Unanswered Questions

I found out tonight that at least one of you (hello Missouri reader) supposedly asked me some questions (through e-mail) to answer on the blog. I checked all my archived e-mails and can't find any history of that e-mail specifically, nor do I remember any other questions I've been asked but haven't answered.

My source tried to dictate your questions to me, but I think I'll wait until I receive them from the one who wants them answered the most (though my research has begun).

If anyone else has tried asking me questions that I either haven't answered or given a reason for not answering, please let me know somehow (comments here or e-mail me, both work).

Looking forward to communicating with and to all of you.

Can't someone just buy the rights?

There are days i miss having cable. Today is one of those days. I dislike when every network decides something is worth interrupting because they don't want to be the only one not doing it. In the world of money and entertainment in America, it seems like everything is for sale.

Only one network gets to cover major sporting events. Only one network gets to run specific shows. Why can't just one network buy the rights to a specific Presidential Debate, or Presidential speech, or election results, or funerals.

I don't know enough about President Ford to say his funeral was not a matter of national interest, or that he was or wasn't worth having his funeral broadcast live. I really don't care that it was broadcast live. What i do care about (and i know i'm being selfish and vain) is that every network thought it was the most important thing i could be doing with my time for two hours.

The talked about the three different funerals that were being held. Will i need to see all of them? I didn't even enjoy this one.

It's one thing for emergency breaking conferences, or newscasts where the white house has determined that every network should carry, but can't the networks bid for and buy the rights to certain seen programs (like a funeral planned days in advance)?

Just ranting. Sorry for the vain-ness you might now know i have that you didn't before. I've never claimed to be perfect.

The Pepsi/Coke Challenge

Telling the difference in taste between Pepsi and Coke has never been a challenge to me. My family is largely Pepsi dominated, so that taste is very easy for me to detect. I can be handed some kind of Pepsi, and probably identify it as regular, diet, one, or cherry brand based on its taste alone. I know Pepsi well. By default, that means I can always tell the difference between Pepsi and Coke.

This however is not my challenge.

Here is the deal.... I like Pepsi better than Coke when it comes to drinking out of a can, but like Coke better when it comes out of the fountain.

Therein lies the challenge. Can you tell the difference between canned and fountain drinks, simply from their taste? Do these tastes change your priorities in drink ordering? What about a fountain Cherry drink vs. a bar mixed Cherry drink?

3 Days Warning

Its almost the time of year were people begin asking if you made any New Year's Resolutions.

I have made some in the past (resolutions that is, not necessarily at the New Year) that have put my life in a direction that has been very helpful. Some of these things, I would not trade.

You have about three days until it is customary to make those resolutions public. I'd love to give you that opportunity.

One of my resolutions for the year will be to run a marathon. Other than that, you'll have to wait....

Do any of you have resolutions you'd like to let me (and anyone else who might read) know about?

Do any of you need help keeping your resolution? Do any of you want advice on what i think a good resolution for you might be?

If so, just comment (or e-mail if you want to avoid the anyone who might read part).

Laziness Marathon

In college, my best friend and I created inside day. It was a bonding day, in which the only rule was that we could not go outside. Not even into the apartment's hallways. We had to stay inside.

In training for the marathon I plan on running this fall, I used the last couple of days to practice psychological marathons.

I've made the last two days with my willpower keeping me inside. That's right, back to back lazy days. I'm aiming for number three tomorrow to complete my inside day marathon.

I have plans on Friday, so three is my limit for my psychological training.

I'd like to thank Fox, for producing 24, and Qwest for providing me with internet to help me with my struggles.

Really, 6 Hours?

Jenny got season 5 of 24 in her stocking this Christmas, which means we spend a good chunk of the day watching parts of it. We are through the first 8 hours (episodes) of it.

According to my rough calculations...

Anyone who watches an entire season of 24 will see roughly 6 and 1/2 hours of commercials.

Lucky for us, the DVDs help us to avoid all of that time.

But seriously, 6 and 1/2 hours during one season. That's quite a lot of advertising.

Not Much To Say

Christmas was wonderful. It always is.

My fingers have re-grafted their skin well enough that typing is pretty normal again now, but unfortunately I don't have much to say tonight.

Instead, I'm going to go sit on our new couch (told you Christmas was wonderful) and watch my wife play Tetris.

Merry Christmas

It's that day.

Celebrate it.

Enjoy it.

Find rest.

Find community.

Spread love.

Frank and Ringo Knocked Me Out

The first thing you'll need to understand is that Frank and Ringo are the names of the puppets which are attached to my ring (Ringo) and middle (Frank) fingers on my right hand. It all started when...

The couch came in today. Some of you remember the discussions based around moving a certain rug when we put up our Christmas tree. Today was the total living room remodeling (minus the rug) day. We had taken the old couch out, brought the first piece of the new one to the porch and were informed that we (my dad and I) were now also in charge of moving the heavy piece of the entertainment center (because it still had the t.v. on it). This is where our fun began. After getting the piece to the place it was going, we only needed to set and place it precisely. At this point, on of the legs of said heavy piece decided it no longer enjoyed being attached, which thrust the corner of said piece down onto two of my fingers making large cuts in two of my fingertips. These fingertips ultimately get taped up with some gauze, and faces drawn on them and become Ringo and Frank. This however isn't where the story ends. But this is where I put in my most important note to my wife... A Plasma television would never have cause the scare you went through today.

After the cutting part, I went to the kitchen to clean my finger tips. Not a lot of pain at this point, and I figured once the bleeding stopped things would be normal. Until I started walking back into the living room. I started to feel a little dizzy, so I sat at our table and asked my mom to get me some water. I remember her passing me the water, me taking a little sip, and in my mind, I then set the water bottle on the table. The next thing I remember is looking at a puddle of water on the floor and my dad talking to me.

Apparently I missed some key things there in the middle. One of these things was the primal scream of a mother as she watched her son pass out. I apparently allowed this very laptop to break the fall of my head while I fell over and spilt my water. Jenny hasn't forgiven me for the worry I put her through (and I'm sure if I spent the rest of the day with my parents, they wouldn't have either). I got really hot and sweaty so they moved me to the floor to lay down and got a fan to blow air on me. There is snow outside and I wanted the fan on.

It didn't take long until I felt fine. I don't remember my moms scream, or the head hitting the laptop, or how my mom, dad, and wife got all around me, but I will never forget this day.

It is the first time in my life I can add passing out to my ever growing list of accomplished injuries.

Merry Christmas me.

No More Mr. Scrooge

Shopping is done. For the first time in my gift buying life, i don't have to buy any more gifts when Christmas Eve comes.

We finished our shopping tonight. No more to go.

We'd like to thank Best Buy, Online Shopping, and the Mall for helping us get through this tough time of year.

It's a Blizzard in Here

I watched it snow today. I opened the blinds this afternoon and watched it snow.

It was refreshing. Not because it was snowing, but because i knew i didn't need to go out in it.

I don't know if i'm glad there is snow or not. I haven't missed it, and it hasn't been horribly cold. If its gonna be cold, i want snow, but until it gets colder than this, i would have been fine without it.

More importantly, i heard on the radio, that you can actually have a blizzard (the weather kind) without snowfall. Does anyone know what the qualifications are (weather wise) to classify a storm as a blizzard?

There's a Blizzard Out There

Actually, we haven't gotten any snow yet this year. But I did take a trip to Dairy Queen tonight.

Points scored with the wife for bringing her home a Butterfinger Blizzard. I chose Snicker's instead.

Between cookie dough and Snickers I've about covered my Blizzard varieties. Someday I should venture out and try some other flavors.

What are your favorites?

Size Really Does Matter

When it comes to churches, size is an aspect that a lot of people take into consideration. Some people don't like churches that are too large, others don't like churches where everybody finds out about all of your business through gossip and smallness.

What is the best size for a church? That is a question I'm not willing to answer right now. I see the positives and negatives to both extremes in church size, as well as in the middle. The struggles and successes are largely different in each environment. I can't say that large churches are bad, and I can't say that every church should be striving to be a large church.

Two questions for you... A. What size church are you more comfortable in? and B. What size church do you think best accomplishes its purpose?

You can feel free to define comfort and purpose as you see fit.

Excess

When does it become excessive? I heard a church advertise its 8 Christmas Eve services this year. 8 of them. Doesn't that seem a little overboard?

How can one place possibly have the need for 8 services? What kind of community can be created across 8 services?

Movie of My Dreams!

Do you ever wish your dreams could be made into movies? I often wake up and hope to fall back asleep to finish the story my brain is creating in my head while I sleep. Some of my dreams make little sense, but some of them could make great movies.

I should start writing some of them down, as well as the things (I think about this stuff after I wake up) that made connections in my brain to trigger these dreams.

Have you had any dreams that should become movies?

It's Only a 27 Piece Puzzle

So, as the previews show, the movie Jenny and I watched last night (Pursuit of Happyness) has a couple scenes revolving around the Rubik's Cube.

I had asked for a Rubik's Cube last year for my birthday, and got one, so I was happy to see it get public attention again. During the movie, my wife leaned over to me and said, "You're gonna have to show me how to solve those things."

So today we solved it. Jenny solved it three times (with my help at certain points) while I solved it repeadetly because it was fun again. It was a fun thing.

I'm even trying to figure out if I should use it as a sermon illustration sometime (I've got a Biblical analogy that works well with it) or if I should form a discipleship structure based off of solving it (getting closer to Christ one step at a time).

Jenny recommended that I start a small group based on discipleship and the Rubik's Cube method of discipleship (should I copyright that?).

Anyways, if you ever want to learn how to solve a Rubik's Cube, I can teach you. Bring your own or find me with mine. It'll be a good time for everyone.

That's a Step Backwards

Jenny and I went to watch "Pursuit of Happyness" tonight when our power went out. It's the new Will Smith movie based on the true story of Christopher Gardner's life.

In the movie, he leaves his sales job to go into an unpaid internship for Dean Witter. The quote given to him by those closest is "Salesman to intern, thats a step backwards."

My life looks a lot like that. I went from student, to intern, to full-time ministry, and now have returned to student, will have to intern twice, and will likely end up back in full-time ministry. It is an odd thing. Fortunately, those around me don't see it as a step backwards.

I Like Myself

People sometimes take a second look, or at least give me a funny one when I tell them I'm an introvert. Being comfortable speaking in public and confident in who I am makes me comfortable in most social settings, but when it comes down to it, I enjoy being at home much more than I care to be out doing things.

It surprises me to see people's reactions that don't see me at home when they hear that I'm introverted. They just don't understand lazy day's importance in my life.

Biggest Loser

The reality show Biggest Loser finished its third season tonight.

It was hard to recognize the man who won. Erik lost a total of 214 pounds. He started at 407 and ended at 193. He is a completely different person. Aside from losing all that weight, he doesn't struggle with diabetes, sleep apnea, or smoking anymore.

Congratulations to him, and all who have chosen a healthier lifestyle in response to reality television.

Too Relaxed to Think

So... instead of thinking of something original tonight, I though I'd post some odd but true facts:

* Molecularly speaking, water is actually much drier than sand.

* The term "bank teller" originated in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash, when banks began hiring low-paid workers to "tell" throngs of frantic depositors that their money was gone.

* The brand name "Jelly Belly" was created in 1982 after Nancy Reagan made a much-publicized quip about her husband's 20-pound weight gain.

* The Internal Revenue Service audits 87 percent of women who claim breast implants as tax deductions.

* Scandinavian berserkers used to cut out their eyes before battle to spare themselves the sight of the carnage they invariably wrought.

* Human tonsils can bounce higher than a rubber ball of similar weight and size, but only for the first 30 minutes after they've been removed.

* Comic duo Cheech and Chong were originally known as Spic and Span before changing due to pressure from Chicano organizations.

* The city of Slaughter, Texas (population: 11,284), has never had a homicide occur within its boundaries.

* Rubbing Tabasco on one's upper lip before bedtime is an effective temporary cure for sleep apnea.

14 Days

Christmas is really in 14 days. Wow! That means I only have 13 more days until I need to start shopping. I should probably start thinking about what i want to get people.

I have had a lot of time to listen to people's thoughts on Christmas, and, more specifically, the purpose for Christ coming to us.

I'm curious how many of you would sum up the purpose of Christ coming to us. Please leave as brief or as detailed a comment as you would like.

I believe Christ came.......

Karaoke Jesus Style

I can't sing. So, for purposes of this illustration, karaoke has nothing to do with singing.

What karaoke does have to do with is imitating the actions (singing) of another while using a similar (though not always the same) background. That is the goal of my life.

I hope to be imitating the actions of Jesus to the best of my ability, in the midst of my current American background instead of his ancient Jewish background. I won't ever be as good as the original thing, and that isn't my purpose. My purpose is to imitate the original, bring notice to the original and have a great time trying to be like the original.

I'm trying sing the songs Jesus sang.

Glorified Embarassment

Today was another day that I got to witness glorified embarassment. We (me and four others) got to force two people into doing things in front of us that they were not comfortable doing. It wasn't peer pressure, like do-something-you-shouldn't forcing, it was more, hey-you're-engaged-and-we-want-the-"you're engaged kiss"-picture. That means numerous takes, but more importantly numerous red faces.

It was a blast.

It is much more fun to be on the forcing side, then on the you're-on stage-in-front-of-us-all side. Though if you ask, I'll kiss Jenny in front of you anytime.

Kit Kat Bar

This post has nothing to do with chocolate candy bar goodness (though Kit Kats are one of my favorites) it's just that "I need a break."

Fortunately, today I start one. I had my last test this morning, and am now on winter break through January something or other.

Lucky for me, my wife has lists of things for me to accomplish with my time at home, but if any of you are looking for someone to take to lunch on your lunch break, I can probably make it (if you work in MN). I don't have any great aspirations for break, besides some pleasure reading, so we'll see how effective I am with my time.

My New Hero

I was doing some random reading on the internet, and found my new random hero. The story is about a year old, and at one point was on CNN so it has spread rather broadly, but I hadn't heard of it until today.

It is the story of a red paper clip, a man, and an internet site.

One man decided he needed a house, but he couldn't afford one. He made it his goal to trade a red paper clip up for a house, and after 14 trades in succession, he has achieved his goal. It was the most interesting thing I read today.

This guy created a blog to track his progress, and now to tell his story.

You can find it here.

I'm trying to think of how I might be able to do a similar style project on a much smaller scale to raise a thousand dollars for my church that is behind budget this year. I don't know if the story is compelling enough to drive a bunch of congregation members to do the same thing (say have 100 people each try to turn a paper clip into a hundred dollars). The ideas have just begun in my head. It may lead nowhere, it may lead to money for a church, it may even lead to a new house.

Disconnecting Hearts

I've always been a stickler on language. The way we speak has a lot to say about what we believe. I get peeved if someone "invites" God into a place, or if a missionary feels that they are "bringing" God to a place. I'm annoyed with people who speak of God as if they are far off, and distant. That is not the God I know. That is not the God of the Bible. I have held these convictions for awhile.

I have a new one forming. In a class the other day, one of my teachers was talking about the language of "accepting Christ into your heart." She talked about how the New Testament speaks often of salvation, speaks often about Jesus, and speaks often about the heart, but that they are never all spoken of together. Instead, Jesus is looking for us to follow Him.

If you become aware that God isn't in your life, try following Him. He is there. To find Him though, you must go where He goes. You cannot contain Him within your heart.

I'm not trying to detach heart from spirituality, that would be ludicrous and also unbiblical. Just don't picture salvation as being the time that you finally allowed Jesus into your heart. That is a picture the Bible does not paint.

Another Comment Answered

MDK asked: What kind of feedback did you get on your preaching?

The first bit of feedback I got came from the class. They asked if I had memorized my sermon, as I preached it without being tied to notes. That was humorous to me. They were astonished at how well I "knew" my sermon. (They wouldn't guess that I only practiced it once)

The second thing they said was that I was passionate about my topic. That I did well at making my sermon feel like it wasn't an academic excersize but was obviously something I cared about and had related to my own life.

Story telling and my ability to relate experiences the way I see them to the way they play out in reality was another point of strength.

Clarity and voice quality was a plus.

On the negative side, they wished I would have paused more. I did too. That is why it took me 27 minutes the day before (the instructor said it would have taken him 30+). It was a lot to get into 20 minutes, so there wasn't much time to allow the audience to take in what I was saying on the deepest of levels. I simply didn't pause enough.

Outside of that, the other negative feedback was a comment coming from the "grader" that countered exactly what the instructor had told us to do, so I didn't pay much attention to it. It was a word choice selection thing, and the instructor was clear on what and how he wanted our points to be presented. My classmates assured me that I did what the teacher had asked and to ignore what this evaluater (not the teacher) had said on that subject.

3 To Go

Another class finished tonight. That makes two for the Fall Quarter at school. I preached my final tonight. My 27 minutes from last night (practicing in front of Jenny) turned into 19:43 in class today. I suppose I can't complaign about that.

I'll be up a good portion and maybe all of the night tonight writing my last paper for Hermeneutics (the one on the entire book of Ruth). After turning that in, that class will be done tomorrow.

Wish me luck, or rest.

The Hard Day

Today (officially Monday as I'm typing) will be the hard day this week. I have to finish typing the manuscript of my sermon, practice it one more time to make sure it isn't too long (26-27 minutes the first time, that's 6-7 over) and go preach it. Along with that, I have my exegesis paper (the book of Ruth) due on Tuesday morning at 8. The progress I've made on that is about the same as the effort I've exerted thus far (minimal).

I'll likely be up most of the night tomorrow. But then, I won't really need to be competent again until Wednesday. After that paper is done, I just have some Hebrew to study (Thursday night) and a small paper to write to end out this quarter.

I'm looking forward to the break. It should be a good time.

I Need a Good Hook

Okay, actually we need lots of them. Today was decorating day around the Kemper household. Jenny and I put up our tree at our house, while my parents also put their's up at their house. Oddly enough, Christmas tree assembly at my house includes relocating the rug placement, and flipping its orientation. It was a long and confusing process for me.

There are exactly two ornaments on our tree right now. We have lots of ornaments, but they have no hooks, or string to be hung by, just the loop to attatch some. So, we need to get some more hooks.

We actually even have wrapped gifts to put under the tree. While I'm typing, Jenny is wrapping. She's on gift 8 or so right now. She spent the day shopping. I spent the day watching sports. It's great to compromise :)

World AIDS Day

Today (December 1st, not the second as written) was World Aids Day. This was brought forth by the inspi(red) campaign which you might have seen commercials or shirts, or materials for.

In honor of World Aids Day (which happened to fall on my birthday) i made sure one such product, and therefore some money, was purchased on/for this day.

Congratulations to me, and thank you to my parents for buying me the Inspi(red) version of the Nanopod. I wanted it largely for running reasons, but there were also the giddy selfish reasons.

Like a Kid Again

I had to shop for some supplies for a chart I had to make for class yesterday. That took me to the office supply area in Target, where I got to relive childhood dreams.

I bought colored pencils. But not the small box of 8. I bought the box of 72 colored pencils. I didn't need 72 colors, but you just can't pass up something like that.

I wouldn't have been the cool kid in class if I only had 8, but impressed everyone with my assortment of colors, such as light medium grey (there are something like 6 different greys).

I'm definitely big man on campus now.

A New Course Record

12 pages, 63 minutes.

Woohoo. My 12 page paper (actually, one 10 page and one 2 page paper,due at 8:30) took me exactly 63 minutes to write an print. I think that is a new record for me. My previous was 9 pages in 50 something minutes, or 15 pages in under two hours. My most famous is 42 pages (research paper, senior project) all written in one day, and entirely completed (research and editing included) in one weekend.

This one was an easy one though. Very little information needed. It was a lot about your own personal spiritual journey, and your own personal formation. Very easy to write (for me).

I should actually get some sleep before class though. Night.

More Vocab...

Well, I now know about 200 words in Hebrew. I can form a decent chunk of sentences from the Bible and am beginning to translate some verses on my tests. Its amazing how far you can come when the alphabet seemed so hard.

One and a half weeks until the holiday break for me. Hopefully, during that time, I'll get some pleasure reading done. That's right, I said it, when break comes, I have other books I want to read. I'm such a nerd.

Feedback Momes With Discernment

Today was the first of two days in my preaching class where students are preaching their final sermons. I don't preach until next week, so this week I got to just watch other students and provide feedback for them.

Or something like that. I don't know where to start with feedback sometimes. What if a sermon was really awful, both in its content and in its delivery? How do you tell someone that has never preached before that you thought was bad? Luckily, I didn't have to. I could just sit quietly.

I suppose I was expecting the teacher/grader to be harsher in his evaluation, even with the understanding that this is an introduction class. Many of these students haven't preached before, and the nervousness shows in their delivery. I don't think any of the four I listened to were within 3 minutes of the time given. We are supposed to aim for 20. 16 might have been the longest as the nerves forced many to rush their speech. One person was done before they had even been giving the 5 minutes left signal.

I'm not assuming that I will ace my sermon, but some of the things, like timing should be worked out well enough in advance and practice to at least get that part right.

At least I know that the feedback will be largely positive when I'm done :)

Surprise of the Day

Ahh Jello. I love how "instant" Jello takes four hours to make. I hate waiting for it to cool. Often, when I want Jello, the time it takes for it to be in its normal form dissuades me from actually making it.

Lucky for me, my wife made Jello a couple of days ago, and I didn't even know. Now there is Jello, and I want Jello. It's amazing and is easily my best surprise of the day. Granted, its only 6 minutes into this day.

Primary Communities of Belief

I continue to be confused in my life on what I think the best way is to practically organize primary communities of faith. There is the model, where a church offers its weekly service as well as other services (like youth, children, young adult, singles, adult classes, etc.). This model is easily the most frequently seen. Many of these churches now, however, also have a strong small group focus.

These small groups are advertised as primary communities within the larger church. These communities are effective. What I keep getting confused about, is which of these things is most important?

Am I worse of (actually, not by guilt, or by tradition) missing my small group meeting one week, or missing the Sunday large service? Would it be worse for a youth group member to miss youth services than to miss normal church service?

Again, I use worse, not demanding that every miss be a negative thing, but as a term of equating priority. Is there a sense that missing Sunday services (traditionally the most important) might not always be the most important? Is there a possibility that it is more healthy to miss church and go to small group, than to miss small group and make it to church?

I am looking for opinions on this.

Specifically, I'm looking for thoughts on worship, and tithing. Both of which are most often seen in the larger church setting, and rightly so, but are these the things that we place our primary importance on? Is worship and teaching more important than dialogue, discussion and prayer?

Feedback welcome, and expected :)

All Night, Really?

I hung out with some friends I hadn't seen in a while tonight. We met at one of their houses. We were expecting that he was going to have some large screen television as his goal was to buy one that was on sale at Best Buy in the early bird special.

Last night at 9:30 when he left his parents house to go home, he drove past the Best Buy (which he planned on going to around 2:00 in the morning) and there were already over 75 people in line. Expecting that the store only had 4 of the televisions that he was looking for, he decided it wasn't worth it, as i would have.

Seriously, people waited for two - three days to get the Playstation 3 last week, and are now waiting for 12 hours to save a couple hundred dollars on a television. I want as many of the nifty gadgets as anyone, but sometimes greed and lust amaze even me.

I generally am willing to work to save for the full price of anything I want that bad. I can't imagine thinking it is important enough to wait that much time in the cold for. If you want it that bad, buy it at full price a month ago.

Start the Christmas Carols

I can officially take it. Viewing Christmas decorations and hearing Christmas songs will not bother me anymore. Thanksgiving has officially passed, and even though it is earlier in the year this year than many years, I can be comfortable with people beginning to bring in the holiday season.

Someone start a counter. How many times will I hear, "Remember the reason for the season?" Possibly my least favorite Christian Christmas cliche. I hope not to use it once, and would prefer to hear it minimally.

56 Candles In My Living Room

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I'm sure I'll here stories of what some people are thankful about. I'm sure lots of the common (because they really are great) things will come out. I'll hear of thanks for family and friends, for God and His Son, for life, and for food. I'll observe thanks for football entertainment and mashed potato goodness, but none of those are the things I am most thankful for this year.

I'm most thankful for 56 candles in my living room, for drapes on my windows, for make-up in my bathroom and vegetables in cupboards. I'm thankful for shoes with heals on the floor and slippers found all over the house. I'm thankful for a comforter that costs more than any bedding item should, and nail files found in random places. I'm thankful for baskets to hold blankets (what are closets for anymore?) and pictures of me shown off in my own house.

Jenny makes my life better than it ever was, in some of the most odd ways possible. Those of you with healthy marriages, understand exactly how lucky you are. I wouldn't trade all the things I don't understand for anything else in the world. I'm most thankful now, and likely forever, for my spouse, my wife, my support, my provider (it's weird to not work) and my love. The best parts of me come out because she encourages and allows them to do so. Thank her for those things.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

1984 Who is Big Brother?

Sometimes the news scares me. Not because of the stupid things people do, I've come accustomed to realizing how stupid a lot of people are, but because of how many people get access to the stupid things that are done.

Recently, the guy who played Kramer on Seinfeld was doing a stand-up comedy act in Los Angeles. He began to get heckled by two "black" men and decided he would respond. His response was offensive and racist. At least, I assume so as he has publicly apologized for coming off as such.

Here is what is scary to me. Someone in the audience held up their cell phone and video-taped the tirade. At 2 a.m. in the morning the video got showed to an Internet company and by 4 a.m. it was posted online. 8 hours later, over a million people had seen the video. That's big brother in action and it has nothing to do with government.

You never know who is watching anymore. You never know who is going to find out what you have said or done. It's amazing how these things can spread. It's amazing how little people think before they speak or act.

Here is one area where I know that Christianity has improved my life. Being sure that I'm always being watched by my God and Savior (not in a list-making, dictating way, but in an I'm-all-present way) has helped me to check my actions and to calm some of my natural tantrums. If more people would calm down to do the same, they and those around them would all end up in a better place.

"Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34) Be sure your mouth is saying things that your heart is okay with other people hearing.

Just Call Me a Stomach Man

Some of this post will sound weird at first. Sorry, it's just where my brain chose to begin.

I'm often amazed at people's ability to label and name things based on their own judgements. We so often see things through our eyes (naturally) and assume we know everything that is true about them. It is unfortunate. Sometimes, the more unfortunate things are those names which we give ourselves, both as individuals and as communities. The labels and stereotypes we choose to be defined by often cause us to have an unhealthy look both on ourselves, and on others.

Allow me a silly illustration to a very serious topic. Guys sometimes have the conversation (when girls aren't around) to talk about what it is about girls that most attracts us. If there are girls in the room, you will often hear the answers of "eyes" or "smile" or "legs" with the occasional bold man who goofily, but likely honestly will answer "chest." When girls aren't around, the answers get far more specific, or at least, far more honest. Hence my title. I'm a stomach man. The way I would most naturally begin an attraction to a girl is because of her stomach. I can't describe it well, but for these purposes I don't need to. (Don't worry readers, my wife and I have had this discussion already.) Here is what would be weird: What if my identity as I relate to most of humanity was found in the fact that I was a stomach man? Anyone who had different views than me, must not agree with me, and those who have the same view as me, obviously understand all of me. No other part of life matters, just my lens of physical attraction. It seems silly to me. It would also cause me to have an unhealthy view of myself (that through the eyes of lust) and an unhealthy view of others (that identity is rooted in sexuality). Yet still, so much debate takes place over the issue of homosexuality. Specifically, the church and homosexuals, or the state and homosexuals.

It's a fascinating subject that causes a lot of tension and argument. I can't find myself void of either, the tension or the argument, whenever I read about homosexuality and Christianity.

Today was one of those days. USAToday had an opinion blog (found here if you're interested) on one Baptist minister's interpretation of scripture. Of course, his interpretation of scripture also demanded his interpretation of the nature of same-sex attraction (that it is genetically given at birth). He had a stance. I don't think his stance is well founded, but that isn't the thing most puzzling to me right now. I am constantly puzzled as to what my responses to a people group (please don't read this as "homosexuals" as I'm not talking specifically about homosexuals with this statement) who need God should be. Where does judgement fit? Where must love prevail?

I'm not interested in the easy pat answers to those questions. I don't simply mean to hear back that we are not to judge, God is, and that love should always prevail. I am more curious about how I let someone know of the love that the Father has for them, but also of the gap between them and the Father.

My thoughts are numerous and rambling in my head right now. I'd love to "dialogue" (which on my blog tends to mean question and answer) more about this topic, but don't know which avenues I should be responding to.

So here is my plea for your help: What areas of this topic should I attempt to answer in writing? What thoughts should I try and put into words? These questions can cover any area of "homosexuality" as it relates to Christianity. I'll allow this to include my opinions on science vs. choice and the implications of either, on biblical backing for either view, on correct action as a believer, or anything else you can remotely fit into the topic. I need to do this exercise as much for myself as for anyone else's benefit, as this people group (this time I am talking about "homosexuals") is too often mistreated by religious institutions and individuals.

One last comment. You'll notice i try to put "homosexuals" in quotes when referring to it as a general descriptive term. This is because I don't see it as the best term. I've heard many discussions on what is most politically correct, but don't know anymore. When I say "homosexual" the only inference I am implying is that a person struggles with same-sex attraction. I am not implying sexual behavior in any means. I am not implying promiscuity in any means. If I ever come to a term (I often say when talking, "a person who struggles with same sex attraction") I'll use that instead.

Good luck sifting through this large topic and giving me guidance on where to begin tackling it in writing. Fortunately for me, I've tackled a lot of this subject in thought and prayer already.

Reader Vote

I have the option with the new version of labeling my posts. For example, I can label posts as families, stories, spiritual, answers, etc. Doing so allows me to put multiple labels on each posts, and puts links at the bottom of each post showing what labels I have given it.

Clicking the link that would be provided by these labels would bring you to a page that would archive all of my posts on said label.

Would anyone ever use something like this? I don't know when, or if, I would ever go back into my old posts to label them, but wouldn't have much of a problem labeling the ones that I write as I write them.

A couple of yes' and I'll begin to.

Works of Fiction

Jenny had a girls night out tonight, which meant I watched football and then rented a movie to kill my time. I rented "The Da Vinci Code," as I had never read the book or seen the movie before, but had heard it was, at minimal, interesting fiction. Most of the people who had told me such, were people who had read the book.

I'm guessing the book reads far better than the movie flows. It wasn't that the movie was boring, but it wasn't as well done as many other movies in its genre. Even a movie like "National Treasure" seemed to be done better while incorporating the same style of genre.

I've never been concerned with the religious hype that surrounded the book or the movie, and still am not. Watching the movie tonight did its purpose, of killing time, and little else. It will not remain one of my favorites, though I might be more than less interested to read other things that Dan Brown has written.

Working Out the Kinks

The site that hosts this blog (blogger.com) has just put out a new beta version. I upgraded a couple of minutes ago, so now I need to get used to some of the new features and kinks of this system.

Sorry if things on the blog look funny in the next couple of days, I'm either experimenting, or have screwed something up.

For example, I just found out that it won't automatically fix some of my common mistakes anymore (like not capitalizing the letter "i").

Making Unrequited Love a Positive Thing

Unrequited = not returning in kind.

It pretty much sums up how I spend my life trying to love God. I just can't seem to do it in kind. I constantly fall short of giving all of me, to the point of death in love for Him. I fall short of showing Him my love the way He showed me His.

God cherishes my effort, nonetheless, it isn't being returned in kind.

My life is making unrequited love a positive thing.

Me and My Assumptions

If you had to recommend just one book of the Bible for a non believer to read, what book would it be? (Posted by MDK)

As usual, while answering this question, I'll avoid being direct and just saying a book (for example, Jonah) and will instead give some of my implied assumptions and explain my answer as best I can.

I'll start with the assumptions. I am assuming, that the goal of recommending a book of the Bible to a non-believer is to begin a process of discovery, discussion, or education of the Christian faith. To be more clear, I'm assuming the non-believer doesn't just want to read the book for fictional entertainment value, or at least that the reason for recommendation shouldn't be based on this.

Secondly, I feel trapped by the "if you had to recommend just one" part of the question. Though I believe there are better starting points than others, I do believe that all of the Bible is important. That, however, does not mean I would recommend a non-believer read through the Bible in order, but I don't assume that just one book will give a proper understanding of scripture entirely.

So here it is. I would feel comfortable with any of the four Gospels being the recommended book, as they cover the most crucial aspect of the scriptures (Jesus life, death and resurrection). Further, I would probably recommend John as the best of these for a new believer. John is more "everyday" friendly in the fact that the miracles don't involve the "supernatural" of demon possession and the like, but follow far more with miraculous physical healings and things. The book of John is a good source to get the core of the scriptures (again, Jesus life, death, and resurrection) without a lot of genealogy, or "awkward supernatural" story elements.

The most common practice I recommend for new Christians would be to read through the book of John while also reading through C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity." This process can be helpful for a non-believer if they have expressed interest, as this book gives a wonderful overview of the Christian faith in a non-threatening and clearly explained way.

That's all I've got for now.

Next Exegesis Assignment

My next large Bible assignment in Seminary is writing an exegesis paper on the entire book of Ruth. Ruth is only four chapters, but is far more than I've ever had to tackle in an exegesis paper before.

If any of you would like, I'll be open (once I've studied specifically, but even before) to answering and commenting on any questions you might have, specifically those raised in Ruth.

I'll be doing significant study of this book, so I'm sure you'll hear some of the results through this blog, but would love to entertain any questions. (They aren't limited to Ruth, but if you want something in the Bible to read, just start there.)

3 Point Sermons

I'm taking an intro to preaching class right now. The class is very specific in its model for preaching for this class specifically, and understands that this method won't be what is always utilized by individual preachers. This I'm happy about, as the method being taught bores me.

In fact, some of the most helpful instruction I've gotten on preaching had to do with eliminating some of these forms.

Our teacher has taught that it is helpful to have a 3 point sermon. People can't handle too many points (understandable and I'm in agreement) but also he feels that more than one are necessary. This is where I (and many current preachers) often disagree.

Two thoughts.

Your text should determine your points, not a model of preaching.

Preaching one thing is fine. Most of the "sermons" Jesus preached had only 1 point.

The wonderful warmth

I ran today. It was the first "run" since college soccer, and the first sort of anything resembling physical activity since early fall soccer for me.

That means my legs weren't so happy after the four miles. However, they were rejoicing loudly when I entered the hot tub this evening. That part of the "workout" was my favorite. I look forward to many more of those.

On another random note, I'll inform everyone that pepperoni and pineapple pizza from Pizza Hut is my favorite pizza ever. I just wish I still could find a Little Ceasers somewhere (Pizza, Pizza).

Taking a shower

I was reading a book this week on the different spiritual traditions. It covered many of the different ways in which people experience their Christianity. Every tradition was healthy, and biblical, but all were different. The author then gave some tips to practicing each of the traditions.

One of the tips specifically was about Bible reading. The author recommended that instead of reading for say 10 minutes a day every day, to take a time once a week and read for an hour. His assumption was that you could retain more, and learn more about the Bible this way. He used the analogy of reading every day to being like trying to take a shower one drop at a time.

What do you think? How do you balance reading the Bible every day (which I assume most people don't) vs. Reading it in larger chunks?

From experience, or just theory, which do you think is most effective for (1) understanding the Bible, (2) intimacy with God and (3) health for your life in general?

Odd Agreement

Since I was younger I've had a critical outlook on movie critics. It all started with the movie "Maverick." I remember hearing the bad reviews of that movie when it came out, and loving the movie. Since then, I've had little agreement with what movie critics had to say.

That made me nervous tonight. I had been excited to go watch Will Ferrel's new movie, "Stranger Than Fiction" and was concerned that every review I read today seemed to be positive. Was this the misfortune I was hoping to avoid? Only the movie itself could answer that question.

Fortunately, for me and my wife (who had to spend the night with me regardless) the movie was quite enjoyable (and thus my attitude stayed generally happy) and she got off with a better me than if my normal stance of disagreement with the critics had occurred.

Both Feet Forward

I made my decision.

I want to run in the Twin Cities marathon next year.

I've done the research, and that means I should start the training schedule I'll follow in the middle of January.

With the recommended running habits to start the training schedule, that actually means I should probably start running consistently before the Xmas holidays. I'm putting the end of this quarter as my start time. Somewhere around the second week of December or so, I'll begin my training for the marathon.

If you know me well, this kind of decision means there are lots of "toys" and "tools" that I will want/need to help me with this process. I have pretty specific ideas of some, so if you are feeling overly generous, let me know, I'd love for you to buy me the things I need. (Please don't read this as me asking for something, I actually think my wife will get me some of the stuff for my birthday.)

Wish me luck. I'll start updating my progress once I begin training, and if any of you ever want to run with me, I'd be more than happy to drag you along (or vice versa if you are faster than me).

Not My Fault

If any of you who actually check my blog daily were disappointed that there wasn't something new this morning, it's not my fault.

I went to blog last night and the host site (blogger.com) was down. I couldn't blog last night, so I just saved it for tonight.

Bedtime Stories

I won't need one tonight. My body is ready for its rest time.

What is/was your favorite bedtime story?

Mine was/is The Little Engine That Could, or any Curious George story.

An Apology To My Parents

I've returned to college life. That Psalm 102 assignment is due today (Tuesday) at 8:00 in the morning. I did research for it during the day, then spent time not doing homework as Jenny got home from work. When she went to bed at 11:00 I resumed my homework. It is now 3:00 in the morning and that project is finished.

Unfortunately, I also have a test in that class tomorrow which means now I get to read 4 chapters worth of textbook material (the professor authored this textbook and the tests are pretty specific). My sleep for the night will be slim to none. Then I'll go to class. After class, I will sleep. Likely the whole afternoon until Jenny again returns home. We'll eat dinner, and go to our small group. When I get back from that (usually around 10:00) I'll need to begin my Hebrew homework. I have a test in that class on Wednesday, and haven't looked at it since class 2 and a half weeks ago. It'll take me a while to memorize all that I need to, so my sleep will look odd again before that class, with a long nap likely on Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night I get to read an entire book and write an 8 page paper on it for my Thursday class. Fortunately, after class on Thursday, things are pretty calm as I'll be caught back up on the homework I was supposed to have done over the last two weeks.

I've got quite a bit of experience working my mind and body under these conditions, and fortunately, I usually come out with grades that make my more diligent piers upset.

Sorry Mom and Dad, I did it again.

Marathon

The thought won't leave my head. Multiple times each day the thought of running a marathon next summer enters my head. I haven't been able to shake this thought. That scares me.

I am at the point in life, where if I do ever want to run a marathon, I shouldn't wait too much longer. I'm not going to naturally get in better shape, so starting with what I have now would at least help.

So I've been thinking about it a lot. Even enough to do research to see how much training is recommended for first time marathoners. I have found some resources which seem pretty safe, and reliable. Since I am not currently a consistent runner, they would stress certain levels of training before beginning their system. Achieving all the training necessary according to their site would have me training for 37 weeks.

The Twin Cities Marathon is usually the first weekend of October, which gives me well more than the 37 weeks necessary.

I used to always want to know what limits I could push my body to. Could I pass an elite teams test in the military? Do I have the will power to ignore physical pain for a while? A marathon seems likely to be the best realized test of that information.

I'm not saying right now that I'm committing to running a marathon next fall, but I am thinking about it heavily.

Six Wasn't Enough

Sometimes I feel like I can eat a whole loaf of bread at one time. Tonight was one of those nights. For dinner, we decided to make grilled cheese sandwiches and cheesy-salsa dip to dip our chips in. After eating three sandwiches (6 pieces of bread) and plenty of chips and dip, it took only half an hour before I was hungry again.

This time it was a bagel. I'm gonna count that as two more pieces of bread. It was a wonderful dinner. I hope none of you are counting my carbs for me.

My Project

For the next four days or so, I have the privilege to work on a project for one of my classes. It is my job to determine everything that the text of Psalm 102 meant to its original author and hearer. That will require extensive research of ancient poetry, and of imagery.

Feel free to learn along with me.

Here is the text:

Psalm 102
A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
let my cry for help come to you.

2 Do not hide your face from me
when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
when I call, answer me quickly.
3 For my days vanish like smoke;
my bones burn like glowing embers.
4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
I forget to eat my food.
5 Because of my loud groaning
I am reduced to skin and bones.
6 I am like a desert owl,
like an owl among the ruins.
7 I lie awake; I have become
like a bird alone on a roof.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who rail against me use my name as a curse.
9 For I eat ashes as my food
and mingle my drink with tears
10 because of your great wrath,
for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.
11 My days are like the evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;
your renown endures through all generations.
13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show favor to her;
the appointed time has come.
14 For her stones are dear to your servants;
her very dust moves them to pity.
15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD,
all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion
and appear in his glory.
17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
he will not despise their plea.
18 Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the LORD :
19 "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
from heaven he viewed the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners
and release those condemned to death."
21 So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion
and his praise in Jerusalem
22 when the peoples and the kingdoms
assemble to worship the LORD.
23 In the course of my life [a] he broke my strength;
he cut short my days.
24 So I said:
"Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days;
your years go on through all generations.
25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
and they will be discarded.
27 But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.
28 The children of your servants will live in your presence;
their descendants will be established before you."

Finding God's Will

I've read plenty of articles and books that "teach" someone how to find God's will for their life. I've sat through plenty of sermons on the subject as well. It was also probably the third most asked question I got as a youth pastor (behind evolution/creation questions and spiritual gifts questions). I even had to read and respond to an article on the subject for one of my Master's classes today.

There aren't enough positive things written about the process. Too many times, it is presented as something necessary only because of, or in light of life crisis decisions. It is too often paired with a person's vocation. It is too often written as hard work, and presented in a negative light. I can't say that I initially agree with any of these.

Determining God's will doesn't seem as hard as people make it out to be. Determining God's will affects far more than just crisis or vocation decisions. And, most importantly, determining God's will is usually a highly positive experience.

I probably have a lot to say on the subject, so I'm just gonna stop before I hit too many rabbit trails. If anyone has any kind of question, relating to God's will (in my life, your life, or in general) feel free to ask.

Twenty-Eight

Yesterday I set a new personal record. I won 28 straight games of free cell. As all of you must now understand, my two weeks away from classes have been highly productive.

Classes start back again next week, and I actually did begin doing some of the work for them this week. I hope to get through a good chunk of it by the weekend, and have all day next Monday to make sure I'm on track with my projects, and the Hebrew language.

I've got one question stored up to blog on soon, but am always willing to entertain more if anyone has them.

The Infamous 613

I had heard it said before that there are 613 laws given to Moses that are found in the first 5 books of the Bible. These "laws" are often what makes reading books like Leviticus so boring for so many people. As I have become fascinated with ancient Jewish life, I have become fascinated with many of these laws. I spent a chunk of my night tonight learning more about the 613 laws.

Jews divide the laws into 14 "books" so that they can remember them easier. They divide them into things like, the book of love, the book of marriage and so on. Those books then are filled with a number of the laws. Memorizing the books and all their laws would allow you to memorize all 613 laws, and would give you a great understanding behind a lot of what Jews believe. For example, one of the books is the book of holidays. This book includes all commandments which take place at a consistent time. It covers all the Sabbath laws and all the holiday ritual laws. Learning about this "book of laws" would give a lot of insight into Jewish life.

One of the things that was most fascinating to me, is that they also divide these laws into the categories of "positive" and "negative." It is unlike our culture to consider many laws a positive thing, but the Jews find 248 of their commandments to be positive in nature. These refer mainly to things they need to continue to do or remember (example - Know God Exists, or Fear God), where the negative ones deal with things you shouldn't do (example - Make Graven Images, or Plant a Tree in the Sanctuary).

Some of the laws seem random, which I guess is why I am fascinated by them.

Don't know that any of you will get anything out of reading this, but I'm going to continue studying these laws throughout my life, so you might hear of them again.

Not a Fan of Hot Drinks

I had a meeting at a coffee shop today. I like the atmosphere of coffee shops. I don't, however, like coffee.

Outside of not liking coffee because of the taste, I tend to not like many hot drinks at all. Besides hot chocolate on an especially cold day, hot drinks just aren't my thing. I'm the guy that orders a smoothie at a coffee shop because hot drinks of any kind don't appeal to me.

It was good today. I had a wonderful smoothie, and wasn't being made fun of, because we were in the 60s in October. I was glad that my usual stares of disapproval as I drink a smoothie or an iced drink during the winter months were not there to avoid.

Answering an Anonymous Question

I have an off the topic question. How long do you think a couple should date before getting engaged? In other words, what do you think the minimum amount of time is a couple should date before getting engaged? What reasoning do you have behind this? Think of it in general for most people in the world.

Posted by anonymous.... time for an answer I guess.

Simple answer... 0.0 seconds. I'm sure I need to explain. I can't put a minimum time on this question, as I don't think it will equate across the board. I have heard of great relationships coming from arranged marriages which had neither dating, nor engagement periods. I've seen couples date for 5 years who should never get married, and couples get engaged after very short periods of dating. I don't think there is a good time answer to this question, so I'm not going to give one.

However, I might attempt to answer the question "How will I know if I'm ready to get engaged?" I'm going to answer this question from a singular standpoint (the I, not the we) because I was being asked by a singular person, and not by a couple. If a couple wants to ask me this question, my answer will change (as I assume that means they are both thinking about it). I'm also a guy, and can only answer from that perspective, so this question might be re-phrased "How do I know when/if I can/should ask my girlfriend to marry me?" Here we go...

My opinions, and no facts, start here. I believe this question is only asked by someone who is thinking about marriage. I'm assuming things about the "in general for most people in the world" thing now. I'm assuming first that this person is mature enough to be married. I don't know exactly how to equate what I'm thinking when I say mature, but it requires an ability to live life independently of "others" for things like food and shelter. Someone who cannot provide food/shelter (with their spousal help) shouldn't think seriously about this question. (I understand there are exceptions to all these rules, I'm just assuming that the person asking isn't a 15 year old kid with his first girlfriend or something)

So we've got this down, we consider ourselves mature enough for marriage (maturity defined very loosely) and we are at least thinking about the prospect of marriage with a specific person in mind. Here is a list of "requirements" I would prefer be met before the "general people" take the next step...

Someone shouldn't ask someone else to marry them based on emotion. The knowledge that engagement would be either enjoyable or romantic is not a valid reason. The assumption that engagement is the next logical step, again, not a valid reason. The assumption that, the other person will like/love me more if we are engaged, again, not a valid reason. There are plenty of other ways to be romantic that don't involve an increase in commitment (or unhealthy physical activity). Avoid these pitfalls of relationships. Ask yourself, am I only doing this because I think they want it, or because it feels logical? If you are only doing it for that reason, you haven't dated long enough (really, you aren't ready to make a life long commitment).

Secondly, I wish more people would think about what they do/don't know about a person. Though I would agree with the statement that you learn a lot more about a person during the engagement period, if you are relying on this as a learning phase before marriage, you are not ready. Engagement periods (in my opinion) should be long enough to comfortably plan the wedding ceremony. Not longer, not shorter. Engagement is not the best time to begin to realize new things about someone. It will happen, but if you are counting on it to give you information important enough for life commitment, you haven't dated long (or well) enough. You should not be considering engagement if you are not ready to commit your entire life. Period.

I'll end with one more. Engagement is the next step in the relationship when you have realized one thing. You cannot be who you are created to be without this person as a companion. If you cannot say this without a doubt, continue dating. You know when you've realized this. If you have realized this (I'm assuming this is from the "asker's" perspective now) then you can begin the engagement process.

This process will include more questions. Are you sure the other person wants marriage as well? Are you sure that you can also help make the other person what/who they are created to be? Are you confident (notice I didn't say sure for this one) that the timing will fit with their life stage (family, friends, jobs etc..)? Can you afford your idea of an engagement (don't go in debt for a ring, it isn't worth it)? (Again, realize that the last is my opinion, and that I understand there will be exceptions to this rule).

Engagement shouldn't be rushed. It should be enjoyed. It is a decision however, that should be made more on the end of necessity than on the end of emotion. I can't define it well on this blog, but can easily and comfortably talk about it. Feel free to ask me in person sometime when we can dialogue about the relationship if you want my opinion communicated more clearly.

Woohoo

Daylight savings time ending. Reverting back an hour.

Perhaps the best night of the year. A lot of times it is more fun than New Years Eve or Christmas Eve. Adding an hour to our lives. Woohoo.

Prettiest Goal I've Seen

I watched the prettiest goal I've seen live take place today. I was amazed at how good a goal can look when executed properly. I was more surprised that the player who scored it ran over to thank me (because I had helped him with a similar thing in warm ups). That always makes me feel good.

Unfortunately, they lost the game, and can no longer win their region. Tough season to end with key players getting hurt before the most important games.

Better luck next year.

The Sporty Bachelor

My wife is leaving for the weekend. Soccer regionals also take place. I'll be spending a considerable amount of time at the soccer field, and the rest, looking for ways to feed and groom myself. Feel free to help me with either.

I confirmed that I will be teaching at one of the opportunities (young adults service) at some point. Nothing else new.

No deep thoughts today.

Scary Thoughts

I was talking to someone today who I respect. It was surprising to hear him say that he was preparing a message, and as someone told him that the way he was using the Bible was not congruent with what the Bible actually means, he said "I know." He went on to say that his desire to use a specific text and jump off from it to talk about what he wanted to say was just par for the course in being a pastor.

I'm glad this other guy called him on his misuse of scripture. I'm glad that they re-crafted the message that will be preached. It is unfortunate that so many pastors have things to say, that don't come from the Bible, that they use the Bible to "support" by twisting its meaning or pulling verses out of context. I hope not to ever be that kind of preacher.

Myers-Briggs

My mom had mentioned that one of my readers assumes that I am as far off as possible on their scale of Myers-Briggs. They would argue from reading my blog, that I am roughly the opposite of their temperament.

To ease their curiosity, here is my temperament: INTJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, Judging)

For those of you who don't know what some of these mean, I'll explain some. This description comes from another website. I agree with what it says except for two things. I am very comfortable explaining my thoughts in a way people will understand, and "0ver-drinking" is not close to a result of my stress. Other than those two things, this description is pretty accurate.

As an INTJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you take things in primarily via your intuition. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things rationally and logically.

INTJs live in the world of ideas and strategic planning. They value intelligence, knowledge, and competence, and typically have high standards in these regards, which they continuously strive to fulfill. To a somewhat lesser extent, they have similar expectations of others.

With Introverted Intuition dominating their personality, INTJs focus their energy on observing the world, and generating ideas and possibilities. Their mind constantly gathers information and makes associations about it. They are tremendously insightful and usually are very quick to understand new ideas. However, their primary interest is not understanding a concept, but rather applying that concept in a useful way. Unlike the INTP, they do not follow an idea as far as they possibly can, seeking only to understand it fully. INTJs are driven to come to conclusions about ideas. Their need for closure and organization usually requires that they take some action.
INTJ's tremendous value and need for systems and organization, combined with their natural insightfulness, makes them excellent scientists. An INTJ scientist gives a gift to society by putting their ideas into a useful form for others to follow. It is not easy for the INTJ to express their internal images, insights, and abstractions. The internal form of the INTJ's thoughts and concepts is highly individualized, and is not readily translatable into a form that others will understand. However, the INTJ is driven to translate their ideas into a plan or system that is usually readily explainable, rather than to do a direct translation of their thoughts. They usually don't see the value of a direct transaction, and will also have difficulty expressing their ideas, which are non-linear. However, their extreme respect of knowledge and intelligence will motivate them to explain themselves to another person who they feel is deserving of the effort.

INTJs are natural leaders, although they usually choose to remain in the background until they see a real need to take over the lead. When they are in leadership roles, they are quite effective, because they are able to objectively see the reality of a situation, and are adaptable enough to change things which aren't working well. They are the supreme strategists - always scanning available ideas and concepts and weighing them against their current strategy, to plan for every conceivable contingency.

INTJs spend a lot of time inside their own minds, and may have little interest in the other people's thoughts or feelings. Unless their Feeling side is developed, they may have problems giving other people the level of intimacy that is needed. Unless their Sensing side is developed, they may have a tendency to ignore details which are necessary for implementing their ideas.

The INTJ's interest in dealing with the world is to make decisions, express judgments, and put everything that they encounter into an understandable and rational system. Consequently, they are quick to express judgments. Often they have very evolved intuitions, and are convinced that they are right about things. Unless they complement their intuitive understanding with a well-developed ability to express their insights, they may find themselves frequently misunderstood. In these cases, INTJs tend to blame misunderstandings on the limitations of the other party, rather than on their own difficulty in expressing themselves. This tendency may cause the INTJ to dismiss others input too quickly, and to become generally arrogant and elitist.

INTJs are ambitious, self-confident, deliberate, long-range thinkers. Many INTJs end up in engineering or scientific pursuits, although some find enough challenge within the business world in areas which involve organizing and strategic planning. They dislike messiness and inefficiency, and anything that is muddled or unclear. They value clarity and efficiency, and will put enormous amounts of energy and time into consolidating their insights into structured patterns.

Other people may have a difficult time understanding an INTJ. They may see them as aloof and reserved. Indeed, the INTJ is not overly demonstrative of their affections, and is likely to not give as much praise or positive support as others may need or desire. That doesn't mean that he or she doesn't truly have affection or regard for others, they simply do not typically feel the need to express it. Others may falsely perceive the INTJ as being rigid and set in their ways. Nothing could be further from the truth, because the INTJ is committed to always finding the objective best strategy to implement their ideas. The INTJ is usually quite open to hearing an alternative way of doing something.

When under a great deal of stress, the INTJ may become obsessed with mindless repetitive, Sensate activities, such as over-drinking. They may also tend to become absorbed with minutia and details that they would not normally consider important to their overall goal.

INTJs need to remember to express themselves sufficiently, so as to avoid difficulties with people misunderstandings. In the absence of properly developing their communication abilities, they may become abrupt and short with people, and isolationists.

INTJs have a tremendous amount of ability to accomplish great things. They have insight into the Big Picture, and are driven to synthesize their concepts into solid plans of action. Their reasoning skills gives them the means to accomplish that. INTJs are most always highly competent people, and will not have a problem meeting their career or education goals. They have the capability to make great strides in these arenas. On a personal level, the INTJ who practices tolerances and puts effort into effectively communicating their insights to others has everything in his or her power to lead a rich and rewarding life.

Remembering Childhood (science edition)

I was pondering my past earlier today, and remembered some things from my past that others might be able to relate to.

Namely, I remember making "formulas."

It was great to find an empty (or mostly empty) shampoo bottle and begin filling it with what would become a life saving formula. Adding the unknown red berry like objects picked off a bush, and whatever ingredients we found in the garage and kitchen, making a successful formula is an artform for young children. My brother was usually the counterpart in this "game" of ours.

We always had to make a formula, but all formulas looked rather similar. Not a whole lot was new, and we only knew that we were finished when we finally filled the bottle with whatever it could hold. Little of it could come back out the small spout of a shampoo bottle, as berries and rocks and such were too big, but somehow it made us feel as if we had accomplished something.

It is times like these that makes a kid want to become a scientist. I never got this bug nearly as hard as my brother did. He became fascinated with science fair projects (he actually got a prize for one about paper towels) and inspired me in taking some advanced college science classes. He even made me popular by allowing me to bring props (a trebble form Star Trek) to my science classes.

I suppose however, that the most telling sign of Jason and his interest in science was in his perfection of the "mad scientist" look at such an early age.

Writing for Money

My mom pointed out an advertisement for some graduate school scholarships today that requires essay writing. I'll likely attempt to answer their question in some way that makes them love me enough to give me the money.

Wish me luck.

But It's Just a Pinky

I'm hoping that this realization is come to. I broke fingers on three separate occasions playing goalie in college. Today I went to the North Central University game and their goalie was playing on the field because he broke his pinky during the last game.

I know what it is like to enjoy playing the field more than goal, but I also know what it is like to watch a regional championship game be lost, that could have been won if I wasn't injured (that was a shoulder not a finger).

Trust me, you can play through the pain of a broken finger with enough tape and Ibuprofrin.

They better come to this realization by Friday, or they are substantially hurting their chances of advancing to Florida.

Smarter than Ken Jennings

Ken Jennings, you know, the Jeopardy guy that won 73 straight times or whatever it was. I'm smarter than he is. He was a guest member of "the mob" in the new game show 1 vs. 100. I've watched both episodes of the show, and as a contestant, still would have answered every question correctly, where as a mob member I would have gotten one wrong (I wanted help on that one, that would have given me the correct answer). Fortunately for me, the one I needed help on was after Ken had gotten a question wrong.

Ken was the longest survivor of the original mob, but I'm smarter than he is. He didn't know what color the number 1 on a Roulette wheel would have been. (Black, Red, Green were the options)

I feel good. I celebrated with a root beer. It was a good time.

To Say or Not to Say

I couldn't think of anything else off the top of my head, so I'll stick with my question from yesterday.

Here is the situation. Every Old Testament professor I've ever had, and even those I've heard read the Bible, but haven't had (at Seminary) re-translate God's name when they read the Bible. In our Bible, the name is usually written "LORD" in all caps, but is actually the translation of God's name (Yahweh). These Old Testament scholars find it important enough that they pronounce "Yahweh" every time their Bible says "LORD."

Hebrew students (and teachers) are the exact opposite. We are taught that because people who speak Hebrew are afraid to say God's name (there is no Biblical reason for this), they pronounce "Adonai" which translates Lord, instead.

Which camp do I fit in? I'm a saying kind of guy. There is only Biblical truth that God's name should not be defaced. This began a tradition of the name not being written, so as not to be defaced in the future. When it had to be written (scribes onto scrolls) it was written very carefully and surrounded by cleansing, so as not to be written in any kind of unclean manner. Though I understand the logic behind this reasoning, there is no Biblical validation for it.

In fact, I would argue, that the Bible says so much about God's name going forward (it actually specifies the name) that not using His name is less Biblical. Others may disagree, and I'm comfortable with that, but I'm gonna say Yahweh when Yahweh is written.

"Struggling" Students

I was annoyed in a class of mine this week. The all blessed Hebrew class. Unfortunately, I was annoyed at classmates. I understand that I'll come across as a biased nerd or something in this post, please forgive me now, but I need to vent (again, my wife and another classmate got to hear it already).

Today was the vocab quiz which covered the 80 words I talked about yesterday. It wasn't a terribly difficult quiz for me. By course standards, we are supposed to spend 8 hours a week outside of class working on Hebrew. I haven't come close to that, and have found myself well on top of the material. In fact, I have over 100%. This past week, I spent a total of 40 minutes or so on the vocab. It didn't seem too hard, it's just memorization.

This is where I acknowledge that I'm not always the normal case. I can memorize quickly, have a very able mind, and can remember lectures and notes photographically. I also have tendency to be able to write my papers very efficiently. This usually means that I come nowhere close to the course recommendations for work outside of class. Trust me, I do understand that not everyone is like me.

A few classmates today, argued that we have too much work to do. They argued that we are required to learn so much vocab that we can't possibly be keeping up on all the grammar rules we are learning as well. We are too overwhelmed.... My frustration hit immediately as I knew this teacher was too soft to not change. He had reduced the workload once, and was about to for a second time. My frustration was obvious to the classmates immediately next to me, so we had a side conversation.

All three of the students around me had also done fairly well on the vocab quiz. To do well, meant you needed to know all the vocab, so as not to just get lucky. It seemed the average time spent was probably around 2 hours for them. I'll assume that would be the normal time for an average student then. I, and thus by my argument we, decided that anyone who claims that the vocab is too much work to do to expect us also to learn grammar (with an understanding that we are to spend 8 hours outside of class) had to be lying.

I can't imagine anyone who did 8 hours worth of Hebrew could barely scrape by the vocab. Anyone that put in the recommended time, the expected time, the guidelined time, should be able to accomplish all that we have learned. I mean this as unsarcastically as possible: anyone in this level of education that could not get both vocab and grammar, and spent more than an hour a day working on the language, needs learning assistance help.

The complaints were ungrounded to me. They had no leg to stand on, but the first year teacher felt sorry for them and is cutting back our required vocab....again.

On a different note, I'm fascinated now by a "to say or not to say" question as it deals with the name of God. Ask me about it sometime (or maybe it will just show up as a blog sometime).

Another 80 words

I spent a chunk of time this evening reviewing my Hebrew vocab words. With no class last Friday, that put tonight's workload (for tomorrow's class) a little above the norm for memorization.

As my Hebrew vocab continues to grow, it's nice to start seeing similarities between words in meaning and in sound. It is also interesting to me that the same word can mean two different things, which I wouldn't always place together. For instance, I'm not surprised when a word can mean both man, and husband, but found it interesting that the same word is used to describe receiving help, and becoming victorious.

I'm enjoying this class more than the others, but randomly enough, Hermeneutics is rising to a close second. The rise of hermeneutics is because of the quality of teacher, as her ability to teach, and her knowledge base, are both things that people should aspire to.

Passive Perspectives

I'm amazed at how often a perspective change can encourage my heart. Things that are often frustrating, when put in a different perspective can bring joy or life into my being. Usually, another person, or God, has to give me this perspective change.

I had to take a bunch of personality tests as I enrolled in Bethel. None of them were new. I had taken all of these tests before. One of them, my favorite one, is the Strengthsfinder test. I've taken it twice now, with similarities on some strengths, and some differences that arose in the 4 years between taking it again.

One thing that remained clear was that I had a gifting of putting things in a new perspective. I understand that I see life differently from most people. Sometimes my perspective frustrates other people, usually my forcefulness does, but often times my perspective encourages people to see and understand things in a different way, a hopeful way.

There are days I wake up and hope to use this ability. Not some "sense" that I have, or "knowledge" that I hold, but an ability to tell a story, or explain my experience in a way that will encourage those who hear (or read).

Yesterday, in the shower I had such thoughts. These thoughts were specific to my church community. I get to talk often about this community while I'm at school. I speak of the challenges of the community, the frustrations, but also the benefits, joys, and things that I greatly respect about that church (First Baptist Church Minneapolis) and its leaders. I was wondering if there were ways that I could share some of these positive perspectives to a larger audience than my small group.

Could I write a newsbreak letter describing my perspective on the musical worship styles and my respect for the balance offered to help everyone be both comfortable and sacrificial in worship? I'm positive I could write about this touchy subject from a perspective that would be largely agreed upon, and encouraging, though not initial for many people.

What about our small group system? Could I write an example of how my specific small group has impacted the life of all those involved in positive ways, because we've chosen to be that kind of community? Would anyone want to read it?

I don't know that any of these ideas will happen, both because I don't know if they are possibilities and because I sometimes get lazy, but I am excited for the next time I get to help shape someone's perspective in a way that brings life into their being as they see God at work in their midst.

Loyalties Lie Within

I am often loyal to companies based on two things: how they have treated me, and how creative their marketing is. I will gladly try new things if my interest is sparked by creative advertising. I will also avoid shopping at stores, or buying products which are marketed weakly.

Many companies will always have my loyalty because of how well they have treated me. USAA (insurance), AAA, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and Keller Williams Realty are examples.

Macintosh would be an example of how advertising has caused me to do research and change my views (their new commercials still make me laugh).

I am often loyal to companies who treat me well, you know, like I'm an actual human. Those that treat me otherwise will never get my business (I hate State Farm).

What companies have treated you well that I should look into?

Trusting Historical "Facts"

I haven't decided how particular I am on trusting historical facts. There seem to be so many things that become popular, regardless of how true they are. I just don't know who to believe anymore.

Speaking particularly of Biblical Interpretation, I don't know what resources to trust. There are books which claim that the reference Jesus makes to "a camel going through the eye of the needle" refers to a gate which was called the eye of the needle. There are also references which claim that this is made up, and wasn't even mentioned until 1000 AD or so. Who do you believe?

What about on more vague things. I'm doing an exegesis paper on 1 Corinthians 15 this weekend. As part of the assignment, I have to do a decent amount of historical work of Corinth, and particularly, the church at Corinth. I've heard often of the immorality in Corinthian society that came from being a major trade center because of its port, but the Bible dictionary I was reading today states that it would have passed before Paul evangelized the area. Thus saying, Corinthian history is true when it says it has this past of enormous immorality, but to claim that it was in that state when Paul wrote to them is wrong.

Who do you trust? Can I assume a standard of morality worse than the norm in Corinth when reading the Bible or not? Do I trust the books written in 1980 that say I can more than the ones written in 2002 that say I can't? Do either of them have a better "historical" footing than the other?

Lack of Creativity

I was sitting in a workshop today that wasn't very interesting. I started doodling. There are a couple things people recognize about my doodling. I mainly repeat the four same shapes in different colors, tones, and dimensions. They involve pretty much straight lines only.

Rarely do I venture to try a new shape, and rarely do I doodle without using only straight lines.

Is there something to be gleaned about my personality from this? Why aren't I more creative? Am I a perfectionist? Am I just afraid to try new things?

Feel free to psycho-analyze me based on my doodles.

Revitalized

Classes were cancelled today. Every year, Bethel Seminary puts on a conference that brings in "successful" church leaders and their staff to talk about being a "transformational church." This conference happens this weekend. Today was a day leading up to that conference, which was designed for spiritual formation. I was blessed to spend my day there.

Though little I heard was new to anything I had heard before (which is good, cause the "new" stuff is usually unbiblical), it refreshed me.

I came away today with a revitalized picture of the person that God has called me to be. Not just the end product, but many of the miniscule details that are required before the end product can happen.

I want to stay strong on this journey. I'm glad to see the picture more clearly again.

Websites on T.V. Shows

I had often been curious what would happen if you typed in the web address of sites shown on T.V. or movies to help with their plot.

In tonight's episode of CSI New York, websites existed to help them solve their crimes. They were t-shirt websites in which the clothes provided passwords for more information from the website. Curious as to what would happen, I finally decided to type the web address used in the show in my browser to see what pops up.

Turns out, cbs did by that exact webaddress and has used it to forward you to the csi ny section of their site to give you the preview of the next episode.

My curiosity has been satisfied for now.

Grade "A"

Actually, it was a "check ++" which equals "A."

I got the first of my papers from that September intensive back today. It was the final. The 7th of the one day stretch of papers. I was pleased to get an "A" on that one as it was the one I was most tired writing.

Hopefully the others will produce a similar result.

Coaching the Coach

Is that allowed? I mainly help the goalies for the North Central soccer team. In fact, I am their goalie coach. That is my role. Today, the head coach asked me to work on something with them in particular, which I didn't think they needed more work on. In fact, he actually yelled at one of the goalies during a game for "doing something wrong" which I disagreed with.

After that game, I actually told that goalie that he did all he was supposed to do on that particular play, and that he wasn't at any fault. That meant, today, I got to have that discussion with the head coach. It was a matter of "coaching" him on what the goalie's responsibility is, and more importantly isn't, in certain circumstances. Overall the conversation went pretty pleasantly, which was good, because I enjoy helping and wouldn't have wanted to lose my job over it.

Phone Habits?

Do any of you have weird phone habits? I don't mean, pacing while you talk like habits, but decision habits.

Do you always call people back?

Do you always answer a cell phone if you are available?

Do you always talk for an indeterminate amount of time?

I tend to cut conversations short. I don't like to spend longer than 4 minutes with any given phone conversation, unless in person contact is highly improbable. I'd rather drive a half an hour to have a 15 minute conversation, then drive half an hour home, than I would have a 15 minute phone conversation.

If you are ever on the phone with me and my demeanor changes at the four minute mark, now you know why. It isn't you, I just hate phone conversations.

Creeping Temptation

Jenny and I have been avoiding spending money as much as we can now that I'm not working. What is funny to me, is that meant that tonight, we'd go walk around a mall for free.

Constantly putting ourselves in a state of temptation, we walked into most clothing stores that we passed. We even walked in some of them we didn't shop at (because of their prices) when I was working full-time.

It's amazing how that works in life.

It works that way in my spiritual life often as well. The more I try to think about avoiding sin, the more time I spend thinking about things that would be sinful. Why don't we just focus on the things we need to. Had I spent time doing homework tonight, spending money would not have been a focus (and my wife would have been bored!). Like most of my life, if I would consume myself with the things I'm supposed to be doing, that I've been called to do to be a disciple of Christ, the temptation of sin would be less apparent in my thought patterns.

Speaking Opportunities

I didn't feel like talking about these things right when I got home, so my wife might find out about these opportunities from this blog. Lucky for me, I didn't commit to anything, just was made aware of opportunities.

It feels good to be wanted sometimes. Today, I was asked if I could help lead a youth group weekend retreat, at a church I've never been to. The youth pastor needs a male leader (the yp is a female) and has gotten some sermon writing help from me at seminary. I don't know if I'll go yet, (as I haven't talked to the wife) but it is nice to be wanted.

The other is largely different. From a Presbyterian Youth Group to Pentecostal Young Adults. I was asked if I would be available to teach on occasion at a young adult group that is just getting started at a well-known large church in the area. I'm excited about this opportunity, and will be meeting with the leaders of this new group soon to figure out what might work with our schedules.

I love the experience of teaching, both sermons and classroom style. If you are ever looking for a teacher of any kind (in religious subject of some form) I'd be more than happy to sit down and talk with you.

Wish Me Luck

I have my first graduate level test tomorrow. It is a language test, meaning my Hebrew memory needs to do well with the dagesh's and sheva's and dividing of syllables.

Most of it I think will be fine.

On another note, I was back at the North Central soccer team's practice today working with their goalies. They have come a long way, but it is easy to see that they need more individual attention. I enjoyed running around with them again this afternoon.

I have been assigned my text for my preaching class. 80% of my grade will come off of a sermon I write and preach based on James 1:1-12, so if you have any input on how this text can be applied to your life, I'd be more than happy to receive that information.

Assignments Come Natural

My preaching class requires that I listen to, outline, and evaluate sermons by three different preachers, covering three different biblical genres. Many students were concerned that they would have to go to different churches and hit or miss the different genres.

I had the opposite reaction. I'm nerdy enough to have a binder full of sermons on cd in my car. I probably average around 3 sermons that I listen to on my own outside of church each week. I've already got two under my belt this week.

These assignments seem like just another avenue of life for me.

If you ever want some sermons to listen to, I would be more than happy to direct you to some places to find some good ones, or to copy some of mine for you. Just let me know.