the outrage that these parents left three children under the age of five alone in a hotel room in a strange country?!?!?!
The worst part about this is that this kind of treatment of children is not uncommon. Latch-key kids are a problem all over the U.S. Every couple of months you here about some parent that left their kids alone while they went to the bar. Parents get divorced and then feel that it's 'their turn' and so abandon their responsibilities as they go back on the dating market. Parents choose careers that keep them away from their children for long periods or have children and promptly go back to work leaving a nanny to raise the kids. Parents who pay for every club, sport, and other activity to keep their child busy and out of the way, or worse, pay for a TV and let that be the babysitter.
Kids are not life accessories. Having a child changes your life. No, you don't get to go have fun the same way you used to. Vacations no longer are absolute freedom to you. Once you decided to procreate, you chose to give up a great deal of freedom. The simple fact is that being a good parent is hard.
Maybe no one told you this, "It's not about you!" Your job for the next 18+ years is raising an emotionally healthy and responsible adult. That means you have to sacrifice. That means you have to make hard choices. That means you have to be a grown-up.
Simply stated: If you want to do what you want, when you want it. If you want to have extra spending money and free time. If you don't like sacrifice or hard choices....Don't Have Kids!!!!!!!
I pray that little Madeleine gets home safely. Despite my disgust for her parents, I have some sympathy. The thought of losing my daughter is almost unbearable. I hope the family is reunited. But I also pray that Kathy and Gerry learn their lesson. I hope they get the message and begin to act like grown-ups. I just hope it isn't too late.
Dear Lord, please bring little Madeleine home safely. God, I pray that you would give the family strength, and help them to learn from this. Help us all to get the message. Our children are a gift from you that is not to be treated lightly. Forgive us Lord when we fall short of that. Abba Father, please save little Madeleine.
There's a moral to this story, I just don't know what it is.
This blog originally posted Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Current mood: silly Category: Pets and Animals
A fellow from New York was driving through rural West Virginia and he passed a farm where he saw a pig doing backflips in the front yard. He pulled over and watched the pig for a few minutes when he noticed that the pig only had three legs!
He walked up to the farmer who was watching the pig from the porch. "That's some pig you got there" said the New Yorker. "He can do backflips with only three legs." "How did he lose his leg?"
The farmer said, "Backflips are nothing. Once, my barn was on fire and a burning timber fell on me, the pig ran in through the blazing fire and falling timbers and pulled me to safety, even though he was injured by the blaze!"
"Wow," said the New Yorker. "Is that how he lost his leg?"
"No," said the farmer. "He still had all his legs then." "Another time, a large bear was loose in the area and had my boy chased up a tree and was trying to get at him. This pig went out and attacked the bear, holding him off while my boy escaped!"
"Amazing, is that how he lost his leg," asked the New Yorker.
"No," said the farmer, "it's just that a pig that good, you just don't eat him all at once."
Current mood: silly Category: Pets and Animals
A fellow from New York was driving through rural West Virginia and he passed a farm where he saw a pig doing backflips in the front yard. He pulled over and watched the pig for a few minutes when he noticed that the pig only had three legs!
He walked up to the farmer who was watching the pig from the porch. "That's some pig you got there" said the New Yorker. "He can do backflips with only three legs." "How did he lose his leg?"
The farmer said, "Backflips are nothing. Once, my barn was on fire and a burning timber fell on me, the pig ran in through the blazing fire and falling timbers and pulled me to safety, even though he was injured by the blaze!"
"Wow," said the New Yorker. "Is that how he lost his leg?"
"No," said the farmer. "He still had all his legs then." "Another time, a large bear was loose in the area and had my boy chased up a tree and was trying to get at him. This pig went out and attacked the bear, holding him off while my boy escaped!"
"Amazing, is that how he lost his leg," asked the New Yorker.
"No," said the farmer, "it's just that a pig that good, you just don't eat him all at once."
Innocence Lost
This blog originally posted Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Current mood: sad Category: Life
Here we go again. Another school shooting. Another mass murder. Another group of families broken.
Soon you'll see a wave of answers to the problem from armchair quarterbacks who get paid for having answers (whether they work or not). Control guns so people don't hurt themselves. Allow more guns so people can protect themselves. Lock down the schools. Require diversity training so people treat each other better. More laws. Less laws.
Then comes the blame. The shooter. The school didn't do enough. The police didn't do enough. The family of the shooter. Even the students at the university.
Then the hollow explanations. He was a distressed kid. His girlfriend left him. He was a loner. He was bullied. He was abused. He had psychological problems.
All of these are empty attempts to control the uncontrollable; to explain the unexplainable, to define the undefinable. But, they just don't help... Do they?
We like to think that people are basically good and that life is forever. These are sweet and beautiful childhood beliefs, but they are simply not true.
Politics can't change people's hearts. Philosophy fails. Laws can't control behavior. Medicine can't fix what's wrong with us. Psychologists and sociologists have explanations but no solutions.
The truth here is that mankind is fundamentally broken. We humans just don't have the answers to our own problems. We cannot contol ourselves, let alone others.
This world is full of evil and pain, hatred and hurting, loneliness and destruction. There must be an answer outside of us. There must be something more. There has to be something fundamentally good. Without hope, what is the point?.....................
God. Your kingdom come. Lord, Your will be done. God this world needs You. Father, be with those families whose world has just been ripped apart. Savior, be there for those who have had their innocence torn from them yesterday. Lord, we seek answers for the evil that we face each day, and we turn to everything but you. Bring us comfort and truth. Let us feel your grace. Save us from ourselves. Amen.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - - - John 14:27
P.S. The saddest part of all of this is the copycat events that are soon to follow.
Current mood: sad Category: Life
Here we go again. Another school shooting. Another mass murder. Another group of families broken.
Soon you'll see a wave of answers to the problem from armchair quarterbacks who get paid for having answers (whether they work or not). Control guns so people don't hurt themselves. Allow more guns so people can protect themselves. Lock down the schools. Require diversity training so people treat each other better. More laws. Less laws.
Then comes the blame. The shooter. The school didn't do enough. The police didn't do enough. The family of the shooter. Even the students at the university.
Then the hollow explanations. He was a distressed kid. His girlfriend left him. He was a loner. He was bullied. He was abused. He had psychological problems.
All of these are empty attempts to control the uncontrollable; to explain the unexplainable, to define the undefinable. But, they just don't help... Do they?
We like to think that people are basically good and that life is forever. These are sweet and beautiful childhood beliefs, but they are simply not true.
Politics can't change people's hearts. Philosophy fails. Laws can't control behavior. Medicine can't fix what's wrong with us. Psychologists and sociologists have explanations but no solutions.
The truth here is that mankind is fundamentally broken. We humans just don't have the answers to our own problems. We cannot contol ourselves, let alone others.
This world is full of evil and pain, hatred and hurting, loneliness and destruction. There must be an answer outside of us. There must be something more. There has to be something fundamentally good. Without hope, what is the point?.....................
God. Your kingdom come. Lord, Your will be done. God this world needs You. Father, be with those families whose world has just been ripped apart. Savior, be there for those who have had their innocence torn from them yesterday. Lord, we seek answers for the evil that we face each day, and we turn to everything but you. Bring us comfort and truth. Let us feel your grace. Save us from ourselves. Amen.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - - - John 14:27
P.S. The saddest part of all of this is the copycat events that are soon to follow.
The 'h' word.
This blog originally posted Monday, April 16, 2007
Current mood: cranky Category: News and Politics
Up to this point, I have avoided the issue of Don Imus and his ignorant comments about the Rutgers team being 'nappy-headed ho's'. It should be self-evident that what he said was wrong (along with many other racist and sexist comments that he has made over the past years).
The biggest problem that I have with this whole issue is the deceitful, hypocritical stance taken by so many in the black community. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are quick to jump on his comments and call for censorship solely because he is a white guy proclaiming his ignorance. Yet, at the same time, they say nothing over the entire hip-hop industry's treatment of women. Further, when Bill Cosby spoke out against these things, he was vilified for speaking out against his black brothers!!!
Russel Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis even issued a statement:
"Hip-Hop is a worldwide cultural phenomena that transcends race and doesn't engage in racial slurs. Don Imus' racially-motivated diatribe toward the Rutgers' women's basketball team was in no way connected to hip-hop culture. As Chairman and President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), respectively, we are concerned by the false comparisons some in the media are making between Don Imus and hip-hop. We want to clarify what we feel very strongly is an obvious difference between the two.
"HSAN believes in freedom of artistic expression. We also believe, with that freedom, comes responsibility. Don Imus is not a hip-hop artist or a poet. Hip-hip artists rap about what they see, hear and feel around them, their experience of the world. Like the artists throughout history, their messages are a mirror of what is right and wrong with society. Sometimes their observations or the way in which they choose to express their art may be uncomfortable for some to hear, but our job is not to silence or censor that expression. Our job is to be an inclusive voice for the hip-hop community and to help create an environment that encourages the positive growth of hip-hop. Language can be a powerful tool. That is why one's intention, when using the power of language, should be made clear. Comparing Don Imus' language with hip-hop artists' poetic expression is misguided and inaccurate and feeds into a mindset that can be a catalyst for unwarranted, rampant censorship."
What kind of ignorance is that!!!! I almost don't even know where to begin. First, he is saying that censorship is OK as long as it is racially motivated. A black man can say the 'n' word and degrade women all he wants because that is what he sees around him!!! Who is the racist here? Who is putting down black culture? Secondly, he is saying that art shouldn't be censored, but public speech should be. Thirdly, I would say that most rap and hip-hop lyrics (as with most other song lyrics) are shallow and have little 'artistic message' to them. Yes, some are well done commentary such as 'Gangsta's Paradise' by Coolio in the mid 90's, that really captured the hopelessness felt by someone in the ghetto.
But, for the most part, there is little or no redeeming value to any of this style of music because it glorifies a lifestyle of ignorance while simultaneously denigrating women. (I would say the same of most country music, but that's another blog). Simmons/Chavis are right, Language has Power, and when abused, it can be dangerous.
The duplicitousness of Russel Simmons and Dr. Chavis puts them in the same category with Don Imus, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson.
I don't respect any of them. They are all racists in their own way. They all help to perpetuate negative views of black women.
I do respect Bill Cosby. I do respect C. Dolores Tucker. There are very few who stand up against the thugs who use shock, hate, and evil as a tool for money or political gain, who stand up for what is right, who stand up for honesty.
Current mood: cranky Category: News and Politics
Up to this point, I have avoided the issue of Don Imus and his ignorant comments about the Rutgers team being 'nappy-headed ho's'. It should be self-evident that what he said was wrong (along with many other racist and sexist comments that he has made over the past years).
The biggest problem that I have with this whole issue is the deceitful, hypocritical stance taken by so many in the black community. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are quick to jump on his comments and call for censorship solely because he is a white guy proclaiming his ignorance. Yet, at the same time, they say nothing over the entire hip-hop industry's treatment of women. Further, when Bill Cosby spoke out against these things, he was vilified for speaking out against his black brothers!!!
Russel Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis even issued a statement:
"Hip-Hop is a worldwide cultural phenomena that transcends race and doesn't engage in racial slurs. Don Imus' racially-motivated diatribe toward the Rutgers' women's basketball team was in no way connected to hip-hop culture. As Chairman and President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), respectively, we are concerned by the false comparisons some in the media are making between Don Imus and hip-hop. We want to clarify what we feel very strongly is an obvious difference between the two.
"HSAN believes in freedom of artistic expression. We also believe, with that freedom, comes responsibility. Don Imus is not a hip-hop artist or a poet. Hip-hip artists rap about what they see, hear and feel around them, their experience of the world. Like the artists throughout history, their messages are a mirror of what is right and wrong with society. Sometimes their observations or the way in which they choose to express their art may be uncomfortable for some to hear, but our job is not to silence or censor that expression. Our job is to be an inclusive voice for the hip-hop community and to help create an environment that encourages the positive growth of hip-hop. Language can be a powerful tool. That is why one's intention, when using the power of language, should be made clear. Comparing Don Imus' language with hip-hop artists' poetic expression is misguided and inaccurate and feeds into a mindset that can be a catalyst for unwarranted, rampant censorship."
What kind of ignorance is that!!!! I almost don't even know where to begin. First, he is saying that censorship is OK as long as it is racially motivated. A black man can say the 'n' word and degrade women all he wants because that is what he sees around him!!! Who is the racist here? Who is putting down black culture? Secondly, he is saying that art shouldn't be censored, but public speech should be. Thirdly, I would say that most rap and hip-hop lyrics (as with most other song lyrics) are shallow and have little 'artistic message' to them. Yes, some are well done commentary such as 'Gangsta's Paradise' by Coolio in the mid 90's, that really captured the hopelessness felt by someone in the ghetto.
But, for the most part, there is little or no redeeming value to any of this style of music because it glorifies a lifestyle of ignorance while simultaneously denigrating women. (I would say the same of most country music, but that's another blog). Simmons/Chavis are right, Language has Power, and when abused, it can be dangerous.
The duplicitousness of Russel Simmons and Dr. Chavis puts them in the same category with Don Imus, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson.
I don't respect any of them. They are all racists in their own way. They all help to perpetuate negative views of black women.
I do respect Bill Cosby. I do respect C. Dolores Tucker. There are very few who stand up against the thugs who use shock, hate, and evil as a tool for money or political gain, who stand up for what is right, who stand up for honesty.
You can't handle the truth
This blog originally posted Tuesday, April 03, 2007
mood: quixotic Category: Religion and Philosophy
The great and wise prophet of our times, Homer Simpson said, "Facts are meaningless, you could use facts to prove anything that is even remotely true!"
Oh the wisdom in those lines... If I hear another person say, "That's true for you", "There is no absolute truth", or some version thereof, I just might have an aneurism. People in our culture has become so willfully ignorant in their rush for 'tolerance' that they make moronic statements such as that. It drives me crazy. I hear it from kids in my youth group, I hear it from people at work, I hear it on TV, I heard it the other day from my 6 year old daughter! and I even hear it at Bible college of all places!
In case no one ever told you: By definition, something that is true is true for everyone. By its very nature, truth is that way. We may have discussion over whether or not something is true, but if it is true, then it is absolute.
Rules of Truth:
1. Truth Is! (It really exists)
2. Truth Is...Whether you believe it or not.
3. Truth Is...Whether you know it or not.
4. Truth Is...Whether you deny it or not.
5. Truth Is...Whether you want it to be or not.
6. Truth Is...Whether you understand it or not.
7. Truth Is...Whether it is culturally popular or not.
8. Truth Is...Whether it makes you happy or not.
9. Truth Is...Whether it disproves your beliefs or not.
10. Truth Is...Whether you try to change it or not.
11. Truth will stand up to examination.
12. Truth will not have true evidence that fully contradict it.
13. Truth means that two contradicting ideas cannot both by true (they could both be false)
14. Truth has power that may hurt people, destroy ideas, ruin plans, change lives. So do lies.
The funny thing about the statements 'That's true for you' or 'I believe everyone has their own truth' or 'Truth is relative' is that even the people who say them don't really believe that. They say it when they speak of morals, religion, political concepts, or ideas (usually those that they are uncomfortable with). But, in truth, they don't really live that way. If they did, they would drive down the wrong side of the road anytime they want, because traffic laws are just someone elses belief system. They would allow their friend to get a medical license online and do their heart surgery for them, because biology is relative.
If truth is relative, then child molestation is perfectly OK. Murder is just a lifestyle choice. Stealing is acceptable as long as it makes you happy.
Truth applies to mathematics: 1+1 = 2.
Truth applies to science: A cat cannot breath underwater.
Truth applies to languages: words have meanings that can be understood by others.
Truth applies to history: Abraham Lincoln was president of the USA during the civil war.
Truth applies to health: The heart pumps blood, your teeth do not.
Truth applies to politics: Power corrupts people very easily.
Truth applies to morality: Killing innocents is wrong.
Truth applies to religion: One religion says there is only one God, another says there are many. Both cannot be true.
Some will read the list above and try to find nitpicky ways around each of these truths, but the core remains the same. Truth Exists in each of these areas.
You may not like that there is truth. Especially, if it means that what you are doing might be wrong. But that does not change the reality that truth exists.
Hold a handful of sand. Try to guess how many grains of sand are in your hand. Do you know exactly how many are there? Probably not. Can you know? Of course. You could count each grain. Truth is knowable.
Some would say that religion, morality, and politics lie in the realm of opinion, like trying to decide whether vanilla is the right flavor of ice cream or not. (Of course Rocky Road is the right flavor of ice cream, let's not be silly). But simple logic shows - if there is a God, and every religion disagrees on who He is, then only one can be right (or all could be wrong).
Simple logic shows that we can look at past political decisions and know that some were right for the nation and some wrong. So there was truth, we just didn't know what it was at the time. Few would deny that hurting others is immoral and wrong. The discussion comes when competing view points vie for the definition of 'hurting' or 'others' as in the abortion debate, gay marriage, civil rights, slavery, war, etc. One group believes one thing, one group believes another. These viewpoints may be opinions, but the opinions do not change the unknown truth.
Truth should be sought out. We should want to find truth in life. Most people don't want to look for truth because it might be hard to find, it might be hard to understand, it might now make them happy, it might call them to change.
I like to consider myself intellectually honest. I have beliefs in the realms of religion and morality that don't agree with everyone elses. I am willing to admit that I might be wrong. I am willing to admit that I am on a lifetime pursuit of truth. I am willing to admit that truth is often difficult to grasp and painful. I love discussing competing ideas and concepts, but if we are going to have a discussion of competing ideas, we both must realize that our beliefs do not change the core truth of the subject. We could both be wrong, or one of us could be right; but, if the ideas are contradictory- we cannot both be right.
This is why every high school student ought to take classes in Logic, Debate, and Philosophy. They ought to have a teacher that challenges their ideas and drives them to look at other points of view. They should be made to argue for things that they don't like. They should be challenged to seek truth in any question. This is painful and difficult, but it will ultimately kill the foolish relativism in our society. If you learn to think critically, then you begin to see the dichotomy that exists when people make unreasoning statements that deny the existance of truth (which they state as the truth).
I will teach my daughter to think. This means she will question the religion that I teach her. That means she will question my political stances. That means she will question the morals that I require of her while in our house. That is going to be painful for both of us, but the ultimate gift of rational thought will be worth it.
If you can't handle the truth, that's fine. Just don't blab your ignorance all over the place by denying that there is truth.
mood: quixotic Category: Religion and Philosophy
The great and wise prophet of our times, Homer Simpson said, "Facts are meaningless, you could use facts to prove anything that is even remotely true!"
Oh the wisdom in those lines... If I hear another person say, "That's true for you", "There is no absolute truth", or some version thereof, I just might have an aneurism. People in our culture has become so willfully ignorant in their rush for 'tolerance' that they make moronic statements such as that. It drives me crazy. I hear it from kids in my youth group, I hear it from people at work, I hear it on TV, I heard it the other day from my 6 year old daughter! and I even hear it at Bible college of all places!
In case no one ever told you: By definition, something that is true is true for everyone. By its very nature, truth is that way. We may have discussion over whether or not something is true, but if it is true, then it is absolute.
Rules of Truth:
1. Truth Is! (It really exists)
2. Truth Is...Whether you believe it or not.
3. Truth Is...Whether you know it or not.
4. Truth Is...Whether you deny it or not.
5. Truth Is...Whether you want it to be or not.
6. Truth Is...Whether you understand it or not.
7. Truth Is...Whether it is culturally popular or not.
8. Truth Is...Whether it makes you happy or not.
9. Truth Is...Whether it disproves your beliefs or not.
10. Truth Is...Whether you try to change it or not.
11. Truth will stand up to examination.
12. Truth will not have true evidence that fully contradict it.
13. Truth means that two contradicting ideas cannot both by true (they could both be false)
14. Truth has power that may hurt people, destroy ideas, ruin plans, change lives. So do lies.
The funny thing about the statements 'That's true for you' or 'I believe everyone has their own truth' or 'Truth is relative' is that even the people who say them don't really believe that. They say it when they speak of morals, religion, political concepts, or ideas (usually those that they are uncomfortable with). But, in truth, they don't really live that way. If they did, they would drive down the wrong side of the road anytime they want, because traffic laws are just someone elses belief system. They would allow their friend to get a medical license online and do their heart surgery for them, because biology is relative.
If truth is relative, then child molestation is perfectly OK. Murder is just a lifestyle choice. Stealing is acceptable as long as it makes you happy.
Truth applies to mathematics: 1+1 = 2.
Truth applies to science: A cat cannot breath underwater.
Truth applies to languages: words have meanings that can be understood by others.
Truth applies to history: Abraham Lincoln was president of the USA during the civil war.
Truth applies to health: The heart pumps blood, your teeth do not.
Truth applies to politics: Power corrupts people very easily.
Truth applies to morality: Killing innocents is wrong.
Truth applies to religion: One religion says there is only one God, another says there are many. Both cannot be true.
Some will read the list above and try to find nitpicky ways around each of these truths, but the core remains the same. Truth Exists in each of these areas.
You may not like that there is truth. Especially, if it means that what you are doing might be wrong. But that does not change the reality that truth exists.
Hold a handful of sand. Try to guess how many grains of sand are in your hand. Do you know exactly how many are there? Probably not. Can you know? Of course. You could count each grain. Truth is knowable.
Some would say that religion, morality, and politics lie in the realm of opinion, like trying to decide whether vanilla is the right flavor of ice cream or not. (Of course Rocky Road is the right flavor of ice cream, let's not be silly). But simple logic shows - if there is a God, and every religion disagrees on who He is, then only one can be right (or all could be wrong).
Simple logic shows that we can look at past political decisions and know that some were right for the nation and some wrong. So there was truth, we just didn't know what it was at the time. Few would deny that hurting others is immoral and wrong. The discussion comes when competing view points vie for the definition of 'hurting' or 'others' as in the abortion debate, gay marriage, civil rights, slavery, war, etc. One group believes one thing, one group believes another. These viewpoints may be opinions, but the opinions do not change the unknown truth.
Truth should be sought out. We should want to find truth in life. Most people don't want to look for truth because it might be hard to find, it might be hard to understand, it might now make them happy, it might call them to change.
I like to consider myself intellectually honest. I have beliefs in the realms of religion and morality that don't agree with everyone elses. I am willing to admit that I might be wrong. I am willing to admit that I am on a lifetime pursuit of truth. I am willing to admit that truth is often difficult to grasp and painful. I love discussing competing ideas and concepts, but if we are going to have a discussion of competing ideas, we both must realize that our beliefs do not change the core truth of the subject. We could both be wrong, or one of us could be right; but, if the ideas are contradictory- we cannot both be right.
This is why every high school student ought to take classes in Logic, Debate, and Philosophy. They ought to have a teacher that challenges their ideas and drives them to look at other points of view. They should be made to argue for things that they don't like. They should be challenged to seek truth in any question. This is painful and difficult, but it will ultimately kill the foolish relativism in our society. If you learn to think critically, then you begin to see the dichotomy that exists when people make unreasoning statements that deny the existance of truth (which they state as the truth).
I will teach my daughter to think. This means she will question the religion that I teach her. That means she will question my political stances. That means she will question the morals that I require of her while in our house. That is going to be painful for both of us, but the ultimate gift of rational thought will be worth it.
If you can't handle the truth, that's fine. Just don't blab your ignorance all over the place by denying that there is truth.
Making a difference
This blog originally posted Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Current mood: touched Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Here we go again, another movie star in the news. I wonder what relationship trouble or drug rehab it involves this time........
But wait, something new!!! A star is actually doing something to make a difference!!!
I think it is pretty awesome to see that Angelina Jolie has begun using her fame and money make a difference in this world. This is in direct contrast from the train wrecks her sisters in fame have made lately (Paris, Britney, Lindsey, Anna). Even better, when most show business folks make political statements in oscar speeches and wear trendy ribbons to show support for the cause-du-jour, Ms. Jolie is actually getting involved.
She has donated money to children's causes around the world and has now adopted three children from third world countries (Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Vietnam). I really respect people who put their money where their mouth is.
Say, if she is willing do adopt kids from impoverished third-world countries; I'm from West Virginia and could definitely use the money. I could see my self calling Angelina Jolie, Mommy.
Current mood: touched Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Here we go again, another movie star in the news. I wonder what relationship trouble or drug rehab it involves this time........
But wait, something new!!! A star is actually doing something to make a difference!!!
I think it is pretty awesome to see that Angelina Jolie has begun using her fame and money make a difference in this world. This is in direct contrast from the train wrecks her sisters in fame have made lately (Paris, Britney, Lindsey, Anna). Even better, when most show business folks make political statements in oscar speeches and wear trendy ribbons to show support for the cause-du-jour, Ms. Jolie is actually getting involved.
She has donated money to children's causes around the world and has now adopted three children from third world countries (Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Vietnam). I really respect people who put their money where their mouth is.
Say, if she is willing do adopt kids from impoverished third-world countries; I'm from West Virginia and could definitely use the money. I could see my self calling Angelina Jolie, Mommy.
A Funny Thing Happened to Me on the Way to a Funeral
This blog originally posted Friday, March 16, 2007
Current mood: thoughtful Category: Life
I attended a funeral this week. Not my first. Definitely not my last (I'm guaranteed at least one more).
Something funny - I looked around the sanctuary and noted the people. We had the usual: men and women, young and old, different skin colors. But, more notable, the deeper you looked, you saw Protestant and Catholic, Jew and Agnostic, Believers in God and those that just can't be bothered by Him. There were gay and straight, pierced and tattooed, people who had feuds with others who were there, people who haven't spoken in years because they haven't made time, drinkers and smokers and those who abstain, partiers and clean-livers, those full of bitterness and those full of joy, suits and shorts, white collar and blue, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brother, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandchildren and a more. No one had a problem with someone else's presence. Beliefs and lifestyles weren't held against each other. Past wrongs were forgotten. Hearts were softened, walls were broken down.
All of these people were brought together, united in grief and the desire for hope. I think this is how it is supposed to be, how God wants it; people with soft hearts, humble minds, and open arms. This rich tapestry that should be present all the time exists only for a fleeting moment of tears and hugs and then we are back to our lives, trying to forget the looming presense of mortality. I have had the chance to attend a lot of funerals. I've been to two suicides, deaths from old age, sudden death and the end to a long-suffering illness. I've seen non-believers and believers both try to cope. I've been to a Mormon funeral and a Muslim funeral (that's a whole story in itself). It's always the same.
Why is it that it take such a drastic measure to make us realize (if only briefly) that all of the stuff that we busy our lives with, all of the things we take personally, all of the selfishness that we hold dear is really just not that important. Love conquers all, or so they say, but it sure doesn't seem to in our everyday existence. The saddest thing is that by the time we start work next week, most of us will be back to our old ways.
In professional ministry, I am asked the question, 'How can God allow pain,and suffering in this world?' The only answer that I have is that it is the only way He can get our attention.
What relationship do you need to mend before it is too late? How do you need to be humble to let someone else in. What point of pride do you need to let go? Who do you need to call?
Current mood: thoughtful Category: Life
I attended a funeral this week. Not my first. Definitely not my last (I'm guaranteed at least one more).
Something funny - I looked around the sanctuary and noted the people. We had the usual: men and women, young and old, different skin colors. But, more notable, the deeper you looked, you saw Protestant and Catholic, Jew and Agnostic, Believers in God and those that just can't be bothered by Him. There were gay and straight, pierced and tattooed, people who had feuds with others who were there, people who haven't spoken in years because they haven't made time, drinkers and smokers and those who abstain, partiers and clean-livers, those full of bitterness and those full of joy, suits and shorts, white collar and blue, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brother, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandchildren and a more. No one had a problem with someone else's presence. Beliefs and lifestyles weren't held against each other. Past wrongs were forgotten. Hearts were softened, walls were broken down.
All of these people were brought together, united in grief and the desire for hope. I think this is how it is supposed to be, how God wants it; people with soft hearts, humble minds, and open arms. This rich tapestry that should be present all the time exists only for a fleeting moment of tears and hugs and then we are back to our lives, trying to forget the looming presense of mortality. I have had the chance to attend a lot of funerals. I've been to two suicides, deaths from old age, sudden death and the end to a long-suffering illness. I've seen non-believers and believers both try to cope. I've been to a Mormon funeral and a Muslim funeral (that's a whole story in itself). It's always the same.
Why is it that it take such a drastic measure to make us realize (if only briefly) that all of the stuff that we busy our lives with, all of the things we take personally, all of the selfishness that we hold dear is really just not that important. Love conquers all, or so they say, but it sure doesn't seem to in our everyday existence. The saddest thing is that by the time we start work next week, most of us will be back to our old ways.
In professional ministry, I am asked the question, 'How can God allow pain,and suffering in this world?' The only answer that I have is that it is the only way He can get our attention.
What relationship do you need to mend before it is too late? How do you need to be humble to let someone else in. What point of pride do you need to let go? Who do you need to call?
Sticks n' Stones (and lawsuits too)
This blog originally posted Wednesday, March 14, 2007
"That's So Gay". This phrase is actually the source of a lawsuit in California. A young mormon girl was being teased by other students because of her religion, with comments like "you must have 10 moms" and such. Her response to this was, "That's so gay." The kids making fun of her didn't complain about it. She didn't complain to anyone about the rude jokes they were saying. A teacher overheard this and reprimanded her with a written note in her 'permanent record' (scary organ music plays). So, her father promptly sues the school to get the written reprimand removed from her record.
What a ridiculous waste of time and money on the part of the school AND the dad!!!!! The judge should fine both parties for wasting the courts time and pitch them both out on the street.
It is a simple fact - kids make fun of each other. Kids are rude. Teens don't have the fully developed social skills (and medically, their brains aren't fully developed either) to hold reasoned intercourse over disagreements. This has always been so. Yes, we have the right as a culture to teach them, but this could have been handled so much better by the teacher and school.
The teacher and the school should have dealt with this by talking to all of the students involved and making the point that it is not proper to make fun of people for any reason (religion, sexual orientation, the size of their nose, etc). This didn't require a write up for anyone, at least for a first offense. All students involved should have been warned and let it go at that.
The school also should be the bastion of reasoned thought, but a quote from one of its lawyers shows this isn't so: "The district has a statutory duty to protect gay students from harassment, In furtherance of this goal, prohibition of the phrase That's so gay' ... was a reasonable regulation. OK. That's great, but she wasn't making fun of homosexuals. The school has recognized the cultural shift in the term gay to mean a homosexual, but they haven't recognized the more recent cultural shift to gay meaning something ridiculous or undesirable.
An even funnier quote comes from a professor from Berkley (nuff' said); "I wouldn't be surprised if this girl didn't even know the origin of that term," he said. "The kids who get caught saying it will claim it's been decontextualized, but others will say, No, you know what that means.' It's quite talked about." I personally wouldn't be surprised if HE didn't even know the origin of the term - it is from middle english and possible Germanic origins for a light hearted person. Gee, neither of the previous examples fit that definition.
The silly truth about the word gay is that American English is an unregulated language. We have no Real Academia Española like Spanish does that decides what words mean. Our language shifts and flows constantly. Does anyone remember when bad became good and cool became hot?
Another funny note about what the District Lawyer said; "The district has a statutory duty to protect gay students from harassment." Doesn't the district have a statutory duty to protect ALL students from harassment. That would include religion. Oh, but that isn't politically correct. It is OK to protect every miniscule subclass of human life in school, except religion.
Probably the funniest note of all. This girl is 18. She is off on her own in the real world now. Nobody cares what she did or said in High School!!!!! Anyone who is an adult knows this. Your 'permanent record' (ominous music plays again) doesn't matter in the real world. As long as you didn't commit crimes (and even most of those are expunged), you get out of jail free when you turn 18 and graduate high school. Big deal, she got a write up in school. So did I (lots and lots).
I never sat a job interview and had the interviewer say, "Mr. Loar, we were going to offer you this job, but we looked up your school record and found that you called Billy Riley a pooh-pooh head in fourth grade; I'm afraid you just aren't our type of person." No, all that really matters in the real world is if I learned NOT to call people rude names while I was in school. Oh yeah, and I was supposed to learn math, science, reading, and other important life skills.
The Dad and the School have been the most irresponsible parties involved. I expect teens to say stupid things. That's the point they're still learning. The adults here need to grow up and act their age. The teacher made a mistake in making this a written write up and by not dealing with the other students involved in an equal matter. The principal should have just issued a warning and left it at that, or, at least acknowledged later that they made a mistake in not treating all parties equally. The school district should have said, this isn't worth a lawsuit, we will just give her a warning and warn the other students involved about their conduct too. The district lawyers should have said, this isn't worth wasting taxpayer money in a lawsuit, just remove the written warning or issue equal written warnings to the other students. The dad should have said, this ultimately means nothing to my daughter's future and isn't worth wasting my time and money or the taxpayers money and just let it go. Someone here should have stood up and taken the high road.
None of them did.
The truth of the matter is both adult parties here are caught up in their own political agendas, although both parties would deny it. The school district, like many others in the country are falling all over themselves to show that they are 'diverse' and that they will go out of their way to show tolerance - that is to anyone but religious people. The dad here is so caught up his anti-homosexual agenda that he can't even see how unimportant this whole writeup thing is. (there is a lot of history there. the Dad has been protesting the school's tolerance policies and sexual teachings since 2000 according to another article. The school has also harassed his daughter due to the pressure he has put on them)
There is no excuse for making fun of people for any reason. There also is no excuse for adults to act like kids and fight it out on the legal playground over such a minor issue.
Frankly, I'd like to sit both parties down and tell them, "That's so gay."
"That's So Gay". This phrase is actually the source of a lawsuit in California. A young mormon girl was being teased by other students because of her religion, with comments like "you must have 10 moms" and such. Her response to this was, "That's so gay." The kids making fun of her didn't complain about it. She didn't complain to anyone about the rude jokes they were saying. A teacher overheard this and reprimanded her with a written note in her 'permanent record' (scary organ music plays). So, her father promptly sues the school to get the written reprimand removed from her record.
What a ridiculous waste of time and money on the part of the school AND the dad!!!!! The judge should fine both parties for wasting the courts time and pitch them both out on the street.
It is a simple fact - kids make fun of each other. Kids are rude. Teens don't have the fully developed social skills (and medically, their brains aren't fully developed either) to hold reasoned intercourse over disagreements. This has always been so. Yes, we have the right as a culture to teach them, but this could have been handled so much better by the teacher and school.
The teacher and the school should have dealt with this by talking to all of the students involved and making the point that it is not proper to make fun of people for any reason (religion, sexual orientation, the size of their nose, etc). This didn't require a write up for anyone, at least for a first offense. All students involved should have been warned and let it go at that.
The school also should be the bastion of reasoned thought, but a quote from one of its lawyers shows this isn't so: "The district has a statutory duty to protect gay students from harassment, In furtherance of this goal, prohibition of the phrase That's so gay' ... was a reasonable regulation. OK. That's great, but she wasn't making fun of homosexuals. The school has recognized the cultural shift in the term gay to mean a homosexual, but they haven't recognized the more recent cultural shift to gay meaning something ridiculous or undesirable.
An even funnier quote comes from a professor from Berkley (nuff' said); "I wouldn't be surprised if this girl didn't even know the origin of that term," he said. "The kids who get caught saying it will claim it's been decontextualized, but others will say, No, you know what that means.' It's quite talked about." I personally wouldn't be surprised if HE didn't even know the origin of the term - it is from middle english and possible Germanic origins for a light hearted person. Gee, neither of the previous examples fit that definition.
The silly truth about the word gay is that American English is an unregulated language. We have no Real Academia Española like Spanish does that decides what words mean. Our language shifts and flows constantly. Does anyone remember when bad became good and cool became hot?
Another funny note about what the District Lawyer said; "The district has a statutory duty to protect gay students from harassment." Doesn't the district have a statutory duty to protect ALL students from harassment. That would include religion. Oh, but that isn't politically correct. It is OK to protect every miniscule subclass of human life in school, except religion.
Probably the funniest note of all. This girl is 18. She is off on her own in the real world now. Nobody cares what she did or said in High School!!!!! Anyone who is an adult knows this. Your 'permanent record' (ominous music plays again) doesn't matter in the real world. As long as you didn't commit crimes (and even most of those are expunged), you get out of jail free when you turn 18 and graduate high school. Big deal, she got a write up in school. So did I (lots and lots).
I never sat a job interview and had the interviewer say, "Mr. Loar, we were going to offer you this job, but we looked up your school record and found that you called Billy Riley a pooh-pooh head in fourth grade; I'm afraid you just aren't our type of person." No, all that really matters in the real world is if I learned NOT to call people rude names while I was in school. Oh yeah, and I was supposed to learn math, science, reading, and other important life skills.
The Dad and the School have been the most irresponsible parties involved. I expect teens to say stupid things. That's the point they're still learning. The adults here need to grow up and act their age. The teacher made a mistake in making this a written write up and by not dealing with the other students involved in an equal matter. The principal should have just issued a warning and left it at that, or, at least acknowledged later that they made a mistake in not treating all parties equally. The school district should have said, this isn't worth a lawsuit, we will just give her a warning and warn the other students involved about their conduct too. The district lawyers should have said, this isn't worth wasting taxpayer money in a lawsuit, just remove the written warning or issue equal written warnings to the other students. The dad should have said, this ultimately means nothing to my daughter's future and isn't worth wasting my time and money or the taxpayers money and just let it go. Someone here should have stood up and taken the high road.
None of them did.
The truth of the matter is both adult parties here are caught up in their own political agendas, although both parties would deny it. The school district, like many others in the country are falling all over themselves to show that they are 'diverse' and that they will go out of their way to show tolerance - that is to anyone but religious people. The dad here is so caught up his anti-homosexual agenda that he can't even see how unimportant this whole writeup thing is. (there is a lot of history there. the Dad has been protesting the school's tolerance policies and sexual teachings since 2000 according to another article. The school has also harassed his daughter due to the pressure he has put on them)
There is no excuse for making fun of people for any reason. There also is no excuse for adults to act like kids and fight it out on the legal playground over such a minor issue.
Frankly, I'd like to sit both parties down and tell them, "That's so gay."
1+1=X. Immigration is a math problem.
This blog originally posted Friday, March 02, 2007
Current mood:Algebraic Category: News and Politics
Two trains leave the station on the same track. One leaves from Sinaloa at 6:15 pm traveling at 5 miles an hour. The other leaves Washington D.C. at 8:00 pm traveling 60 miles per hour. At what time will they collide and who has to clean up the mess?
OK, it is way past time that I commented on this issue. I know that the world waits with baited breath to see where I fall on this. OK, maybe not the world, definitely not politicians. But, it is my blog and I am waiting to see what I have to say. Yeah, I've probably brought this up before, but I have plenty to say.
The issue of illegal immigration is past the point of intelligent debate and has long since hit the level of the ridicululous. Now, it is rapidly approaching the danger zone. There is no longer rational discussion or thought given - you are either a right-wing wacko who hates them 'damn mexicans' (as if all immigrants come from that one country) OR your are a liberal nut who thinks we should ban the term illegal alien because it might offend someone here illegally. (true story - legislator in Florida wants to ban the term 'illegal alien').
As usual (for anyone who knows me) I fall somewhere in the middle (which is where most intelligent thought occurs).
I listen to talk radio and constantly here people talking about immigrants taking our jobs. They say that if all the immigrants weren't here, Americans would fill all of the low end jobs. OK, I gotta say - if you think that you cannot do math. I had to be tutored through college algebra by a 16 year old girl (thanks Brigitta - you are the smartest and coolest). Anyway, I can do basic math. Our unemployment rate is currently hovering around 4.7%. Back in high school economics I learned that anything below 5% is considered perfect because there are always people who are between jobs and always people who don't want to or can't work. So, if we remove 12 million people from our workplace (estimate of illegal immigrants), where are all the people who are supposed to fill those jobs going to come from? Most conservatives think that amnesty of any kind is not an option. Who wants to do the math to figure out the cost of attempting to track down and deport 12 million people and the cost of importing 12 million legal ones to fill the jobs they would vacate!!! As a side note to all of these fools who make the statement, "It is all about the law, the simple fact is that they are breaking the law and should be punished." If you make that statement, then you had better never speed (yeah, right), you'd better never fudge on your taxes (even to the penny), you'd better never steal office supplies (even a paper clip); otherwise you are a solid brass hypocrite.
Now, how about some math on the other side. In 2004, according to the Tucson citizen, the border patrol arrested 1.2 Million people crossing our borders illegally (north and south). The border patrol estimates that it catches 1 in 5! Of the ones they catch, they estimate 1 in 10 is from the middle east!!! That equates to 120,000 caught from the middle east and an estimated 600,000 getting through. It only took 19 to bring down 4 planes and 3 buildings on September 11. Now, I'm not saying that all middle easterners are terrorists, but you gotta play the odds.
The math shows that BOTH border security AND an easier legal immigration process are important. Comprehensive reform of this situation is required. We must have an easy, affordable process for legal immigration that brings in affordable labor that we can't provide. We must have a process for existing illegals who are otherwise following the law and working to atone for their crime (it is a misdemeanor by the way) and have a path to citizenship if they want it. Heck, those are the people I want as citizens. We also must have border security to prevent criminals and terrorists from gaining access.
These things are required now. Here is why:
I make two predictions:
1. Our next terrorist attack on this country will come accross the border.
Both of our borders are a joke. We have no border security to speak of and we know it. We are inviting attack. Our terrorist enemies have shown time and again that they are very sophisticated and are ready to exploit our weaknesses.
2. We will soon see violent attacks on Hispanics begin by racists who assume they are illegals (whether they are or not).
Rhetoric regarding this issue (from both sides) has reached the point where we have stopped seeing the human dilema and have started seeing people as issues. When that happens, it is a short jump to begin deciding to resolve those 'issues' any way possible. We have already seen a beginning of this in the Minute Men. Despite any claims they make that they are non-violent and not racists, it only takes a few minutes of listening to Chris Simcox to know that the roots are there. We aren't that far removed from the Civil Rights movement and the violence that accompanied that.
The final truth of all of this is that math controls the answer too. You won't see comprehensive reform. You won't see a stop to border traffic. You won't see a stop to the rhetoric. Why? I'm glad you asked. Too many people make too much money from paying illegals below minimum wage to do work. This may be the only thing that Businesses and Unions will ever agree on (but they won't admit it in public). The government even gets to keep a bunch of tax money from illegals who are paid using false social security numbers who therefore can never file taxes and get that money back. Illegal immigration is a money maker for our country, so no body really wants to stop it or provide a legal process for immigration that might mean immigrants are protected and will have to be paid more money. Oh, the politicians will make their speeches and public figures will rant and rave, ignorant people will still call into radio shows and people like me will still write blogs.
But the problem will never be solved.
The math proves it.
Did I ever mention that I hate math?
Current mood:Algebraic Category: News and Politics
Two trains leave the station on the same track. One leaves from Sinaloa at 6:15 pm traveling at 5 miles an hour. The other leaves Washington D.C. at 8:00 pm traveling 60 miles per hour. At what time will they collide and who has to clean up the mess?
OK, it is way past time that I commented on this issue. I know that the world waits with baited breath to see where I fall on this. OK, maybe not the world, definitely not politicians. But, it is my blog and I am waiting to see what I have to say. Yeah, I've probably brought this up before, but I have plenty to say.
The issue of illegal immigration is past the point of intelligent debate and has long since hit the level of the ridicululous. Now, it is rapidly approaching the danger zone. There is no longer rational discussion or thought given - you are either a right-wing wacko who hates them 'damn mexicans' (as if all immigrants come from that one country) OR your are a liberal nut who thinks we should ban the term illegal alien because it might offend someone here illegally. (true story - legislator in Florida wants to ban the term 'illegal alien').
As usual (for anyone who knows me) I fall somewhere in the middle (which is where most intelligent thought occurs).
I listen to talk radio and constantly here people talking about immigrants taking our jobs. They say that if all the immigrants weren't here, Americans would fill all of the low end jobs. OK, I gotta say - if you think that you cannot do math. I had to be tutored through college algebra by a 16 year old girl (thanks Brigitta - you are the smartest and coolest). Anyway, I can do basic math. Our unemployment rate is currently hovering around 4.7%. Back in high school economics I learned that anything below 5% is considered perfect because there are always people who are between jobs and always people who don't want to or can't work. So, if we remove 12 million people from our workplace (estimate of illegal immigrants), where are all the people who are supposed to fill those jobs going to come from? Most conservatives think that amnesty of any kind is not an option. Who wants to do the math to figure out the cost of attempting to track down and deport 12 million people and the cost of importing 12 million legal ones to fill the jobs they would vacate!!! As a side note to all of these fools who make the statement, "It is all about the law, the simple fact is that they are breaking the law and should be punished." If you make that statement, then you had better never speed (yeah, right), you'd better never fudge on your taxes (even to the penny), you'd better never steal office supplies (even a paper clip); otherwise you are a solid brass hypocrite.
Now, how about some math on the other side. In 2004, according to the Tucson citizen, the border patrol arrested 1.2 Million people crossing our borders illegally (north and south). The border patrol estimates that it catches 1 in 5! Of the ones they catch, they estimate 1 in 10 is from the middle east!!! That equates to 120,000 caught from the middle east and an estimated 600,000 getting through. It only took 19 to bring down 4 planes and 3 buildings on September 11. Now, I'm not saying that all middle easterners are terrorists, but you gotta play the odds.
The math shows that BOTH border security AND an easier legal immigration process are important. Comprehensive reform of this situation is required. We must have an easy, affordable process for legal immigration that brings in affordable labor that we can't provide. We must have a process for existing illegals who are otherwise following the law and working to atone for their crime (it is a misdemeanor by the way) and have a path to citizenship if they want it. Heck, those are the people I want as citizens. We also must have border security to prevent criminals and terrorists from gaining access.
These things are required now. Here is why:
I make two predictions:
1. Our next terrorist attack on this country will come accross the border.
Both of our borders are a joke. We have no border security to speak of and we know it. We are inviting attack. Our terrorist enemies have shown time and again that they are very sophisticated and are ready to exploit our weaknesses.
2. We will soon see violent attacks on Hispanics begin by racists who assume they are illegals (whether they are or not).
Rhetoric regarding this issue (from both sides) has reached the point where we have stopped seeing the human dilema and have started seeing people as issues. When that happens, it is a short jump to begin deciding to resolve those 'issues' any way possible. We have already seen a beginning of this in the Minute Men. Despite any claims they make that they are non-violent and not racists, it only takes a few minutes of listening to Chris Simcox to know that the roots are there. We aren't that far removed from the Civil Rights movement and the violence that accompanied that.
The final truth of all of this is that math controls the answer too. You won't see comprehensive reform. You won't see a stop to border traffic. You won't see a stop to the rhetoric. Why? I'm glad you asked. Too many people make too much money from paying illegals below minimum wage to do work. This may be the only thing that Businesses and Unions will ever agree on (but they won't admit it in public). The government even gets to keep a bunch of tax money from illegals who are paid using false social security numbers who therefore can never file taxes and get that money back. Illegal immigration is a money maker for our country, so no body really wants to stop it or provide a legal process for immigration that might mean immigrants are protected and will have to be paid more money. Oh, the politicians will make their speeches and public figures will rant and rave, ignorant people will still call into radio shows and people like me will still write blogs.
But the problem will never be solved.
The math proves it.
Did I ever mention that I hate math?
You can't make this stuff up!
This blog originally posted Thursday, November 30, 2006
Current mood: weird Category: Religion and Philosophy
About two weeks ago, the news reported that the Marines Toys for Tots program that gives toys to underpriveleged children for Christmas turned down a donation of 4000 stuffed Jesus dolls that say bible verses when you squeeze them. Christian groups promptly got up in arms about this.
Several comments on this:
1. The spokesman for toys for tots actually said something along the lines of, "What if a muslim, jewish, or athiest kid got one of these for Christmas." !?!?!?!? What the heck is a muslim or jewish kid or one who doesn't believe in God celebrating Christmas for?
2. What does Jesus have to do with Christmas anyway (sarcasm) Disregard the first six letters in Christmas.
3. For all of the Christians who promptly got upset and called in to talk radio about this.... How come you aren't offended that someone made a goofy stuffed doll out representing your Lord and Savior? Somebody actually reduced the Creator of the Universe to a pithy toy. There is so much wrong with that, I don't even know where to begin.
4. At least it was a stuffed Jesus doll. God forbid they tried to make it fair and make a stuffed Mohamed doll. There would have been riots, car bombs and random killings. Not sure what we'd stuff for Jews. We could give athiests empty boxes since they don't believe in anything. Buddhists could get a stuffed Buddah, but they'd just give it away in their search for nothingness. Maybe the Hindus have us all on this one - they believe in thousands of Gods, so they can get a lot of toys for Christmas.
Where does this stuff come from????? Why do Christians have to get all up in arms about the trivial and miss the core of their beliefs? How did a holiday celebrating the core beliefs of one religion get taken over by everyone else? I don't celebrate Ramadan. I don't bathe in the Ganges or dance down the streets of Calcutta slashing myself. I don't fly prayer flags on Everest. Not that I'm ripping on them, just wondering why they bothered to hijack someone else's holy day.
How did we end up as such a goofy society.
Only in America.
Current mood: weird Category: Religion and Philosophy
About two weeks ago, the news reported that the Marines Toys for Tots program that gives toys to underpriveleged children for Christmas turned down a donation of 4000 stuffed Jesus dolls that say bible verses when you squeeze them. Christian groups promptly got up in arms about this.
Several comments on this:
1. The spokesman for toys for tots actually said something along the lines of, "What if a muslim, jewish, or athiest kid got one of these for Christmas." !?!?!?!? What the heck is a muslim or jewish kid or one who doesn't believe in God celebrating Christmas for?
2. What does Jesus have to do with Christmas anyway (sarcasm) Disregard the first six letters in Christmas.
3. For all of the Christians who promptly got upset and called in to talk radio about this.... How come you aren't offended that someone made a goofy stuffed doll out representing your Lord and Savior? Somebody actually reduced the Creator of the Universe to a pithy toy. There is so much wrong with that, I don't even know where to begin.
4. At least it was a stuffed Jesus doll. God forbid they tried to make it fair and make a stuffed Mohamed doll. There would have been riots, car bombs and random killings. Not sure what we'd stuff for Jews. We could give athiests empty boxes since they don't believe in anything. Buddhists could get a stuffed Buddah, but they'd just give it away in their search for nothingness. Maybe the Hindus have us all on this one - they believe in thousands of Gods, so they can get a lot of toys for Christmas.
Where does this stuff come from????? Why do Christians have to get all up in arms about the trivial and miss the core of their beliefs? How did a holiday celebrating the core beliefs of one religion get taken over by everyone else? I don't celebrate Ramadan. I don't bathe in the Ganges or dance down the streets of Calcutta slashing myself. I don't fly prayer flags on Everest. Not that I'm ripping on them, just wondering why they bothered to hijack someone else's holy day.
How did we end up as such a goofy society.
Only in America.
Dream Come True
This blog originally posted Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Current mood: crazy Category: Games
OK - Just about the coolest thing ever (for me at least). This last Saturday, I got to compete in the Caber Toss (wearing my kilt no less). Our school was playing our local rival in the 'Man Olympics'. We pretty much got wiped from the board, losing most of the events. I don't care. I got to toss the caber and that's pretty much the coolest. Not only did I do it, but I did it well. Full end over end, landing completely perpendicular to me, which is the highest score you can get. It wasn't a full caber, which is a round post that is normally 17 to 22 feet tall. This one was only 14 feet, but I guess that is an OK start for people who have never done it before.
If you haven't ever seen a caber toss, there is a picture at
www.electricscotland.com/pictures/set15.htm.
www.electricscotland.com/pictures/set15.htm.
You can also try your hand at the caber toss online game at
www.electricscotland.com/games/caber.html.
I got to see a really cool caber toss demo at the highland games here in town several years ago. The winner was a woman (believe it or not). She was built like a piece of industrial farm machinery, with shaggy long red hair and a face that looked like someone had played a highland drum tattoo on it with an ugly stick. She had arms that would do a defensive lineman justice and legs as big around as the caber itself. I think they modelled the orcs from the Lord of the Rings on her. She won the Rock Throwing event as well. Not a pretty sight but definitely impressive. Made all the little 6'4" 300 pound men look tiny. I guess a life eating haggis can really do a number on you.
I will definitely be tossing the caber again next year if they have the event again. Maybe someday, I can get to go to Scotland and see the real thing. I'd even eat haggis.
PS - Not sure what haggis is? Check this out: http://www.electricscotland.com/haggis/index.html.
Ok, that's a joke. Here is what Haggis really is:
http://www.electricscotland.com/food/recipes/haggis.htm
You don't know it all till you don't know anything!
This blog originally posted Friday, October 20, 2006
Current mood: amused Category: Life
So I'm back in college at 34. I find it very funny to see the young 18 - 22 year old guys get all worked up about their points of view. They are uber-confident and all-consuming in their arrogant belief that they have the only correct point of view on any given topic.
I feel that I am qualified to explain this to you as I once was like you. When in college the first time, I held my views strongly and wasn't afraid to broadcast them to anyone who I felt might not agree because they were obviously wrong and needed firm correction. With time, experience, and more than a few hard knocks, I have learned how things really work.
So here goes:
If you are under 25 years of age and are completely confident in your point of view, let me educate you: You don't know anything at all. You don't even know enough to know what you do not know.
Confusing? I hope so. You disagree with me? I expected that.
If you are lucky and even the least bit teachable, life will knock off a few of those sharp edges and teach you that you have a lot to really learn. If not, the you will end up one of those bitter old men who are divisive about every subject and no one really likes to be around you.
The truth is that almost every major topic you will argue in school will have scholars on both sides with great arguments. Further, most of these will have little or no application in the real world. Discussion of concepts, wrestling with ideas, struggling with conflicting points-of-view - all of this is good to do in school. Just don't forget to open your eyes and mind, consider that the other side just might be right (or, amazingly enough, you both just might be wrong!).
Have respect for your professors and elders. Don't assume that just because you see problems in the world that the older generation is entirely at fault, either. Sure they made mistakes. But, if you listen carefully, you just might here the sound of the baby being born who will grow up and, in 20 years tell you all of the things your generation has done wrong.
Learn humility. Listen to both sides. Research. Study. Learn. Experience.
Just don't cast your opinions or ideas in stone until they've been tested in the burning foundry of real life and quenched in the messy waters of real humanity. Long has our world suffered from heartless piety and cruel arrogance of men whose belief systems become more important than the very people they were supposed to help.
Ideas are not God. You can hold true to your values while still learning with an open mind.
Of course... These may just be the ramblings of an uneducated man who holds his beliefs too closely. Maybe I'll change my mind in my 40s, 50s, or 60s.
I just wish I still knew it all. Life was easier then.
P.S. - If you are one of those 20 year old guys and you disagree with this, call me in 10 years. We'll have a laugh together as we watch a new crop of 20 year olds tell us how wrong we are.
Current mood: amused Category: Life
So I'm back in college at 34. I find it very funny to see the young 18 - 22 year old guys get all worked up about their points of view. They are uber-confident and all-consuming in their arrogant belief that they have the only correct point of view on any given topic.
I feel that I am qualified to explain this to you as I once was like you. When in college the first time, I held my views strongly and wasn't afraid to broadcast them to anyone who I felt might not agree because they were obviously wrong and needed firm correction. With time, experience, and more than a few hard knocks, I have learned how things really work.
So here goes:
If you are under 25 years of age and are completely confident in your point of view, let me educate you: You don't know anything at all. You don't even know enough to know what you do not know.
Confusing? I hope so. You disagree with me? I expected that.
If you are lucky and even the least bit teachable, life will knock off a few of those sharp edges and teach you that you have a lot to really learn. If not, the you will end up one of those bitter old men who are divisive about every subject and no one really likes to be around you.
The truth is that almost every major topic you will argue in school will have scholars on both sides with great arguments. Further, most of these will have little or no application in the real world. Discussion of concepts, wrestling with ideas, struggling with conflicting points-of-view - all of this is good to do in school. Just don't forget to open your eyes and mind, consider that the other side just might be right (or, amazingly enough, you both just might be wrong!).
Have respect for your professors and elders. Don't assume that just because you see problems in the world that the older generation is entirely at fault, either. Sure they made mistakes. But, if you listen carefully, you just might here the sound of the baby being born who will grow up and, in 20 years tell you all of the things your generation has done wrong.
Learn humility. Listen to both sides. Research. Study. Learn. Experience.
Just don't cast your opinions or ideas in stone until they've been tested in the burning foundry of real life and quenched in the messy waters of real humanity. Long has our world suffered from heartless piety and cruel arrogance of men whose belief systems become more important than the very people they were supposed to help.
Ideas are not God. You can hold true to your values while still learning with an open mind.
Of course... These may just be the ramblings of an uneducated man who holds his beliefs too closely. Maybe I'll change my mind in my 40s, 50s, or 60s.
I just wish I still knew it all. Life was easier then.
P.S. - If you are one of those 20 year old guys and you disagree with this, call me in 10 years. We'll have a laugh together as we watch a new crop of 20 year olds tell us how wrong we are.
When will they ever learn
This blog originally posted Friday, October 06, 2006
Current mood: contemplative Category: Life
The Kingston Trio, a 1960s era folk band had a song called 'Where have all the flowers gone'. Pretty song. Somewhat depressing and fatalistic. The refrain is 'when will they ever learn'.
One of the hardest parts about working in ministry is watching people self destruct. You get a ringside seat to watch people you care about make bad decisions, decisions that destroy their lives and/or damage the lives of others. Time and time again. Even more painful is that they often make bad choices, knowing what the right thing is.
Then, after the damage is done, as they look around the destruction and begin picking up the pieces, they come to some realization that what they did was a mistake. Often, people around them warned them, red flags where everywhere; but selfish pride kept them on the path they were on.
Usually these are financial or relationship issues. Should I buy that big ticket item? Should I marry that person? People always seem to make the choice that is easiest or the most fun in the short term. They pay for it later.
Sometimes, people (Christians especially) seem to think that life just happens. Christians blame the devil for all sorts of ills. Non-Christians just say it was bad luck or fate. The truth is, a great deal of what goes wrong in our lives are our own choices. Often these choices are made despite wise council to the contrary. Sometimes, random bad luck happens, sometimes the devil gets you in his sights, but, most of the ill that occurs in our lives comes from mistakes that were chosen.
It's like the insurance industry tells us. "There is no such thing as a car accident." All car accidents are really the result of a bad choice (either intentional or unintentional) of someone. They really should be called purposes, not accidents.
The same is true of our lives. An awful lot of purposes happen to us that are our fault or the fault of someone around us making a dumb choice. It gives new meaning to the book title 'The Purpose Driven Life.'
Maybe it's time to admit that we don't have all the answers ourselves. Maybe it's time to invest in a community of friends and family that support each other and give counsel. Maybe it's time to quit being so self-centered and prideful and realize that other people can be there for you. Maybe it's time to actually seek advice from other people who care about you when you are about to make a major decision. (for the record, seek someone who won't just tell you what you want to hear). Maybe its time to purposefully prevent the accidents of life that cause so much pain.
As I write this, I recognize that it probably won't matter. As you read this, you'll probably think 'Oh, that's a good point.' But, then you'll just go out and make a bad choice without giving it any thought. I probably will too.
When will we ever learn.
Current mood: contemplative Category: Life
The Kingston Trio, a 1960s era folk band had a song called 'Where have all the flowers gone'. Pretty song. Somewhat depressing and fatalistic. The refrain is 'when will they ever learn'.
One of the hardest parts about working in ministry is watching people self destruct. You get a ringside seat to watch people you care about make bad decisions, decisions that destroy their lives and/or damage the lives of others. Time and time again. Even more painful is that they often make bad choices, knowing what the right thing is.
Then, after the damage is done, as they look around the destruction and begin picking up the pieces, they come to some realization that what they did was a mistake. Often, people around them warned them, red flags where everywhere; but selfish pride kept them on the path they were on.
Usually these are financial or relationship issues. Should I buy that big ticket item? Should I marry that person? People always seem to make the choice that is easiest or the most fun in the short term. They pay for it later.
Sometimes, people (Christians especially) seem to think that life just happens. Christians blame the devil for all sorts of ills. Non-Christians just say it was bad luck or fate. The truth is, a great deal of what goes wrong in our lives are our own choices. Often these choices are made despite wise council to the contrary. Sometimes, random bad luck happens, sometimes the devil gets you in his sights, but, most of the ill that occurs in our lives comes from mistakes that were chosen.
It's like the insurance industry tells us. "There is no such thing as a car accident." All car accidents are really the result of a bad choice (either intentional or unintentional) of someone. They really should be called purposes, not accidents.
The same is true of our lives. An awful lot of purposes happen to us that are our fault or the fault of someone around us making a dumb choice. It gives new meaning to the book title 'The Purpose Driven Life.'
Maybe it's time to admit that we don't have all the answers ourselves. Maybe it's time to invest in a community of friends and family that support each other and give counsel. Maybe it's time to quit being so self-centered and prideful and realize that other people can be there for you. Maybe it's time to actually seek advice from other people who care about you when you are about to make a major decision. (for the record, seek someone who won't just tell you what you want to hear). Maybe its time to purposefully prevent the accidents of life that cause so much pain.
As I write this, I recognize that it probably won't matter. As you read this, you'll probably think 'Oh, that's a good point.' But, then you'll just go out and make a bad choice without giving it any thought. I probably will too.
When will we ever learn.
An Apology
This blog originally posted Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Category: Religion and Philosophy
I was reading the paper on Sunday and saw a picture that absolutely disgusted me. A funeral in Kentucky for a soldier who died in Iraq was being attended by a group of protesters. They were waiving signs that said 'God Hates You' and 'You are Going to Hell'. Reporters, interviewing the protesters found that they were representatives of a local church who believe that 9/11 was God's punishment on the U.S. for homosexuality.
Last fall, I went to the National Youth Workers Convention in California and there were protesters there too. They had parked a large truck out front covered with huge signs that said 'God Hates Fags' and such in large red letters on white background.
Let me start by apologizing for their conduct. I'm sorry and I ask for forgiveness. Please know that they do not represent all Christians, in fact, they don't even represent a majority of Christians. Jesus had nothing but love and guidance for those who were in sin. He reserved his harsh attacks for the obnoxious religious leaders who tore others down with their legalism, who preached one thing to the people and then did worse themselves. Kinda makes you wonder what he would say to those protestors.
Jesus hung out with prostitutes, traitors, and other 'sinners'. It's there in the book. He says that he came for the sick and broken. It's there. He invites you to come to him, because his burden is light. Hatred and vitriol are not what I find there.
Paul travelled to different cultures throughout the Mediterranean, teaching of Jesus to people who weren't Jews, knew nothing of God or His promised Messiah. Did he hold up signs saying 'You are going to Hades' ? Did he stand in the temple of Aphrodite and say 'God hates fornicators' ? NO. He went to them in love. He had compassion on them. He shared the truth in their language. He went to them and accepted them. Don't get me wrong, he certainly instructed the churches and believers to clean up their act, but these were people who voluntarily chose to follow God's way. However, to people who didn't know and hadn't chosen, he took a different tack.
The most common bible verse that every non-Christian knows is 'judge not, lest ye be judged'. That's great, but they don't know what follows it. It says to take the log out of your own eye before pointing out the splinter in your brother's eye. That means that I need to do some cleanup in my own life before judging someone elses. I'd certainly like to take a look into the lives of those protestors. There had better be no pornography in their house, no bad internet sites visited, no adultery in the church, no incidents of molestation, theft, gossip, slander, infighting, divorce, drunkeness, or any other things that the Bible calls sin.
Please, accept my apology for them. They do not represent me or the God that I follow.
Category: Religion and Philosophy
I was reading the paper on Sunday and saw a picture that absolutely disgusted me. A funeral in Kentucky for a soldier who died in Iraq was being attended by a group of protesters. They were waiving signs that said 'God Hates You' and 'You are Going to Hell'. Reporters, interviewing the protesters found that they were representatives of a local church who believe that 9/11 was God's punishment on the U.S. for homosexuality.
Last fall, I went to the National Youth Workers Convention in California and there were protesters there too. They had parked a large truck out front covered with huge signs that said 'God Hates Fags' and such in large red letters on white background.
Let me start by apologizing for their conduct. I'm sorry and I ask for forgiveness. Please know that they do not represent all Christians, in fact, they don't even represent a majority of Christians. Jesus had nothing but love and guidance for those who were in sin. He reserved his harsh attacks for the obnoxious religious leaders who tore others down with their legalism, who preached one thing to the people and then did worse themselves. Kinda makes you wonder what he would say to those protestors.
Jesus hung out with prostitutes, traitors, and other 'sinners'. It's there in the book. He says that he came for the sick and broken. It's there. He invites you to come to him, because his burden is light. Hatred and vitriol are not what I find there.
Paul travelled to different cultures throughout the Mediterranean, teaching of Jesus to people who weren't Jews, knew nothing of God or His promised Messiah. Did he hold up signs saying 'You are going to Hades' ? Did he stand in the temple of Aphrodite and say 'God hates fornicators' ? NO. He went to them in love. He had compassion on them. He shared the truth in their language. He went to them and accepted them. Don't get me wrong, he certainly instructed the churches and believers to clean up their act, but these were people who voluntarily chose to follow God's way. However, to people who didn't know and hadn't chosen, he took a different tack.
The most common bible verse that every non-Christian knows is 'judge not, lest ye be judged'. That's great, but they don't know what follows it. It says to take the log out of your own eye before pointing out the splinter in your brother's eye. That means that I need to do some cleanup in my own life before judging someone elses. I'd certainly like to take a look into the lives of those protestors. There had better be no pornography in their house, no bad internet sites visited, no adultery in the church, no incidents of molestation, theft, gossip, slander, infighting, divorce, drunkeness, or any other things that the Bible calls sin.
Please, accept my apology for them. They do not represent me or the God that I follow.
Life as we know it
This blog originally posted Monday, October 02, 2006
Current mood: thoughtful
Check out this cool link:
http://www.kids4truth.com/watchmaker/watch.html
Once you have watched the video, check out the following two websites. They concern the concept of Intelligent Design and Creationism versus Darwinism. They both have a lot of very scientific articles which are tough reads, but it just goes to show you that just because something is popular doesn't mean that it is correct. Unfortunately, macroevolution has a hold on our schools and to disagree is to be attacked personally. I applaud those who will stand up and question the very real issues of scientific method with Darwinism and at least present that there are other educated points of view.
http://www.uncommondescent.com/
http://www.icr.org/
Current mood: thoughtful
Check out this cool link:
http://www.kids4truth.com/watchmaker/watch.html
Once you have watched the video, check out the following two websites. They concern the concept of Intelligent Design and Creationism versus Darwinism. They both have a lot of very scientific articles which are tough reads, but it just goes to show you that just because something is popular doesn't mean that it is correct. Unfortunately, macroevolution has a hold on our schools and to disagree is to be attacked personally. I applaud those who will stand up and question the very real issues of scientific method with Darwinism and at least present that there are other educated points of view.
http://www.uncommondescent.com/
http://www.icr.org/
Oh, That explains it.
This blog originally posted Thursday, September 28, 2006
Current mood: silly Category: Life
From an Article on CNN.com:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Too much testosterone can kill brain cells, researchers say, in a finding that may help explain why steroid abuse can cause behavior changes such as aggressiveness and suicidal tendencies.
Tests on brain cells in lab dishes showed that while a little of the male hormone is good, too much of it causes cells to self-destruct in a process similar to that seen in brain illnesses such as Alzheimer's.
"Too little testosterone is bad, too much is bad but the right amount is perfect," said Barbara Ehrlich of Yale University in Connecticut, who led the study.
Speaking as a guy, now I understand why Jr. High boys are that way. This also explains mid-life crisis, Pamela Anderson, sports cars, Baywatch, and the WWE wrestling. Girls have been telling us this all along, we were just too stupid to believe it.
Current mood: silly Category: Life
From an Article on CNN.com:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Too much testosterone can kill brain cells, researchers say, in a finding that may help explain why steroid abuse can cause behavior changes such as aggressiveness and suicidal tendencies.
Tests on brain cells in lab dishes showed that while a little of the male hormone is good, too much of it causes cells to self-destruct in a process similar to that seen in brain illnesses such as Alzheimer's.
"Too little testosterone is bad, too much is bad but the right amount is perfect," said Barbara Ehrlich of Yale University in Connecticut, who led the study.
Speaking as a guy, now I understand why Jr. High boys are that way. This also explains mid-life crisis, Pamela Anderson, sports cars, Baywatch, and the WWE wrestling. Girls have been telling us this all along, we were just too stupid to believe it.
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